The small California town of Monterey is easily confused in name with the Mexican Monterrey, "Sultan of the North". And that would be a big mistake. Monterey, near San Jose, is an old Spanish city that was founded in the second half of the 18th century and was the capital of California until the middle of the 19th century. And now it is a charming and, as it were, enchanted city by the sea with low-rise buildings of small whitewashed houses. But moreover - with the best aquarium in the country, the best jazz festival in the country and almost the best bay with a sea canyon. Simply put - one of the most beautiful coastal cities in California.

Probably the city's most famous landmark is one of the world's finest marine aquariums, Monterey Bay. It was founded in 1984 and occupies the site of a former sardine cannery. Today, almost 2 million visitors visit the aquarium every year.

How to get to Monterey

It is most logical to turn around in Monterey for a couple of days in your own car from Santa Cruz, San Jose or San Francisco, heading, for example, to Santa Maria, Santa Barbara or Los Angeles. The coastal paths are very beautiful. But you can, of course, go by train to Salinos or by bus from San José. And Monterey Airport receives regular flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver and Las Vegas.

Find flights to Monterey

A bit of history

In 1846, California became part of the United States after the end of the Mexican-American War, and the Union Jack was hoisted on the Monterey Customs building. After that, the city has consistently attracted creative people - artists and writers who settled here in search of peace and solitude on the beautiful Pacific coast.

Popular hotels in Monterey

Attractions and attractions Monterey

Probably the city's most famous landmark is one of the world's finest marine aquariums, Monterey Bay. It was founded in 1984 and occupies the site of a former sardine cannery. Today, almost 2 million visitors visit the aquarium every year. Here you can see thousands of plants and animals of more than 600 species - rays, jellyfish, sea otters (the only mammals in the aquarium), many fish. This is one of the few places in the world where you can see live bluefin and yellowfin tuna. Fresh ocean water is continuously supplied directly from the bay through a system of pipes and pumps. The pearl of the aquarium is the Ocean Edge Wing, a huge 8.5 m high cistern filled with coastal inhabitants. It was in this aquarium that the California giant kelp was grown for the first time in the world.

4 things to do in Monterey:

1. Take a trip to the coastal Pacific Grove, the "city of butterflies", famous for its beautiful Victorian buildings and the fact that the annual migrations of Danaid monarch butterflies pass through it.
2. Walk along the harbor and admire the many yachts in the marina - not as luxurious as in Portofino, but no less picturesque.
3. Grab oysters at Fisherman's Wharf as fast food and eat on the go.
4. Get to the Thursday Party at the Pacific Street Museum of Art: once a month they organize a buffet with snacks, drinks and free admission to the galleries.

One of the city's most famous streets is the riverside Cannery Row, "Cannery Row," whose name refers to the street's historical purpose: it is still lined with canned sardine factories. The factories do not operate today, the last one closed in 1973. But the name of the street, which was formerly called Ocean View Avenue, was officially fixed since 1958 with the light hand of John Steinbeck and his novel of the same name. Edward Ricketts' biology lab still stands on the street, and across from it is a Chinese shop, both mentioned in Steinbeck's novels. In addition, there are many restaurants and hotels, some in former factory buildings. Plus, from here there is access to the beaches of MacAbee and San Carlos, the most popular places for diving, kayaking and fishing.

“A cannery row in Monterey, California is a poem, a rattle and a stench, its own color, mood and character, a nostalgic vision, a dream,” Steinbeck described the street in this way.

Another notable place in Monterey is the fishing yard. In the 60s. of the last century, there was a noisy and lively fish market here, although today the shipyard has become more of a tourist attraction, since after the Second World War the sardine population in the surrounding waters was destroyed - there was nothing to catch and preserve. But even today, Fishermans Wharf is home to the best fish restaurants in the city, open-plan bars, jewelry stores, art galleries, sweets and souvenir shops. Sea whale excursions start from here, and sea lions can often be seen right in the harbor: they sleep on pylons, buoys or overturned boats.

Monterey Jazz Festival

At the entrance to Fisherman's Wharf is Custom House Plaza, the historic heart of the city. Here stands the Customs House, the first administrative building in California and the very site where the transfer of Monterey from Mexico to the United States was formalized in 1846. Maritime Museum is also located in this building, and in it you can get acquainted with both the sea and the cultural life of the old days in the city. There are also many other old buildings on the square. You can also see the last whalebone pavement in the United States. It is located right in front of the Old Whale Station.

