Steinbeck's Cannery Row Monterey: Self-Guided Audio Tour

About this experience

Steinbeck's Cannery Row Monterey: Self-Guided Audio Tour is a self-guided walking attraction in Monterey, California, following the streets and landmarks that shaped John Steinbeck's fiction. The tour runs approximately 90 minutes and is narrated by local guide Lynn Momboisse, whose commentary draws on the real history of Cannery Row, from its origins as a sardine-packing hub in the early twentieth century through its commercial collapse and eventual reinvention as a visitor destination. The audio guide is GPS-activated and plays directly on your phone, so the narration advances with your location rather than a fixed schedule. The route takes in named stops including Steinbeck Plaza, Monterey Plaza Hotel, San Carlos Beach, and the exterior of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as less obvious points such as Ed Ricketts' Biological Laboratories, the real-world base for the character Doc in Steinbeck's novel. Along the way, the guide identifies the actual people who served as models for characters in San Francisco Bay Area literary history, with local insider commentary and recorded guest interviews woven throughout. Tickets include lifetime access to the English-language audio guide, and the pause-and-play format means visitors can move at their own pace. Admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and other attractions, food, drinks, and transport are not included. The tour begins at 701 Wave Street.

Highlights

• Walk Cannery Row's landmarks on a 90-minute audio tour
• GPS-activated narration plays automatically as you explore
• Commentary covers sardine-packing history to modern revival
• Narrated by local Monterey guide Lynn Momboisse
• Follow the real streets and sites behind Steinbeck's fiction
• Self-guided format lets you explore at your own pace

What is included

• GPS-activated audio guide plays on your phone
• Lifetime access to this self-guided tour in English
• See Steinbeck Plaza, Monterey Plaza Hotel, San Carlos Beach and Aquarium
• Find hidden gems like Ed Ricketts Biological Laboratories
• Local insider commentary and guest interviews
• Easy pause and play to go at your own pace

Not included

• Admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium or any other attractions
• Food and drinks
• Transportation

Before you go

Starting out and timing The tour begins at 701 Wave Street, Monterey. Allow roughly one and a half hours to complete the full route, though the audio guide pauses and resumes at your convenience, so you can linger wherever you like. Aim to arrive at the starting point a few minutes early so you have time to open the app and get your bearings before the first stop activates. During the tour Keep your phone charged before you set out, as the GPS-activated guide runs entirely through your device. Headphones are strongly recommended so you can hear the commentary clearly in busy outdoor areas. Admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and any other attractions along the route is not included; entry fees are paid separately if you choose to go inside. Food, drinks, and transport between points are not included, so plan refreshments around the stops that suit you.

Cancellation terms

Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the experience.