Travel guide

Monterey

Aquarium coast and Cannery Row

🗓️ Best time: April–October💰 Mid-Range · ~$160/day📍 United States

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About Monterey

A rugged central-California coast town with a world-famous aquarium, historic Cannery Row, sea otters and whales offshore, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive to Carmel.

⭐ Things to do in Monterey

Monterey Bay AquariumCannery Row17-Mile DriveWhale watchingPoint Lobos reservePoint Lobos covesCarmel-by-the-Sea villageAsilomar dunes

🍽️ Where to eat in Monterey

Real, top-rated restaurants — tap to see hours, reviews and menus.

The Fish Hopper

★ 4 (8,759) · Seafood · Steakhouses

Old Fisherman's Grotto

★ 4.1 (7,465) · Seafood · Steakhouses

First Awakenings

★ 4.3 (4,159) · Breakfast & Brunch · Burgers

Hula's Island Grill

★ 4.2 (3,438) · Asian Fusion · Hawaiian

$$$

Monterey's Fish House

★ 4 (3,419) · Seafood

Rosine's Restaurant

★ 4.1 (3,214) · American · Breakfast & Brunch

Pangaea on Ocean Ave

★ 4.5 (2,621) · Steakhouses · Seafood

Sea Harvest

★ 4 (2,551) · Seafood · Sandwiches

$$$

Schooners Monterey

★ 4 (2,128) · Seafood · Bars

$$$

The Sardine Factory

★ 4.1 (2,118) · Steakhouses · Seafood

Gianni's Pizza

★ 3.9 (2,042) · Italian · Pizza

$$$

Chart House

★ 3.8 (1,938) · Seafood · Steakhouses

✈️ Know before you go

🚕 Getting around

Car for the coast drives; walkable waterfront and rec trail.

💡 Local tip

Drive 17-Mile Drive at sunset, ending in fairy-tale Carmel-by-the-Sea for dinner.