Monterey State Historic Park

Monterey State Historic Park contains about 17 buildings that span from Spanish colonial times through the 1900s, each showing different architectural styles. The structures were built and used during separate periods in California's early history and represent how the region developed under different rulers.

This site grew during Spanish colonial rule and was later expanded under Mexican and American control, each period leaving its own buildings and uses. The oldest structures date to the 1820s and show how the region shifted from one government to the next.

The buildings here show how Spanish, Mexican, and American settlers left their mark through different construction styles and ways of living. Walking through each structure, you can see how daily life and work changed over more than a century.

The park is open year-round with guided tours available through the different buildings. Wear comfortable shoes since you walk between the structures on foot, and some paths are uneven.

The Old Whaling Station has walkways made from whale bones, a rare building technique seen in few places. These bones mark where the building once functioned as a whaling station before becoming a residence.

Location: Monterey

Operator: California Department of Parks and Recreation

Phone: +18316497118

Website: http://parks.ca.gov/mshp

GPS coordinates: 36.60316,-121.89363

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:55