Your Travel Guide to Monterey

Monterey is one of the best places to visit on the California coast! From beautiful beaches to great shops and restaurants, there’s no shortage of things to do. We’ve put together your travel guide to ensure you have a fantastic trip!

1. Where to Dine: Calling all foodies! You’ll love Monterey’s abundance of diverse restaurants to choose from. For breakfast, head over to Rosine’s Restaurant and enjoy eggs benedict paired with a mimosa. Trust us, you can’t go wrong with that duo! As lunchtime nears, venture out and try some California coast seafood from the popular Monterey Fish House. Don’t be afraid to try something new like their BBQ Baby Octopus! For happy hour, swing by one of the best breweries in Monterey. Not only does Alvarado Street Brewery serve tasty beers, but their food selection is also great and pairs nicely with the brews! Their stone oven pizza is heavenly. If you stay at The Monterey Hotel consider booking their special Beer & Stay package which includes two beer flights at Alvarado Street Brewery.

2. Where to Wine: After you’ve enjoyed a day full of food, you’ll need to treat yourself to a few wine tastings in Monterey. Bargetto Winery on Cannery Row has the best Santa Clara Valley Rose- great for drinking on a warm summer day. Not to mention, their prices for tastings and bottles are budget-friendly. Also near Cannery Row, you’ll find a small, family-owned tasting room called Pierce Ranch Vineyard. They offer delicious Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel that are full of rich flavors. Right next to The Monterey Hotel you’ll discover big wines at Comanche Cellars! Enjoy comparing vintages of the same wine with a vertical tasting. Staying at The Monterey Hotel? Book their special Wine & Stay package which includes a $40 gift certificate to Comanche Cellars.

3. Where to Explore: Okay, so the food and wine are covered. What’s next? It’s time to explore Monterey! The Old Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular tourist attraction for a reason. You can easily spend an entire day on The Wharf shopping, whale watching and enjoying other ocean activities. While in Monterey, you’ll want to visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Whether you are 5 or 85, you’ll have a blast checking out the cute sea otters and mesmerizing jellyfish!  

4. Where to Shop: Souvenirs are always a great reminder of your adventures. Luckily on Cannery Row there are many shops to find something special. Visit the Sockshop for unique socks - they have every type of dog socks you could think of so you’ll be able to bring home ones that look like your pup! Do you love to cook? Stop by Monterey’s Tasty Olive Bar and choose from over seventy different varieties of olive oils and balsamic to bring back to your kitchen! Cannery Row is the perfect place to shop until you drop while supporting small businesses.

5. Where to Stay: You’ll need a comfortable home base to relax in after a long day full of eating, wine tasting, exploring and shopping. Our victorian-style hotel offers affordable lodging and is located in downtown Monterey. At The Monterey Hotel you’ll be within walking distance from the best spots, including Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf! Make the most of your getaway and take advantage of our deals, seasonal promotions and vacation packages here. 

Monterey is such a fun place to visit and has a lot to offer. We hope you enjoy your future getaway now that your itinerary is complete!