Monterey Recreation Trail Cannery Row.mp4

Audio Adventure Walks

Do the Monterey History Walking Tour along the Monterey Coastal Recreation Trail

Starting from the magnificent Monterey Bay Aquarium, take a short and easy walk and do a deep dive into the interesting history of Monterey Bay on an audio tour along the paved and popular multi-use Monterey Coastal Recreation Trail. The Monterey History Walking Tour is a nice way to get an overview of the beautiful bay and its diverse history.

On your phone, listen to the audio tour narrated by Jim Covel. It’s just half a mile, so you can take your time listening to six segments telling the stories behind historic sites that you’re seeing, including the American Tin Cannery and the Hopkins Marine Sanctuary.

There’s a second audio tour, this one along the lively and famous Cannery Row. It also starts just outside the Aquarium and goes for one mile, with 11 audio segments. You’ll get loads of interesting information at Cannery Row, including John Steinbeck’s relationship to the area and how it inspired his novel of the same name.

BONUS EATS: Along the Cannery Row History Walk you’ll encounter an old redwood box, and an original FishHopper—a rare relic of an erstwhile fishing system where mass volumes of sardines could be dumped into the box and moved into the canneries. You can also dine at a restaurant whose name is an ode to FishHoppers. The Fish Hopper Seafood & Steaks restaurant is right on the bay, and a patio seat often gets you up close to views of wildlife like sea otters lounging in the kelp. Popular dishes are the clam chowder (of course it’s famous!), crispy jumbo prawns, and crispy halibut and chips.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Hiker taking a photo of sunset at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

    Sunshine and Skyline

    Head to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve for a 4-mile out-and-back hike on the Bay Area Ridge Trail that offers a front-row seat to spectacular sunsets.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View