With some of the most spectacular scenery on the Central California coast, Monterey County offers a little of everything for the visitor who enjoys an eclectic experience. From pristine beaches and forests to cities steeped in history, Monterey County is not only breathtakingly beautiful but cultural as well, offering museums, galleries, arts productions, and plenty of fine dining. There’s also lots of opportunity for recreational activity, from water-based sports to hiking and everything in between.
Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the county is bisected by Highway 101, which takes visitors through the rich Salinas Valley, dubbed “America’s Salad Bowl; where lettuce, tomatoes, artichokes, celery, spinach, and other produce grow in abundance. Those who prefer a view of the Pacific Ocean can travel along scenic Highway 1, where they’ll be treated to such amazing sites as Big Sur, Pebble Beach, and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
The city of Salinas is the county seat of Monterey County. The town and its surrounding area were made famous by author John Steinbeck, who profiled the plight of migrant workers and others in his novels, including Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and the Chrysanthemums. In Old Town Salinas, you’ll find the National Steinbeck Museum, where visitors can explore 37,000-square-feet of displays about Salinas’ favorite native son.
The North County region of the Salinas Valley includes the towns of Castroville, Moss Landing, Prunedale and Pajaro. Castroville is “the artichoke capital of the world” while Moss Landing is known for its fine array of antique shops and excellent antique flea markets and festivals. Don’t miss a visit to the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Sanctuary, where guests can view more than 250 species of birds.
In the South County region, cities include Soledad, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City and Jolon as well as tiny Parkfield, the “earthquake capital of the world.” Make a stop at Soledad Mission, one of the original Alta California missions, and learn about life on the farm at the Agricultural and Rural Life Museum in King City.
If coastal life is more your speed, the towns of the Monterey Peninsula won’t disappoint you. On the North Peninsula, the scenery is breathtaking and the activities both fun and educational. In the town of Monterey, population about 30,000, you’ll find such sights as famous Cannery Row, once the location of a string of sardine-canning factories (and another Steinbeck novel) but now a shopping and dining area. At the waterfront, you can also visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, established to protect the bay and allow visitors to learn more about the area’s fragile marine life.
A visit to bustling Fisherman’s Wharf is also in order. A tour of the harbor gives visitors a good look at Monterey’s past and present and shoppers will love the abundance of art galleries and other quirky shops found at the wharf and in the renovated Customs House. More shopping can be enjoyed at the neighboring waterfront towns of Seaside and Sand City as well as the 9,000-acre city of Marina, where Fort Ord was once located.
On the tip of the Monterey Peninsula, the town of Pacific Grove offers the picturesque Point Pinos Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast; the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History; and the unique Monarch Grove Sanctuary, which attracts more than 25,000 monarch butterflies each year.
On the South Peninsula, you’ll find some of Central California’s most shining stars. Carmel lies 5 miles south of Monterey and is home to art galleries, a host of live theater venues, and the white-sand Carmel Beach. Homes here are large and varied, ranging from Spanish-style gems to contemporary masterpieces. Check out the neighborhood of Carmel Highlands! The Carmel Mission Basilica was the second of California’s famed missions, built in 1771.
Nearby Point Lobos State Reserve is also well worth a stop. Dubbed by landscape artist Francis McComa as “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world,” Point Lobos is rich in flora and fauna of both the land and sea and is the perfect location for hiking, photography, painting, picnicking, and even SCUBA diving. Have your camera ready!
Travel just a few miles south and you’ll arrive at the gateway to stunning Big Sur, 90 miles of amazing coastline that will leave you breathless. Featuring rugged beaches, sheer cliffs, and plenty of photo opportunities, Big Sur is a must-see for anyone who appreciates spectacular views! Be sure to travel over the 700-foot-long, 260-foot-high Bixby Bridge, one of the ten highest single-span bridges in the world. At the bottom of the Big Sur coast, you’ll find the small towns of Lucia and Gorda, good places to stop for a quick snack or to fill up the gas tank.
Posh Pebble Beach, just north of Carmel-by the-Sea, is a golfer’s paradise. With seven world-class golf courses located within this gated community, you can be sure that you’ll find the sport’s best players here. For those who enjoy watching golf instead of playing, there are many opportunities year-round to view a tournament or two.
Within Monterey County, guests can visit the northern division of the Los Padres National Forest. An area of diverse ecosystems, the forest provides opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, fishing, and much more. Camping is available at various locations throughout the forest.
Avid anglers may also want to visit the San Antonio Reservoir. Located in the southern inland portion of the Salinas Valley, not far from the town of Lockwood, this body of water is known for its excellent bass fishing. |
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