We spent a day exploring Monterey on our California Road Trip, mainly following a section of the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. This disused railway line, which runs along the shoreline either side of the city, passes many of Monterey’s top attractions. My itinerary consists of a loop of around 3 miles.
Monterey in 1 Day Itinerary
| Drive to Monterey Accommodation – Days Inn by Wyndham Monterey Downtown | |
| Day 1 | Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail Old Fisherman’s Wharf Cannery Row Monterey State Historic Park Old Custom House Municipal Wharf 2 El Estero Park |
Drive to Monterey
It is time to hit the road, heading south along the coastal California Route 1. Today, we are up at 7 am for the 120 mile drive from San Francisco to Monterey. It’s earlier than the people in the room downstairs would like us to get up, which they deal with by banging on the ceiling while we try to pack. The old man goes to pick up the hire car (twice because he forgets his passport first time). So we’re running late and by the time he returns, check-out time has passed and I’m sitting in the street surrounded by bags keeping my distance from an abusive tramp. The hire car is enormous, a Nissan Rogue. I feel like a proper American.
We start our drive down Route 1, which varies between a multi lane highway and a single lane road meandering through the forest along the Pacific coast. After a stop in Santa Cruz for lunch, we reach today’s destination, Monterey.
Accommodation – Days Inn by Wyndham Monterey Downtown
Tonight’s accommodation is at another typical motel; Days Inn by Wyndham Monterey Downtown, which we chose because it offers free parking and is conveniently located, less than a mile from the touristy around the harbour. The rooms are clean and comfortable and come complete with a frige, microwave and coffee machine.
Monterey Day 1
After checking into our hotel, we set off to explore Monterey.
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is a paved pedestrian/cycle path, which runs for 18 miles along the Monterey waterfront, passing by a range of attractions including Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, beaches, parks, historic sites and Downtown Monterey. Much of the trial follows the trail of the old Southern Pacific Railroad, which serviced Cannery Row during the city’s sardine era.
For me, a walk/jog along the trail was a surreal experience, as it’s one of the virtual routes on the treadmill at my gym. So I’ve run it before on a rainy day in Bournemouth, looking out over the A338. In reality, it is next to an even busier road!
Old Fisherman’s Wharf
We start at the historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf, which dates back to 1870.
As commercial fishing has declined in the area, this former commercial wharf has become a tourist attraction and is now lined with restaurants and souvenir shops.
Note: Fisherman’s Wharf is technically called Old Fisherman’s Wharf to distinguish it from the current commercial wharf, Municipal Wharf 2.
Cannery Row
Cannery Row was made famous because John Steinbeck wrote a book based around this old sardine canning factory. Sadly, the sardines were fished to extinction. So now the buildings house fancy shops and restaurants. One of the old canning factories is home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Monterey State Historic Park
Returning back into town, and close to Fisherman’s Wharf, is Monterey State Historic Park, Monterey’s historic old town. Founded in 1770, Monterey is one of California’s most historic cities. It served as California’s capital under Spanish, Mexican and US rule. The State Historic Park consists of 17 buildings, including California’s first theatre and the Old Custom House.
Old Custom House
The Old Custom House, built in 1821, is California’s oldest public building. Thus making it California State Historical Landmark No 1. This is where the first American Flag was raised in 1846, declaring California part of the USA.
Municipal Wharf 2
Just east of Fisherman’s Wharf is Municipal Wharf 2, which was constructed in 1926 and is still a working commercial wharf. We are determined to spot a sea otter. At the touristy Fisherman’s Wharf, we were out of luck; we saw sea lions and some super aggressive seagulls, but no otters. So we try Municipal Wharf 2 instead. Here, we find an enormous school of thousands up thousands of fish (possibly sardines – I’m not a fish expert).
On the edge of this school, happily floating on its back having had a tasty lunch is an otter. Mission accomplished!
El Estero Park
An alternative route back into town is via El Estero Park, a picturesqe park, which sits inside the U shaped Lake El Estero.
Note; If you have a second day to spend in Monterey, follow the 17 Mile Drive, a toll road on the Monterey Peninsula, which passes through some spectacular coastal scenery.
- Trip taken: April 2022
- Updated: October 2026
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