This might be a crazy question but are there some parts of Monterey that are not safe, that should be avoided?

Have been researching budget-midrange hotels that are within a 10-15 minute walking distance of the wharf-aquarium-cannery row, and have read on some of these posts to be careful.

no.

The "be careful" applies to every day and every place that we travellers travel...

Enjoy Monterey.

Oaktown Traveler

You're probably checking out the motels that run along Munras. That whole area, including the small downtown area is well policed at night and even if it weren't, I have no fear of walking back to my hotel room unescorted. Did that twice in mid-February at 12 and 1 a.m. respectively. Most of the problems, if you could call it that, are young adults who have spent a little too much time at the karaoke bar on Alvarado. They're just noisy.

I wouldn't call Monterey unsafe but like any where you need to be aware and cautious. The motels in the Munras area are perfectly safe but I wouldn't walk alone from the wharf at night.
By the way, the wharf may be a 10 to 15 minute walk but the Aquarium and Cannery are much further away.

I have never heard of Monterey as being referred to as unsafe. I have always felt safe there myself.

A city close to Montery, Seaside, is not the safest. Check the address of any hotel you stay at. It might have Monterey as part of the name, but actually be in Seaside.

Salinas, Seaside, and Marina have some unsafe areas, but Monterey is safe. Obviously, use common sense wherever you go.

Just for the record- No place is ever safe. Monterey has its share of problems just as well. Downtown can get a bit rowdy on a weekend. Dont include Marina in on that one, its a pretty quiet town.

Obviously no place is ever safe. Marina is definitely quieter than it used to be, but just by the fact that rents are less expensive in some areas of Marina than in other places in the region, there are still some sketchy areas where I would not walk at night. That said, no tourists would really have any reason to walk around those areas anyway.

I've been hassled by aggressive teenagers and drunks in downtown Monterey after dark--could never understand why the cops couldn't get a handle on it. But I wouldn't say I felt unsafe, just annoyed. I'd do the walk you're describing.

I have visited this area many times for many years and never felt unsafe or uncomfortable at any place I have been in this entire area.

That includes Carmel and PG. It's a great place!!! Enjoy our beautiful coast! ***kim*** BTW, we were walking around the wharf in December and it was very dark, we were practically the only ones out, buying some fresh crab for our trip home. I was not frightened in any way. (Too busy having fun!!!) I was with a big, strong man who makes me feel safe wherever we go. He's my bodguard! LOL