My family and I enjoy visiting Monterey every summer. It's a wonderful and relaxing getaway from Southern California. During each visit, we always take time to go to the wharf for lunch or dinner to see and experience the marine life and the overall vibe of the ocean, the wharf, and the city itself. One of the larger restaurants on the wharf is undergoing extensive renovation, so a big part of it is closed to the public, which diminishes the overall experience. On our recent trip, we visited the wharf twice and enjoyed our time either dining or taking videos and photos of birds, seals, and sea otters. Tip: There are many homeless people at the entrance to the wharf asking for money. Most are very polite, but one was very aggressive, so please stay aware of your surroundings when visiting. read more

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Monterey Bay is always a nice getaway. Love the wharf, even if it's touristy, but I like that vibe. The shops are cute to browse and get souvenirs and gifts, it's never crowded, the views are incredible, you can spot some Marine life. It has an old-school vibe which is more than OK with me. Not a lot to do, but it can be a good stop on a road trip or you can kill time if you spend the night in town. read more

The views are nice of the Monterey Bay and the boat harbor. Otherwise, the wharf area has become a very touristy / borderline junky collection of souvenir shops, plus a few restaurants hanging on. It feels like an area that's trying too hard to get attention and extract dollars from visitors. Dear Hubby and I normally wouldn't be visiting the wharf when in the area. Especially because I have a dear friend who lives in Carmel and knows all the best places to go from a local's perspective. We rolled in to town just as the sun was setting, and we wanted to get something simple and have a view of the water. I had Googled "clam chowder, water view" and there was a listing for the Grotto, and it was close to our hotel, so off we went. I hadn't been to the wharf in probably twenty years, and I was surprised at the transformation. I remember it as being more of a place to find / buy freshly caught fish, with a few restaurants serving tasty seafood dishes. It was more about buying and enjoying food, with only a few options for other kinds of shopping. Now it's about all the kitschy shops full of forgettable souvenirs that line the foot of the wharf. There were a number of families walking around with young kids begging and pleading for their parents to buy them stuff they didn't need. We did end up having a good meal, and the weather was pleasant with no wind or fog. That made enjoying the views out over the Bay and the boat harbor very pleasant. Paid parking is required until 8 p.m., seven days a week. I think it was $1.25 an hour. There are pay stations readily available to use with a credit / debit card to pre-pay for parking. read more

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I just enjoy coming here as a quick getaway for the day. This is always our first stop. You have little souvenir shops and lots of places to eat for quick bite to fancy sit down and finishing off with sweets at the candy or ice cream shop. You can catch the boat here for a day tour whale watching depending on the month and go out fishing. You also get to see the sea lion/seals from the wharf. read more

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stopped by here a few years ago, and loved the pier, we went whale watching and tried a few spots on the wharf, it does get super busy given its touristy area! the restaurants are busy but its a fun spot overall read more

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Yes it is touristy and the restaurants are not the greatest representation of good sea food in the area, however, this historic pier is a must visit location for the first time visitors to the area. Even after multiple visits it still holds a certain charm. Whether you are there to gift shop, dine and taste some local seafood, catch a peek at the local sea lions, do some whale watching, or just sit with a coffee and people watch, there is something for everyone. Great place to catch the sunset too!!! read more

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We stopped at the Old fisherman's Wharf and instantly fell in love with the area. One of the highlights for us was seeing Fisherman's Grotto in person. We actually have a painting on our yacht of an old-time Fisherman's Grotto menu, so it was really special to finally experience the place that inspired it. We walked through the entire wharf area, popping into gift shops, little stores, and checking out the restaurants -- and it seems like everyone claims to have the best clam chowder, which made us smile. The whole area has such a fun, coastal personality. Ray found a perfect rain jacket that he's already wearing and will definitely use again when we're out on the ocean. Of course, we couldn't leave without buying taffy that's made right there, which was excellent. And when our daughter called to remind us that they collect magnets from everywhere they travel, we happily picked one up for her. Even though it was a bit rainy, it was still a really beautiful walk. We can absolutely see ourselves coming back someday by yacht, docking nearby, and riding our bikes along the wharf. Such a charming, welcoming place -- we really enjoyed our time here. read more