Artichokes and a special kind of Pacific flounder are considered local delicacies. The former can be found in almost any restaurant - fried, stewed, boiled, grilled, in soup, pizza, etc. Nearby Castroville is proud to be the "artichoke center of the world." The second is caught only on this stretch of coast, so this type of flounder can only be tasted in the vicinity of Monterey and San Francisco. It is most often served fried.

In the Old Town of Monterey - downtown - enough centuries-old buildings have been preserved. Following the signs on the yellow tiles, you can follow the History Path to appreciate the city's most famous buildings. Information posters are placed at each stop. Stop by the city's art museum: it occupies two buildings - one on Pacific Street, opposite Colton Hall, with eight galleries. The second is the building of La Mirada, one of the testimonies of the Mexican past of the city, with four galleries and excellent views of the bay. Culture connoisseurs should also definitely look into, firstly, the historic city theater Wharf, and secondly, the restored Golden State Theater, if not for the performance, then at least for the richly ornamented interior.

The Monterey Bay Coastal Trail is 47 km long and offers every opportunity for cycling. Bicycles can be rented at several places along the trail, with multi-seat bikes being especially popular. The kayaking office on Del Monte Avenue offers rentals, as well as training classes and guided tours. Stunning views of the bay and Carmel can be seen in Jack's Peak Park - the highest point of Monterey Point, where there are surprisingly few tourists.

Monterey Events

The country-famous Monterey Jazz Festival has been held in the city every year since 1958. It is one of the longest-running jazz festivals, as the tradition of holding it has not been interrupted for a year. The festival is usually held on the third weekend of September starting on a Friday and hosts over 500 world-class jazz performers. About 50 concerts are held at 9 venues, and workshops, exhibitions, discussions, attractions and food courts are also held here. Since 1992, Clint Eastwood has been on the board of the festival.

Neighborhood Monterey

In Monterey Bay there is a unique geographical formation - Monterey Canyon. Nearby there are several other fairly deep depressions, because here the marine flora and fauna are amazingly diverse. Scientists find a lot of work, and divers - heavenly underwater gardens to admire.

The road from Monterey to Carmel is very picturesque and attractive. It is privately owned and the passage through it is paid. But this attraction is worth the money: the track, about 25 km long, winds along the ocean, surrounded by rocky cliffs, then wooded plateaus, past the most luxurious private houses in the state and beautiful beaches.

Dear friends! I invite you on a three-day tour from Los Angeles to northern California to the city of San Francisco with a visit to the American Riviera of the West Coast - the city of Santa Barbara, the Danish village of Salvang, the former Spanish capital of California - the city of Monterey and much more. Pleasant acquaintance with coastal cities, history, culture and art of these places, fascinating and impressive views along the coast Pacific Ocean of the famous Route number one - this trip will give an unforgettable experience and will remain in your memory for a long time!

Day 1: Los Angeles - Santa Barbara - Solvang - San Luis Obispo - San Francisco

The journey starts from your hotel and travels upstate California on Route 1 - Highway 1 along the Pacific Ocean. Throughout the journey, you will be accompanied by the most beautiful views of the endless ocean from the window of a comfortable minivan, entertaining stories about the history of these places, audio stories and stops in the cities of Santa Barbara, Solvang, San Luis Obispo for sightseeing tours, rest and a lunch break.

• Santa Barbara is a famous resort city on the Pacific coast, located approximately 140 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles. A tour of Santa Barbara will begin with a walk along the promenade and the pier, which offers amazing views of the city, as well as many kilometers of beaches and the harbor with beautiful yachts swinging on the waves.
• Further, the historical center of the city, the central and most beautiful and elegant street of the city - State Street, which is famous for its numerous shops, cafes and restaurants. The old Spanish court building with extraordinary frescoes, which provides an excellent opportunity to admire the views of the city from observation deck. Street of sculptors and artists La Arcada. Royal Catholic Mission, where the first fountains of California are located.
• The Danish village of Solvang is a colorful Scandinavian-style village located in the center of the Santa Ynes Plain. Everything here reminds of Denmark, and the statue of the little Mermaid from the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen is an exact copy of the statue in Copenhagen. Many small shops, restaurants and bakeries with lush donuts will give you joy and good mood.

In the evening arrival in the city of San Francisco, Check-in at the hotel, Free time.

