Cannery Row: Sardines, Steinbeck and Sea Otters

Recommended by 98% of travelers

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Monterey & Carmel, USA

2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Stroll along Monterey’s Cannery Row, and learn about its significance on this guided walking tour. Walk from the breakwater to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, all along the waterfront, and learn about the city’s heyday as the “Sardine Capital of the World.” Step inside the shoes of John Steinbeck’s characters and enjoy beautiful views of the bay during this 2-hour experience.

Learn about the fishing and canning era in Monterey
Observe local wildlife such as sea lions while you explore
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the waterfront
A central meeting point makes for a seamless start

What's Included

Guide

gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

651 Wave St, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
The Monterey Walking Tours Cannery Row Tour starts at 651 Wave St, halfway between Prescott and Hoffman, at the benches in the small plaza near the parking garage elevators. 9:45 AM meet for 10 AM departure

End point

Cannery Row Worker Shacks
61-53 Bruce Ariss Way, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
Bruce Arris Way

Operating hours
.10:00 am

Itinerary

Cannery Row

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 42 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Cannery Tour

Debra_M, Sep 2025

Had a great and informative tour on Cannery Row. Would highly recommend this tour with Tom. We loved seeing all the sea lions up close on the beach !!!

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Sea lions were fun! Thanks for joining us and for the kind words.

Cannery Row Tour

Aileen_H, Aug 2025

Very enjoyable and informative. Our tour guide, Tom, was very interesting and knowledgeable. We would definitely recommend this tour if you are interested in the history of Cannery Row and John Steinbeck.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Glad you could join us, thanks for the kind words.

Take a tour to understand Monterey

Mary_G, Apr 2025

Shirley is a long time residence of Monterey and definitely knew her history. Cannery Row is a must see.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thanks for your comments. We like Shirley a lot too.

True Local Character

Carol_K, Sep 2023

Shirley is an amazing tour guide. We really enjoyed her stories about Cannery Row. Fascinating history of Cannery Row and the area. She knows details about plants, people, culture, that made our walk colorful and fun. True local character!

It was fun. A cool way to...

kris_F, Feb 2022

It was fun. A cool way to learn about monterey and the sardine fisherys and marine biology. Our tour guide absolutely loved and cared for monterey.

Amazing tour of Cannery Row

Kim_R, Dec 2021

Tom was an excellent guide. He is very knowledgeable of the history of Cannery Row, and he is passionate about it. He is a great story teller and brings Cannery Row back to life with his descriptions. The tour is about 2hrs, and after the it you will see Cannery Row in a whole new way. This tour is definitely worth it!

Enjoyable very...

PATRICK_M, Dec 2021

Enjoyable very informative relaxing walk easy to listen to. Amazing views and historic that people would not expect. Will definitely do this tour next time in town

Extremely knowledgeable...

Gerald_S, Oct 2021

Extremely knowledgeable guide. Greatly enjoyed the tour. Glad that I took the tour. A lot of history which I personally like.

I gotta know what I’m lookin’ at

Patty_M, Oct 2021

Our walking tour with Shirley was fabulous. She was friendly, knowledgeable and our tome with her her was very enjoyable.

Literature and the City Come Alive!

Dorene_I, Jun 2021

Our guide, Thom, was deeply knowledgeable about not only Cannery Row but it’s connections to Monterey’s history. He provided an interesting view of Cannery Row’s development as well as the way Steinbeck depicted it. This walking tour made me feel less like I learned a lot and enjoyed doing it. Thom was a great guide!

Highly recommend this tour!

jchiatt3, Jan 2020

We were very pleased with the knowledge and enthusiasm Thom shared with us on this tour. He personalized the tour to our interests, answered our many questions and made the experience both fun and educational. Thank you so much!