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I'll never get tired of visiting the good ol' Wharf on a summer day! Quiet and nice breeze to escape the buzzing cars and city life. Overall, this place is a lovely gem not too far from the Bay and is home to a nice selection of seafood eats--specifically the clam chowder! You can find a whole array of clam chowders available for dine in or takeout here! However, I remember the days pre-COVID when all restaurants were offering chowder samples to entice crowds to dine at their establishment. It's sad that it's no longer available. I imagine it's due to health safety and possibly the financial burdens that took place during the pandemic. In any case, come out here to get some good chowder!! You'll find a place that clicks with your taste that a 1-2 hour drive from the Bay to Monterey for chowder wouldn't sound crazy. Ahem, not speaking from personal experience :P Also, don't forget the ocean views and these cute seals basking in the sand that you get to enjoy too! Lots of trails and things to do at the Wharf. read more

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Love this place! I grew up coming here and brings back soo many memories! Restaurants, shops, bars and Views! *Great for ALL AGES* read more

Old Fisherman's Wharf - The Old Fisherman's Grotto - Local Flavor Near Me - Monterey, California

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The Old Fisherman's wharf was a fun place to hang out. We went in the evening and it was still hustling and bustling. We were able to find a parking structure nearby that was affordable and just a couple of blocks away. There's a lot of quaint restaurant in the area. Also, the many gift shops and souvenir shops. We loved being near the water and being able to walk around. A great place if you're visiting the area! read more

Although a tourist trap through and through, this was still a nice first stop for us when we first arrived in Monterey and needed some lunch. Although small and a bit dirty, Old Fisherman's Wharf has a lot of history dating back to an old fish market back in the 1960's. Lined almost exclusively with various overpriced restaurants, candy stores, and shops hawking touristy souvenirs, the wharf is a nice, quick stop to stretch, grab a bite to eat, and let the kids run around after a long car ride before diving into the rest that Monterey has to offer. For history buffs, you'll find the Custom House situated near the entrance to the wharf. This was the first government building in California and the location where the United States took Monterey from Mexico in 1846. read more

Yep! Come here. It's nice and quiet in the morning and you can take your time unbothered.

The food was so fresh and tasty. I loved the energy of the dining room and the views are incredible. We started with some garlic toast where you get the whole head of garlic to spread on the toast. Talk about delicious. The service was also attentive without feeling pushy or rushed. I'd definitely recommend you check it out if you're stopping through Monterrey! read more

Old Fisherman's Wharf - Garlic bread - Local Flavor Near Me - Monterey, California

The wharf area of Monterey is a must-visit tourist spot when you are in this area. There are a lot of seafood restaurants, souvenir stores, but the best part is seeing the seals and otters swimmng around or hanging out. This area has a lot of interesting history as well so make sure to find out more from reading the signs in the area. read more

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Every time we visit Monterey, a stop at the Old Fisherman's Wharf is a must. We usually walk there from Cannery Row along the scenic trail, which means we don't have to worry about parking. Early evenings are our favorite time to go, and we love trying out different restaurants for dinner. The wharf has a great mix of places, seafood spots, souvenir shops, candy stores, and even a cozy coffee shop. It's always a pleasant and relaxing stroll. You can also book whale watching tours from the wharf, something we haven't tried yet but definitely plan to on our next trip. They have a website where you can check out events and seasonal activities, like Halloween festivities and Christmas celebrations. All in all, it's always a highlight of our Monterey visits! read more

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We took the kids to Old Fisherman's Wharf after dinner on Saturday night, during our first family trip to Monterey. My husband and I had both been separately, though I had only the vaguest memories of the wharf. I'm glad we went, and our boys had fun, though it's not a place I'd revisit every time we're in town. If you've been to a wharf in a coastal California town, you've more or less been to Old Fisherman's Wharf. It's cute and kitschy with a salt-worn charm, open air and boats and water, bright colors and pirate statues. The kids had a great time running around. We walked all the way down, stopping at a couple places for overpriced souvenirs and candy. The wharf was good for about an hour of entertainment, though I'm sure we could've found more to do during the day, especially if we wanted to stay for a meal. It had a bit of a tourist trap vibe, but I can't say we didn't enjoy it. I'm sure we'll be back on some other family trip. read more

Came to Fisherman's wharf while visiting Monterey to have a nice dinner at Old Fisherman's Grotto. We arrived early so we were able to walk the pier. Lots of eating choices and souvenir shopping. Usually there are lots of seals/sea lions barking up a storm but today they were no where in site. I kind of missed seeing and hearing them. All in all a nice evening on the wharf. read more

Plenty of good spots to have some delicious lunch as well as shop! Not too crowded on this Saturday morning not sure if it's normal but it was a pleasant walk. read more

Old Fisherman's Wharf - Local Flavor Near Me - Monterey, California

Absolute tourist trap. Unless you have to go here for a tour, don't waste your time and money.

