Monterey, California

Monterey Park 

1. Monterey is a city on California’s rugged central coast right off of the Pacific Coast Highway.  It was just one of the beautiful stops and visits along our drive down Highway 1 from San Francisco to Big Sur.  It is well known for its sardine packing industry, aquarium, beautiful beaches and overall charm. 
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There is something for everyone here, and be sure to check out this Lists of activities and itineraries before you go.

Monterey, California is just one gorgeous place.  It is exactly what you expect a coastal California town to look and feel like.  Beautiful coastal town that is all about the water, from the world-class aquarium to historic cannery row.  I could spend a lot of time here.  While in Monterey we spent some time walking around the town, strolled down Fisherman's pier, and walked through Cannery Row. 

Fisherman's Pier

Fisherman's Pier is a much smaller version of San Francisco's famous piers.  Fisherman's Pier in Monterey is lined with touristy shops, whale watching excursions, and restaurants on a much smaller and less busy scale.  

Fisherman's Pier 

Chowder on Fisherman's Pier 

The best part about Fisherman's Wharf is all of the clam chowder. As you walk down the pier, every restaurant has an employee out front offering samples of chowder.  You can just walk up and down the boardwalk, sampling chowder from all the different restaurants.  Yep, its heaven.  

Sea Lion on Fisherman's Pier 

Whale Watching Monterey Bay 

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Whale Watching

The whale watching looked absolutely amazing out of Monterey.  After seeing the recent sightings (see above) I was really jealous we were unable to go out whale watching.  While one of the whale watching tours was dog friendly, they are expensive and Olive would not have enjoyed the evening out on the boat.  Next time. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is marine mammal paradise.  This protected area is home to all of the above sightings and so much more.  If you want to go whale watching, this is where you go. 

"The sanctuary contains our nation's largest kelp forests and one of North America's largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments. Its diverse marine ecosystem also includes rugged rocky shores, wave-swept sandy beaches and tranquil estuaries. These habitats harbor an incredible variety of marine life, including 34 species of marine mammals, more than 180 species of seabirds and shorebirds, at least 525 species of fishes, and an abundance of invertebrates and algae. Known as the "Serengeti of the Sea," this remarkably productive marine environment is fringed by spectacular coastal scenery, including sand dunes, rocky cliffs, rolling hills and steep mountains." More Info

Whale Watching Monterey Bay 

San Carlos Beach 

San Carlos Beach 

If you want to spend some time on the beach, or even scuba diving, you are in a perfect spot.  San Carlos Beach on a Saturday morning was full of divers heading into the water.  I was told that more divers get certified on San Carlos Beach than anywhere else in the world.  Paradise Found.   If you aren't into diving, it is a beautiful spot to go for a swim, paddle board, lie on the beach, or just enjoy the views in the park. 

More about diving San Carlos Beach 

San Carlos Beach 

San Carlos Beach 

San Carlos Beach 

Paddle Boarding San Carlos Beach 

San Carlos Beach 

Cannery Row 

If you want a history tour,  you guessed it, you can find that here too.  Monterey's Iconic Cannery Row will satisfy any history buff in your family.  It is pretty magical to walk along these streets, envisioning Monterey as it once was.

Cannery Row

"Cannery Row is the waterfront street in the New Monterey section of Monterey, California. It is the site of a number of now-defunct sardine canning factories. The last cannery closed in 1973. The street name, formerly a nickname for Ocean View Avenue, became official in January 1958 to honor John Steinbeck and his well-known novel Cannery Row.^[1] In the novel's opening sentence, Steinbeck described the street as "a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream."  The canneries failed after the collapse of the fishing industry in Monterey Bay in the mid-1950s, which resulted from a combination of factors, including unfavorable oceanic conditions, over-fishing, and competition from other species. ^[2] In his investigation of where the sardines had gone, Ed Ricketts finally concluded "They're in cans." Before the collapse, the fishery was one of the most productive in the world due to the upwelling of cold, yet nutrient-rich water from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean that is funneled to the surface via the vast underwater Monterey Canyon".  More Info. 

To this day you will not find any operational canning facilities, but you will find shops, restaurants, and the charm of what was once a booming industry.  More about Cannery Row 

Old Labels on Cannery Row

As you walk around, keep your eyes peeled for copies of old canning labels preserved in the sidewalks and streets of Cannery Row. There is educational signage around the area and so many shops and restaurants to peek in and out of.  A walk down cannery row is a must for anyone visiting Monterey. 

Old Labels on Cannery Row

 Cannery Row

 Cannery Row

Monterey, CA

Monterey, CA

We only spent one night/day in Monterey, but there is so much to do in this little town on the coast.  I only wish we had more time.  The 17 Mile Drive was listed as a must-see by many, and will be high on my list next time I am there.  There is a fee and we were sort of sick of being in the car at that point, so it is on the list for our net visit.  Whale watching will also be a must net time I find myself on the Pacific Coast. 

For me, Monterey was out of a dream.  I had missed the water so much and this town was the perfect cure.  Coastal and charming without all the people, hustle and bustle.  San Francisco was great, but Monterey was what I wanted.  It is exactly what you hope California towns along the coast would be.  So long for now Monterey.

Next stop, Napa.