How to Find Cheap Hotels in Monterey California

This central California city actually served as the capital of California for a full 72 years, although under Mexican and Spanish flags. Sitting on the magnificent Monterey Bay, Monterey was long home to a thriving fishing industry, the underbelly of which was made famous in John Steinbeck's classic "Cannery Row". Today, preserving fish is the order of the day at the research-driven world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer with Internet connection
• A map of the Monterey Bay area
• A phone for reserving your accommodations

Know Your Destination

1. Read some Steinbeck before you arrive in Monterey to get a real feel for the place. Then visit nearby Salinas's John Steinbeck Museum for a terrific overview and insight into the man and the myth.
2. Visit more than 600 animal species at the outstanding Monterey Bay Aquarium. Great for kids and adults, this aquarium will spoil you for all others. It sits on the famous Cannery Row, which is now, like Fisherman's Wharf, a prime tourist spot.
3. See the marine life up close. Dive trips, fishing trips and whale-watching trips are all possible in Monterey and its environs. The immediate area is a protected marine preserve.

Choose Your Cheap Accommodations in Monterey, California

4. Choose among several cheap accommodations options in Monterey. As a popular tourist town, many mom & pop as well as chain motels proliferate. Summer is the busiest time, so always book ahead, if possible.
5. Set up camp in one of the region's many state, regional and county parks. Camping sites fill up fast, so always try to book ahead, if possible.
6. Find super-cheap accommodations in the couple of area hostels. One is in Monterey, the other in nearby Seaside. As with many American hostel destinations, it helps to have your own transportation to get there.

Explore the Attractions of Monterey, California

7. Take the Ghost Walk of Old Monterey for a look into Monterey's sometimes-spooky past.
8. Drive through 17 miles of rich scenery on the nearby 17-Mile-Drive, which winds around marine life as well as the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course.
9. Shop for trinkets in Monterey and for pricier items in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea. This ultra-quaint town is worth an afternoon if you have your own transportation.
10. To book accommodations in Monterey, California, call Monterey CVB at 831-372-9323 or visit the link below.

Tips & Warnings

• Do your research for whale watching, in particular. The times of year when they pass Monterey can be somewhat specific.
• Mind the fog. Many visitors are fooled into thinking California is always balmy. Monterey, however, like many coastal cities, can get foggy and cold, especially in the summer.