Your guide to what to eat, where to stay and what to do in Monterey, California plus how to get a discount ticket at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!
Pat and I just got back from an amazing weekend getaway to Monterey, which is about 2.5 hours south of San Francisco. We had the best time and it was so great to get out of the city.
One of the most amazing things about this trip is that our itinerary was almost completely crowd sourced. I asked you guys on Instagram where we should go, what we should do and where we should eat in Monterey and you more than delivered!
In addition to this travel guide, don’t forget to watch this short video featuring highlights from our trip:
You guys are the best! Here’s the Instagram post with all the recommendations that we used to guide this trip. What’s better than getting your expert recommendations? Thanks so much again!
Without further ado, let’s get started with everything you need to know on where to eat in Monterey, where to stay and what to do!
Monterey California Places of Interest
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA
A trip to Monterey really isn’t complete without a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I have to admit, I was skeptical about what the aquarium had to offer before we visited. In general, aquariums make me uncomfortable. The thought of animals, especially sea mammals like whales and dolphins, stuck in glass tanks doing tricks for tourists their entire lives frankly makes me nauseous. I’m so grateful that the Monterey Bay does not have dolphins or whales. Instead, they have a collection of incredible creatures like jellyfish, shellfish and deep-sea fish. They are also a rehab center for sea birds, many of which get released back into the wild.
Our time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium was magical. We were especially blown away by the jellyfish exhibit and the massive multiple story aquarium tank. The aquarium has great lighting, crystal clear glass and an amazing variety of wildlife. They are also incredible contributors to conservation and research efforts to protect our oceans.
I definitely recommend going to the aquarium early. We had a lazy morning at our hotel and didn’t go until 1 p.m.. It was so loud. The place was packed with noisy kids, which of course is to be expected at an aquarium! We would have had an even better experience if we had beat the rush.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Sleepovers
A really unique way to experience the aquarium is by purchasing a ticket to one of the aquarium sleepovers. What an incredible thing to do in Monterey with kids.
Get Discounted Tickets to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Here’s an insider tip – get a discount on Monterey Bay Aquarium by staying at one of their partner hotels. They offer a two-day aquarium pass for the price of one day. If you plan to visit often, there’s also the option to buy a membership pass. Lastly, many companies offer discounted tickets for the aquarium. Check to see if your workplace is on the list.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
More photos from the Monterey Bay Aquarium:
The hotel has a great location right in downtown Monterey, close to the beach and on Alvarado street where many of the best restaurants and bars are. Our room was absolutely spotless and the bed was so comfortable. The rooms are spacious and have all of the modern amenities you would expect.
The Monterey Hotel
407 Calle Principal
Monterey, CA 93940
http://www.montereyhotel.com/
More photos of The Monterey Hotel:
Restaurant 1833 was a recommendation that came up over and over both on social media and friends who spend a lot of time in Monterey. Called the Best Restaurant in Monterey, it did not disappoint! The menu is pretty all over the place – you’ll find everything from ramen to chicharrones to wood fired pizzas. You’d think that this menu variety would make your head spin, but it actually works. Everything was delicious! Our servers were genuinely friendly – we almost felt like we were treated like family! I highly recommend checking Restaurant 1833 out if you’re in Monterey.
Beast Menu Group Dining
If you’re with a group of six or more, check out Restaurant 1833’s Beast Menu. You can purchase a whole suckling pig, a whole goat or a massive preparation of sustainable ocean fish. Just make sure you give them a week notice.
History of Restaurant 1833
Even cooler is the story of the house, which was built in, wait for it….1833. It has had several iterations, but most famously it was a pharmacy run by James Stokes. He initially won acclaim for curing the people of Monterey of various ailments, but then it came out that he actually wasn’t a pharmacist. The sentiment around him turned and he . It’s said that he still haunts the house. Distraught, James reportedly hung himself. There’s a negative of him hanging upstairs and it’s said if you stare at it long enough you’ll see the real image. 🙂 Such a gruesome story, but it does add to the mystique of the house!
