Via Paraiso Park
You will first notice the open greenery of Via Paraiso Park. It is a park located in Monterey. I find it a pleasant spot to stretch your legs while visiting the city.
THE MONTEREY ROUND - STOP BY STOP
Colton Hall Museum
Walter Colton was Monterey's first alcalde in the American Period, and he built Colton Hall between 1847 and 1849. This government building and museum was designed with a specific split in purpose: the downstairs area provided rooms for a public school, while the upstairs served as a government assembly hall. Its most significant moment came in 1849, when it became the site of California's first constitutional convention. You can still see the layout that supported both education and early state governance. I've noticed the building has a sturdy presence that fits right into the Monterey waterfront.
MY Museum
Chris' Fishing Trips and Whale Watching
Golden State Theatre
Old Custom House
Let me show you the Old Custom House, a custom house built in 1827 by Mexican authorities in Monterey. It is the oldest surviving government building in California and is designed in the Mediterranean Revival architecture style. The site is a National Historic Landmark and a National Register of Historic Places listed place. You can pick out the influence of its architect, Thomas O. Larkin, in the structure. I've noticed the area feels quite still compared to the rest of the city, which makes it a great spot to think about the early days of the region.
Fishermans Shoreline Park
This is not a hidden alley or a crowded pier, but Fishermans Shoreline Park. It is a park where you can stop and take in the views. I've found that the open space makes it a great spot to just breathe for a moment while you are visiting the coast.
Thomas Kinkade Gallery of Monterey
The Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum
First Baptist Church of Monterey
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium opened in October 1984 as a nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California. Since then, it has expanded its reach beyond exhibits to provide environmental guidance through Seafood Watch, a sustainable seafood advisory list published by the aquarium beginning in 1999. You can also find a history of animal care here; the aquarium was home to Rosa, the oldest living sea otter at the time of her death, and Otter 841 prior to her release into the wild. I've always found the sea otters to be the most spirited residents of the bay.
Cannery Ruins
Lower Presidio Historic Park
Let me show you the Lower Presidio Historic Park. This location is a park, making it a great spot for visitors to spend some time in the open air. I find it is a pleasant place to pause during a walk through the city.
Monterey State Historic Park
Monterey State Historic Park is a historic state park in Monterey, California. The grounds are composed of various landmarks, including the Monterey Custom House and California's first theatre. This area is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can find a portion of the Monterey Old Town Historic District here, which consists of 17 contributing buildings. That specific district was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970. It is a great spot to walk through and get a sense of the local history.
