14 Best Things To Do On Cannery Row – Monterey, CA (2024)
Want to know all the best things to do on Cannery Row? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
Cannery Row is a vibrant waterfront district in Monterey, California, that offers something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for history, culture, food, or fun, you’ll find it on Cannery Row.
Planning A Trip? Use Our Favorite Resources Below!
👉🏼 Accommodations
👉🏼 Tours/Experiences
👉🏼 Flights
👉🏼 Car Rentals
Best Things To Do On Cannery Row
Here are the best things to do in Cannery Row.
1. Bargetto Wine Tasting Room
Wine is a must when visiting California.
At Bargetto Wine Tasting Room you can choose from 3 different wine flights, ranging from $20-$25 each, with 5 wines each.
The Regan Reserve Flight consists of 5 reserve wines from the Regan Estate Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
This vineyard is known for their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Italian varietals.
The Bargetto Flight has a little bit of everything from the lightest of wines to the boldest of wines.
Lastly, the Chaucer’s Flight is 3 meads and 2 dessert wines.
Save hundreds in tasting fees on your next wine tasting trip with Priority Wine Pass.
Hundreds of world class wineries from all regions of California have partnered to give you exclusive offers like 2 for 1 tastings, winery tours, bottle discounts, and more.
👉🏼 Click Here To Get Your Priority Wine Pass For $20 Off Today With Discount Code HIDDENGEMS Today!
2. Daniels Wood Land Shooting Gallery
This shooting gallery on Cannery Row is interactive with immersive theming and animatronics.
It’s definitely a step up from shooting galleries you played as a kid.
3. Doc Wenzel’s Old Time Portraits
Who doesn’t love a good old-timey portrait?
Doc Wenzel’s Old Time Portraits has various sets, props, and costumes to choose from to get just the right look you want.
JP and I had some done when we were in Tombstone for my birthday and I got to dress up as a saloon girl, which was so much fun.
4. Escape Room 831
Escape Room 831 has 2 locations in Cannery Row with multiple escape rooms in each.
We love playing local escape rooms when we travel because there’s always a new theme to play and it’s just always a completely different experience.
Here are some of the themed escape rooms at Escape Room 831:
Alice’s Dream is Alice in Wonderland themed.
Spell Bound is witch themed.
This one is not recommended for anyone under the age of 16.
The premise is that you’re trying to break the witch’s curse.
They also have a mobile only game that requires a minimum of 20 players called Room 745 where your goal is to solve a crime.
Time Machine is another themed room where you need to find secret files about a tool of global destruction and you need to destroy them before they’re used.
Raba Bank is an escape room where your goal is to steal as much as you can from the bank before the team comes back.
The Gate is an escape room where an Egyptian tomb needs its curse subdued.
The Terminal is themed to an underground New York City subway and your goal to stop a train from derailing.
Lastly, Submergency is an escape room where you have to disarm a nuclear submarine before it self destructs.
5. Monterey Mirror Maze & Lazer Challenge
This trippy Mirror Maze is a fun activity for all ages.
It’s high tech and underwater psychedelic themed.
There is also a Lazer Challenge which is very Mission Impossible-esque.
You’ll have to crawl and climb and jump to avoid tripping the lazer beams as you make your way to the bank vault.
6. Mrs. Laurie’s Palm and Card Reader
If you’ve never had a psychic reading of any kind, it can be an interesting experience.
You can ask about your past, your present, and/or your future and see what they have to say.
JP and I saw a psychic in New Orleans and so many great stories came from that experience.
I’ve also worked with California Psychics where we talked about my career and our marriage and it was vastly different, but very educational in learning about how it all works.
So whether you’re super into it or a skeptic, it can be a fun experience if you’re just open to seeing where it takes you.
7. Oscar’s Playground
Oscar’s Playground has a little bit of everything.
There’s an arcade, lounge, escape rooms, virtual reality, skee ball, and basketball.
Their escape room themes include Mystical Manor, A Christmas Story, and Innocence (prison themed).
8. Paper Wing Theatre & Supper Club
Paper Wing Theatre & Supper Club is located in the red Monterey Canning Company building.
They have all kinds of shows from theatre shows, variety shows, children’s theatre, jazz shows, music shows, burlesque shows, live comedy shows, and even karaoke and trivia nights.
9. The Wine Experience
Not only can you enjoy a wine tasting here, but you can also blend your own wine and create your own wine label here.
They offer 14 different Monterey and Central Coast wines as well as 4 local craft beers on tap.
10. Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Of John Steinbeck’s Monterey
If you want to get acquainted with the history of Cannery Row, then this self guided audio tour is great to add to your itinerary.
You’ll already be walking around the area anyway, so you might as well learn a little something!
11. Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the most world renowned aquariums.
It would be a shame to come all the way to Monterey and not go to it’s most iconic attraction.
Their daily schedule includes all kinds of shows and feeding for various animals like sea otters, bat rays, penguins, seabirds, open sea feedings, and deep sea creatures.
12. Coastal Pebble Beach 17 Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour From Cannery Row
17 Mile Drive is a popular driving tour that covers all the best landmarks around Cannery Row including The Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach Golf Course.
