Monterey

Ambrosia India Bistro

Authentic Indian cuisine from appetizer to dessert. Faults in the service are redeemed by the extraordinary flavors and presentation of the meal.

Daily 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-9:30PM·$10-30

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co

This location is the first Bubba Gump, opening in 1996. This is a more recognizable location set in the background of many smaller seafood places in the Cannery Row area - explore the options as you walk around.

Sun 11AM-9PM, Mon-Wed 11AM-8PM, Thu 11AM-8:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-9PM

Cannery Row

Sports a Pebble Beach Golf shop, where virtually every item on display somehow incorporates the famous Lone Cypress (C) logo. It also has a number of overpriced, tacky specialty shops and overpriced, mediocre restaurants, including a Ghiaradelli store.

Colton Hall

Considered one of the most historic buildings in California, Colton Hall is the birthplace of the State of California. Home of the California Constitutional Convention of 1849, visit the site where 48 delegates debated the decisions that made California a free state. See original documents, artifacts, and even walk on the same floor as the delegates. the.

Sat-Sun 10AM-4PM·free

Compagno's Market and Deli

The deli is a little out of the center of town and easy to miss, but it's worth a short car trip. They make great sandwiches with excellent quality cold cuts, delicious meatballs made in-house, very fresh vegetables, and use tasty bread in several varieties. Very popular with local military men and women and civilians. Nice service, too. Be patient; you will wait on line, and they won't rush you.

Mon-Fri 10AM - 6PM, Sat Sun 9:30AM - 5:30PM

Cooper Molera Adobe

An adobe from 1827 which now houses a small museum, a garden, cafe, restaurant and event venue. Formerly the site was part of the Monterey State Historic Park but now is owned by National Trust for Historic Preservation. The ground floor museum exhibit is open on weekends but the rest of the museum is closed due to COVID.

Sat Sun 10AM-4PM·free

Custom House

Oldest government building in California and first designated California Historical Landmark. First floor is a small museum and gift shop.

Tue-Sun 10AM-4PM·free

Dennis the Menace Park

A giant kids' park that includes a full sized train, numerous bridges, ducks and geese you can feed and paddle boat rentals. One of the better free municipal parks in Northern California.

Wed-Mon (closed Tue)

Epsilon

A truly charming restaurant - cozy, well-lit, hand-decorated, with superb Greek food and a passionate staff. The spanakopita with a Greek salad can make a meal on its own.

Fisherman's Wharf

The Old Fisherman's Wharf

Provides plenty of opportunities to find that perfect Monterey postcard or souvenir (who do you know who doesn't want a plush sea otter?) You can also buy the day's latest catch fresh off the boat.

Golden State Theatre

This refurbished theatre offers diverse, family-friendly shows centering around the themes of classic cinema and musical theater. It's worth a trip just to see the ornate interior of the theater.

Hula's Island Grill

Hula's Island Grill and Tiki Room is an intimate local's restaurant offering a dining experience in a tropical setting. Offers fun, friendly, enthusiastic service, fresh fish, steaks, seafood, and an overall menu which includes a hint of Asian, a dash of Latin and a touch of Caribbean, all with Hawaiian inspiration.

11:30AM-9:30PM·$10-20

Indian Summer

A hookah bar with an exotic atmosphere, Mexican food, and local brews. Non-tobacco smoking options available.

Mon 7PM-midnight, Tue-Thu 5PM-midnight, Fri Sat 5PM-1AM, Sun 5PM-midnight

Larkin House

Two-story mud adobe brick home built during Monterey’s Mexican period by Thomas O. Larkin. Accessible by tour only.

