Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey

Discover Monterey’s rich history on a self-guided audio tour that guides you from Cannery Row to Old Monterey. This immersive experience allows you to stroll the scenic waterfront, inspired by Steinbeck, while learning about the rise and decline of the sardine canneries. Explore significant landmarks like Colton Hall and the Custom House, and hear tales of the artists and seafarers who shaped this city. With GPS-triggered narration, you can uncover Monterey’s layered past at your own pace. - Self-guided audio tour with GPS-triggered narration - Explore historical sites like Colton Hall and the Custom House - Discover Monterey’s artistic and industrial heritage at your own pace

1. 1

   Cannery Row

   20 min

   Once the bustling heart of Monterey’s sardine industry, Cannery Row now buzzes with oceanfront charm. Walk where factory whistles once echoed and discover how Steinbeck turned these working docks into literary legend.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   5 min

   Pause by the bronze likeness of Monterey’s most famous storyteller and hear how Steinbeck immortalized the characters and struggles of Cannery Row — capturing a moment in time that still defines the city today.

3. 3

   Presidio Museum

   15 min

   Explore Monterey’s military roots at the Presidio, where centuries of global influence — from Spanish soldiers to American forces — tell the story of a coastline long shaped by power and trade.

4. 4

   Colton Hall Museum

   20 min

   Step inside the stately building where California’s first constitution was drafted in 1849. Once a schoolhouse and civic hall, Colton Hall remains a cornerstone of the state’s early democracy.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   15 min

   California’s oldest government building, the Custom House witnessed the moment the U.S. flag was first raised over the state. Its thick adobe walls whisper of trade, transition, and empire.

6. 6

   Larkin House

   5 min

   Visit one of Monterey’s most elegant adobes, blending New England symmetry with Spanish colonial style. Once home to Thomas Larkin — the U.S. consul before statehood — it stands as a symbol of cultural fusion.

7. 7

   Old Fisherman's Wharf

   30 min

   Breathe in the salty air at Monterey’s historic pier, where fishing fleets once set out at dawn. Today, the wharf offers a lively mix of seafood, sea lions, and sweeping bay views.

8. 8

   San Carlos Cathedral

   10 min

   California’s oldest stone building and first cathedral, San Carlos Borromeo stands as a quiet reminder of Monterey’s mission-era beginnings and enduring faith across centuries.

9. 9

   Stop 9

   Pass by

   Peek inside the humble adobe that staged California’s first performances — a lively gathering place for soldiers, settlers, and storytellers at the dawn of statehood.

10. 10

    Monterey Museum of Art

    Pass by

    Where history meets creativity, the Monterey Museum of Art celebrates the coast’s natural beauty through California Impressionism and modern works inspired by the landscape and light.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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