Monterey is another seaside Central California city truly worth a visit. Her town center is filled with old colonial architecture, and her touristy waterfront warehouses and fish canneries have been refurbished and turned into malls and restaurants.
At the west end of this bayside attraction, named Cannery Row after a John Steinbeck novel portraying the area in the Forties, is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is a "must see" attraction that recreates ocean habitats and does invaluable oceanographic research.
The Larkin House is another historic attraction that blends Spanish, Mexican and American architectural styles and houses a priceless collection of antiques. The Pacific House, on Fisherman's Wharf, is a wonderful historic museum and, best of all, it's free. Monterey is a great getaway spot for family or business travel; enjoy relaxing strolls with bay-side breezes and the soothing cries of gulls and coos of pigeons, dine on fresh seafood, and enjoy a glass of some excellent regional wine.
