After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, many artists fled the city for Monterey, and the first art gallery opened in 1907. Today's galleries are centered in Cannery Row. The annual Artists Studio Tour offers a chance to see original works and buy direct from the creator. Monterey Museum of Art's collection includes works by Armin Hansen, William Ritschel and Ansel Adams.

Architecture buffs may enjoy a self-guided walking tour of Asilomar Conference Grounds, designed by Julia Morgan.