Tours on Thu-Sat at 2PM·$10/adult, children free

Maritime Museum of History

Showcases exhibits that revolve around Monterey's history as a port, and the history of both seafaring and commercial fishing, from the whaling era to the present day.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

This large aquarium specializes in exhibiting local sea life in typical local habitat displays and has many spectacular exhibits. It is particularly known for its Kelp Forest exhibit, three stories high, filled with several varieties of giant kelp and a wide variety of marine animal species, and also for its million-gallon Open Sea exhibit with large blue fin and yellowfin tunas, mahi-mahis, sharks (including an occasional Great White Shark as a very temporary visitor, before being released back to the ocean), ocean sunfish (mola-molas) and sea turtles. The best exhibits include a large tank of silver sardines that swim around and around above one's head, and one of rescued sea otters deemed unreturnable to the wild and therefore kept at the aquarium. (The aquarium has rescued and released back to the wild over 500 sea otters.) Quite expensive, but for a good cause (the aquarium is privately funded, and much of the money goes for conservation research), and most visitors will consider a visit well worth the charge.

9AM or 10AM to 5PM or 6PM, depending on time of year and day of week·$65/adult, $50/youth and seniors, $45/child

Monterey Bay Kayaks

Offers kayaking equipment rentals as well as guided kayaking tours, classes, and fishing trips.

Monterey County Fairgrounds

The fairgrounds hosts the annual Monterey Jazz Festival and hosted the one-time Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Other music festivals occur throughout the year, and the locally famous Monterey County Fair occurs every year in late August.

Monterey Imports

Galarie Monterey

It assembles excellent examples of Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan jewelry, statues, sculptures, incense, meditation tools, music cds, textiles (including yoga clothing, pashmina shawls and casual wear) and accessories.

Monterey Museum of Art

It has two locations. The 559 Pacific Street location, across from Colton Hall, has eight galleries, with both permanent and rotating exhibitions. The La Mirada building is one of Monterey's Mexican-era adobes. Located at 720 Via Mirada, near Monterey Peninsula College, it has four galleries, plus great views of Monterey Bay. Admission is $10, with $5 admission for students and military. One Thursday a month, the Pacific Street location hosts "Art After Hours," with free admission, light appetizers and drinks.

Monterey State Historic Park

This park is the historic downtown area known as Old Monterey, containing a number of historic buildings and gardens. Most of the buildings are from the first half of the 19th century, and most of the historic gardens are about a century old. Start at Custom House Plaza, in downtown Monterey, near the Old Fisherman's Wharf, and look for the yellow plaques that mark the Monterey Walking Path of History to take in some of the town's most intriguing buildings. Informational signs are posted at each stop. Maps and tour information are available at the Pacific House and the Cooper Molera store. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available near the Central Plaza in the Casa del Oro Garden and in the Cooper Molera courtyard.

Gardens open daily 9AM–5PM summer; 10AM–4PM winter; museums vary·free

Old Monterey Jail

When California became a state in 1850, Monterey was selected as the seat of Monterey County government and this was the new jail that was built. The jail is open whenever Colton Hall is open.

Sat 10AM-4PM·free

Old Whaling Station

Don't miss the whalebone sidewalk. Whalebone was once a common material for sidewalks in seaside towns; it is very likely this is the last one of its kind.

Pacific House Museum

Offers detailed displays on local history and Native American life.

Tue-Sun 10AM-4PM·free

Parker-Lusseau Pastries

Tucked away in the historic Fremont Adobe building next door to the post office, this small patisserie offers some of the best French pastries and lattes this side of the Atlantic.

Peter B's Brewpub

The original craft brewery in Monterey, since 1996. Happy hour from 4-6PM and 9-10PM.

Wed-Sun 4-10PM

Pizza My Heart

Great, cheap pizza, made with all fresh ingredients, and open until 10PM. If you're looking for a live show that night, just ask the staff; they know everything going on in town.

Presidio of Monterey Museum

Gives the history of the Presidio of Monterey from pre-history through the War on Terror.

Sat-Sun noon-4PM·free

Rosine's

A downtown, family-friendly classic serving up wonderful portions of comfort food. Famous for its spectacular cakes - make sure you have someone to share with!

Salty Seal Brewpub

Bar with some local breweries' beers that opened in June 2021 with a heated patio.

Sun 11AM-11PM, Mon-Thu noon-11PM, Fri noon-midnight, Sat 11AM-midnight