Things to do in Monterey

Monterey sits about two hours south of San Francisco on Highway 1, built around Monterey Bay rather than a single downtown strip. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the anchor attraction, with general admission commonly running $50-65 for adults and timed-entry tickets recommended in summer and on weekends.

Cannery Row, the old sardine-canning waterfront John Steinbeck wrote about, is now lined with shops and restaurants a short walk from the aquarium.

Monterey's own Fisherman's Wharf, smaller and less crowded than San Francisco's, is a common departure point for whale-watching trips into the bay, with boat tours typically running two to three hours and priced roughly $50-70 per adult depending on season and operator.