Best Place to Golf ,  Best Aquarium, Place to see Seals   Elev. 25'    Info: 831-649-1770 or 888-221-1010

 

Monterey is a city of romantic charms with sweeping bay views of sandy dunes, the bluest ocean waters and gently rolling hills, lush with Monterey pines, colorful flowers and sometimes even Monarch butterflies.

 

 Monterey, California holds many distinctions that include the world's favorite golf location, one of the most significant bays for ecological studies, top aquarium and one of California's oldest cities. But what strikes visitors most is the beauty that exists around every bend.  The Monterey Bay and neighboring Carmel, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach can hold a magical spell on those who pass by. Some who visit pack up and move there, if even for just a brief time. 

 

Recreational activities include bicycling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, whale watching, scuba diving, hiking and racing. Laguna Seca Raceway hosts major racing events which attract thousands to the outskirts of town. It's wise to check with hotels before planning a trip to Monterey - they are booked to capacity during the major racing events. There's so much to do and see, take lots of film for your camera to capture your vacation, framed by azure skies, turquoise waters and towering Monterey pine trees which reportedly thrive only in this region. Monterey Movie Tours is a motorcoach that takes you on a 3-hour narrative to see sites of over 200 movies filmed locally such as Play Misty for Me, Star Trek IV and many more. Call Monterey Bay Scenic Tours: 800-343-6437.

You're guaranteed to see seals here, too. Just follow your ears to the Monterey Bay where seals can be heard barking away. Seal Beach in Southern California is named for the seal and would love to see them return. But don't hold your breath. You are much more likely to see them in Monterey, especially near the wharf. There were so many seals at one time, that when the founder of California Missions arrived in Monterey Bay in the 1700's, Father Junipero Serra was overwhelmed to see a black, solid mass of seals on the beach.


Monterey Bay Aquarium

 

How did Monterey get it's name? When explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno arrived in 1602, he named it in honor of the Count de Monte Rey, viceroy of Mexico. In 1770 Gaspar de Portolá established a presidio (military post) at the site and Junipero Serra founded the Mission San Carlos Borroméo, which was moved to Carmel in 1771. Four years later, Monterey was named the capital of Alta California under Spanish rule and included lands stretching throughout California and the American Southwest.

 

In a momentous event, Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American flag over the town's presidio during the Mexican War in 1846. Three years later in 1849, a constitutional convention met at Colton Hall to form a state. California did become one in 1850.

 

Standing in testimony to earlier times is Monterey State Historic Park, home to the First California Theatre (1844) and The Old Customhouse (1827). Also of historic interest is Cannery Row, made famous by Pulitzer-Prize winning author John Steinbeck in the novel, Cannery Row. If you are not familiar with this author and his works, read one of his novels before visiting. Steinbeck Museum in Salinas is not far from Monterey and is well worth a few hours of your time. It contains colorful exhibits, photos and even film clips from movies based on his novels. 

Steinbeck captured the flavor of an era in which Monterey became "the sardine capitol of the world." Half a century later, its prime attractions and industries include tourism and education with hotels, restaurants, shops and research institutions occupying historic and renovated cannery buildings. The top left photo shows remnants of a cannery and the picture above shows today's Cannery Row with upscale hotels, shops and restaurants.

 

You can easily get to Monterey by flying into major airports in California including San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Orange County Airport which offer connector and prop jet flights into Monterey Airport. From the San Francisco bay area, it takes less than two hours to drive by car to Monterey.

A variety of accommodations and price ranges are available and make the trip affordable for most budgets. From a scenic room overlooking the bay or wharf to a solitary resort on a sand beach, Monterey is a fantastic place to begin a romance, rekindle that flame or take the family for some fun. Food, hotels and activities for all sizes and tastes are offered.