The Monterey fishing industry began in the mid-1800s when Chinese fishing families arrived. The final stop along Cannery Row is the magnificent Monterey Bay Aquarium, the best aquarium in the United States.Monterey's Cannery Row is one of the town's top-rated sights, a charming area with a touch of yesterday, located on the Monterey waterfront. There’s a plaque on the front door commemorating Kalisa’s long tenure at this site. She transformed it into the bohemian Kalisa’s Cafe, from 1957 to 1985, creating an important link to Steinbeck’s era, long after the canneries were gone. It had a notorious history, run as a brothel for many years, before being purchased by the Queen of Cannery Row, Kalisa Moore.

Next door is the historic La Ida Cafe (851 Cannery Row) also featured in Steinbeck’s book. Two doors down from the historic cottages, is Wing Chong’s Market (837 Cannery Row), also fictionalized in Steinbeck’s book as the location where characters purchased supplies. Wing Chong's Market (from Steinbeck's book)

There’s also a statue of the Queen of Cannery Row, Kalisa Moore, who ran a beatnik cafe.ġ0. It has a quaint, cottage garden, with steps down to the beach.ĭirectly across the road from the laboratory is a cluster of three historic Chinese Fisherman cottages. Charming waterfront overlook with steps to the beachĬontinue north up Cannery Row from San Carlos Beach Park to a narrow waterfront overlook, just before the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa. Parking lots are directly behind this park.Ģ. The sandy beach is easily accessible down a flat ramp. There’s a lovely grassed lawn area with picnic tables and a restroom. Start at San Carlos Beach Park, and enjoy spectacular views over Monterey Bay.

The township now has a thriving tourist industry after the canneries were converted into restaurants and retail.Ĭannery Row is 0.5 miles long, stretching from San Carlos Beach Park, to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The canneries thrived here until the late 1950’s, when overfishing resulted in the collapse of this industry. The historic Cannery Row is bustling with restaurants, gift shops and a world class aquarium.Ĭannery Row is located on Monterey’s waterfront, immortalized in John Steinbeck's 1945 novel, Cannery Row.

Cannery row steinbeck