Monterey Places of interest

Monterey is full of historic sites and picturesque corners, the ideal place to discover by walking around. There is something called the Monterey Path of History, a lovely walk in the centre of town discovering all the significant historic buildings, a walk that you can do on your own with the use of a map distributed by the Visitor Center or you could take one of the guided tours organized daily.
When visiting Monterey take time to see Fisherman’s Wharf, a characteristic marina with a row of wooden houses that have been all turned into shops and seafood restaurants. The quarter of Cannery Row, which was made famous by many of Steinbeck’s novels, is familiar to many of his readers who come here to find the settings that he so well described in his books.  It is one of America’s most famous streets filled with shops, restaurants and historic attractions. Monterey Bay Aquarium, also in Cannery Row, is a strongly recommended worthwhile experience.

The 17-mile drive is a scenic road along the rocky cliffs of Monterey Bay; there is a charge for cars, while bicycles go free. The stretch of coastline between Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach is particularly nice as it is at beach level, a great place to stop for a walk on the beach. Going up Spanish Bay Beach you’ll get to the Seal and Bird Rocks where it is possible to admire cormorants, seals and pelicans; it is a true paradise corner for the nature lovers.
Another place of interest in the surrounding areas is Salinas, the birth place of John Steinbeck housing the National Steinbeck Center dedicated to the author’s life and works.