2025 Monterey Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in January)

Location: Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA Highlights: I had an amazing experience at the Monterey Aquarium! The variety of marine animals is impressive, and the aquarium's commitment to conservation is commendable. The atmosphere of this place is fantastic, and the staff are very friendly. If you are in California, you must visit this place! Highly recommended. Coordinates: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, United States

#aquarium Super excellent and super beautiful aquarium! All the aquariums I have visited, including the most beautiful aquarium in Okinawa, Hong Kong Ocean Park, and Zhuhai Changlong Ocean Park. There was no marine animal show, but we played all day long! It is closed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The documentaries inside are all made by the aquarium itself, which is only 15 minutes. While watching the movie, the staff will explain the behind-the-scenes story on the spot, which is a hundred times stronger than watching a pure movie.

Monterey, California, captivates with its coastal beauty and iconic Lone Cypress, perched elegantly on the rocky cliffs of the 17-Mile Drive. Its rich history, vibrant Cannery Row, and world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium offer endless exploration. The serene ocean views and natural wonders make it an unforgettable destination.

#2024mapped Atmosphere: Monterey’s coastal charm shines. Shopping for unique gifts, handmade crafts, and artisanal products perfect for the season. Tips for Visiting Monterey Book Early: Secure your accommodations Explore Nearby Attractions: Don’t miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium, scenic 17-Mile Drive, and local beaches. #thingstodo #usatravel #naturalwonders

#eatlikealocal Old Fishermen's Grotto, located on Monterey's historic Fisherman’s Wharf, offers a memorable seafood dining experience. Their clam chowder is a must-try, rich and creamy with just the right balance of flavors. The menu features a variety of fresh seafood, including perfectly grilled salmon, tender calamari, and buttery lobster tail. The atmosphere is cozy, with views of the harbor adding to the charm. Service is attentive and friendly, ensuring a pleasant experience. Though the prices can be on the higher side, the quality of the seafood and the delightful setting make it worth the visit for seafood lovers. 📍Address: Old Fishermen's Grotto 39 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940, United States. #100waysoftravel #usatrip

#aquarium Nestled along the scenic Pacific coastline, Monterey Bay Aquarium offers an unforgettable experience for ocean lovers. This world-renowned aquarium features breathtaking exhibits like the massive kelp forest, playful sea otters, and the Open Sea tank with majestic hammerhead sharks and rays. Whether you’re traveling solo or with family, the immersive experiences and up-close encounters with marine life make this a must-visit. Visitors can take part in interactive exhibits, join feeding sessions, or simply marvel at the diversity of ocean species. A great reason to visit is the aquarium’s commitment to conservation and education, helping raise awareness about the importance of marine ecosystems. #100WaysofTravel #AquariumAdventure #MontereyBayAquarium

The beach there was soooo nice. It’s not crowded and it’s very chill.and the sunset ☺️ it’s the most beautiful sunset of beach I have ever seen. I just miss the ocean there😉 and also the weather is so comfortable. The sun will make u feel warm and sleepy.#0円旅

Feeling the vibe of San Francisco and its surroundings is like stepping into a diverse landscape of nature, history, and iconic drives. Here’s a snapshot of the top spots I’ve explored: 🏞️ Yosemite National Park, California Imagine being surrounded by majestic mountains, an abundance of wildlife, and breathtaking waterfalls. Yosemite is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers everything from hiking to rock climbing. Don't miss the Tunnel View lookout for a sunrise that frames El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome in one perfect picture. It's a natural marvel that calls for a full day or two of exploration. 🛣️ California 1, California, USA Driving along the scenic California 1 is an absolute dream. With the Pacific on one side and rolling hills on the other, this route is dotted with sailboats, gray whales, and picturesque cliffs. From Stanford University to Bixby Bridge, each stop is a postcard-perfect moment. It’s a must for road trip enthusiasts and definitely worth the 2-3 days adventure. 🌊 17 Mile Dr, California, USA The 17 Mile Drive is the epitome of coastal beauty. With over a dozen viewpoints, each offering a unique perspective of the relentless sea, wildlife, and historical sites, it’s a refreshing treat to the eyes and soul. Remember to pack snacks and take your time to soak in the views of this famous drive that requires half a day to truly appreciate. 🐠 Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA An underwater world awaits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a gift from David Packard to his daughter. It's a place where you can touch marine life and learn about the ocean's wonders. The staff are friendly and the exhibits are immersive, making it an ideal place to spend 1-3 hours, especially with kids. 🏰 Hearst Castle, 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA Perched atop a hill, Hearst Castle is a testament to opulence and history. Built over 28 years, this sprawling estate blends European and Mediterranean architecture with a vast collection of antiques and artworks. Take a guided tour to experience the grandeur of this 20th-century marvel, which is well worth the 2-3 hours visit. Each of these attractions holds a special place in my heart, and I hope they’ll steal a piece of yours too. Until next time, keep wandering and wondering! #SanFrancisco #SanFranciscoAttractions #California #CaliforniaTravel

