Monterey Walking Tour

Fisherman’s Wharf is a well-marked landmark and a good place to start. There is parking and tourist information in the State Historic Park which includes several original buildings. Pick up a free map and self-guided walking tour, a tour schedule and park events.

Fisherman’s Wharf is more for tourists than fishermen, but the Muni Wharf is an authentic fisherman’s wharf. From there follow the pedestrian and cycle path along the bay to

Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. A visit here is worth several hours but then continue, perhaps another day, along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail to Lover’s Point where you can get married (as my son did), picnic, or rent bikes.

From here it is 4 miles along Ocean View Blvd to Asilomar, a wonderful state resort and place to stay. (Reserve in advance.) Its beach has been restored and a boardwalk protects the native plants. The 17 

Mile Drive continues along the ocean with spectacular ocean views as well as wooded inland roads but does require a fee/car. You can drive or cycle all the way to Carmel, an upscale, seaside city or continue south to Point Lobos, a state park.

A chain of good seafood restaurants called “Fishwives” can be found in a Monterey directory.

In nearby Carmel we visited the Robinson Jeffers Tor House, hand-built from surrounding boulders.
The 18 acre Hakone Japanese Garden in Saratoga is also outstanding.