Monterey County occupies 99 miles of the wonderous California coast. Located approximately 85 miles south of San Francisco, Monterey County is home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove and Big Sur.

Monterey was incorporated in 1889 and was once a leading fishing and whaling port, but its economic mainstays are now tourism and nearby military establishments, especially Fort Ord. The U.S. Defense Language Institute is in the old presidio. The city is the site of Monterey Peninsula College (1947), the Monterey Institute of International Studies (1955), and the Monterey Conference Center (a major complex opened in 1977). The Old Customhouse (1827) and the First (California) Theatre (1844) are preserved as units of Monterey State Historic Park. Monterey formed the background for several of John Steinbeck's novels, among them Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945). It has also been the site of the historic Monterey Jazz Festival.

Monterey enjoys mild and moderate weather year round. Temperatures range from 35F to 70F thru the winter with many clear beautiful beach days approaching 70F. Summer temperatures range from 45F to 85F in the summer with occasional foggy mornings in August and September. Rain averages 15 to sometimes 30 inches per year from September thru March.

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Getting to Monterey

Monterey is served by the Monterey Peninsula Airport with LA and SF airport shuttle service by American Eagle and United Airlines. American Eagle may be contacted for many of these flights at 800-433-7300.

Amtrak offers daily service in the City of San Jose which is only 30 minutes away from the Monterey coastal cities. Amtrak may be contacted at 800-872-7245.

Greyhound Bus Service offers bus stops withing all Monterey County cities and may be contacted at 800-231-2222. All major car rental agencies are represented with local limo services easily obtained thru your hotel.

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What To Do In Monterey

The first stop and a must see for everyone is the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium - an experience you won't soon forget. Enjoy Steinbeck's Cannery Row, Colton Hall and the Monterey Museum of Art. Stroll the recreational trail along the coast or see the wildlife close-up with a kayak adventure on the Bay.

A short drive south from Monterey you'll find Carmel-by-the-Sea, a well known artist community featuring Point Lobos, Carmel and Lagoon Beaches, Ocean Avenue, The Tor House, Carmel Mission, and a variety of art and photography galleries. Carmel Valley, a scenic drive inland, is home to many wineries, farms, ranches and the beautiful Garland Ranch Regional Park.

Further south is Pacific Grove where the Monarch butterflies are a favorite attraction in the winter. Visitors will enjoy Asilomar State Beach, historic bed and breakfast inns, Lover's Point and the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

At the southern end of Monterey County is the spectacular Big Sur coastline with its Esalen Institute, Henry Miller Memorial Library, Point Sur Lighthouse, camping, hiking, beautiful redwood groves and excellent whale-watching. The coastal drive from Monterey to San Luis Obispo is another "must do" for central California.

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