Monterey Tourist Attractions

The Monterey Museum of Art has a large focus on California art and artists. There are two separate locations which comprise the Museum of Art. The Pacific Street location, simply called the Monterey Museum of Art - Pacific Street, is a rather austere looking building featuring eight galleries. Here you will find early American and California collections, including paintings, photography and contemporary art. There are works by such famous names as Ansel Adams, Armin Hansen, William Ritschel, and Edward Weston to name just a few.The second location, Monterey Museum of Art - La Mirada, is definitely a contrast to the Pacific location. Housed in a beautiful old mansion, the museum is surrounded by lush grounds and a lovely rose garden. This site displays changing exhibitions so check the museum calendar to see what is currently on display. The admission cost is basically two for the price of one, with one admission giving access to both locations.

Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf is a pleasant place for walking with souvenir shops, candy shops, restaurants, and the general wharf type atmosphere. You will find artists available to do caricatures or face painting. It's a nice area to escape from the busy city and relax by the ocean for a while. This is by no means an all day excursion unless of course you sign up for a whale watching tour, glass bottom boat tour, or fishing trip. Most people come down here to window shop and enjoy a meal.On a calm day there are pleasant views out over the anchored yachts, as well as good views back to the city and rolling hills in behind. In addition to the pelicans the frequent the area, you can also see sea otters and seals swimming by the wharf.

Presidio of Monterey, now the home of the Defense Language Institute, has artifacts and dioramas on the history of Presidio Hill from the times of the Indians, Mexicans, Spaniards and Americans.The Royal Presidio Chapel is the only one still in existence in California, and in continuous use since 1795. Note the richly-decorated façade

San Carlos Cathedral was established in 1770 for the mission but instead became the church of Spanish soldiers and settlers when the mission was moved to Carmel the following year. Also known as the Royal Presidio Chapel, the present church has been used continuously since 1795.

This old adobe was built in 1843 as a saloon and apartment house. Ninety years later the building again became the setting for theatrical productions. The building is undergoing renovation and restoration, it is open on a limited basis.

Based upon the comic book character, The Dennis The Menace Playground offers slides, a maze, a railroad switch engine and a lion-shaped drinking fountain for children.

MY Museum is a hands-on museum with exhibits that include a theater, medical office, media center, fingerpainting, water blocks and a magnet table.

Monterey possesses the Allen Knight Maritime Museum, displaying material relating to the history of ships in the region.

The Monterey Path of History provides house tours of historic adobe buildings, including the interiors.

The Steinbeck's Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum on Cannery Row in Monterey features wax figures from the history of the town.