Cannery Row has non-stop fun for the family! McAbee Beach is is accessible to the public and is a great way to spend the day. There the family can sit and watch the wildlife play right in front of them! You are most likely to see the sea otters opening clams or the sea lions playing in the kelp farms. If you are lucky – whales and dolphins have been known to make an appearance! While we were in Cannery Row looking out over the bay, we had the great fortune of seeing a pod of over fifty dolphins swimming and playing. It was truly a sight to behold.
Adventures by the Sea is a transportation rental company, with several locations in and around Cannery Row. We visited the location conveniently located by McAbee Beach where we rented family-style surrey bikes (four-wheel or two-wheel). These bikes are a great way to get around Cannery Row, and can be rented for full or half days. Adventures by the Sea also offers regular bike rentals and GenZe electric bike rentals! Surprise the kids with a family excursion along Monterey’s Recreation Trail.
Your adventures don’t have to be limited to land! Stop by the Adventures by the Sea location across the street from the Monterey Plaza Hotel to take a tour of the Monterey National Marine Sanctuary on kayaks. The Monterey National Marine Sanctuary is one of the 12 federal underwater parks! The tour starts in the heart of the Cannery Row kelp forest. This location is just a short paddle away from both the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Coast Guard Pier. Both of these areas are prime for wildlife viewing. We guarantee sightings of otters, harbor seals, and sea lions on this two-hour tour. Prefer to do your own thing? Rent a kayak and explore at your own pace. Just be sure to stay six-kayak’s lengths away from the marine life so as not to disturb these beautiful animals.
If you are looking for another exciting adventure take, try to escape the Monterey Mirror Maze! This psychedelic mirror maze is a great activity for kids and also a great team-building exercise for companies or family parties. Be sure to also try out their Laser Challenge, where you can race the clock Mission Impossible-style. Test your spy skills by navigating your way past the lasers to hit the targets. Bring a friend or try it solo, but no matter what, know you’ll have a blast.
Be sure to take a stroll to Steinbeck Plaza where the statue of the American author John Steinbeck stands. Learn about the history he wrote about during the Great Depression in Monterey, California, on a street lined with sardine canneries that is known as Cannery Row. Steinbeck wrote about the ocean view Avenue in Monterey, which was later renamed “Cannery Row” in honor of the book.
TRAVEL TIP: On Cannery Row you can find a ton of unique, local, shops and BONUS – they are all within walking distance! No need to rent a car – the means of transportation is endless fun for the kids!
Read related articles:
The Incomparable Cannery Row Restaurants
Great Places to Stay in Cannery Row
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