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Cannery Row

3.6 (270 reviews)
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9/11/25
Mike C.

It's pretty much a must when visiting Monterey. Yes, it's geared mainly for visitors not locals but, with the greatest aquarium in the world and the history of this part of California, there is something for everyone here. Besides the numerous gifts shops, hotels, restaurants, and bakeries, I enjoyed walking the street and reading the signs (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=264&select=_GeO7eI7DvfdHmFW4m0_fw), (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=264&select=2_is_N1U14FAI_e3OvKzRQ), (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=264&select=EZRWT_hc1f8giWPM7Aajdg), and admiring the statues along the walkway. There are iconic people (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=264&select=-5PpBw_v1zzCEwAyUUxgVA) as well as historical memorials (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=264&select=eSUIHGmndBCAg82Ch67zTQ) to the people who built this community. A mix of various shops, tourist gift sellers, restaurants, hotels, and eateries (ice cream shops, delis, and bakeries). On one end, you'll find the aquarium. The other way, you'll reach the Monterey Plaza Hotel and San Carlos Beach. I mainly walked this my 1st evening here on a Thursday and it was on the quiet side (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=264&select=zeTCcVncpby2ciMVUrkz6Q). When I returned Saturday afternoon, the streets were filled but not overwhelming so since there were no major events on this weekend (auto show previous weekend and the Monterey Jazz Festival two weekends later). The weather was comfortable with a cool ocean breeze. It's probably best to prepare your activities somewhere along here after you visit the aquarium if that's on your schedule. Enjoy this part of Monterey and learn more about the history here.

2-15-25. Cannery Row
Lloyd C.

Cannery Row is very historic and has a simplistic charm to it. Sure, it's touristy but that's the beauty of it and why people want to visit. Known for its sardine canneries, (disclaimer: from the web) "the last of these closed in 1973." Cannery Row offers many restaurants, hotels, shops, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, etc. It is always fun to visit.

Sea otter playing in the water
Leanne D.

Cannery Row is a historic cannery town filled with shops and restaurants and the famous Monterey Aquarium. A nice place to browse through the stores and grab good eats.

Monterey Aquarium
Holly W.

We went to the Monterey aquarium, which takes a lot longer than you would think. It's a two story, with outdoor observation deck, plus very busy place--w lots of ppl. We shopped at a few tourist-y shoppes and ate lunch there. If I were to do it over, I'd have scheduled wine tastings at few of the wine shoppes around. We walked past 2-3 of them. It was a nice way to spend a rainy, winter day. Took off a star for the outrageously high price we paid to get into the Aquarium.

Dave S.

I live in the area and have been here what seems to be a hundred times. Had some family visiting from up north and took them around to see the bay. A gorgeous day to get out and be a tourist. Lots of fun shopping and great eats. The ocean views are always beautiful. Last words... glad I live here.

Robert S.

John Steinbeck's Cannery Row captured life on Cannery Row during its industrial heyday, but the story began long before canneries lined the famous street. The history of the Row is a fascinating tale, from Native American, Asian and European settlement, through the boom and bust of the whaling and sardine industries, to restoration and re-development. Past and present influence the architecture, cuisine and attractions as Cannery Row continues to celebrate the unshakable spirit on which it was founded. Today it is a magnet for tourists and locals alike, where people can shop for art, gifts, souvenirs, etc. Lots of restaurants and cafes make this place also a great stop for a relaxing food stop. The Monterey Aquarium is located right here as well. Just a nice place to window shop, browse and/or shop

Jessica C.

A good place to stop by and walk around. Not as much to see as Carmel or the 17 mile drive, but it's worth stopping by. The bougainvillea flowers were gorgeous!!

Sockshop Cannery Row
Annabelle R.

Cannery Row is much lovelier and more alive than I remember from the last time I visited, over a decade ago. Yes, I remember this place being a ghost town, it was so dead and uneventful that I avoided it for that long. Glad I chose to return this past Sunday... no longer a ghost town, but also not super crowded like other touristy spots. Lots of cute and diverse specialty shops, perfect for finding unique gifts during the holiday season (Pepper Palace, As Seen on TV, Sockshop Cannery Row... even the Five & Dime General Store had unique stuff like critter can animals and a Betty Boop swinging legs wall clock), art galleries (my fave being Thomas Kinkade), mini golf (Tipsy Putt opening soon), plenty of options for snacks and beverages, from sweet treats at Rock N Roll Donut Bar to winemaking and winetasting at The Wine Experience (along with pizza, sandwiches, and seafood restaurants), theater performances at Paper Wing, in which they had an improv show this past weekend, an awesome antique mall (with some great finds I absolutely loved), and of course touristy attractions like the mirror maze, Oscar's Playground (arcade and escape room) and even a Treasure Hunt theme park ride (I'm too curious not to try this on my next visit to Cannery Row, even if I'm not a kid). By the way, Zucchini's Tricks n Things is not just a shop, it's entertainment too cuz the owner is awesome and will do demonstrations of the magic tricks for items they sell in the store. Also, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, obviously one of the best, is always a treat to visit. Parking is pricey but convenient in the Cannery Row Public Parking Garage. But I was able to find metered street parking nearby at $2 per hour. Overall plenty to do and see at this historic destination in Monterey.

Cannery Row
John D.

Just Row With It Made famous by John Steinbeck's eponymous novel, this place resembles the Cannery Row (CR) of yesteryear like my body resembles that of an actual human being. Formerly a grungy haven of fisheries and candies, over the years, this area has been sculpted into a tourist haven that's now more synonymous with shopping and restaurants than longshoreman and boats. I almost always bring out-of-town guests here, as this is the kind of shit that they love: shops, food and views. The Good: *Can't avoid this area if one wants to visit the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA), which is by far the best reason to come. *There are actually some pretty great restaurants here; the Fish Hopper and Whaling Station are two of my favorites--and you can't beat Ghirardelli's for some iced creams. :-P *Fantastic views all along the Row *MaCabee Beach is a great spot to go in between shopping and dining. Nice little beach for dipping your toes and letting the little 'uns get wet. *Lots of souvenir stands *I love exploring all the hallways, catwalks and inner shops in the more grungy areas of CR. That's some real creepy shit, yo. *Plenty of parking--for a price. Pro Tip: The further you go from the MBA, the cheaper parking gets. The Meh: *While parking is pretty easy, it ain't gonna be cheap. I do believe that it does get cheaper on weekdays, tho. The Ugly: *If you come during the busy summer season, this place can be a shit-show of tourists and people. Not for the covid squeamish. TLDR: I can understand why people don't like this place, but I've been visiting here since I was a wee lad so I know what to expect. Just pack your patience pants and enjoy the great weather, views and def check out the MBA.

Mary L.

Cannery Row is a very nice area to walk around and shop or just look around. Colorful, vibrant, diverse environment, good vibes, etc. It's definitely designed for walkers. Biking adventures isn't far. Walking along the coast is doable. Perfect location with lots of retail shops, restaurants & attractions nearby. I really do appreciate history and communities that make things happen. Monterey, CA is indeed very special. Public street parking isn't too bad with lesser crowds these days. $2 per hour is still in effect. Not difficult to find parking during non peak days and non peak hours. Cannery Row is a landmark gem. I always find something I like to buy in boutique stores and gift shops. Foods are good too. People are friendly with lots of tourists. Worth visiting this valuable site. You will find great spots for photos or ice creams too. It's packed with goodies. I think it adds value to the city of Monterey with good diversity and cultures. There's not many other cities with the same landmarks. Carmel By The Sea and Downtown Monterey are also favorite stops too. Not too far. Adventurous and fun places to walk.

Z. H.

Great tourist location with restaurants and store. Good to experience one time at least and check out what there is to offer. Most folks come here for the aquarium, and hotel. Streets are clean and nice with tourist walking. Would advise against driving through here with too much foot traffic and slower speeds. There is metered parking but be careful they do give out tickets and I saw a lot walking through for cars parked. Have a great time!

Trolley and sign
Michele R.

Picturesque for sure. Hotels, beach, restaurants and shops so a great spot to walk around and explore. The Aquarium is just a few blocks down.

Atul S.

If you love a very crowded place or pathway then this is for you. However, still worth experiencing once in your life. Some really nice restaurants all over and it is happening place even in the daytime. The small walk will cover the area but finding car parking may be challenging sometimes. Some great ocean-side spots to spend time if you prefer that.

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Review Highlights - Cannery Row

There is one particular shop that is near the aquarium on the left side that holds a special place in my heart.

Mentioned in 96 reviews

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My experiences with The Barnyard go back many decades. I have a dear friend who lives nearby,…read morehaving settled there after college. She quickly learned about places that locals love when the tourists aren't out in force. It was really helpful to learn from her insider knowledge during trips to visit her. When I used to live in the Bay Area, Carmel jaunts were more frequent. Now that I reside in SoCal, it's not someplace we get to visit that often. As such, it was a treat to get a chance to get back to The Barnyard recently. Our pal suggested meeting at From Scratch for breakfast. She relies on their food, and the location in The Barnyard is an added plus. Parking is free, and there's a reasonable amount of it. Now that I'm older and my knees not as flexible or forgiving as they used to be, I became aware that the many undulating levels and staircases throughout the property add visual interest, but mobility challenges. We entered from the north and it took a bit of navigating to find the restaurant. As we didn't want to be late meeting our friend, we didn't fully take in all there was to see about the unique architecture and many flower beds and other landscaping features of the shopping center. We were there on a Monday morning and it didn't seem like a lot of the shops were open yet at 10:30 a.m. It was definitely on the quiet side at that day and time. I did note a few upscale boutiques for clothing and home decor. If the weather had been nicer, and more time free for shopping / browsing it would have been great to wander around after breakfast. I did love seeing the large rows of Pride of Madeira flower bushes on the perimeter of the property. They show off well in this center where many lovely flowers call home in a unique setting.

Steinbeck Plaza One

Steinbeck Plaza One

(3 reviews)

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A Tribute to John Steinbeck…read more Steinbeck Plaza One is located on Cannery Row at Monterey and overlooks McAbee Beach. The plaza has specialty shops, galleries, gift shops, restaurants and attractions. The Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum has closed and will be replaced by some kind of ride. Sign says coming late 2022. We love visiting The Cannery Row... there is a cool candy store inside Steinbeck Plaza One. Outside is a fountain sculpture paying tribute to Monterey's diverse characters lounging on a seaside boulder. A monument marker with the title "The "Cannery Row Monument" was dedicated on February 26, 2014. At the top sits Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck. Among the figures are 8 other well-known locals. They are: Ed Rickets - Steinbeck's good friend and one of the fathers of marine biology Chinese Fisherman Two female figures - representing "Madam" Flora Woods Four "boys" sitting together - representing 4 entrepreneurs with ambitious vision for Cannery Row: Ted Balestreri, Bert Cutino, Harry Davidian and George Zarounian There is a bust of John Steinbeck on the sidewalk. The last time we were in Monterey was in July 2020 and we found the sculpture wearing a mask LoL! Even John Steinbeck complied with the CDC guidelines or he faced a $100 fine w/o a mask on. We are here again this weekend and I guess they've eased up on the masking in Monterey because he no longer wears one. LoL! Finding parking is challenging so good luck with that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Review #2589

Sort of a landmark on Cannery Row with a head sculpture of John Steinbeck, which has been there for…read morea while, and a recently (2014) erected Cannery Row Monument. A good spot to take some "been to Monterey" photos. The famous aquarium is near by and lots of restaurants are within walking distance- though a table may be hard to find on weekends. Parking can be difficult depending on the crowd. We parked a few blocks away and walked over.

Cannery Row - shoppingcenters - Updated May 2026

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