Monterey, California, USA
A marine sanctuary city where sea otters float in kelp beds and Steinbeck's ghost haunts Cannery Row — though cruise calls here are now a rarity after the city ended passenger landing services in 2023.
A marine sanctuary city where sea otters float in kelp beds and Steinbeck's ghost haunts Cannery Row — though cruise calls here are now a rarity after the city ended passenger landing services in 2023.
Monterey has no deep-water cruise pier — ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers to Municipal Wharf No. 1, adjacent to Old Fisherman's Wharf. Important: in February 2023 the Monterey City Council voted to end passenger landing services for cruise ships, making calls here very rare.
💡 Pro move: No Uber/Lyft surge issues in town, but demand spikes when a ship is in. Pre-book whale-watch tours and the Aquarium (tickets required in advance — no walk-up sales).
Monterey is a tender port with no cruise pier; ships anchor in the bay and use ship's tenders to land passengers at Municipal Wharf No. 1.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (historical) | Municipal Wharf No. 1, adjacent to Old Fisherman's Wharf📍 | Tendered |
| Note: city ended cruise landing services Feb 2023 | Verify current status with your cruise line📍 | Tendered |
Monterey punches far above its size — world-class marine wildlife, Steinbeck history, iconic 17-Mile Drive, and one of the best aquariums on Earth.
Monterey Bay sits above a deep submarine canyon, making it one of the world's premier whale-watching spots year-round. Humpbacks dominate summer; blue whales pass July–Sept; orcas appear opportunistically. Tour boats depart right from the wharf.
Find whale-watching tours →One of the top aquariums on the planet, anchored at the end of Cannery Row. Famous for a three-story kelp forest exhibit, resident sea otters, and an open-ocean tank. Book tickets weeks in advance — no walk-up sales.
Book Aquarium tickets →Rent a bike or e-bike near the wharf and cruise the flat, paved Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail from Fisherman's Wharf past Cannery Row, Lovers Point, and into Pacific Grove. Harbor seals and sea otters guaranteed along the way.
Find bike rental tours →Follow yellow tiles in the downtown sidewalks linking California's oldest public building (Custom House, 1827) through Spanish adobes, Colton Hall (where CA's constitution was drafted), and the Stevenson House. All free and steps from the tender dock.
Find walking history tours →The legendary scenic toll road through the Del Monte Forest showcases the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, Fanshell Beach, and the manicured fairways of Pebble Beach Golf Course. Best done by excursion or private taxi — no public transit access.
Find 17-Mile Drive tours →Walk the historic cannery district immortalized in John Steinbeck's novels. The old sardine canneries now house restaurants, galleries, and the Aquarium. The Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum and the Steinbeck Spirit of Monterey offer context.
Find Cannery Row tours →Monterey is one of the most walkable California ports — the flat coastal trail strings all major sights together from the tender dock.
Walk west from Municipal Wharf along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail through Breakwater Cove (sea lions on the Coast Guard pier rocks), along San Carlos Beach, and into Cannery Row, ending at the Aquarium entrance.
From Custom House Plaza (right at the tender landing), follow yellow sidewalk tiles through Old Monterey's Spanish and Mexican-era adobes: Custom House, Pacific House, Colton Hall, and Casa Soberanes. All free, all outdoors.
Climate normals for Monterey, California, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F / 16°C | 45°F / 7°C | 11 | 7:19 AM | 5:14 PM |
| Feb | 61°F / 16°C | 46°F / 8°C | 11 | 6:57 AM | 5:47 PM |
| Mar | 62°F / 17°C | 47°F / 8°C | 10 | 7:20 AM | 7:14 PM |
| Apr | 63°F / 17°C | 48°F / 9°C | 6 | 6:35 AM | 7:41 PM |
| May | 64°F / 18°C | 50°F / 10°C | 3 | 6:01 AM | 8:06 PM |
| Jun | 67°F / 19°C | 53°F / 12°C | 1 | 5:48 AM | 8:27 PM |
| Jul | 68°F / 20°C | 55°F / 13°C | 1 | 6:00 AM | 8:27 PM |
| Aug | 70°F / 21°C | 56°F / 13°C | 1 | 6:24 AM | 8:00 PM |
| Sep | 71°F / 22°C | 55°F / 13°C | 2 | 6:49 AM | 7:17 PM |
| Oct | 68°F / 20°C | 52°F / 11°C | 4 | 7:14 AM | 6:33 PM |
| Nov | 63°F / 17°C | 48°F / 9°C | 8 | 6:45 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Dec | 60°F / 16°C | 45°F / 7°C | 10 | 7:12 AM | 4:53 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)