Guidebook for Monterey
Food Scene
It's the best breakfast place around where you can sit outside and take your dogs too. We split the Hawaiian Egg Crepe with the home potatoes and muffin then we have them bring us a Belgian Waffle with whipped crème fraiche and fresh fruit when we're just about half way through.
55 locals recommend
First Awakenings
300 David AveIt's the best breakfast place around where you can sit outside and take your dogs too. We split the Hawaiian Egg Crepe with the home potatoes and muffin then we have them bring us a Belgian Waffle with whipped crème fraiche and fresh fruit when we're just about half way through.
The Mushroom Artichoke Enchilada is outstanding and the fresh chips and salsa are fabulous! Been going the for 18 years and still look forward to taking friends there. Walking two blocks to the ocean is great too. Should call for reservations
26 locals recommend
Peppers Mexicali Cafe
170 Forest AveThe Mushroom Artichoke Enchilada is outstanding and the fresh chips and salsa are fabulous! Been going the for 18 years and still look forward to taking friends there. Walking two blocks to the ocean is great too. Should call for reservations
Monterey's Fish House
2114 Del Monte AveBest fish food around and a more local place, not touristy.
Arts & Culture
Very interesting exhibits and not so big you get tired or bored
28 locals recommend
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest AveVery interesting exhibits and not so big you get tired or bored
Very interesting, close by and always has great exhibits and events.
34 locals recommend
Monterey Museum of Art
559 Pacific StVery interesting, close by and always has great exhibits and events.
Every kind of shop available. Wine tasting, Restaurants (no chains) Art Galleries galore, Jewelry and Clothing shops. Visit the cheese shop and get some wine then head to the beach, downhill on Ocean Ave.
354 locals recommend
Carmel by the sea
San Antonio AvenueEvery kind of shop available. Wine tasting, Restaurants (no chains) Art Galleries galore, Jewelry and Clothing shops. Visit the cheese shop and get some wine then head to the beach, downhill on Ocean Ave.
The Tor House isn't really a museum but is a must see if you like history and stories. As a writer he built the entire place out of stones. I love the tower he built for his wife to have a quiet place.
13 locals recommend
Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation
26304 Ocean View AveThe Tor House isn't really a museum but is a must see if you like history and stories. As a writer he built the entire place out of stones. I love the tower he built for his wife to have a quiet place.
Essentials
It's clean, smallish and always has great things, plus only a few blocks from our house
96 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1170 Forest AveIt's clean, smallish and always has great things, plus only a few blocks from our house
Whole Foods Market
800 Del Monte CenterIt's in the Del Monte shopping center and usually quite busy.
Everything Else
Resturants, Shopping, Aquarium and Nightlife. Right on the edge of the ocean.
67 locals recommend
Cannery Row
Resturants, Shopping, Aquarium and Nightlife. Right on the edge of the ocean.
Visitors can get a Whale watching trip, try all the samples of sea food and shops full of touristy things and good prices. Close to Custom House Plaza and wine tasting places.
27 locals recommend
Crab House
60 Fishermans WharfVisitors can get a Whale watching trip, try all the samples of sea food and shops full of touristy things and good prices. Close to Custom House Plaza and wine tasting places.
Alvarado Street
Alvarado Streetrestaurants,nightlife,theater,history,farmers market on tuesdays
Drinks & Nightlife
They are a secret local favorite because of the rooftop bar! Great view and not crowed feeling even when full. Fire pits and heaters and the most gorgeous succulent garden.They cook the hors d'oeuvres right there on top next to the bar. It feels like we are in Europe again and have found a romantic quiet spot! Prices are very reasonable. Call to see if the rooftop is open it's weather sensitive.
12 locals recommend
Hotel 1110
1110 Del Monte AveThey are a secret local favorite because of the rooftop bar! Great view and not crowed feeling even when full. Fire pits and heaters and the most gorgeous succulent garden.They cook the hors d'oeuvres right there on top next to the bar. It feels like we are in Europe again and have found a romantic quiet spot! Prices are very reasonable. Call to see if the rooftop is open it's weather sensitive.
Food is ok as far as Cannery Row goes but they have live music in the evenings on the weekends usually, and the location is centered so you are close to the parking garage, aquarium, shops and ocean etc.
33 locals recommend
Sly McFly's
700 Cannery RowFood is ok as far as Cannery Row goes but they have live music in the evenings on the weekends usually, and the location is centered so you are close to the parking garage, aquarium, shops and ocean etc.
Parks & Nature
Hiking trails, campground, park. Kinda nice you can hike the trail right from our house.
Monterey Veterans Memorial Park
1200 Veterans DrHiking trails, campground, park. Kinda nice you can hike the trail right from our house.
Pet friendly and beautiful white sand. The surfers love it, it's Jim's favorite. The sunsets are stunning and you can even have a bonfire if you like.
77 locals recommend
Asilomar State Beach
Sunset DrivePet friendly and beautiful white sand. The surfers love it, it's Jim's favorite. The sunsets are stunning and you can even have a bonfire if you like.