Monterey SHP

State Historic Park

Due to state budget cutbacks, free public tours of historic buildings and the Monterey Walking Tours have been cancelled until further notice. Cooper Museum Store remains open from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM daily.

Private group tours for up to 20 persons can be reserved in advance by calling (831) 649-7172. Fees apply for group tours. Additional fees will be applied for larger groups.

To book a special event in one of our historic gardens or at Custom House Plaza, call (831) 649-7118.

Monterey State Historic Park is a collection of significant historic houses and buildings interspersed throughout Old Monterey. The inside of the Stevenson House, Larkin House, Cooper-Molera Adobe, and Casa Soberanes can ONLY be viewed with a State Park Guide. These four guided house tours, the Guided Walking Tour of Old Monterey, the Pacific House Museum and Custom House are all FREE. Guided Walking Tours begin at the Pacific House Museum in Custom House Plaza – a great way to start your discovery of Monterey.

Step into the past on the “Monterey Walking Path of History” and view the site where Spanish explorers first landed in Monterey in 1602. See one of the nation’s last remaining whalebone sidewalks. Walk the same streets that famed author Robert Louis Stevenson walked in 1879. Explore this two-mile path and discover some of California’s most historic homes, buildings and beautiful gardens along the way.
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Monterey served as California's capital under Spanish, Mexican and U.S. military rule. The U.S. flag was first officially raised in California here on July 7, 1846, bringing 600,000 square miles of land to the United States.

Monterey’s Path of History can be entered at any point. Just follow the yellow-tiled markers and discover Monterey State Historic Park, an area that preserves and interprets places and objects of statewide historic significance. Twelve buildings, including the Custom House, the oldest government building in California, and several residences (now house museums with guided tours), are all part of Monterey’s 55 Path of History sites.

For more information call the Monterey State Historic Park office (831) 649-7118, located at 20 Custom House Plaza.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised.

Location-Directions
The park is at 20 Custom House Plaza, in Monterey.
Monterey, CA Latitude/Longitude: 36.6001 / -121.8822

Driving Directions to Monterey State Historic Park office

... from the NORTH
From San Francisco, San Jose, Gilroy, Marina and other cities from the north, take the Pacific Grove/Del Monte Avenue exit off of Highway 1.

There are two other Del Monte exits prior to this one that are incorrect. Follow Del Monte for approximately one and a half miles. Turn right into the Fisherman's Wharf, Historic Park parking lot. If you end up going through the tunnel, continue on until you can legally turn around. Then return to this parking lot turning left this time. Watch for the signs.

... from the SOUTH
From Big Sur and Carmel, take the Munras Street exit off of Highway 1. Continue down Munras which eventually becomes Abrego Street. Continue on Abrego which eventually becomes Washington Street. Follow Washington Street until it ends at the Fisherman's Wharf parking lot. This entire journey is less than two miles in length.

... from the EAST
From Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Salinas, Fresno, Sacramento, Los Banos, Hollister and other cities from the east, take Highway 68 to Highway 1. At this major intersection move into the left lane as this will take you toward Monterey. (You don't want to go to Seaside or Santa Cruz.) Take the Fremont Street exit and follow to the third signal. Turn right onto Abrego Street which shortly becomes Washington Street. Follow Washington Street until it ends in the Fisherman's Wharf parking lot. This entire journey is less than two miles in length.

More Information
Guided Tours

Museums

Visitor Center

Path of History Walking Tour

Wi-Fi Service
Monterey State Historic Park now offers AT&T Wi-Fi Service!
This service enables park visitors with wireless enabled laptop computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access the Internet. You can access this service if you are within a 150 foot range of the Main Office located in the Park. For more information about this service please see January 19, 2005, News Release.

January 19, 2005, News Release (pdf)

Other parks with WiFi access...