Maritime Museum of Monterey

Part of Old Monterey [1], the Stanton Center includes the Maritime Museum of Monterey (5 Custom House Plaza, 831/372-2608, www.montereyhistory.org [2], Tues.–Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.). The large modern facilities provide plenty of space for the art and historical artifacts collected over the decades, most of which pertain directly to the area’s history, maritime or otherwise.

In the Maritime Museum, explore the history of the native Rumisen and Ohlone people, going through the Spanish exploration and conquistador era, and on in to the American military and fishing presence on the Central Coast [3].

The original Fresnel lens from the Point Sur light station [4] sits in here, as does an array of sardine fishing equipment.