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Set on California's rugged central coast, Monterey was immortalised by Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck in his novel Cannery Row, named after the town’s waterfront street. While Cannery Row's sardine-canning business collapsed after World War II, former cannery buildings have been converted into stylish restaurants, art galleries and boutiques.
Travellers are also drawn to Monterey for its world-class aquarium, wildlife-rich shores and sun-splashed beaches. Monterey is also the beating heart of California's thriving wine country, and Cannery Row is dotted with boutique tasting rooms where you can sip hand-crafted wines from local vineyards.
From cheap motels to beachfront boutique hotels, Monterey has accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. Many of the city's inns and B&Bs are locally-owned so you can be sure of a warm welcome.
Popular with nature lovers, Monterey Bay is best known for its rich aquatic life. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to 35,000 creatures, including exotic sunfish, sea otters, hammerhead sharks and green sea turtles. Stand-out exhibits include the florescent-lit jellyfish tanks and the petting tanks, where visitors can touch sea stars, sea urchins, kelp crabs and more.
Walk or cycle the scenic Recreation Trail from Cannery Row to Fisherman's Wharf, where sea otters, seals and pelicans can be seen playing on the waterfront of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary is also a big draw for scuba divers who are attracted by its kelp forests and abundance of marine life.
Fisherman's Wharf has a multitude of shops and seafood restaurants, where you can chow down on calamari, Dungeness crabs, clam chowder and fried sanddabs. Whale watching boat trips depart daily from here year-round.
Jazz fans should consider booking their Monterey hotel during the town’s annual jazz festival. Taking place on the third weekend of September, the three-day Monterey Jazz Festival attracts an array of big-name stars. It’s one of the town’s most popular events, so be sure to book your Monterey accommodation well in advance.