We normally get to go orders from here but decided to eat in this time. The clam chowder was not hot, but still good. crab cakes were ok, it was different they had mango and papaya on them and a sweet sauce. Crab cocktail was delicious. We also ordered calamari and that was probably my favorite. You can see the ocean so it is nice. read more

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Second time visiting Monterey and can't visit with checking out the wharf. Plenty of places to shop and eat, although the area did appear a little more dirty and run down than my last visit. read more

Old Fisherman's Wharf is old and on a short pier but for me it is a place of nostalgia. I wouldnt compare it to San Francisco's wharf. It has well established award winning restaurants and tons of souvenir shops. You can take a trip to go whale watching from the wharf too. read more

Located on the Monterey wharf,is the Old Fisherman's Grotto. We wanted clam chowder and decided to give this place a try. We had our 4 year old daughter with us. They made sure we knew that we knew their children's policy and that we abide by the rules. Luckily for us, our daughter is very well behaved. I've never gone to a restaurant where they had a children's policy or at least pointed it out. She has been to Michelin star restaurants, James beard award restaurants, and we have never encountered this. So it was a surprise but one that we welcome. People should be able to enjoy their meal. The service was top notch and the food was good. We ended up getting clam chowder and fish and chips. The fish was breaded different from what I am use to, but very tasty. The fries were double fried and delicious. I was so full I didn't get dessert, but the selection for dessert was epic! They bring a tray of 10 or more choices for you pick to from. My husband ended up getting the tiramisu. He thought it was one of the best or the best he's ever had. Over all, great ambience, great service, good food. We would love to come back when we are in the area. read more

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This was a pretty cool wharf with many shops and restaurants. Plenty of people walking around and it was pretty festive for Christmas. Definitely enjoyed a quick stroll here. I parked at downtown Monterrey and took a quick 10 minute walk to the wharf. read more

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A visit to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula just isn't complete without a rendezvous with Old Fisherman's Wharf in downtown Monterey that was built in 1845 for regular passenger and freight service. Known as the "Monterey Bay Whale Watching Capital of the World" and a top destination of visitors from around the world, Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf provides a wide array of award-winning dining, shopping, deep-sea fishing trip, whale watching tour, bay cruises, a glass bottom boat, marine life, fishing and sailing. For those who call it a "tourist trap" it may be a little bit, with overpriced restaurants overlooking the water and dozens of souvenir stores, but still, it has the nice charm of a wooden pier filled with businesses. It's a nice place to stroll on a nice sunny day and the place to go to if you are looking to book a Whale Watching trip in the Monterey area. read more

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We stopped by Old Fisherman's Wharf on our way back from San Jose. This was my first time here and I enjoyed taking a stroll along the pier, visiting the various shops, and watching the various street performers. We had lunch at Grotto's Fish Market and browsed through the souvenir shops. They were just starting to put up the Christmas tree and had the Christmas decor up, so I t was very festive. While waiting for our restaurant buzzer, we walked down towards the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It was such a beautiful view! read more

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Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf is where the FUN begins! I first visted Monterey right before Pandemic ( February 2020) and loved it! Had such an amazing time shopping, exploring, sightseeing, eating seafood, did the glass bottom boat tours I wanted my big kids to experience it too! It finally happened with my big kids, during September 2023, Labor day weekend! We found parking in the huge lot this time, ($7. for 4 hours) first vist we found street parking and entered via the back of Old Fisherman's Wharf. This time I got to see all the cool vendors in front of the parking lot. Bought 2 very nice creative candles, few airplants, duck in crystal hanging thing for the car, and the other half found a Raiders bucket hat and what a treat, we got to see all the Sea lions this time, so many of them just basking and enjoying the day, they were pretty loud! Note, it does get kinda smelly here but just don't hang around the bay for too long. hehe. During our time here we walked around, explored, checked out the gift shops, got snack, took tons of photos, tourist kine things and had desserts before we had lunch at one of the restaurants. The plan for this trip was go do the Glass Bottom tour and dine at The Grotto but that didn't work out. Lots of dining choices to choose from, good luck on making at the decision for your seafood! What can you do here at Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf?! Restaurants, gift shops, fish markets, whale watching, fishing trips, cruises, sailing trips, galleries, live theater, coffee, desserts, make the most and the best of your time here. Yep Old Fisherman's Wharf is where the Fun Begins, explore the Wonders of the Wharf! My big kids sure enjoyed themselves! read more

