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MontereyMonterey History

   Monterey is the largest city on the Monterey Peninsula. The history of this former fishing village dates back 2,500 years, when the Ohlone Indians settled in the region. Spanish explorers first viewed the peninsula in 1542, and 60 years later, Sebastian Vizcaino came ashore and named Monterey in honor of the viceroy of New Spain, the Conde de Monterey.
   Monterey is one of the oldest cities in California. A Spanish presidio was built in 1770, and the city served as the capital of Baja (lower) and Alta (upper) California for many years. When California officially became a state in 1850, San Jose was selected as capital city, although the constitution was signed the previous year in Monterey.
   In the late 1800s, Monterey grew into a renowned fishing village. Many of the fishermen were Chinese immigrants who sent most of their catches to San Francisco and the Far East. Italian and Portuguese immigrants soon followed, and in 1895, an entrepreneur named Frank Booth built the first cannery. Sardines and salmon

were the major hauls.  In 1918, a record 1.4 million cases of sardines were shipped from Monterey, and several more canneries were opened to keep up with the demand.
   Author John Steinbeck, who was born in neighboring Salinas, set many of his stories in or around Monterey. But by the time Steinbeck published his book "Cannery Row" in 1945, the fishing industry was already in decline. Overfishing and automation took their toll, and the last sardines were canned in 1964. Today, Cannery Row is a tourist attraction that's home to shops, restaurants and hotels.
   The city found its fame in fishing, but Monterey has much more to offer. Parks, beaches and forests provide a taste of the outdoors, while the annual Monterey Jazz Festival brings culture and class to the community. Other attractions include Fisherman's Wharf, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Monterey State Historic Park.

Activities

   Cannery Row was once the center of Monterey's fishing industry, but today it's home to a thriving business district of shops, restaurants and nightclubs. Fisherman's Wharf has also been renovated. You'll find stores, eateries, a theater, and fishing and charter boat rentals at this historic location.
   The Monterey Bay Aquarium, which opened in 1984, has a million-gallon tank containing tuna, sharks, sunfish and sea turtles. Other exhibits feature sea otters, jellyfish, penguins and kelp forests. "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" was filmed at the aquarium, which is one of the most popular attractions on the peninsula.
   The Monterey Museum of Art features works by California artists, Asian art, sculpture, and photography from such masters as Edward Weston and Ansel Adams. Monterey's Maritime Museum highlights the city's nautical history, with exhibits of navigational instruments, ship models and a Fresnel lens from the neighboring Point Sur Lighthouse.
   Monterey State Historic Park is home to 10 buildings, including the 1827 Custom House, several adobes and California's first theater. Other parks throughout the city provide a variety of outdoor activities. The largest of these is the El Estero Park Complex, a 45-acre recreation area in the center of town.
   El Estero features a skate park, ballpark, and several picnic areas. Boating and fishing are available on El Estero Lake, which is stocked with perch, blackfish and rainbow trout. Also inside El Estero, you'll find Dennis the Menace Playground. This colorful facility, which was designed by cartoonist Hank Ketcham, offers fun for children and adults alike.
   Veterans Memorial Park has a basketball court, hiking trails and a large lawn that welcomes Frisbee, kite flying, touch football and other outdoor activities.
   Jacks Peak County Park offers eight miles of hiking and horseback trails in a forest setting. A self-guided nature trail, which leads to the summit of Jacks Peak, is a great place to hunt for plants or fossils.
   Monterey Bay Waterfront Park has picnic facilities, five sand volleyball courts and four acres of landscaped areas along a small beachfront. Other local beaches include McAbee Beach and San Carlos Beach, which are located along Cannery Row, and Monterey State Beach, which is just north of town.
   Each year, soothing sounds fill the air at the internationally renowned Monterey Jazz Festival. Other annual events include the Monterey Bay Blues Festival, the Clam Chowder Festival, the Monterey Wine Festival, the Monterey County Fair and Christmas in the Adobes.

Monterey Fast Facts

   Location: Monterey is located on Monterey Bay, about 73 miles south of San Jose
  *Total area: 11.73 square miles (8.44 square miles land area; 3.29 square miles water area)
  *Population: 29,674
  *Housing units: 13,382
   Average annual rainfall: 20.35 inches
   Average temperatures: 62ºF in summer, 51ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are 21 public schools in Monterey: 16 elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school and a community day school (grades 7-12).

Beaches

   McAbee Beach and San Carlos Beach offer swimming and diving in the shadow of Cannery Row.
   Monterey State Beach offers fishing, surfing, kayaking and kite-flying, There are three separate beaches at the scenic locale, which is located between Monterey and Seaside. Snorkeling, scuba diving and tidepool exploring are also available at this popular spot.

Real Estate

   There are a variety of designs in Monterey. These pictures give a few examples:

Maps of Monterey

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