Always love to come here to hear the sea breeze, and get good seafood here! The town here is small, that you can experience like those olden days fisherman town. In the noon and night, you will have 2 different ambience. Nearby has an aquarium to visit that you can see marine life! Very interesting! You can add Monterey into your checklist to visit next time #Monterey #California

The Victoria Inn in Monterey Bay is small and exquisite, the rooms are a bit old, the decoration style is very Victoria, the lobby and restaurant are very small, parking is very convenient, $17 per day, a few minutes drive from the Fisherman's Wharf. The breakfast is acceptable, slightly better than the ordinary American breakfast. Address: California, 4320 El Camino Real, Los Altos, CA 94022

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is indeed well-known. As soon as you enter, it's like falling into a dream. The super high glass outline is full of aquatic plants, and the fish shuttle freely among them, as if the sea has really been moved indoors. Outside, you can overlook the blue and wide ocean, and your mood will improve. Finding such bright photos in the album in winter will really improve your mood. Next time I have the chance, I will summarize the tour route of the aquarium~

It was an amazing experience. The facilities are clean well organized and well maintained. There's so much to explore from different exhibits Hands-On experiences and beautiful floor to ceiling aquariums where you get to gaze into what looks like the depths of the ocean. A great place to bring children very educational they have so many exhibits and activities for the kids. All of the staff were super pleasant and full of knowledge, presentations were great and gift shops are amazing. I will definitely recommend coming during a weekday where you can sit take some time to really appreciate the Beautiful views. #wheretogo #bestplace #bestview #awesomepic #mytripvlog #celebratewithtrip #best_trip_by_trip #bestplace #recommended #besttimeever #bestdeal #awesometrip #tripcom

Love this beautiful building that reminds us about Barcelona

Wow 🤩. The most Beautiful ocean views in Monterey! Monterey Tides Deluxe Ocean view. 🤗 Fun & relaxing ocean vacation…. Makes you wish you could stay forever… Nice ocean view rooms. Can smell the ocean in your room. Good food. Relaxing and breathtaking. Enjoyed whale watching cruise. Stress free walks on the beach. Can’t wait to go back again!

The Monterey fisherman’s wharf is fun with a lot of attractions including restaurants and shops. Often crowded and parking can be difficult.#montereybay #montereybay #Monterey fisherman’s wharf

When it comes to aquariums, what do you think of? A fairytale-like world of blue? An exploration of the unknown underwater world? Mysterious deep-sea fish schools? Romantic dates? In the United States, there are many aquariums worth exploring, but the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-visit. This is a museum of marine creatures that is replicated according to the original ocean, for the purpose of studying endangered marine animals, protecting marine life, and educating everyone about the role of marine creatures. Here, you will be able to see deep-sea creatures that you have never seen before, some of which are fish or deep-sea creatures that have not even been named yet! Here, you can see otters, penguins, jellyfish, octopuses, sea turtles and other scenes that can be seen in ordinary aquariums, but the creatures here are more numerous, more beautiful, and more shocking~ One more thing that cannot be ignored is that because the aquarium is connected to the Pacific Ocean, you can also experience "underwater exploration" activities here. You will discover over 650 species of marine life, some cute, some unique, some...strange? Waiting for you to discover~ The most important thing is that there will be diving instructors to accompany and teach you throughout the process. Believe me, if you travel to the United States, you must check in at this Monterey Bay Aquarium! Address: Monterey Bay Aquarium Ticket: Adult $49.95

Getting There - You won't be able to stay there and you'll end up sleeping in your car like I'm sleeping on my car tonight and it's not cool all because trip did not post anywhere in their phone app that the motel needed a deposit so I get there it needs a deposit I didn't have it so now I am sleeping on my car and this isn't cool#christmasgiveaway Attractions - Hotels - Food & Restaurants - Shopping - What a great place I highly recommend you should go drive the car all the way down the road saw a lot of people down there was really really cool but I'll tell you what I'll tell you what make sure you call the motel room to find out if it really wants a deposit because you'll get there and then