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Always a nice place to visit, especially if you're entertaining family members from outside of the area. Plenty of restaurants and shops. read more

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If you're visiting the area, you just have to lean into being touristy and be able to say you checked this place out. It's a historical spot that gives you neat views of the ocean & marine life, like the sea lions! Catch a breath of ocean air as you sit on a bench overlooking the boats while having something to eat. Tchotchke, souvenir, & specialty item shopping, restaurants (chowder!), fish markets, & sweet treats are what mainly occupy your attention. Whale watching tours, fishing, sailing, and cruises are also available from here. Not a ton of things to explore, but there are lots of photo ops. After you experience the wharf, you can continue to expand your explorations to go on walks to access the adjacent Custom House Plaza and any events taking place, explore some history at the Monterey Historic Park, visit Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center, walk through a little cactus garden, or go further down towards Alvarado Street for a lot more eating, drinking & shopping options. read more

Old Fisherman's Wharf - Camera ready sea lion - Local Flavor Near Me - Monterey, California

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Definitely fun to walk around and something you don't see every day! It smells really bad because of the seals but it's entertaining seeing them all piled up on each other, using one another for pillows, and we even saw one on a bench! How did he get there? Lol It's a place you can walk, bike, etc etc. read more

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Short walk. Not too many shops. Mostly restaurants asking you to join them for happy hour. We did go to a chocolate/candy shop. What's is well kept clean. But it seems sad as it lacked more tourists. But very dog friendly and I met a couple of sweet dogs. read more

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No trip to Monterey is truly complete without a visit to Old Fisherman's Wharf. Yes, it's touristy, but some of the businesses here are popular with locals, such as Old Fisherman's Grotto. I highly recommend the restaurant: https://www.yelp.com/biz/old-fishermans-grotto-monterey-5. Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL Coach of the Year, Ron Rivera, is a fan too. He played football at nearby Seaside High School, part of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. When I first visited Old Fisherman's Wharf, just by its name, I couldn't help but think about and make a comparison to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Monterey Old Fisherman's Wharf is like a smaller, cleaner, safer, less touristy and crowded San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf. Old Fisherman's Wharf offers a variety of unique shops, restaurants, and businesses that offer activities on Monterey Bay like cruises/boat tours, sailing, fishing, and whale watching. This is a great place if you like to buy souvenirs and candy. You can't miss the sea lions around the wharf. They're loud and playful, and definitely one of the highlights of Old Fisherman's Wharf. The men's restroom on the far end of the wharf was as clean as one could reasonably expect of a public restroom at a tourist hot spot. Old Fisherman's Wharf is not to be confused with "Fisherman's Wharf" or "Municipal Wharf 2" nearby. That wharf has a couple restaurants, but is completely different. There are no shops or anything like that. Old Fisherman's Wharf is adjacent to Monterey State Historic Park: https://www.yelp.com/biz/monterey-state-historic-park-monterey. If you like historic buildings, the "park" is definitely worth checking out. You'll have to read my review on the park to see why I put park in quotes. Paid parking lots exist between the two wharfs. During our visits to Old Fisherman's Wharf, I street-parked for free on Van Buren St near Scott St. We also walked from our hotel, the Colton Inn, roughly a 0.7-mile, 14-minute walk. The weather was perfect and the walk to and from the wharf and our car/hotel was safe and pleasant. read more

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Fun find! What a great little Pier and I mean little. Great shops and eateries. Make sure you stop here. read more

