Guidebook for Monterey
Food Scene
First Awakenings
300 David AveDelicious for a full breakfast!
Starbucks
1212 Forest AveClose for a quick afternoon coffee / tea!
Good lasagna! The pizza is okay, but I like delivery better. See below.
18 locals recommend
Gianni's Pizza
725 Lighthouse AveGood lasagna! The pizza is okay, but I like delivery better. See below.
Absolutely terrific for a fine dining experience. Ask to sit in the rotunda. They also have a piano player in their bar on weekend nights, so it's a good end of evening spot, also.
19 locals recommend
The Sardine Factory
701 Wave StAbsolutely terrific for a fine dining experience. Ask to sit in the rotunda. They also have a piano player in their bar on weekend nights, so it's a good end of evening spot, also.
HANDS DOWN BEST SUSHI. If you walk, you'll notice another sushi place on the way - you'll be happy you walked another block to Crystal Fish :)
32 locals recommend
Crystal Fish
514 Lighthouse AveHANDS DOWN BEST SUSHI. If you walk, you'll notice another sushi place on the way - you'll be happy you walked another block to Crystal Fish :)
Zab Zab
401 Lighthouse AveBest Thai food. Order for pick up, too!
Delicious fish every time. This is where I always take my parents and other visitors :)
21 locals recommend
Fishwife
1996 1/2 Sunset DrDelicious fish every time. This is where I always take my parents and other visitors :)
My favorite place for oysters and martinis. Pricey for dinner, but we love having happy hour here.
16 locals recommend
Fish Hopper
700 Cannery RowMy favorite place for oysters and martinis. Pricey for dinner, but we love having happy hour here.
Live music starting at about 9pm each night. Cannery in general can get a little obnoxious later on weekend nights, what with tourists partying, but Sly's is a good stand by and I feel totally comfortable walking to/from on my own. The brewery on the way also usually has good music.
33 locals recommend
Sly McFly's
700 Cannery RowLive music starting at about 9pm each night. Cannery in general can get a little obnoxious later on weekend nights, what with tourists partying, but Sly's is a good stand by and I feel totally comfortable walking to/from on my own. The brewery on the way also usually has good music.
Parks & Nature
I really like parking by Lover's Point and walking the coastal trail toward Asilomar. You can park before that, also, and walk the same way, but it gets less busy after Lover's Point. Eating down there is overpriced, but it's a terrific morning or sunset walk. If it's sunny, keep an eye out for the otters playing by the rocks.
127 locals recommend
Lovers Point
631 Ocean View BlvdI really like parking by Lover's Point and walking the coastal trail toward Asilomar. You can park before that, also, and walk the same way, but it gets less busy after Lover's Point. Eating down there is overpriced, but it's a terrific morning or sunset walk. If it's sunny, keep an eye out for the otters playing by the rocks.
Simply gorgeous. Parking anywhere along there... When I really feel like a walk, I walk from Lover's Point (beware a few spots with traffic), but I often simply drive down for sunset.
77 locals recommend
Asilomar State Beach
Sunset DriveSimply gorgeous. Parking anywhere along there... When I really feel like a walk, I walk from Lover's Point (beware a few spots with traffic), but I often simply drive down for sunset.
Essentials
The Trader Joe's in PG is WAY less busy than the one in Monterey. It's also just a quick scoot from the house; go straight up Prescott to the top and turn left, then it's just there on your left. Safeway is also up here for anything else you might need.
96 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1170 Forest AveThe Trader Joe's in PG is WAY less busy than the one in Monterey. It's also just a quick scoot from the house; go straight up Prescott to the top and turn left, then it's just there on your left. Safeway is also up here for anything else you might need.
If you want a walking distance grocery store, Nob Hill works. They also have terrific cakes and baked goods. It's a bit pricey so I usually go to Trader Joe's (and I love Trader Joe's), but this one is easy to access.
54 locals recommend
Nob Hill Foods
809 Bay AveIf you want a walking distance grocery store, Nob Hill works. They also have terrific cakes and baked goods. It's a bit pricey so I usually go to Trader Joe's (and I love Trader Joe's), but this one is easy to access.
Entertainment & Activities
I left this in here to give you a couple tips about walking down to Cannery. When you walk straight down Prescott, past the Sardine Factory, on your left you will spot a walking/biking trail. It's part of the coastal trail and a nice way to walk if you want to avoid the crowds.
67 locals recommend
Cannery Row
I left this in here to give you a couple tips about walking down to Cannery. When you walk straight down Prescott, past the Sardine Factory, on your left you will spot a walking/biking trail. It's part of the coastal trail and a nice way to walk if you want to avoid the crowds.
Arts & Culture
Pretty cool to see where California became a state. This whole area (couple blocks) is a good adventure. Combine it with 1833.
34 locals recommend
Monterey Museum of Art
559 Pacific StPretty cool to see where California became a state. This whole area (couple blocks) is a good adventure. Combine it with 1833.
It's a pretty interesting exhibit. Other than that, I avoid the Wharf as it tends to be incredibly packed, but you can get nicely priced tourist gifts like t-shirts there.
15 locals recommend
The Dali Expo
5 Custom House PlazaIt's a pretty interesting exhibit. Other than that, I avoid the Wharf as it tends to be incredibly packed, but you can get nicely priced tourist gifts like t-shirts there.
Drinks & Nightlife
I really love the atmosphere of 1833. It's a great place to go for happy hour or an afternoon drink as well as a later night. They have awesome couches as well as an outside sitting area.
27 locals recommend
Restaurant 1833
500 Hartnell StI really love the atmosphere of 1833. It's a great place to go for happy hour or an afternoon drink as well as a later night. They have awesome couches as well as an outside sitting area.