Salt spray and foghorns, gulls dipping over kelp forests and cypress trees leaning into the wind — Monterey smells of seaweed and roasted coffee, and sounds like the echo of humpbacks off the headland.

Walk Cannery Row at golden hour and you’ll feel the grit of the old sardine industry underfoot and the modern hum of galleries, cafes and the Monterey Bay Aquarium bringing the ocean’s colors ashore.

Whether you’re hunting artisanal treats, maritime mementos, or wearable reminders of tidepools and tide lines, these picks capture the coast. Here’s what to buy in Monterey — the best souvenirs from Monterey to keep that Pacific tang with you.

1. Monterey Bay Aquarium Gear

Why pick this up: The Aquarium is the city’s beating marine heart; their gift shop carries beautifully produced field guides, plush sea otters, jellyfish lamps and ethical toys that double as education.
What to look for: Officially licensed items, region-specific field guides (sea stars, abalone, kelp ecology), sustainably made plush toys and glass-blown ocean ornaments.
Price bracket (2025): $8–$75.
Where to find it: Monterey Bay Aquarium Gift Shop on Cannery Row and the Aquarium’s online store.

2. Artisanal Canned Sardines (Cannery Row Revival)

Why pick this up: Sardine tins are a wink to Monterey’s Cannery Row past — today’s small-batch tins are both handsome and delicious, a shelf-stable taste of the coast.
What to look for: Locally labeled tins or West Coast producers using Monterey Bay-caught or sustainably sourced fish, retro packaging that nods to Cannery Row.
Price bracket (2025): $6–$18 per tin.
Where to find it: Specialty food shops on Cannery Row, Old Fisherman’s Wharf stalls, and local gourmet stores in downtown Monterey.

3. Sea Glass and Beach Stone Jewelry

Why pick this up: Handcrafted pieces turn smoothed fragments of the ocean into wearable memories — each necklace or ring literally holds a piece of the Monterey shore.
What to look for: Pieces labeled as genuine sea glass (not tumbled glass), sterling silver or recycled metal settings, and work by local Pacific Grove or Carmel artisans.
Price bracket (2025): $25–$220.
Where to find it: Jewelry boutiques in Carmel-by-the-Sea, galleries on Alvarado Street, and pop-ups at the Monterey County Fair and arts festivals.

4. Monterey Bay Sea Salt

Why pick this up: Sea salt from local briners encapsulates the bay’s minerality and makes a kitchen-friendly souvenir that tastes like the coast.
What to look for: Small-batch, hand-harvested salts (flaked finishing salts, smoked varieties), clear labeling of origin and no added anti-caking agents.
Price bracket (2025): $6–$22 for jars.
Where to find it: Farmers’ markets (Monterey Farmers Market on Alvarado), Carmel Plaza shops, gourmet grocers and seaside market stalls.

5. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil from Carmel Valley & Salinas

Why pick this up: Monterey County’s microclimates produce vibrant, grassy oils — a culinary souvenir that channels California sunshine.
What to look for: Cold-pressed, single-varietal (Arbequina, Frantoio) or estate blends, harvest date on the label and preferably certified local producers.
Price bracket (2025): $15–$45 per 250–500 ml bottle.
Where to find it: Carmel Valley tasting rooms, local olive oil shops, and farmers’ markets around Monterey and Salinas.

6. Monterey County Wine (Carmel Valley & Santa Lucia Highlands)

Why pick this up: The nearby valleys yield cool-climate Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and aromatic Syrahs — a bottle says “this coast” more than any postcard.
What to look for: Monterey AVA or Santa Lucia Highlands appellation on the label, vineyard-designated bottlings, or small-production reserve wines from boutique tasting rooms.
Price bracket (2025): $18–$75.
Where to find it: Tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea, tasting corridors along River Road, specialty wine shops in Monterey.

7. Coastal Photography and Local Art Prints

Why pick this up: A print of Point Lobos, the Wharf or a kelp forest makes a striking, portable way to relive Monterey’s light and mood.
What to look for: Works by local photographers and painters, limited editions or signed prints, archival paper for longevity.
Price bracket (2025): $20–$350.
Where to find it: Carmel galleries, the Monterey Museum of Art gift shop, and independent studios on Cannery Row and in Pacific Grove.

8. Handmade Pottery and Sea-Inspired Ceramics

Why pick this up: Local potters shape glazes and forms that echo wave patterns, tide lines and sand — practical pieces with coastal character.
What to look for: Studio-stamped work, lead-free glazes, pieces inspired by regional marine life (urchin bowls, wave-mottled mugs).
Price bracket (2025): $30–$280.
Where to find it: Artist co-ops in Monterey and Carmel, pottery studios that offer open-studio sales, and weekend craft fairs.

9. Local Honey, Jams and Citrus Preserves

Why pick this up: Monterey’s coastal flora feeds distinct honey and the county’s citrus and berries make bright preserves — great for breakfast back home.
What to look for: Raw or minimally processed honey with floral notes listed, small-batch marmalades and labels naming the orchard or apiary.
Price bracket (2025): $8–$25 per jar.
Where to find it: Monterey Farmers Market, roadside stands near Carmel Valley, and specialty food shops on Lighthouse Avenue.

10. Vintage Nautical Maps & Maritime Decor

Why pick this up: Framed charts of Monterey Bay, antique brass compasses or ship imagery add instant coastal character to a home and tell a bit of the region’s seafaring story.
What to look for: Genuine reproductions or restored maps of Monterey Bay, properly mounted and archival framed; solid brass or well-preserved antiques.
Price bracket (2025): $20–$200+.
Where to find it: Antique shops on Alvarado Street, galleries in Old Monterey, and specialty maritime stores along the Wharf.

🌊 Tip: Pick up a small token at a local farmers’ market or a gallery on Cannery Row to remind you of Monterey — these souvenirs from Monterey travel well and help sustain the seaside makers and producers you met.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!