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This tourist destination was super crowded this past Sunday, kinda like SF's Pier 39 on a regular day. Probably due to a special event (Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade), but also Christmas on the Wharf (weekends during December). Lights and decorations, live entertainment, an ice skating rink, plenty of food and drinks, holiday shopping on the wharf, multiple candy shops including Candy World and Wharf Chocolate Factory (of course I had to get myself some chocolate almond turtles)... all of this on top of sailing, fishing, and whale watching, which people took advantage of this past weekend in order to get a better view of the lighted boat parade on the water. I viewed this event from the promenade at the end of the pier and it was pretty cool seeing all of the colorful lights and designs. It was also cute hearing the sea lions from the pier while watching the boats float by, even caught a few jumping out of the water. There are a couple cool and unique shops here, such as Sock Harbor. And I had some good eats at Crabby Jim's Seafood restaurant during my recent visit. But there were a lot of seafood spots, a lot of candy shops, and a lot of Monterey souvenir stores (like Pirate's Cove), and not much else... overall kinda repetitive, since they pretty much sell the same things as their competitors, and therefore, options are a bit limited at Old Fisherman's Wharf. The atmosphere is still festive and inviting though, especially during special events and the holidays. FYI, the wharf's website notes inputting directions on your GPS to 201 Washington Street to reach the waterfront parking lot where you can prepay at a pay station on site, or use the Parkmobile app on your phone (lot zone # 21031), but parking is pricey here, so I recommend looking for street parking first, if you're willing to walk a bit (read the signs though for parking restrictions). read more

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Food was mediocre at best and way over priced. Views were okay. Not worth it. Won't return.

This is still such a great spot to walk and chill! Parking is a breeze, there are lots of kiosks placed throughout the lot and at the wharf entrance. We arrived around noon. Traffic getting anywhere is bad weekend days but once we got through, we found a space close to the entrance. This particular Saturday there were vendors selling all sorts of wares before you actually get to the wharf. Sadly the monkey is no longer there :( I love the smell of the salty air as we enter and then sweet chocolate and caramel from the candy makers and then the aroma of fresh seafood dishes coming from all the different restaurants. I will always love this place, no matter how touristy it gets. read more

The waiter Ricardo was exceptional and on the spot. The Clam Chowder was good just use to it being a bit thicker but it was good. The Artichoke and Calamari were delicious. The Shrimp salad sandwich was equally delicious! The Crab Ravioli was good and cheesy. The surprise was the Apple Cheese Cake !! This was the first time having this great dessert! Thank you!! read more

It's a touristy place, but I still think it's worth going to for at least a few hours during any visit to Monterey. There are some very good restaurants and some stores for shopping or whale watching. My favorite is the fisherman's grotto. They also have clam chowder and other snacks you can get for a quick bite without spending too much. The sea lions are always out making noise. It's very touristy, but when you are a tourist, you do those things. The wharf has changed a lot over the years and I used to go for walks there almost every day when I lived in Monterey. It's a nice part of the city and walking distance to the downtown. read more

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Honestly five stars alone just for the price of their half dozen of oysters! A whopping $16 ‍ Also their complimentary bread is soooo sooo good. It was super moist, had to ask for a second serving lol. We tried their calamari and it had a good crunch and crisp to it. I personally felt like it could use a little more flavor, tasting it without sauce. But overall would rate a 4/5. My mom enjoyed their clam chowder bread bowl. She stated that you can actually taste the flavor of clam and there's more than just potatoes in their chowder! They also have the option of a garlic bread bowl (which is what she ordered). Overall. We would definitely come again! The ambience is classy. Also perfect for a date night. read more

Old Fisherman's Wharf - Local Flavor Near Me - Monterey, California

My family and I came to Monterey on 02/26/22 for a Day trip , just cause. I am such an adventure bunny that I wanted to get out and explore. Plus I wanted to take in the nice ocean views! Why not! My mom and older sister just wanted to chill in the car and I'm not about that life. Like, I didn't sit in the car for 3 hours to sit in the car for Monterey especially my first time here. My little niece wanted to stay with her mommy but I convinced her I would buy her ice cream if she came with me! Worked like a charm. The older niece, my middle sister and my dad joined in with me. We walked the pier together and my middle sister got lost shopping so my dad and I took the girls to explore . They were of course excited not by the beautiful scenery but by all the CUTE dogs ! It is dog friendly , I guess! They have shops in the front like Swap Meet style which I was tempted to by a $30 Tree Plant (if you see my pictures, it was so hard to pass up!). I am trying to expand my garden and my skills but maybe next time I'll find one. My sister is into positive healing energy rocks or stones for meditation which is thrilling in my opinion and got some good deals. Within the Pier they have something for everyone such was tea, restaurants, coffee, bathrooms, sea ocean activities, whale watching and so on ! Oh... can't miss the ICE CREAM and CANDY STORES sprinkled in! The weather was perfect and we probably spent about an 1.5 hours here. It was clean but a lot of homeless or homeless veterans :( It makes having an positive outing tough as they are not in a good place in their life but anywho we did enjoy ourselves! Ample parking, close to the beach and definitely would like to come back. I'm so happy I was able to experience it ! read more

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