Monterey Bay Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Monterey Bay Sightseeing and Top Attractions
Monterey Bay old Fisherman’s Wharf offers a vast array of outdoor activities, dining, shopping, theater, events, whale watching, fishing, sailing, and marine life in a gorgeous setting overlooking the Monterey Bay. A visit to the Monterey Peninsula just isn’t complete without taking a side trip to the old Fisherman’s Wharf.
Fisherman’s Wharf is yet another exciting location that celebrates Monterey’s rich history as a bustling port town. Although the locale has come far since its humble fisherman’s roots and is now a bustling metropolis with many modern amenities, you will find that most locals are still very much in tune with the town’s historic roots and enjoy celebrating its quaint, seaside past. Fisherman’s Wharf is the perfect place to do this, as it merges the laid-back, family-oriented personality of the city of Monterey with the beauty and abundance of the Monterey Bay bayside culture.
Located down the shoreline on Lighthouse Avenue from the famous Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf truly allows you to be in the center of Monterey while still feeling as if you’re in a world of your own. The pier is projected out into the majestic Monterey Bay, which affords it incredibly views of the entire Monterey shoreline and the ever-spectacular sunsets falling over the majestic ocean. When standing on Fisherman’s Wharf overlooking the one and only Pacific Ocean, it is easy to understand why people love living in ocean towns like Monterey. There is a sense of closeness to the water and the shoreline that pervades all life here. Once you arrive, you will soon notice the easy-going nature of many who live here, especially the friendly shopkeepers of the countless stores and restaurants lining the pier who beckon you into their establishment with a smile and a friendly welcome.
And these restaurants certainly run a-plenty on Fisherman’s Wharf, most of which show just how much of Monterey’s culture is influenced by its location on the Monterey Bay. There seems to be another seafood restaurant at every turn. During the warmer months, be sure to keep a look out for Fisherman’s Wharf store owners offering free samples of their seafood specialties – many offer little bites to passers-by to entice them to stay for seconds! There is something seafood-related for
every appetite here, whether you crave casual fish and chips from kitschy Rappa’s End of the Wharf, exciting Mexican fare from Cabo’s Wild Mexican Seafood, or upscale seafood delicacies from Albalonetti Seafood Trattoria. Surely your stomach will not go unsatisfied during your time at Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf!
There are also plenty of places to help you commemorate your visit to Monterey. Interspersed between the restaurants are two dozen visitors’ stores offering you everything from Monterey T-shirts to a pearl jewelry store offering more upscale gifts for that special someone in your life (or even just yourself!). Most of these stores sell wharf-themed merchandise almost exclusively, so be prepared to have your pick of exactly what little trinket you
want! The Wharf’s General Store and the Ethnic Arts Gift Shop offer an especially unique collections, featuring many works of art like carved wooden desktop pelicans and seagulls created by hand by local craftsmen. If tasty treats are more to your liking, however, Casa Carmelo and Carousel Candies offer extensive collections to satisfy your (or your grandkids’) sweet tooth!
But even if you just want to soak in the aura of this seaside oasis, Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf is the perfect place to do this. With the pier’s perfect locations perched at the southern corner of Monterey Bay, the views of the area from the very tip of the pier are unparalleled. Have fun by looking at all the different boats and yachts moored right next to the pier or the large Sea Lions who love to lounge on the empty floating platforms! For a more adventurous trip to Fisherman’s Wharf, be sure to stop by one of the many whale watching or sea tour kiosks to pick up tickets to go out on a guided tour of Monterey Bay. Being able to have this vantage point of the beautiful ocean and Monterey itself will make your vacation unforgettable! Especially around sunset, you will not regret your choice!
