On foot: The central area — old town, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, the Aquarium — is compact and walkable. From Custom House Plaza to the Aquarium is about a mile along the waterfront path, a pleasant walk past the bay.
By car: You will need one for the 17-Mile Drive, Point Lobos, and Big Sur. Parking in Cannery Row is metered and fills quickly in summer; parking garages on the edge of the row are easier. Old town parking around Alvarado Street is generally easier to find.
MST (Monterey-Salinas Transit) runs local buses through Monterey and connects to Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Salinas. The free Monterey Trolley (seasonal, May–September) links the Transit Plaza, downtown, Cannery Row, and the Aquarium — useful for avoiding Cannery Row parking. Exact routes and schedules at mst.org.
Cycling: The Monterey Bay Coastal Trail runs for 29 miles along the bay, paved and mostly flat. Bike rental shops near the Aquarium and on Cannery Row hire out bicycles and electric bikes by the hour or day. The trail north toward Seaside and Marina is particularly good.