Glorious sunsets, cloudless skies, rolling surf and golden sand; alone,
these elements add up to paradise. Monterey,
California, has
all of these assets and more. Offshore, the National Marine Sanctuary
hosts whales, otters and other sea creatures, and inland the area offers
phenomenal views of vineyards, adobe homes and historical sights. Home
to rejuvenating spas,
fun festivals
and endless shopping
and recreation, Monterey invites everyone to indulge in her matchless
beauty and sumptuous living.
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Jelly Fish at Monterey Bay Aquarium |
ORIENTATION
The city of Monterey is located on the northern side of the Monterey
Peninsula, 116 miles south of San Francisco. The city of Pacific
Grove lies to the west, Carmel-by-the-Sea
and the golf
courses at Pebble Beach lie to the south, and Pacific Highway
One provides access to the city from the south and east. Flowing into
Monterey Bay on the city's northern shore and providing food, economic
stability, a temperate climate and recreational opportunities for area
residents and guests is the mighty Pacific Ocean.
HISTORY
Costanoan and Rumsen Native Americans roamed the Monterey Peninsula unchallenged
by foreigners until Spanish settlers drifted north from Mexico in 1770
to secure the lands for Spain. Franciscan friar Father Junipero Serra
and others eventually established 21 missions along the California coast
and in 1777 the fort at Monterey became the capitol of the Spanish and
Mexican California Empire. In 1822, Mexico seceded from Spain bringing
all of California under Mexican rule.
Twenty years later, the United States established a consulate in Monterey
and in 1846 a group of American settlers revolted against Mexican rule
and raised the Bear Flag, proclaiming themselves the California Republic.
In 1850, California became the thirty-first state. Although Monterey was
designated the Monterey County seat for a time, San
Jose was the city chosen to become California's first state capitol.
In 1889, Monterey was declared a city.
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Monterey Bay Coastline |
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The California gold rush missed Monterey, but whaling brought almost
as much wealth and visibility to the area. Sea captains built impressive
homes, using whale bones to accentuate the paths and walkways, and in
nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea, the lavish seaside Hotel Del Monte was built
to accommodate the wealthy visiting families. With the advent of the Southern
Pacific Railroad, people arrived in great numbers to play and also to
work in the growing fishing industry.
Early in the twentieth century, Frank Booth started a small business
providing cans for salmon and then sardines. An influx of similar businesses
created a district nicknamed Cannery
Row, which for thirty years was known as the sardine capital of
the world. Lack of conservation and over-fishing brought the canning industry
to its knees; the canneries were abandoned and the wharf area fell into
disrepair for a time.
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Surrey on Cannery Row |
Following the end of World War II, American author, John Steinbeck wrote
a novel entitled Cannery Row that was set among the flophouses, honky-tonks
and canneries of Monterey. The resulting publicity drew a wave of tourism
that continues to this day. Monterey's history and diverse culture is
frequently revisited through annual festivals, local art
galleries and special
events.
CLIMATE
The weather on this section of the California coast is generally mild
and averages 57°F (14°C) year round. The area suffers little frost,
but November to March can be rainy and cool at night. April through October
typically offers warm, clear days and cool nights and early morning and
late evening fog is quite common. Don't be deceived into thinking that
swimming in California waters is warm year round. The water temperature
in Monterey Bay ranges from 46 to 60°F (8 to 16°C), making a dip
in the ocean an invigorating experience.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation options are plentiful in this commercial and tourist-driven
city. Two main highways provide access to land vehicles, from bicycles
and motorcycles
to rental
cars and motor homes. Highway One is the scenic route and
follows the coast from San
Francisco to Los Angeles.
This road twists and turns and has many elevation changes, but the views
are unbelievable. Highway 101, which runs through the San
Joaquin Valley, hooks up with Interstate 5 and trades a measure
of the scenic beauty for increased speed.
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Sunset
on Monterey Harbor |
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Monterey Peninsula Airport provides direct flights to and from San Francisco,
Los Angeles and Phoenix,
and Amtrak's
Coast Starlight train cruises daily into Salinas,
with bus connections to the Monterey Peninsula. For those interested in
relaxing and gazing at the scenery, Greyhound buses are an excellent transportation
alternative.
Once inside Monterey, Monterey-Salinas
Transit, featuring over 30 different routes, provides public transportation
for the city. For business or pleasure travelers, taxi
and limousine
services are available to take folks wherever they wish to go.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay is a natural harbor and the underwater submarine canyon is
an incredible phenomenon. At Moss
Landing, 100 yards from the shore, the canyon base plunges to
a depth of 4,300 feet and exits the Bay thirteen miles wide and almost
one mile deep. At an offshore distance of sixty miles, the canyon is an
astonishing 12,000 feet deep. Ocean animals move close to shore as they
follow the nutrient-rich cold water, making Monterey Bay one of the richest
and most varied habitats on the Pacific Coast.
