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
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
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
Del Monte Golf Course

Del Monte Golf Course

Enjoy a round of golf in Monterey at Del Monte Golf Course. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the seafood restaurants while you're in the area.

Del Monte Golf Course

Activities

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

AU$113
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
If you stay around long enough, you may feel a tug at your pant leg at Colton Hall Jail.

Monterey Ghosts Walking Tour By US Ghost Adventures

AU$40
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey Ghosts Walking Tour By US Ghost Adventures
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

AU$113
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide
Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

AU$152
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Monterey: Cannery Row Kayak Tour

Monterey: Cannery Row Kayak Tour

AU$105
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Cannery Row Kayak Tour
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Anytime Admission

Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Unlimited Rides

AU$40
per adult
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Unlimited Rides
See all activities in Monterey

Our pick of the best Old Monterey Hotel Deals

Hotel Pacific
Hotel Pacific
3.5 out of 5
300 Pacific St, Monterey, CA
The price is AU$232 per night from 14 Jan to 15 Jan
AU$232
includes taxes & fees
14 Jan - 15 Jan
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! (1,171 reviews)
"It was a cozy Spanish style place in a great location next to Fisherman’s Wharf. Rooms were much bigger than expected with a nice fireplace. It had a paid parking but you can easily find parking spots in street in front of the hotel. Breakfast was basic."

Reviewed on 31 Dec. 2024

Hotel Pacific
Merritt House Hotel
Merritt House Hotel
2 out of 5
386 Pacific St., Monterey, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$367 per night from 15 Jan to 16 Jan
AU$367
includes taxes & fees
15 Jan - 16 Jan
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! (998 reviews)
"Staff was incredible and very responsive. Quiet place, good location. Nice room. Really good experience"

Reviewed on 30 Dec. 2024

Merritt House Hotel
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA
The price is AU$386 per night from 9 Jan to 10 Jan
AU$386
includes taxes & fees
9 Jan - 10 Jan
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! (2,415 reviews)
"Great location to downtown and the nearby trails. We didn’t know that we needed to call the front desk to request the garbage take out. But eventually I made a request with the staff at the front desk, the garbage remained in our room. Well I can understand it was New Year’s Eve so the businesss ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jan. 2025

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa
Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa
3.5 out of 5
700 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA
The price is AU$262 per night from 5 Jan to 6 Jan
AU$262
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 Jan
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,442 reviews)
"Safe & Convenient"

Reviewed on 3 Jan. 2025

Casa Munras Garden 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$320 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
AU$320
includes taxes & fees
3 Feb - 4 Feb
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! (1,335 reviews)
"Buying from Expdia will not cover resort fee. It looked cheaper at a glance because not including resort fee."

Reviewed on 2 Jan. 2025

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
Carmel Mission Inn
Carmel Mission Inn
3.5 out of 5
3665 Rio Rd, Carmel, CA
The price is AU$323 per night from 5 Jan to 6 Jan
AU$323
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 Jan
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Carmel. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,393 reviews)
"The pool was awesome and late night spa was the best idea, ev charging system was a disaster either you should have it or you shouldn't have it the idea of loaning a charger is kinda not doable since some people keep the charger and won't return it and some people park the car on EV spot and won't ..."

Reviewed on 30 Dec. 2024

Carmel Mission Inn
See all 1,386 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 which includes street scenes, signage and a city

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 Golden State Theatre or Munras Avenue might round out your trip.

Downtown Monterey
Default Image

Alta Mesa

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

Alta Mesa
Default Image

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 Del Monte Golf Course.

Oak Grove
Default Image

Monterey Vista

While visiting Monterey Vista, you might make a stop by sights like Munras Avenue and Don Dahvee Park.

Monterey Vista
Default Image

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 showing marine life and interior views

New Monterey

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

New Monterey

Old Monterey Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: