Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey

4.5 (2 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

2 reviews

4.5

Cannery Row — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Wharf — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Architecture Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Audio guide: English, Chinese, Spanish
Written guide: English, Chinese, Spanish
Operated by: Drives & Detours

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

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

Not included

Not included: Smartphone (bring your own)

Itinerary

Cannery Row

20 min

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

5 min

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.
Presidio Museum

15 min

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.
Colton Hall Museum

20 min

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

15 min

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.
Larkin House

5 min

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.
Old Fisherman's Wharf

30 min

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.
San Carlos Cathedral

10 min

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

Passing by

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.
Monterey Museum of Art

Passing by

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 point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting 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.

Using your ticket

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: To access your tour, you will need to download the Drives & Detours app and enter your 6-character access code to unlock it. Your access code will be sent separately the day before your travel date. Access codes for same-day bookings will be sent within minutes after purchase.

HOW TO PREPARE: We recommend downloading the Drives & Detours app in advance so you are ready to go when 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 ACCESS CODE: Your access code will arrive as a message through the booking platform. They should notify you by email, but if you don’t see it, check your spam folder or directly in the platform’s message center.