Restaurant 1833 Monterey
500 Hartnell Street
Monterey, CA 93940
http://www.restaurant1833.com/
More photos of Restaurant 1833:
Despite having a brick and mortar Tricycle Pizza in Monterey still makes their wood-fired pizza out of the food truck that they got their start in. Their outdoor seating is dog friendly and has a ton of toys for kids, from blocks to…tricycles!
Tricycle Pizza Restaurant & Food Truck
899 Lighthouse Avenue
Monterey, CA 93940
https://www.tricyclepizza.com/
Revival Ice Cream is located on Alvarado Street, the main trendy street in Monterey. Their amazing ice cream is made with local ingredients and they have a rotating list of seasonal ingredients. We tried the fig leaf and black sesame flavors and were not disappointed! Even on a grey day, there was a line out the door to try their ice cream.
Revival Ice Cream Monterey
463 Alvarado Street
Monterey, CA 93940
https://www.revivalicecream.com/
Even though it was foggy the entire weekend we spent in Monterey (welcome to summer in the Bay Area!), we still had to visit the beach. Del Monte beach is narrow and long and has the absolute prettiest white sand. Just like summers in San Francisco, the beach in Monterey is best enjoyed with a warm jacket! As you can see, it got the Maddie stamp of approval.
Del Monte Beach Monterey
Del Monte Avenue
Monterey, CA 93940
http://monterey.org/
Cannery Row Antique Mall
I can’t resist a stop at Cannery Row Antique Mall every time we visit Monterey. It’s two floors of antique goodness, from vintage clothing to collectables. I could spend hours there, but Pat and I usually set an agreed upon time so I don’t get lost! It’s also a food photographer’s heaven for buying unique dishes, tea towels and shooting surfaces. Because it’s also a tourist destination, Cannery Row tends to be wayyy overpriced compared to other antique malls. You’ll have to dig to find a deal, but the hunt is part of the fun!
Cannery Row Antique Mall
471 Wave Street
Monterey, CA 93940
http://www.canneryrowantiquemall.com/
More photos of Cannery Row Antique Mall:
Cannery Row Brewing Company is a staple of Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. They have an extensive menu that will please everyone from kids to adults. Their cheddar bacon biscuits are absolutely heavenly. Don’t be fooled by the name though, Cannery Row Brewing Company doesn’t actually brew their own beer.
Cannery Row Brewing Company
95 Prescott Avenue
Monterey, CA 93940
http://www.canneryrowbrewingcompany.com/
Hahn Family Winery
In search of the sun and a good glass of wine, we made a detour to Hahn Winery in Soledad on our way home from Monterey. Located in the undiscovered Santa Lucia Highlands wine region, it’s a very scenic one hour drive from Monterey, it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip! As an added bonus, because of its proximity to Highway 101, a visit doesn’t add much drive time back to San Francisco.
Hahn Winery ATV Tours
We did Hahn Winery’s ATV tour, which offered a unique perspective to see Hahn’s huge property. Despite the name, this thankfully isn’t a crazy adrenaline fueled tour. It’s more like taking a fast golf cart on dirt roads. Not too bumpy and super safe. There are event seat belts in the ATV! Getting to taste Hahn wines right among the grapes they are grown in was a special treat.
Our guide, David, had a great knowledge of the winery and its SIP (sustainability in Practice) certification. His interesting background as a combination of playwright, actor, former sheriff and wine lover made him the perfect host for our visit.
Hahn has a great patio with an amazing view and they often have live music on the weekends. Don’t forget to pack a snack to enjoy during your tasting. They are famous for their pinot noirs, which ended up being our favorites too. The winery is dog friendly, which was perfect for us!
Hahn Winery Soledad
37700 Foothill Road
Soledad, CA 93960
http://www.hahnwines.com/
Hahn Winery is also featured in my Monterey video. Check it out!
More photos from Hahn Winery:
Thanks so much for reading! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube, or subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts and musings from me.
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