Old Monterey Travel Guide

Monterey

Golden State Theatre showing a city and theatre scenes
Golden State Theatre showing a city and theatre scenes
Golden State Theatre which includes theater scenes and signage
Maritime Museum
Monterey State Historic Park featuring a park

Popular places to visit

Monterey, California's marina is filled with sailboats and yachts. Birds fly over the water, while fog partially obscures the distant hills.

Waterfront

Enjoy a trip to Waterfront and popular activities such as golfing in Monterey. Discover the area's seafood restaurants and its acclaimed art galleries.

Waterfront
Colton Hall Museum which includes 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
Cannery Row which includes a beach as well as a small group of people

Cannery Row

Luxury, leisure and nature come together at this historic sardine-canning district, which is one of Monterey’s most acclaimed recreational areas.

Cannery Row
17-Mile Drive featuring rugged coastline and a beach

17-Mile Drive

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
Aerial view of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California, United States.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

You can take time to visit WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during your travels to Monterey. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the seafood restaurants while you're in the area.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Fisherman\'s Wharf which includes boating and general coastal views as well as a large group of people

Fisherman's Wharf

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

Fisherman's Wharf

Things to do

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

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

฿621
per traveller
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1
Picture 9 for Activity Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

฿1,925
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
Half Day Private Big Sur Driving Tour in California

Half Day Private Big Sur Driving Tour in California

฿1,087
per traveller
Half Day Private Big Sur Driving Tour in California
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Anytime Admission

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

฿714
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

฿2,949
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

฿2,328
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
See all activities in Monterey

Top hotels in Old Monterey

Hotel Pacific

Hotel Pacific

3.5 out of 5
300 Pacific St Monterey CA
Stay at this hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,488 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

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Hotel Pacific
Merritt House Hotel

Merritt House Hotel

2 out of 5
386 Pacific St. Monterey CA
The price is ฿6,598 per night from 12 Mar to 13 Mar
฿6,598
฿7,509 total
12 Mar - 13 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
Merritt House is a very unique property near Fisherman’s Wharf. Great stay for the price!

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

Merritt House Hotel
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 ฿6,984 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
฿6,984
฿8,288 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Monterey. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,988 reviews)
I have stayed here a few times...the last 10 years ago. Property is just as lovely with updated rooms and a very kind staff.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
The Monterey Hotel

The Monterey Hotel

3 out of 5
407 Calle Principal Monterey CA
Stay at this hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,551 reviews)
Clean room staff is very nice alot of near by shops and restaurants

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

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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 ฿10,585 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
฿10,585
฿12,208 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,454 reviews)
We had good view of ocean and it’s was nice to open window and hear ocean. It was a relaxing stay.

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

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 ฿6,215 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
฿6,215
฿8,502 total
1 Apr - 2 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,553 reviews)
Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me 🎉

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
See all 1,423 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

Following highway 1 south out of Monterey you get views like this

Downtown Monterey

4/5(31 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
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018

Alta Mesa

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

Alta Mesa
Path in live oak forest or woods, footpath trail or footway in old grove or woodland. Twisted gnarled oak trees branches and trunks. Lace lichen moss hanging. Point Lobos wilderness, California, USA.

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
Point Sur Lighthouse at Big Sur, California

Lighthouse District

4/5(9 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
One of the most mesmerizing jellyfish species I have ever seen!

New Monterey

If you're spending some time in New Monterey, Cannery Row and San Carlos Beach - The Breakwater are top sights worth seeing.

New Monterey
panoramic drone view of Pebble Beach, California

Monterey Vista

While Monterey Vista isn't home to many top sights, Munras Avenue and Del Monte Shopping Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

Monterey Vista

Old Monterey Travel Guide