Walk the wharf to enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean and the harbor, browse the shops (the saltwater taffy is great!), and dine on fresh seafood by the water. Fisherman’s Wharf is the departure point for Monterey whale watching cruises. You can also enjoy sailing trips, fishing charters, and glass-bottomed boat tours from the wharf.

Today’s Cannery Row is full of restaurants, shops, and hotels, but once it was the center of a large-scale sardine canning industry. The setting for John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name, Cannery Row used to be called Ocean View Avenue.

Rent an electric bike to discover the downtown area, Cannery Row, or Fisherman’s Wharf on your own, or take a guided bicycle tour of the Pacific Grove coastline, Pebble Beach, or another scenic area.

A Taste of Monterey showcases the fine wines of Monterey County wineries with a wine bar, educational center, market, and bistro. You can also take the River Road Wine Trail, located less than 20 miles from Monterey.

An aggregation of a number of historic buildings, Monterey State Historic Park is a must-tour if you enjoy local history. Guided walks may be offered when you visit: join one if you can, for a fascinating peek into the city’s past.

The 17-Mile Drive through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach features beautiful coastal scenery. Starting at the Sunset Drive gate in Pacific Grove, the drive takes you past Spanish Bay to provide stunning vistas of beaches, the ocean, and golf courses, before finishing up in Carmel.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is super picturesque, with charming storybook cottages, a village square with secret passageways and flower-filled courtyards, and a pristine sandy beach. Visit the Carmel Mission and stroll Carmel Village to admire the architecture.