Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey

4.1 (20 reviews) Monterey & Carmel, USA
Duration1h 15m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

This self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour will explore Cannery Row in Monterey California and the surrounding area as well as a number of hotels and historic sites. There's a separate admission charge for entrance to Monterey Bay Aquarium.

On this tour, you'll hear how the area served as the industrial heart of Monterey in the first half of the 1900s. Its seemingly inexhaustible number of Pacific sardine attracted fishermen, investors and inventors from around the world seeking their fortune. But, (spoiler alert!) overfishing would decimate the industry by the 1950s.

You will also discover the connection between John Steinbeck and this area as you meet some of the colorful characters that were immortalized in his novel Cannery Row and its sequel Sweet Thursday. Finally, you'll discover the incredible story of how Cannery Row quite literally rose from the ashes to what is now a welcoming waterfront of world-class hotels, wine rooms, restaurants and shopping opportunities.

What's included

  • VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food and drink

What to expect

  1. The Cannery Row Monument
    Pass by
    The tour takes you past the Cannery Row Monument and briefly explains the significance of each person depicted.
  2. Pass by
    The tour takes you past the original Monterey Canning Company warehouse. Outside the warehouse is where you'll hear the story of
    Cannery Row.
  3. Pass by
    The tour passes the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant which is the highest-grossing restaurant on the Row. You'll hear about its connection to the Monterey Canning Company.
  4. Pass by
    The tour will take you briefly inside the InterContinental The Clement Monterey Hotel where you'll be shown a historic aerial photograph of Cannery Row.
  5. Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories
    Pass by
    You'll walk past Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories where you'll more about the man that lived there.
  6. Monterey Bay Aquarium
    Pass by
    The tour takes you past the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
  7. Pass by
    The tour takes you past this environmentally sustainable, 25,000 square foot center. It opened in 2019, to expand and enhance the Aquarium’s educational programs by offering free informative programs for teachers and students.
  8. Pass by
    The tour stops briefly outside the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa where you'll hear about some of its shops.
  9. San Carlos Beach
    Pass by
    You'll walk along the San Carlos Beach.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The starting point is at the corner of Prescott Avenue and Wave Street. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.

End point

The tour ends in front of the bust of Steinbeck. It is a short distance from the start location.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.1 (20)
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