What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

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

How long does this tour take?

This tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

USA

Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey

Q: Where does this tour start?

This tour starts at: Open the app and tap "start tour" and the audio will play automatically..

★★★★★ 5.0

2 hours

Home ›USA›California›Monterey & Carmel › Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey Book Now →

Overview

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

Gallery

Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey — photo 1

Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey — photo 2

Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey — photo 3

Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey — photo 4

Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey — photo 5

Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey — photo 6

What's Included

✓ Included

Flexible Usage (unlimited access)
Audio Guide & Route Map (in-app)
App and Tour Download

✗ Not Included

Smartphone (bring your own)

Itinerary

Stop 1

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.

Stop 2

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.

Stop 3

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.

Stop 4

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.

Stop 5

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.

Stop 6

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.

Stop 7

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.

Stop 8

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.

Stop 9

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.

Stop 10

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.

Meeting & End Point

📍

Meeting Point

Open the app and tap "start tour" and the audio will play automatically.

🏁

End Point

Open the app and tap "start tour" and the audio will play automatically.

Find Hotels in Monterey & Carmel

Good to Know

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

Known For:

Architecture Tours in Monterey & Carmel, Private Sightseeing Tours in Monterey & Carmel, Walking Tours in Monterey & Carmel, Historical Tours in Monterey & Carmel, Audio Guides in Monterey & Carmel, Private and Luxury in Monterey & Carmel

Special Instructions

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: To access your tour, you will need to download the Drives & Detours app. Prior to your date of travel, you will receive an access code to unlock your tour. Please check your Viator Message Center and/or email prior to your date of travel for a message containing your code.

HOW TO PREPARE: To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend downloading the Drives & Detours app today so you are ready to go as soon as you arrive.

DOWNLOAD THE APP:
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drives-detours/id6443681888
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app6506

WATCH FOR YOUR UNLOCK CODE:
Your access code will be sent to you the day before your travel date.