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Boats
on Monterey Harbor |
The Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary encompasses the California coastline
beginning at Marin in the north and Cambria
in the south and extending 35 miles out to sea-an area of 5,300 square
miles. The Sanctuary's mandate is to research and protect the complex
marine environment and to educate the public so that the area and animals
are preserved for future generations.
Tour
boats and highway turnouts provide opportunities to observe whales,
sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, pelicans and a variety of marine
life, and underwater snorkeling and scuba diving reveal vast kelp forests
housing sea urchins, crabs and rockfish. Kayaking, camping, boating and
diving are allowed in the Sanctuary, but conservation and protection practices
are enforced to ensure safety for ecosystems, animals and people.
Monterey Bay Coastal Trail
Strap on the running shoes, the walking shoes or the rollerblades; grab
the bicycle, tricycle, skateboard or walking stick, add the helmet, pads,
sunscreen and water bottle and get ready to enjoy some exercise and have
a wonderful experience.
The Monterey Bay Coastal Trail winds through the Monterey Peninsula,
following the coast and passing glorious sandy beaches, rugged historical
landmarks, popular tourist attractions, world-class golf courses and breathtaking
scenery. The trail leaves Marina
in the north, wends its way past the cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove,
continues around the western tip of the peninsula and hooks up with the
17-Mile
Drive going south, just past the Links
at Spanish Bay golf course. The trail is an ideal way to see Monterey
up close.
Cannery Row & Fisherman's Wharf
When the sardine industry abruptly died in the mid-1900's, the fishing
canneries in Monterey appeared to have little value. Some early visionaries
saw the Row's potential and began to open restaurants in some of the old
buildings. In 1958, the strip was officially named Cannery Row.
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Fisherman's
Wharf at Sunset |
Over the same period, the city dock, known as Fisherman's
Wharf, was following similar fluctuations in prosperity. Once
the home of a successful fishing fleet, the dock turned to tourism for
its survival.
The 1984 development of the Monterey
Bay Aquarium injected the oceanfront neighborhood with new vitality
and spurred Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf to become successful business
enterprises. Commercial fishing moved to the municipal wharf and Fisherman's
Wharf is now home to fishing
and whale
watching tours, party boats, fine restaurants,
gift boutiques
and tackle and bait shops. Waterfront resort hotels,
seafood restaurants, specialty shops and nightclubs
entertain scores of tourists on the world famous Cannery Row.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
At the end of Cannery Row sits the Monterey
Bay Aquarium. Donated by David and Lucile Packard as a gift to
the community, the site was originally the home of Hovden Cannery. The
aquarium's main wing was built in the style of the defunct cannery and
opened after seven years of planning and construction.
Monterey proves that not all aquariums are created equally. This attraction
is special because participants have the opportunity to see marine plants
and animals in a natural setting, not as a collection of individual specimens
brought together in an institutionalized setting. Monterey Aquarium is
a stunning example of active research, marine life protection, public
education and economic success. Interested groups study sea otter and
tuna conservation and the associated Research Institute constantly gathers
deep-sea information from the Monterey submarine canyon that significantly
benefits the aquarium.
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| Outer
Bay at Monterey Aquarium |
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One of the highlights of the aquarium is the incredible Outer Bay. Visitors
are introduced to the vastness of the ocean through a 54-foot long and
15-foot tall window. The exhibit holds over a million gallons of seawater
and showcases soupfin sharks, yellowfin tuna, sea turtles, ocean sunfish
and California barracuda.
In addition to the Outer Bay, permanent displays include the Kelp Forest,
Splash Zone, Marine Mammal Gallery, exhibits of the Sea Otters, Octopus
and Kin, Beaches and Dunes, the Rocky Shore and the newest exhibit, Sharks:
Myth and Mystery. The aquarium also features temporary exhibits that entice
guests to return time after time.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
After visitors to Monterey have walked the trails, shopped for souvenirs,
taken an exciting whale watching tour and explored the aquarium, there
are still more attractions to discover. My
Museum is an interactive museum designed especially for kids and
family entertainment. Laguna
Seca Golf Ranch invites golfers in the family to enjoy a time
of challenge and quiet companionship. If more action is required, the
Monterey
Jazz Festival has an international reputation and the annual Wine
Festival and Blues
Festival have people dancing in the streets. For history buffs,
a trip to San
Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission in Carmel-by-the-Sea or to
Point
Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove puts the past into perspective
and brings greater appreciation of Monterey, its people and heritage.
United States
