Take Route 68 East, 17 miles to downtown Salinas. Continue through Oldtown to One Main Street.
Hours:
Open daily from 10am-5pm
Description:
Visit the National Steinbeck Center to experience a journey through John Steinbeck's world, where literature jumps off the printed page and into your imagination. Discover Steinbeck's works and philosophy through interactive, multisensory exhibits for all ages and backgrounds, priceless artifacts, entertaining displays, educational programs and research archives. Seven themed theaters showcase East of Eden, Cannery Row, Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath and much more. Enjoy ever changing art and cultural exhibits, the Museum Store and One Main Street Cafe. The museum's next addition will be the Valley of the World Agricultural History and Education Center. Price is $10.95 for adults and kids are $7.95 (13-17) or $5.95 (ages 6-12)
Monterey Museum of Art
Location:
Two locations - 559 Pacific Street and 720 Via Mirada (both in Monterey)
Directions:
For Pacific Street, head towards Fishermans Wharf on Del Monte Blvd. Continue until you reach the light at Pacific Street. Turn left and the museum is on your left at 559. For Via Mirada, take the main Monterey exit off Hwy 1, The street will become Fremont street. Pass through first stoplight and before you get to the next light, look for the small brown sign that says Via Mirada Art Museum, in the center strip. Turn left at that sign.
Hours:
Wed - Sat from 11a-5p; Sun 1 - 4pm
Description:
Known as one of the best small museums in the U.S., the Monterey Museum of Art is split into two facilities - both in Monterey. They house a permanent collection of California paintings, sculpture, photography, folk art, Asian art and an extensive collection of works from great artists including Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. The Via Mirada facility houses the Asian art and is a former 2-room adobe which became an elegant home and now the museum with beautiful gardens and stone walls. Cost is $5 for adults and children under 12 are free.
Maritime Museum
Location:
5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey
Directions:
Located in downtown Monterey at Fishermans Wharf in Custom House Plaza behind the Portola Plaza Hotel.
Hours:
Open Tue-Sun 11am-5pm
Description:
Closed for renovation until 2011. Built in 1992, the Maritime Museum is the main building on the large, red-bricked Custom House Plaza and casts an eye over Fishermans Wharf. There are over 6,000 nautical artifacts, 50,000 photos, 6,000 books, pages and charts. The collection includes model ships, 7 exhibit areas from different periods, navigational instruments and a 500-glass prism Fresnel lens from the Point Sur Lighstation that weighs over a ton! There is a small theater (regional history picture shown 3x an hour). Cost: Adults $5; Children $2.50; Children under 12 are Free.
Ghost Walk Tour of Monterey
Location:
527 Hartnell Street, Monterey
Directions:
Located in historic Monterey. Coming from the north On Highway 1, take the "Main Monterey" Exit which turns into FREMONT ST.
FREMONT ST veers right and becomes MUNRAS AVE.
Turn LEFT onto WEBSTER ST.
Turn RIGHT onto HARTNELL ST. 1/2 down the block
<0.1 miles
Hours:
8pm tours Fri & Sat Nights
Description:
The gentleman who runs this business is quite a character and does a great job. He sets the mood for an evening of interesting history and potentially paranormal activity. Along the way, you will see historical buildings and sites that still reside within modern Monterey, and hear the stories of their inhabitants. The tour concludes at one of Monterey's most notoriously haunted buildings, the Stokes Adobe restaurant. If you don't laugh or flinch along with Gary by the end of the evening,you weren't paying enough attention.Adults $28 Children 12 & under $12
Welcome
Museums & History