1.2 Miles | 5 Minutes Drive
Hotel Near Old Fisherman's Wharf
Old Fisherman's Wharf reaches into Monterey Harbor at the edge of downtown, about five minutes from Stargazer Hotel. The wharf is lined with seafood restaurants, candy and gift shops, and the ticket booths for many of the bay's whale-watching, sightseeing, and sportfishing boats.
Even without a boat trip, it is a great walk. Sea lions often lounge on the rocks and pilings, and harbor seals and sea otters are regulars in the marina. Custom House Plaza and the historic adobes of Old Monterey start right where the wharf meets land.
Tips
- Book whale watching ahead in busy seasons, and pick a morning trip if you are prone to seasickness, when the bay is often calmer.
- Park once downtown and walk: the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail connects the wharf with Cannery Row.
- Come back at sunset for harbor views and a seafood dinner, then it is a quick drive home to Stargazer.
Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.