The subject of songs and poetry, coastal Monterey lives up to its reputation as one of the premiere beach resorts in California.
In this video, Veronica Hill of California Travel Tips takes us on a 3-minute journey through this historic city. Located two hours south of San Francisco and 5 1/2 hours north of LA, Monterey retains the charm of a small town while boasting some of the best dining, shops and attractions on the Central Coast.
Cannery Row, immortalized in the 1945 John Steinbeck novel, is one of Monterey’s top attractions. Today, Cannery Row’s sardine factories are now home to quirky shops, chain restaurants and posh hotels.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, housed in historic Hoven Cannery, is a must-see attraction. A downstairs exhibit displays Steinbeck memorabilia and vintage sardine machinery. For a fun day out with the kids, check out Old Fisherman’s Wharf, originally built in 1846. It’s a typical bustling pier, with million-dollar Monterey boats, fresh seafood, candy shops and amusements. We stopped for lunch at Old Fisherman’s Grotto, known for its fresh cracked crab and the best clam chowder in Monterey.
I have to say, it lived up to its reputation. For a great locals-style breakfast, pop in to Old Monterey Cafe on Alvarado Street. Next, rent a surrey from Bay Bikes and explore Monterey State Historic Park, just a few blocks up the street. You’ll find some of the best preserved adobes in California here, including Custom House, built by Mexico in 1827 for sea trading.
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June 14th, 2010 at 7:27 am
@tylertyler82 Hope you enjoy Monterey! Monterey and Carmel are beautiful, and I know you’ll love the lifestyle there.
June 14th, 2010 at 7:59 am
I may be moving to Monterey for a job promotion. I have been living in San Francisco for the past 9 years, and want to try something different, and fell in love with Monterey and Carmel when I visited a few years ago. I am looking for a more locals oriented guide, thanks!
June 14th, 2010 at 8:50 am
aww..Monterey. My hometown. I miss it.
June 14th, 2010 at 8:56 am
i live in monterey and i have one of thosse passes to the aqaurium. have any of you been to the new frozen yogert place yet?
June 14th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I love Monterey….
June 14th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Cool! What are your favorite places to eat??
June 14th, 2010 at 10:35 am
I live in Monterey county and i go to Monterey bay like once a month.ITS REALLY COOL!!!!!!!IV’e been to every single place they showed there except for the resturaunt LOL
June 14th, 2010 at 11:26 am
best place ever!
June 14th, 2010 at 11:46 am
love monterey went last year in the summer and it was chlli…cannery row is a cute place they have a place where u can go down and sit by the water…took our shoes off and burried our feet in the freezing sand..well worth it..old fishermans warf was fun..did i mention ALL THE FREE CLAM CHOWDER!!!!!!
June 14th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Driving time is about 8 hours, but they do have flights into Monterey from San Diego airport.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
how many hours is it from san diego?
June 14th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
yea i know it sounds dumb.XD but io think it lives in the ocean because you cant see Monterey from where it might be.but imparently someone said they saw somthing in the water and called the coastgaurd so they found the boat and the persons videos camrea underwater about ten miles away but no body.thats just a story probally some guy who wanted attenion made it up
June 14th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
How funny! Where is it supposed to live exactly? In the bay or the ocean?
June 14th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
like some monster like the so called “nessie” that eats or kills pll it was on the lost tapes show on animal planet
June 14th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
No, what is this?
June 14th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Oh I love Monterey and highway 1. I stopped there on the way to Big Sur and went to Monterey beach.
June 14th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Hey Thanks Veronica!! You have an italian name.
I now good people. Unfortunately I’m in the average.
I’d search a job in Monterey if I only speak english and not just write it. Thanks anyway. On people who want to visit italy I hope they like old buildings, cause what else can they see in Italy. If I wasn’t italian, I’d come to italy just for food. In spite of what they say we are snob people in the north and underdeveloped and culturally arid people in the south. That is the average.
June 14th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Thanks Veronica (nice italian name), I think they want to see Italy cause they have never been here probably. The only reason I would go to italy is food and not for people or places. I would try to find a job in Monterey, but I should speak english first and not just write it. Thanks again.
Paolo
June 14th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Monterey is very beautiful! But I know there are plenty of people in California who would love to see Italy! Check the local newspaper online. Perhaps you can find a job there! Good luck to you!
Veronica
June 14th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Hey guys this is Paolo from Italy. I’ve been twice in Monterey and I love it. It’s a paradise and I miss it a lot. In italy there’re no places like that. If someone gives e a job, I’d be there tomorrow or on monday at 7:30 at most.
June 14th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Wow, what a beautiful place to live. We really loved Monterey too. I’d love to return this summer! Thanks for commenting! Veronica
June 14th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
I used to live in the Monterey Bay area from 1985 till 2004. Freaking miss the place badly. I lived in Aptos.
June 14th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Awesome! You will love it. Don’t forget the aquarium. It’s an obvious choice, but a good one. We also enjoyed checking out the historic adobe buildings throughout the area. It’s a nice little walk through town. Let me know if I can be of help. Cheers! Veronica
June 14th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
My girlfriend and I stopped in to Monterey on our way down to Long Beach in March.
Thanks for posting.