Destination Guides: Monterey, United States - City Overview

Monterey resident, author Robert Louis Stevenson, described the Monterey peninsula as:  "the greatest meeting of land and water in the world."  The beautiful seaside community of Monterrey combines all the charm of small town America with an endless variety of recreational and cultural activities.

Monterey lies on the Monterey Peninsula which ranges in altitude from sea level to 360 feet.  State highway 1 winds through redwood forests, along  sheer cliffs, and past fishing piers, the blue Pacific, and white sandy beaches as it moves along the spectacular Big Sur Coast.  It is one of the most scenic and dramatic stretches of road in the world.  This continuous, scenic road that follows the coastal curves of the bay is the world famous 17-Mile Drive. Exclusive Pebble Beach with its well-known golf courses is located along it.

Monterey, the largest bay town, lies in the center of the peninsula and has three major areas to explore: Old Monterey, with its historic adobe buildings; Cannery Row; and Fishermen's Wharf.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the centerpiece of Cannery Row.  It has one of the largest displays of underwater life in the world. Highlights include a 335,000 gallon Kelp Forest tank, a touch pool where you can pet bat rays, a two-story exhibit devoted to sea otters, and a "Drifters Gallery," with swirling, multicolored jellyfish..

A Path of History connects the 37 sites of the Monterey State Historic Park. The sites can be entered as part of a ninety-minute guided historic walking tour that leaves hourly from the park's Stanton Center.  Included on the old Monterey portion of the tour is Larkin House whose original owner, Thomas Larkin, pioneered the Monterey style of architecture.  This consisted of two story adobe houses with Greek revival-style balconies and other ornamentation.  

The Monterey Bay Peninsula has fairly constant 65 degree temperatures and more than 200 annual special events, making the area a popular destination. Dining is a delight in  Monterey.   There are a multitude of fine local California wines available, as well as fresh seafood and regional produce.   Most restaurants plan their menus around what is in season.

Nearby Pacific Grove is known as "Butterfly Town USA.”    Millions of orange and black monarch butterflies winter there each year. A bicycle path runs the two miles to Pacific Grove, along Cannery Row. 

Monterey's rich history, the saga of California's Mission Trail, historic Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, 17 world-class golf courses, the world's best aquarium, a unique variety of shops and galleries and a spectacular assortment of parks and natural areas combine to provide a fantastic vacation destination.