A great way to see this scenic area is through a 2 1/2 hour guided e-bike tour and it starts right at the Monterey Plaza Hotel in Cannery Row.
13. 1 Hour Monterey And Cannery Row Sea Car Tour
If you’re walking around Cannery Row you’ll probably see these sea cars.
They are GPS guided convertibles that self navigate and you’ll enjoy a recorded guided tour as you ride around for an hour.
You’ll get a helmet and your car will have a full tank of gas, so all you need to do is show up!
👉 Click Here To Book Your 1 Hour Monterey And Cannery Row Sea Car Tour Today!
14. Monterey Bay Drive: A Self Guided Audio Tour From Del Monte Beach To Cannery Row
This self guided driving tour takes approximately 2 hours.
You’ll learn the history of the area, where all the best attractions are, and just get acquainted with the area.
When you download the tour, you can start and stop it as you please and you have lifetime access, so you can even do it in segments throughout your visit.
We’ve done a lot of these on Maui and it’s so convenient.
Where To Stay On Cannery Row
From luxury hotels, to cozy inns, and family owned bed and breakfasts, there are accommodations for every need and budget within Cannery Row and very close by.
✔ Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
All rooms here have either an inland view, harbor view, or ocean view and it’s located right in the middle of Cannery Row.
This luxury hotel has all the amenities like restaurants, bars, a fitness center, and a full service spa.
👉 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa Today!
✔ Wave Street Inn
If you have a tighter budget, then Wave Street Inn is for you.
They have a near perfect rating from all of their guests and it’s way nicer than what you’d expect from an inn.
It’s a smaller property with only 32 rooms, but it’s still right at Cannery Row.
👉 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Wave Street Inn Today!
Is Cannery Row Worth Visiting?
Cannery Row is a popular tourist destination in Monterey, California.
It is a waterfront area that was once home to a thriving sardine canning industry.
Today, it’s a mix of shops, restaurants, hotels, and attractions.
There are several reasons why Cannery Row is worth visiting.
First, it is a beautiful place to walk or bike.
The waterfront promenade offers stunning views of the Monterey Bay.
There are also several public art installations along the way, including a bronze statue of John Steinbeck, who wrote the novel Cannery Row.
Second, it has a great selection of restaurants.
There are options for every budget and taste, from casual seafood shacks to fine dining establishments.
In addition, there are several bars and cafes where you can relax and enjoy a drink with friends.
Third, it’s home to several interesting attractions.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the world’s best aquariums, and it is located just a short walk from Cannery Row.
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center is also located on Cannery Row, and it offers exhibits and educational programs about the marine life of the Monterey Bay.
Finally, it’s a great place to people-watch.
The area is always bustling with activity, and you are sure to see a variety of people from all walks of life.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing stroll along the waterfront, a delicious meal, or an educational experience, Cannery Row has something to offer everyone.
Know Before You Go
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when planning your visit to Cannery Row:
Cannery Row is a popular tourist destination, so it can be crowded, especially during the summer months.
If you are looking for a more peaceful experience, consider visiting during the off-season.
Cannery Row is a great place to walk or bike.
However, if you are driving, be prepared for limited parking.
There are several paid parking lots located in the area, as well as street parking.
Cannery Row is home to a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Be sure to budget accordingly, as prices can vary.
Cannery Row is a great place to spend a day exploring.
However, if you are looking for a more extended stay, there are several hotels located in the area.
What Is Cannery Row Known For?
Cannery Row is a waterfront tourist destination in Monterey, California.
It is known for its colorful history, its vibrant atmosphere, and its many attractions.
Cannery Row was once home to a thriving sardine canning industry.
The canneries were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and they employed thousands of people.
However, the sardine industry collapsed in the 1950s, and the canneries were closed.
In the years since the canneries closed, Cannery Row has been transformed into a tourist destination.
The old canneries have been converted into shops, restaurants, and hotels.
The waterfront has been cleaned up and landscaped, and it is now a popular spot for walking, biking, and fishing.
Cannery Row is also home to a number of attractions, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center, and the Cannery Row Museum.
The aquarium is one of the world’s best aquariums, and it features a variety of marine life, including sharks, penguins, and sea otters.
The visitor center offers exhibits and educational programs about the marine life of the Monterey Bay.
The museum tells the story of Cannery Row’s colorful history.
More Things To Do Nearby
There are even more great places to visit that aren’t too far from Cannery Row.
Here are some we recommend.
➡ Take A Day Trip To Carmel-By-The-Sea
Carmel is only 5 miles away from Monterey and is on it’s own south facing bay.
It’s considered one of the top Christmas towns in the US, but it’s a great place to visit year round.
They have fantastic wine and cheese tasting rooms, a beautiful neighborhood, and some amazing restaurants.
➡ Visit The National Steinbeck Center In Salinas
The National Steinbeck Center is only about 20 miles away from Cannery Row.
It’s roughly a 30 minute drive.
With John Steinbeck having such a connection to this region, it makes sense to visit both places.
This museum is really well done with lots of great photo ops.
You can also take a stroll through historic Downtown Salinas while you’re here too.
Conclusion: Best Things To Do On Cannery Row
Cannery Row is an iconic area in Monterey.
These are some of the best things to do on Cannery Row, but you really can’t go wrong when visiting this area.
