Cannery Row

In January 1958, the City of Monterey officially re-named Ocean View Avenue "Cannery Row" in honor of John Steinbeck and his novel that described a colorful past set amid the cannery culture of the time. Now, Cannery Row's buildings are updated, shinier versions of turn-of-the-century canneries. They house an eclectic blend of specialty shops, local artists' galleries, and more than 25 restaurants and world-class attractions that make Cannery Row a top tourist destination.

Cannery Row Attractions

The main attraction on Cannery Row, and a favorite for visitors to the Central Coast, is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Constantly surprising with new exhibits and programs, and with a steadfast dedication to marine education and conservation, the aquarium is consistently ranked among the top attractions in the world. Visit the new "Secret Lives of Seahorses" and recently updated children's "Splash Zone" exhibits while you're at Cannery Row.

Just a block from the Monterey Bay Aquarium is Cannery Row’s brand new IMAX Theatre! Watch feature-length 3D movies and dive into 12,000 watts of digital surround sound and giant-screen action. For another family activity, visit the Monterey Mirror Maze, where families can work as a team to find their way from the beginning to the end of the maze.

Cannery Row Restaurants

Cannery Row's dining draws crowds with its complete spectrum of taste offerings. Enjoy area seafood favorites, legendary fine dining, and lively nightlife at Cannery Row restaurants. You can have a full Monterey County wine tasting tour in three blocks of Cannery Row at the tasting rooms for Scheid Vineyards and Baywood Cellars, and A Taste of Monterey Wine Visitors Center, which serves a broad range of Monterey County wines along with a breathtaking view of Monterey Bay.

Cannery Row Activities

It's easy to shed your car and go "green and marine" on Cannery Row. Take in the wonders of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary by scuba diving with the starfish, kayaking with the sea otters and Adventures by the Sea or A B Seas Kayaks, or bike riding from beach to beach along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail on a bicycle rented from Bay Bikes.