Located at the ocean's edge, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a window to marine life -- for dive masters and non-swimmers alike. It's home to sea otters, penguins, sharks, jellies, and thousands of other marine animals and plants. Its mission is to inspire conservation of the oceans. This is one of the best designed aquariums going. A unique feature is the two-story tank, home to a kelp forest in which swim sunfish, sharks, and the occasional diver tasked with squeegeeing the algae off the tank walls. Sand dabs are displayed in shelf-like tanks ideally suited to the flat fish, and a school of sardines swim in an endless circle in their cylindrical tank home. If you want to interact with some aquatic dwellers, you're invited to pet the bat rays (oddly velvet-like). The jellyfish display shows that they are like something from another planet.
www.montereybayaquarium.org
A 290-seat IMAX theatre with a 3D and 2D giant screen and 12,000 watts of digital sound. Showtimes every hour on the hour starting at 11:00 AM. First class theatre with rocking chair seats.
www.bellacinema.com
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary stretches along 276 miles of coastline beginning in Marin and extending to Cambria. Created to protect the local marine wildlife, visitors can also whale watch, boat, fish, kayak, SCUBA dive, surf, and bike among other things.
www.montereybay.noaa.gov
Treat yourself to the ultimate spa experience with one of the most beautiful views. The spa has an outdoor sun deck and whirlpool tubs that overlook the Bay.
European-style spa at the Monterey Plaza Hotel
A few steps from the Aquarium and a bike trail, the Clement Monterey is ideally located in the heart of Cannery Row.
The Clement Monterey
Shopping on Cannery Row is oceanfront shopping at its best. Visitors enjoy browsing in more than 84 different stores and merchant locations all within walking distance. The eclectic blend of specialty shops on Cannery Row adds to the fun and variety of Central California s most beautiful vacation getaway.
Shopping
Dining is an exciting experience on Cannery Row. A wide variety of restaurants, ranging from casual to fine, stretch along the historic streets and waterfront. Morning, noon, or night, there's place to stop in for a meal, a snack, or just some great people watching.
Dining
