Official Language:
English
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Currency:
US Dollar
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Population:
Approximatley 30,000 people call Monterey home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Monterey California: Monterey's weather is relatively mild year-round although there’s a distinct rainy season that begins in November and ends in April, almost as if Mother Nature pulled the plug. The fog cover can be thick along the coast well into the summer months making September and October the sunniest and warmest times to visit. Inland areas tend to be cooler in the winter, and warmer and sunnier in the summer. Average Min. -Max. Temperature in Jan 43-60°F/60-16°C, Jun and Jul 50-67°F/10-19°C, Sep and Oct 51-71°F/11-21°C.
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In Monterey Bay, cruise ships anchor off the shore and transport passengers ashore to the pier via tenders. It was chosen by the Spanish in 1770 as an ideal location for a military fortress to neutralize any thoughts of control by the Russian fur trappers.
Monterey, was perfect as California’s first capital since it was rich in agricultural lands, nice climate, protected harbor, and strategic military location. The city's beauty, charm, and independence have made the region a favorite vacation spot for writers, artists, film-directors, and tourists.
The historic town of Monterey lies on a peninsula at the southern end of beautiful Monterey Bay on the Pacific Ocean about 85 miles south of San Francisco. It was formerly a whaling and fishingport, today, Monterey is now mainly a tourist town. Sights include the Old Customhouse (1827) and the First (California) Theatre (1844) located in the Monterey State Historic Park. Founded in 1770 by the Spanish, it was capital of Alta California and Mexican California until it came under American control in 1846 during the Mexican War.
So there you have it – Monterey, California in a nutshell. With a world-class aquarium and historic attractions, drop-dead gorgeous coastal views, delicious seafood, vibrant art colonies, and thriving wine, fishing, and tourist industries, Monterey and the surrounding communities of Carmel and Salinas have just one question to ask the cruise lines, What took you so long to find us?
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Attractions |
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The Monterey Peninsula is a great place and an ideal vacation spot and business destination. This beautiful seaside community combines the charm of small town America with a variety of recreational and cultural activities. The combination of Monterey's exquisite history, California's Mission Trail, Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, 17 golf courses, the best aquarium, a variety of shops and galleries and a spectacular array of parks provide a truly wonderful place for your next vacation. The 99 mile rocky Pacific coastline provides a focal point for most tourists visiting Monterey County. Besides Monterey, Salinas, Seaside, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, and Carmel offer a wide variety of attractions. But don’t neglect the beauty that lies just over those mountains, the warm valleys where wine grapes grow to near perfection!
Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Today, the Municipal Pier handles most of the town’s commercial needs, but Fisherman’s Wharf is still a working wharf. Whale and fishing expeditions depart from here, and fish markets, restaurants and shops line the pier.
Cannery Row
It wasn't long ago that your nose would be taking in the smell of sardines for it was here that a thriving sardine-packing industry was headquartered (arrive here at the height of the tourist season and relive the sardines’ plight!). Former warehouses are now restaurants, souvenirs shops, and art galleries. Sure, it’s touristy, but still a must-visit. The Monterey Bay Aquarium and Steinbeck Plaza are here, too.
Monterey State Historic Park
It’s here where the first official raising of the US flag occurred in 1846, though it would be four more years (and a Gold Rush) before California would enter the union. Monterey served as California’s capital during Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. territorial rule. On this site is the state’s first theater, dating from 1847, and other important structures of historic or architectural interest.
Dennis the Menace Playground
If you feel as if you have seen too many museums then hop into a taxi and head to this playground. Take the kids and dare them to stick their heads into the mouth of a drinking fountain lion! A hedge maze, a swinging rope bridge, a steam train on a track, a roller slide, and other diversions are waiting. The park is on Lake Estero on the east side of town.
17-Mile Drive
What was once a 17-mile gravel road connecting Monterey with a majestic coastal hotel, is today paved but otherwise virtually unchanged. Still offering some of the most beautiful highway scenery in the world, this winding toll road is breathtaking in any season, in any weather. Along the way, you’ll pass through the 5,000-acre Del Monte Forest and past the famed Pebble Beach golf course.
Walking Tours
So many of the attractions of Monterey are within walking distance that a number of self-guided walking tours are available. Try the self-guided “Path of History” tour that begins with a 20-minute orientation film at the Maritime Museum Visitor Center.
Bike Rentals
Rent a bicycle (or a “surrey”) and see the town – Monterey offers an excellent bike path called the Monterey Coastal Trail – 29 miles of relatively easy terrain that passes some of the best local shoreline views and many downtown attractions, too. Or, head inland for farm and vineyard scenery. A number of bike rental shops are located within walking distance of Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row. Many offer organized tours, too.
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More Information |
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Web: www.montereyinfo.org
www.gomonterey.com
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