California’s
first city has an uncommonly rich cultural
heritage. Many nationalities have mixed in colorful
traditions, outlooks, and energies to make a rich
human mosaic in this beautiful setting. Now,
Monterey looks to the future on the vanguard of
ocean conservation. It’s
easy to picture Steinbeck characters around the
waterfront in old Monterey. Danny and the boys in
Tortilla Flats conniving a scheme, cleverly
disguised as a humanitarian mission … Mack
keeping everything in order on the Row .. Doc
emerging from a tide pool with a bucket of
specimens … Surely, that must be Suzy
… Sitting in
the Plaza, waiting for Fanny to get divorced, and
writing as always, there’s Robert Louis Stevenson
asking locals where he can find an
adventure. |
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Founded by the Spaniards in 1602, and settled by the intrepid Father Serra and Gaspar Portola in 1770, Monterey has an old town atmosphere, and a sea port flavor. Monterey reigned as Mexico’s capital of California until Fremont and the marauding Americans arrived in mass. The Americans moved the California capital, but Monterey prospered as a fishing and whaling port. |
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Toward the end of the 19th Century, because of the extreme beauty of Monterey Bay and its environment, tourism became the main industry. It became one of the first important eco travel destinations in the West. |
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Around 25 years later the Sardine fishery waned and tourism once again became Monterey’s primary business. Late in 1998, sardines returned in large numbers, indicating a new fishing era was coming. |
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Puffins frolic in mating ritual next to the pier. |
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An ethnic atmosphere prevails in Monterey. It is built into the history, and the quilting of the social tableau. |
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Monterey harbor is a favorite for tall ships. Seen here, the Endeavor
replica
The pier is flavorful piece of early Californiana. It’s funky and reeks of authenticity. Several superb seafood restaurants are on the pier, open window over-the-counter smoked fish and crab cocktail shops, plenty of sublime clam chowder, and plenty of boats to hire for whale watching. Today, Cannery Row is a tourist zone.
Twelve community organizations dedicated to marine education participated in Whalefest 2011
Sea Otter in Monterey Bay. Photo by Leora Worthington.
Japanese fishermen cabins on Cannery Row – Monterey is keen on heritage preservation
Pelican Network Sites for Monterey Bay Area
There’s another pier, locals call it the Commercial wharf. At the end are authentic working fish processors. If you come to Monterey to eat, an honorable objective, a worthy destination is the Sand Bar Inn on the Commercial wharf. You have to descend stairs to get in, and then you are right on water, with a piano, great cioppino, outrageous calamari, excellent wines, and good vantages for watching seabirds and otters.
Wildlife Rules in Monterey.With complete aplomb, this seal hauls out in the no parking zone by the wharf next to Cannery Row.
It is customary to see sea otters in the in this part of the bay… mothers teaching their new born how to feed, and roll in kelp for protection.
Watercorlor by Bert Hull c.1935 The wharf is real. People from all over the world come to experience it. Europeans are particularly fond of smoked salmon right off the grill, served with bagel and cream cheese. Sometimes dill, chives or capers are added. Seems like all the clam chowder served on the wharf, out of windows, or in store front, open air counters, is exceptionally good.
Black-crowned Night Heron The Pier Hiking paths along mid-Bay Salmon smoking on the pier
Impromptu kite festivals occur frequently at North Monterey beaches.Well underway is a 29 mile hiking and biking path along the bay front from Castroville to Point Lobos – This will be an exemplary accomplishment – the result of local environmental leadership, the Coastal Conservancy, Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and all the local governments.
Monterey Bay dune, a moving feast of ecologyMonterey Bay Aquarium -a wonderful achievement by the Packard family -is redesigning the future of Monterey as a serious center of conservation
The Old Monterey Boat Works is on vintage Steinbeck and Ricketts turf – between the Hopkins Marine Lab and Cannery Row
Eco-Travel Guide to
California Central Coast Interactive Map |
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