Custom House Plaza

I wish they had more full time people from the state. Budget cuts?- I had a good time learning about how they paid tax at the ports in the 1700’s.

I like coming to Custom House Plaza as there is often events happening there. Throughout the year, there are events that surround classic cars, arts and crafts, ethnic food, environmental education and more. This area is beautifully landscaped and is rich in history.
Before Sacramento became the state capital, Monterey was considered the first state capital. There are many historical adobes with scenic gardens throughout this area. An old whaling station exists nearby where the ground was made with whale bone and there are old pots that were used to cook whale blubber. Custom House Plaza is near Fisherman’s Wharf which is sort of a tourist trap but there are some great restaurants to eat there (check out my review of Café Fina).
There is a history museum right on the plaza that has artifacts that represent the Native Americans, Spanish and other cultures that made Monterey their home. Also, within this area there is the Maritime Museum that houses an old working prism lighthouse light which as it reflects light, bursts rainbows throughout the building as it moves around. A truly amazing sight to say the least!
If you love to learn about history and culture, I would highly advise that you visit the Custom House Plaza with its surrounding buildings and gardens. The gardens, themselves are truly romantic and picturesque. The views of the Monterey coast from the plaza are breathtaking as well.
Updated as of Oct. 30, 2015
Pros:
–constantly has many events held there
–lots of great restaurants there like Benihana
–unique gift shops and scenic gardens nearby
–rich is history
–attractively landscaped
–lots of adobes and other old significant buildings
Cons:
–whatever happened to the Maritime Museum? I miss it!

Yeah the bocce ball fields (courts?) in the back are swell. Its a centrally located place. Used to be a guy with a cappuchin monkey outside that would take your money. There also used to be a parrot named Sebastian inside the custom house, which is like a museum, but more like a re-​creation of the actual custom house.

Custom House Plaza is a historical site located in the heart of Monterey. It is located between the Portola Plaza Hotel (used to be the Doubletree) and Fisherman’s Wharf. For the last few years Monterey County Vitner’s and Grower’s Association throws their Annual Winemaker’s Celebration there. It’s coming up again in early August and I highly recommend this event to locals and tourists.
We actually came by today to play some Bocce Ball. There are three courts (one is shorter in length than the other two) and luckily one court (the not so lovely one in the middle) was open. Randomly a friend of ours was playing to the right of us and to the left an older Sicilian guy (totally classic) and a friend were playing some intense Bocce. He actually said, «nice shot» and it pretty much made my evening since I’ve only paid a handful of times… sober. It was all fun and games until I lost and the wind started to pick-​up. Good times here just BYOBS! (Bring your own bocce ball set.)