Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey

This self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour will explore Cannery Row in Monterey California and the surrounding area as well as a number of hotels and historic sites. There's a separate admission charge for entrance to Monterey Bay Aquarium. On this tour, you'll hear how the area served as the industrial heart of Monterey in the first half of the 1900s. Its seemingly inexhaustible number of Pacific sardine attracted fishermen, investors and inventors from around the world seeking their fortune. But, (spoiler alert!) overfishing would decimate the industry by the 1950s. You will also discover the connection between John Steinbeck and this area as you meet some of the colorful characters that were immortalized in his novel Cannery Row and its sequel Sweet Thursday. Finally, you'll discover the incredible story of how Cannery Row quite literally rose from the ashes to what is now a welcoming waterfront of world-class hotels, wine rooms, restaurants and shopping opportunities.

1. 1

   The Cannery Row Monument

   Pass by

   The tour takes you past the Cannery Row Monument and briefly explains the significance of each person depicted.

2. 2

   Stop 2

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   The tour takes you past the original Monterey Canning Company warehouse. Outside the warehouse is where you'll hear the story of Cannery Row.

3. 3

   Stop 3

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   The tour passes the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant which is the highest-grossing restaurant on the Row. You'll hear about its connection to the Monterey Canning Company.

4. 4

   Stop 4

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   The tour will take you briefly inside the InterContinental The Clement Monterey Hotel where you'll be shown a historic aerial photograph of Cannery Row.

5. 5

   Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories

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   You'll walk past Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories where you'll more about the man that lived there.

6. 6

   Monterey Bay Aquarium

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   The tour takes you past the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

7. 7

   Stop 7

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   The tour takes you past this environmentally sustainable, 25,000 square foot center. It opened in 2019, to expand and enhance the Aquarium’s educational programs by offering free informative programs for teachers and students.

8. 8

   Stop 8

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   The tour stops briefly outside the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa where you'll hear about some of its shops.

9. 9

   San Carlos Beach

   Pass by

   You'll walk along the San Carlos Beach.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.