Things to do in Monterey
Explore Monterey museums, gardens, waterfront activities and attractions. Some experiences require tickets or a separately booked departure.
Pacific House Museum
Explore Monterey history inside a historic building beside Custom House Plaza.
20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Published museum hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm. Special closures may apply.
Costs and planning
Current admission charge not stated on the reviewed park page; confirm with State Parks.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-07; recheck due 2026-10-13. Verify current details directly.
Official Pacific House Museum information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
Custom House Museum
Visit the historic customs building at the waterfront and discover Monterey's trading past.
Custom House Plaza near Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Published museum hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm. Special closures may apply.
Costs and planning
Current admission charge not stated on the reviewed park page; confirm with State Parks.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-07; recheck due 2026-10-13. Verify current details directly.
Official Custom House Museum information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
First Brick House
Add a small historic-house stop near the waterfront to your Monterey history walk.
351 Decatur Street, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Published hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm. Special closures may apply.
Costs and planning
Current admission charge not stated on the reviewed park page; confirm with State Parks.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-07; recheck due 2026-10-13. Verify current details directly.
Official First Brick House information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
Cooper-Molera Adobe Gardens
Take a garden break on the grounds of a historic adobe in downtown Monterey.
506 Munras Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Gardens daily 7am–4pm. The indoor museum has separate Thursday–Sunday 10am–2pm hours.
Costs and planning
No garden admission price published on the reviewed visitor pages; food and special programs are separate.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-08; recheck due 2026-10-15. Verify current details directly.
Official Cooper-Molera Adobe Gardens information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
Monterey Museum of Art — Pacific Street
Explore changing exhibitions of California art, painting and photography.
559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Thursday–Sunday 11am–5pm; closed Monday–Wednesday. Check published holiday closures.
Costs and planning
Published adult admission $15; ages 18 and under and students with ID free. Other eligibility-based admission programs apply.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-08; recheck due 2026-10-15. Verify current details directly.
Official Monterey Museum of Art — Pacific Street information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
MY Museum
Hands-on galleries for children eight and under to explore with their grown-ups. Adults must visit with a child.
425 Washington Street, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Wednesday–Sunday 10am–5pm; holiday exceptions apply. Children require adult supervision.
Costs and planning
Published admission $10 per adult or child; children under 24 months free. Eligibility-based admission programs available.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-08; recheck due 2026-10-15. Verify current details directly.
Official MY Museum information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Explore marine-life exhibits and choose an aquarium visit as the centerpiece of a Cannery Row day.
886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Hours vary by date; check the aquarium's official schedule. Last entry is one hour before closing. Buy tickets only through the aquarium.
Costs and planning
Published admission: adults 18–69 $65; youth 5–17 and seniors 70+ $50; ages 4 and under free. Optional tours cost extra.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-07; recheck due 2026-10-13. Verify current details directly.
Official Monterey Bay Aquarium information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
Oscar's Playground
Mix arcade games with an optional escape-room challenge above Cannery Row.
685 Cannery Row, Third Floor, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Mon–Thu 1–9pm; Fri 1–10pm; Sat 11am–10pm; Sun 11am–9pm. Escape-room times require separate availability checks.
Costs and planning
Games and escape rooms are paid activities; current total depends on your selection. Check the operator before booking.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-07; recheck due 2026-10-13. Verify current details directly.
Official Oscar's Playground information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
Monterey Mirror Maze
Find your way through a mirror maze, with a separate laser challenge available. Uses flashing lights and dark areas; no strollers.
751 Cannery Row, Suite 109, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
The operator currently labels its posted hours Winter Hours and says seasonal hours vary. Confirm today's hours directly.
Costs and planning
Published maze admission: ages 13+ $18; ages 6–12 $15; ages 0–5 free with paid adult or child admission. Laser games cost extra.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-07; recheck due 2026-10-13. Verify current details directly.
Official Monterey Mirror Maze information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
Monterey Bay Kayaks — Monterey Beach
Explore the Monterey waterfront by rental kayak or paddleboard, subject to weather, equipment and the operator's safety requirements.
693 Del Monte Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Published shop hours daily 9am–5pm. This does not confirm launch times or safe paddling conditions; ask the operator before going on the water.
Costs and planning
Published rental rate $40 per person for up to four hours for standard single/double kayaks or a paddleboard. Fishing kayaks and guided tours differ.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-07; recheck due 2026-10-13. Verify current details directly.
Official Monterey Bay Kayaks — Monterey Beach information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
Bargetto Winery — Monterey Tasting Room
Explore a wine-tasting stop for adults 21 and over.
700-G Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
The operator's page disagrees with itself on Thu–Sat closing times (6 versus 7 p.m.). Confirm tasting hours and availability directly; not used in timed plans. Alcohol service is 21+.
Costs and planning
Operator lists tasting flights at $20 or $25 per person; availability and participation requirements require direct confirmation.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-07; recheck due 2026-10-10. Verify current details directly.
Official Bargetto Winery — Monterey Tasting Room information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass
High Scores Arcade — Monterey
Play classic arcade games during a downtown break.
459 Alvarado Street, Monterey, CA 93940
Published hours
Published Monterey hours Mon–Thu 3–10pm; Fri–Sat 12:30pm–midnight; Sun 12:30–11pm. School-break and holiday hours can differ.
Costs and planning
Operator lists $10 per hour or $22 all day per wristband; every guest on the game floor needs one. Check current price; drinks are separate.
Source snapshot checked 2026-10-08; recheck due 2026-10-15. Verify current details directly.
Official High Scores Arcade — Monterey information ↗ · Build a Monterey Day Pass