Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey in Monterey & Carmel
Monterey & Carmel, United States

Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey

Outty Ranking 59 4.1 · 20 traveler reviews1.3 hoursFrom $9

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

59/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.1/5

Based on 20 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey worth booking?

Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey is a 1.3-hour experience in Monterey & Carmel, United States, from $9 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 20 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
59 / 100
Rating
4.1/5 (20)
Duration
1.3 hours
From
$9 per person

This self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour will explore Cannery Row in Monterey California and the surrounding area as well as a number of hotels and historic sites. There's a separate admission charge for entrance

What you get

    About this experience

    This self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour will explore Cannery Row in Monterey California and the surrounding area as well as a number of hotels and historic sites. There's a separate admission charge for entrance to Monterey Bay Aquarium. On this tour, you'll hear how the area served as the industrial heart of Monterey in the first half of the 1900s. Its seemingly inexhaustible number of Pacific sardine attracted fishermen, investors and inventors from around the world seeking their fortune. But, (spoiler alert!) overfishing would decimate the industry by the 1950s. You will also discover the connection between John Steinbeck and this area as you meet some of the colorful characters that were immortalized in his novel Cannery Row and its sequel Sweet Thursday. Finally, you'll discover the incredible story of how Cannery Row quite literally rose from the ashes to what is now a welcoming waterfront of world-class hotels, wine rooms, restaurants and shopping opportunities.

    What's included

    Included

    • VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
    • Lifetime access to this tour in English
    • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

    Not included

    • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
    • Smartphone and headphones
    • Transportation
    • Food and drink

    What you'll see and do

    1. The Cannery Row Monument

      The tour takes you past the Cannery Row Monument and briefly explains the significance of each person depicted.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. The tour takes you past the original Monterey Canning Company warehouse. Outside the warehouse is where you'll hear the story of Cannery Row.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. The tour passes the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant which is the highest-grossing restaurant on the Row. You'll hear about its connection to the Monterey Canning Company.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. The tour will take you briefly inside the InterContinental The Clement Monterey Hotel where you'll be shown a historic aerial photograph of Cannery Row.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories

      You'll walk past Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories where you'll more about the man that lived there.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. Monterey Bay Aquarium

      The tour takes you past the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

      Pass by without stopping

    7. The tour takes you past this environmentally sustainable, 25,000 square foot center. It opened in 2019, to expand and enhance the Aquarium’s educational programs by offering free informative programs for teachers and students.

      Pass by without stopping

    8. The tour stops briefly outside the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa where you'll hear about some of its shops.

      Pass by without stopping

    9. San Carlos Beach

      You'll walk along the San Carlos Beach.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Monterey & Carmel

    The starting point is at the corner of Prescott Avenue and Wave Street. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The tour ends in front of the bust of Steinbeck. It is a short distance from the start location.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    VoiceMap Audio Tours

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Pacific Hotel & SpaThe Villas on Cannery RowEd Rickets BustSan Carlos BeachSan Carlos BeachCannery Ruins at MacAbee Beach

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 20 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Traveler reviews

    20 verified traveler reviews for Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    14
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    3
    1 star
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    Sort
    Dan L · February 2026

    Where fiction and non-fiction meet (Steinbeck and the history of Alta California!)

    Excellent, full of historical perspectives and fascinating characters. Tom, my guide, is a great teacher and storyteller, I recommend this tour for a comprehensive look at Monterey then and now.

    via Tripadvisor

    Debby_B · September 2025

    Did not work

    Never got it to work right. Thought i could stop snd start, but it seems to have a 24 vlock on it. One time use, did not add to ecperience. Left me frustrated and angry my

    Response from the operator: Hi there, I'm sorry that you were unhappy with your experience. Can you email more information to support@voicemap.me? This way, we can identify exactly what went wrong. Once you've downloaded the tour, you have lifetime access to it, so there shouldn't be any issue if you want to pause and redo the tour at another time. Or, if you want to do the tour again a week, a month, or even a year later. Did you not receive the email and SMS with instructions we sent you when you booked? We can troubleshoot the issue and process a refund if you email us your details. I'm sorry for your frustrating experience. Best, Helene

    via Viator

    Deedee_B · August 2024

    Disaster

    We tried for several hours to log on and get the your including on the phone with one of your representatives. It DIDNT WORK.

    Response from the operator: Hi there, I'm sorry that you were unhappy with your experience. Can you please follow up with support@voicemap.me? This way, we can identify exactly what went wrong and process a refund if there was a technical issue. I'm sorry for your frustrating experience. Regards, Helene

    via Viator

    Chuck_H · April 2024

    Take the tour

    Highly recommend reading Steinbeck’s Cannery Row before taking this walking tour. It will be more interesting if you do.

    via Viator

    davidbA1510KR · March 2024

    Very good self-guided tour

    Excellent self guided tour of Cannery Row area. The tour was easy to follow. Recommend reading book before the self tour - will add a lot of insight and value into characters, locations.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    7
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 59

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)53
    Review evidence (18% weight)44
    Booking momentum (14% weight)36
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)20
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Monterey & Carmel.

    How much does Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey cost?

    +

    Prices start at $9 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Monterey & Carmel usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Monterey & Carmel is not rushed.

    Is Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 20 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Monterey & Carmel, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey?

    +

    Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Monterey & Carmel can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Monterey & Carmel and add a light layer if any part of the 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Monterey & Carmel within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Monterey & Carmel?

    +

    Monterey Bay is one of the best whale watching stretches in the world, alongside kayak tours over the kelp forest, 17-Mile Drive and Big Sur coastal runs, and Carmel wine walks. Boat size and naturalist quality decide the whale trips, and we score them accordingly. On Outty we rank every Monterey & Carmel experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr, Whale Watching Tour From Monterey, Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Monterey & Carmel?

    +

    April to November for whales and calm seas. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Monterey & Carmel?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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