Guidebook for Monterey
Food Scene
A very tasty lunch/brunch spot - the service lags at times but if you're not in a rush you will enjoy a delicious organic meal here!
The Wild Plum Cafe
731 Munras AveA very tasty lunch/brunch spot - the service lags at times but if you're not in a rush you will enjoy a delicious organic meal here!
World class french pastries and espresso drinks. The croissants and quiches here are amazing!
25 locals recommend
Parker-Lusseau Pastries
539 Hartnell StWorld class french pastries and espresso drinks. The croissants and quiches here are amazing!
A nice spot to grab a clean meal of poke over rice with various sauces and some vegetarian options. Most of the bowls will run you about $12-14.
6 locals recommend
Poke Lab
475 Alvarado StA nice spot to grab a clean meal of poke over rice with various sauces and some vegetarian options. Most of the bowls will run you about $12-14.
A nice hole-in-the-wall place to grab some sushi. I went to school with the proprietor's daughter, Shiho, who may be behind the counter. VERY friendly people and a nice array of options.
10 locals recommend
Ocean Sushi Deli
165 Webster StA nice hole-in-the-wall place to grab some sushi. I went to school with the proprietor's daughter, Shiho, who may be behind the counter. VERY friendly people and a nice array of options.
Great Vietnamese noodles, bahn mi sandwiches and boba tea at very affordable prices. Just a few minutes walk from the guest house!
17 locals recommend
Chopstix Vietnamese Restaurant
1868 Fremont BlvdGreat Vietnamese noodles, bahn mi sandwiches and boba tea at very affordable prices. Just a few minutes walk from the guest house!
Tasty and clean american fare and drink menu at this local establishment. A great place to eat before/after a movie as it is directly across from the Century Cinemas at Del Monte Center.
8 locals recommend
Lalla Grill
1400 Del Monte CenterTasty and clean american fare and drink menu at this local establishment. A great place to eat before/after a movie as it is directly across from the Century Cinemas at Del Monte Center.
Drinks & Nightlife
Over 80 beers on tap and haute pub grub fare make this a great place to grab a beer or meal.
24 locals recommend
Cannery Row Brewing Company
95 Prescott AveOver 80 beers on tap and haute pub grub fare make this a great place to grab a beer or meal.
The most authentic bar in Monterey - no pretensions about it. Cozy up next to the fireplace or pick a track on the jukebox. It is DARK inside no matter the hour of day. Definitely a dive but my favorite spot to grab a drink and have a chat. The only downside is there are no beers on tap - everything is in bottles.
Alfredo's Cantina
266 Pearl StThe most authentic bar in Monterey - no pretensions about it. Cozy up next to the fireplace or pick a track on the jukebox. It is DARK inside no matter the hour of day. Definitely a dive but my favorite spot to grab a drink and have a chat. The only downside is there are no beers on tap - everything is in bottles.
Monterey's best British Pub (out of 4!) Traditional English fare and a nice variety of beer on draft. Right next to the Osio movie theater!
21 locals recommend
The Crown & Anchor
150 W Franklin StMonterey's best British Pub (out of 4!) Traditional English fare and a nice variety of beer on draft. Right next to the Osio movie theater!
Parks & Nature
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowIt's the Aquarium! World class.
The name says it all - a nice romantic spot with incredible views. The beach here is nice and sheltered as well!
127 locals recommend
Lovers Point
631 Ocean View BlvdThe name says it all - a nice romantic spot with incredible views. The beach here is nice and sheltered as well!
One of the most beautiful meetings of land and sea in the world. Most of the trails aren't too technical. Park alongside the highway and walk in if you want to avoid the ~$10 entry fee!
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1One of the most beautiful meetings of land and sea in the world. Most of the trails aren't too technical. Park alongside the highway and walk in if you want to avoid the ~$10 entry fee!
Lots of sand. Lots of dogs. Lots of water. Lots of sun (maybe!)
142 locals recommend
Carmel City Beach
Lots of sand. Lots of dogs. Lots of water. Lots of sun (maybe!)
Great park if you have kids - lots of play structures!
50 locals recommend
Dennis The Menace Playground
777 Pearl StGreat park if you have kids - lots of play structures!
Arts & Culture
Most people don't know that the Monterey Museum of Art has this branch. It has awesome rose and rhododendron gardens. It used to be a private residence but the owners donated it to the local art museum. My wife and I were married here in 2013 and it doesn't get much traffic. You'll probably have the place to yourself!
34 locals recommend
Monterey Museum of Art
559 Pacific StMost people don't know that the Monterey Museum of Art has this branch. It has awesome rose and rhododendron gardens. It used to be a private residence but the owners donated it to the local art museum. My wife and I were married here in 2013 and it doesn't get much traffic. You'll probably have the place to yourself!
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest AveEssentials
Trader Joe's
1170 Forest AveWhole Foods Market
800 Del Monte CenterEntertainment & Activities
A relatively new movie theater with most of the latest mass-market motion pictures
19 locals recommend
Cinemark Monterey 13
1700 Del Monte CenterA relatively new movie theater with most of the latest mass-market motion pictures
Our local indie theater house nestled into the center of downtown. Grab a drink at the Crown & Anchor before or after your show - or both!
19 locals recommend
Osio Theater
350 Alvarado StOur local indie theater house nestled into the center of downtown. Grab a drink at the Crown & Anchor before or after your show - or both!