Old Monterey Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Golden State Theatre showing theatre scenes and a city
Old Monterey
Maritime Museum
Monterey State Historic Park showing a park
Monterey State Historic Park

Popular places to visit

Colton Hall Museum showing a house

Colton Hall Museum

Find out about the early days of Californian state rules via the displays and guides in this historic 19th-century building.

Colton Hall Museum
Monterey Bay Aquarium featuring interior views and marine life

Monterey Bay Aquarium

4.5/5(12 reviews)

Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find a spectacular window into life both above and below the waves.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
17-Mile Drive featuring a beach and rugged coastline

17-Mile Drive

4.5/5(15 reviews)

Discover palatial mansions, lush golf courses and a wild stretch of coastline inhabited by sea lions on a road often dubbed one of the world’s most scenic drives.

17-Mile Drive
Cannery Row showing a beach as well as a small group of people

Cannery Row

4/5(17 reviews)

Renamed after John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, this historic area has transformed since the gritty industrial days described in the book.

Cannery Row
Fisherman\'s Wharf featuring boating and general coastal views as well as a large group of people

Fisherman's Wharf

4/5(31 reviews)

Take a whale tour, admire the ocean views from seafood restaurants and browse the souvenirs for sale in this thriving marina.

Fisherman's Wharf
Del Monte Beach which includes a beach and mist or fog

Del Monte Beach

Relax in this tranquil sandy bay hidden behind quaint coastal villas among the sand dunes and choppy waves of Monterey Bay.

Del Monte Beach

Activities

Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

AU$107
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

AU$114
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

AU$99
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1

AU$30
per traveller
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Anytime Admission

Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo

AU$35
per adult
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo
Picture 1 for Activity Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

AU$145
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise
See all activities in Monterey

Our pick of the best Old Monterey Hotel Deals

Merritt House Hotel

Merritt House Hotel

2 out of 5
386 Pacific St., Monterey, CA
The price is AU$311 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
AU$311
29 Oct - 30 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"Wonderful one night stay. The woman at the front desk was SO helpful. Easy check in/out process and the room/bed was very comfortable."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Merritt House Hotel
Hotel Pacific

Hotel Pacific

3.5 out of 5
300 Pacific St, Monterey, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,368 reviews)
"Across the street is the wharf and Portola meeting center. It’s a pretty easy Cannery Ros down the bike path nearby. The hotel is older and showing age, but rooms were spacious, very comfortable, well laid ou, and breakfast was really good. Check your reservations. They do add quite a few extra charges, ..."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

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Hotel Pacific
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$399 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
AU$399
30 Oct - 31 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Monterey. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,758 reviews)
"Clean room | Staff | Pet-friendly | Parking"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
The Monterey Hotel

The Monterey Hotel

3 out of 5
407 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,379 reviews)
"This is an older older hotel but that’s what makes it so cozy. My room didn’t have central heater/air but had a fire place. Some rooms do have Central heating and Air I think you need to ask the front desk if that’s important to you. My room was Comfy and clean. Staff was super friendly. They do ..."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Get rates
The Monterey Hotel
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$558 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
AU$558
30 Oct - 31 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,374 reviews)
"Best hotel in the area"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
1 Old Golf Course Rd, Monterey, CA
The price is AU$409 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$409
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,463 reviews)
"Loved it"

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
See all 1,404 properties in Old Monterey
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Monterey

Carmel featuring a city, street scenes and nightlife

Downtown Monterey

5/5(5 area reviews)

The pristine beaches and popular aquarium are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Monterey. A stop by Monterey State Beach or Golden State Theatre might round out your trip.

Downtown Monterey
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Alta Mesa

While visiting Alta Mesa, you might make a stop by sights like Munras Avenue and Del Monte Shopping Center.

Alta Mesa
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Oak Grove

While Oak Grove may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Monterey Bay Aquarium and Monterey State Beach.

Oak Grove
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Monterey Vista

While Monterey Vista isn't home to many top sights, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Munras Avenue are some notable places to visit nearby.

Monterey Vista
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Lighthouse District

5/5(4 area reviews)

Lighthouse District is well-regarded for its pristine beaches, ample dining options and popular aquarium, and you might also want to make a stop by Cannery Row, a top sight in the neighbourhood.

Lighthouse District
Monterey Bay Aquarium which includes interior views and marine life

New Monterey

If you're spending some time in New Monterey, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row are top sights worth seeing.

New Monterey

Old Monterey Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: