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

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

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
Cannery Row showing 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
Fisherman\'s Wharf featuring 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
Del Monte Beach which includes a beach and mist or fog

Del Monte Beach

Relax in this tranquil sandy bay hidden behind quaint coastal villas among the sand dunes and choppy waves of Monterey Bay.

Del Monte Beach

Activities

Picture 9 for Activity Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

NZ$106
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

NZ$128
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

NZ$119
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide
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

NZ$55
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Monterey Ghosts Walking Tour By US Ghost Adventures
Picture 1 for Activity Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

NZ$162
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Anytime Admission

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

NZ$39
per adult
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo
See all activities in Monterey

Our pick of the best Old Monterey Hotel Deals

Merritt House Hotel

Merritt House Hotel

2 out of 5
386 Pacific St., Monterey, CA
The price is NZ$362 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
NZ$362
27 Oct - 28 Oct
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,010 reviews)
Merritt Monterey
"The Room Climate Control was inoperable... it would have been nice to have the fireplace " Electric".. no instructions on how to use it , shower head and water pressure could have used an upgrade.. However, The staff was excellent, The Room Staff was 10 out of 10! ...Bed was very comfortable, the ..."

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Merritt House Hotel
Hotel Pacific

Hotel Pacific

3.5 out of 5
300 Pacific St, Monterey, CA
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! (1,381 reviews)
"Restaurants near by and bakeries"

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

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Hotel Pacific
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA
The price is NZ$438 per night from 13 Oct to 14 Oct
NZ$438
13 Oct - 14 Oct
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,734 reviews)
"Beautiful property and friendly staff!"

Reviewed on 24 Sept 2025

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
The Monterey Hotel

The Monterey Hotel

3 out of 5
407 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,346 reviews)
"Really liked the property as it was a terrific historical hotel. Proximity to things we enjoy was great. It is an old hotel and sleeping with windows open in Sept was difficult due to traffic on the street throughout the night. That was the only challenge but expected as air conditioning is not needed ..."

Reviewed on 25 Sept 2025

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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
The price is NZ$627 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
NZ$627
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,368 reviews)
"It’s comfortable and beautiful."

Reviewed on 25 Sept 2025

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 NZ$462 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
NZ$462
12 Oct - 13 Oct
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,459 reviews)
"Clean and quiet"

Reviewed on 24 Sept 2025

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
See all 1,401 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 featuring a city, street scenes and nightlife

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 Monterey State Beach or Golden State Theatre might round out your trip.

Downtown Monterey
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Alta Mesa

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

Alta Mesa
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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
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Monterey Vista

While Monterey Vista isn't home to many top sights, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Munras Avenue are some notable places to visit nearby.

Monterey Vista
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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 which includes interior views and marine life

New Monterey

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

New Monterey

Old Monterey Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: