Monterey Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Monterey

Old Fisherman's Wharf is one of Monterey's most popular tourist attractions, with good reason. This area of the city is the go-to location for whale-watching, bay cruises, and some of the best opportunities for shopping and dining. Watching marine life ranging from pelicans to seals to sea otters is one of the activities that visitors here enjoy the most.

When you check out the dining opportunities here, you'll be able to enjoy freshly-caught seafood from Big Fish Grill, Abalonetti Seafood, or Crab Louie's Bistro. Crabby Jim's, Domenico's on the Wharf, and Paluca Trattoria are favorites for Italian food. The restaurants offer a range of environments that range from casual to upscale, providing something for everyone.

You can take advantage of exciting shopping opportunities, including pearls and fine jewelry from Morning Star Pearls. Harbor House Gifts is your go-to location for Murano glass from Venice and paintings. Stop by Sock Harbor Monterey for their signature socks and other unique clothing.

Monterey State Historic Park is where you'll find most of the city's historic houses and other buildings. As one of California's oldest cities, you can enjoy learning about over 400 years of history. This park has multiple points of entry and markers that will help you find your way around.

One of the highlights of the park is the location where the first Spaniards landed in 1602. The two-mile path includes some whalebone sidewalks, a fascinating relic of the bygone whaling era. There are some beautiful gardens to see that go along with the old buildings very nicely.

Some of the top locations that you'll find along the path include the Pacific House and Custom House. Both of these locations offer fascinating insights into life in this city. You can also pick up brochures that provide information on each of the attractions within the park.

A truly magnificent story! This theater was built by Jack Swan. He was an English sailor who settled in Monterey in 1843. Swan used lumber from a shipwreck to construct this theater in 1845. In 1847 former Army officers convinced Swan to build a small stage. The theater had benches, whale-oil lamps to light up the interiors, special candles for footlights and curtains, that were made of red and blue blankets. Most of the plays were melodramas and a ticket cost $5. In 1906 this theater was bought and donated to the State of California.

The Golden State Theatre dates back to 1926, and at its height was a venue that rivaled theaters in California's bigger cities. This Monterey landmark has undergone restoration to preserve its former glory. The mezzanine and lobby areas feature an Old World style, and the auditorium area of the theater boasts 1,000 seats.

Some of the entertainment options here include film festivals and concerts. Some of the top performers that have included The Smothers Brothers, Willie Nelson, and B.B. King. The range of performers this theater has hosted helps demonstrate its overall versatility as a venue and why it has remained so popular.

The architectural style is that of a Castillian castle, reminiscent of the "movie palace" days. A highlight inside the theater is a fresco that has glimpses of the sky around its edges. The effect that this fresco produces resembles that of an open courtyard, giving audiences a unique experience.

The Monterey Museum of Art is the only nationally accredited art museum between Santa Barbara and San Jose. Founded in 1959 as a chapter of the American Federation of Arts, the Museum’s artistic and educational activities have played a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for Monterey County residents and visitors for over sixty years.

The Museum operates two facilities—559 Pacific Street and 720 Via Mirada (La Mirada). The Pacific Street location has eight galleries and houses the administrative and curatorial offices and the Buck Education Center consisting of classrooms, a library and the Youth Gallery. In 1983, the Monterey Museum of Art acquired the historic estate of La Mirada, whose history reflects the heritage of the Monterey area.

The Museum’s permanent collection consists of more than 14,000 objects in the following areas: early California painting, photography, contemporary art, Asian art and American art. Highlights of the Museum’s collection include works by Armin Hansen, William F. Ritschel, Joan Miro, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso as well as that of world-renowned photographers Edward Weston and Ansel Adams. Monterey Museum of Art presents approximately twenty exhibitions annually. These include thematic exhibitions selected from the permanent collection, presentations of local artists and major traveling exhibitions from other institutions. In addition to the Museum’s exhibitions, it presents educational programs that reach thousands of area youth annually, docent programs, classes, lectures and workshops, curatorial tours and and public events such as a free Community Day organized for families.

Operation hours: Thursday-Tuesday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

In 1879, Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson stayed at the French Hotel, now called the Stevenson House after him and dedicated to his memory. Stevenson lived there while recovering his health as he was crossing the United States to court his future wife Fanny Osbourne. While there, he often dined "on the cuff," as he said, at a nearby restaurant run by Frenchman Jules Simoneau which stood at what is now Simoneau Plaza.

Several years later, Stevenson sent Simoneau an inscribed copy of his novel Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886), writing that it would be a stranger case still if Robert Louis Stevenson ever forgot Jules Simoneau. Stevenson wrote some articles for the local Monterey newspaper, including one that beautifully evoked "the Old Pacific Capital."

The Stevenson House features a bas relief depicting the sickly author writing in bed. Today the building has been designated as a California Historical Landmark.

The Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo, also known as the Royal Presidio Chapel, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Monterey. The cathedral is the oldest continuously operating parish and the oldest stone building in California. It was built in 1791-1794 making it the oldest (and smallest) serving cathedral in the United States, along with St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the only existing presidio chapel in California and the only existing building in the original Monterey Presidio.

The church was founded by the Franciscan Father Junípero Serra as the chapel of Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo on June 3, 1770. In May, 1771, the viceroy approved Serra's petition to relocate the mission away from the Presidio to its current location near the mouth of the Carmel River and the present-day town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The new mission was named Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo.

When the mission was moved, the existing wood and adobe building became the San Jose Chapel for the Presidio of Monterey. Monterey became the capital of the Province of Californias in 1777 and the chapel was renamed the Royal Presidio Chapel. The original church was destroyed by fire in 1789 and was replaced by the present sandstone structure. It was completed in 1794 by Indian labor in the form of a Latin Cross. The Royal Presidio Chapel is the first stone building in California and reflects the exquisite Spanish Colonial style of the late 18th century.

Dennis the Menace Park is one of Monterey's most iconic playgrounds, named after the cartoon character. The playground dates back to 1956 and has undergone renovations over the years to keep it up to date. This attraction is next to a youth center and baseball field, making it a favorite family destination.

This park has a lake where you can enjoy ducks and other waterfowl. There is an excellent view of the harbor where you can see local boats coming and going. You'll also enjoy the picnic area, which is the perfect place to enjoy a meal or snack.

You won't want to miss the treats that await in the playground area. Kids will enjoy going down the roller slide. There is also a rope bridge that helps add to the excitement. Don't miss seeing the Dennis the Menace statue, which is perfect for selfies and other photo opportunities while here.

Del Monte Beach is a beautiful Monterey beach that many see as a hidden treasure. The location is somewhat less crowded than some other beaches in the area, increasing its appeal for people seeking a quieter beach day. If you enjoy watching people surfing, this beach is one of the best locations.

One of the things that people enjoy the most about this beach is walking along the boardwalk that leads through the sand dunes. You can easily enjoy a picnic, courtesy of the picnic tables provided. If you decide you need a rest while journeying along the boardwalk, catch a break on one of the benches.

If you enjoy watching wildlife, this beach is an excellent place to do so. There are sea and migratory birds that feed along the shore regularly. When you're at the beach, you may have the privilege of seeing seals in the water or frolicking along the beach.