Day 2: San Francisco sightseeing tour

Your San Francisco tour will begin with a drive across the Oakland Bay Bridge to Treasure Island, an artificial island in San Francisco Bay that offers amazing views of the city, the bridge, and the bay itself. Further:

• The commercial and cultural center of the city is Union Square and the largest Chinese settlement in the United States is Chinatown.
• The business and financial center of the city is Downtown with its famous skyscraper, the Trans-American Pyramid.
• The Civic Center, home to the stunning City Hall and Memorial buildings. *Dizzying panorama of the city and the bay from the Twin Peaks, the highest hills in the city, where the tallest building in San Francisco, the Satro Tower radio antenna, is located.
• Golden Gate Park, a favorite place for citizens to relax, where the traditional Japanese tea garden is located. The pride of the city is the Palace of Fine Arts. Ancient Spanish fortress Presido. The famous suspension bridge is the symbol of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, stunning in its beauty. Walk along the footpath that runs along the coast with a beautiful view of the bridge.
• Russian Hill or Russian Hill is one of the most high points of the city and one of the most prestigious districts of San Francisco, which got its name thanks to Russian sailors. The most picturesque and winding street in the world is Lombard Street. The only famous historic cable tram system in the world.
• The Embarcadero embankment will lead to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 - a crowded place with numerous shops, restaurants, cafes, fairgrounds, from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the ocean and Alcatraz prison island or just watch the fur seal colony.

Free time in the evening.

Day 3: San Francisco - Monterey - 17 Mile Road - Carmel - Los Angeles

Departure from the city of San Francisco and return to Los Angeles with a visit to:

• The city of Monterey (Monterey) is the former Spanish capital of California, founded in the late 18th century, when California was part of New Spain. Many historical buildings of the city remind of this time even today. Another attraction of the city is the picturesque bay of the same name, the unique geological conditions of which gave the bay and its surroundings an unprecedented variety of flora and fauna. In addition, there is a giant Oceanarium with 300,000 ocean inhabitants and one of the world's largest viewing windows. The famous Connery Row, Pacific Grove and Fisherman's Wharf. The tour also introduces the Mexican period of the history of California, the history of joining the United States, the history of the state of California.
• 17-Mile Drive is beautiful place on the Pacific coast, favored by California's richest people, with a modern lifestyle and the elite golf clubs of Pebble Beach (Pebble Beach).
• Carmel by the Sea is an extraordinary, almost fabulous town of poets and artists on the Pacific coast. Small old houses with ivy roofs, quiet streets in the shade of trees, charming shops and many art galleries.

Moving to Los Angeles on the freeway with a wonderful opportunity to relax and unwind after a busy three-day excursion program.

Monterey(Monterey) is one of the key cities in California. Once it was the capital of this state. The proximity of the ocean gave Monterey advantages, and for a long time it was a simple fishing village. It was here that the first theater, library and printing house in the state of California appeared, which means that Monterey was the focus of cultural life. All these historical layers gave the city its extraordinary and unique look which has not yet disappeared. Therefore, in ours, we decided to definitely call in Monterey. Walking around Monterey, you can immerse yourself in history and at the same time realize that you are in one of the most prosperous and wealthy cities in California.

Monterey (Monterey) is a city on the shores of Monterey Bay in the state of California, USA. It is located 290 km south of San Francisco. Monterey was founded in the 18th century (back in 1770) by immigrants from Spain and from 1775 to 1849 was the first capital of California. In the first half of the 20th century, Monterey was famous for fishing, until 1960, when this industry fell into decline. Now it's very famous tourist town, which both Americans and foreign tourists come to see.

The tourist streets of Monterey are living pages of Steinbeck's novel. This building is the most recognizable in Monterey.

Description

First of all, Monterey is interesting for its beautiful nature and historical buildings, and it is also here that the scenic 17-mile road begins, which everyone who travels to the USA by car along the highway along the Pacific Ocean between and tries to drive along. So here is a real expanse for tourists and independent travelers interested in the nature and history of the California coast. And Americans like to relax in Monterey with the whole family on the weekends and just have a good time here.

Interesting facts about Monterey:

• Monterey has only about 30 thousand inhabitants, but more than 2 million people come here every year (only 2 times less than visitors to).
• In June 1967, the first major rock music festival was held in Monterey, attended by about 200,000 people.
• The twin city of Monterey is Croatian Dubrovnik, now known for filming the cult TV series Game of Thrones.

Pacific Grove is the most best area in Monterey

And secondly, Monterey is very beautiful city in California, located on the most picturesque oceanfront, which is only two hours from Silicon Valley. There are good restaurants, private wineries and boutiques, plenty of space for walking, and evening life promises to be rich and varied.

City of Monterey

In general, Monterey is the best place for a relaxing holiday and leisurely entertainment. In his spirit, he somehow reminded us of East coast USA, same interesting city With rich history and developed tourism infrastructure.

We recommend visiting the Monterey Visitor Center at 401 Camino El Estero. It is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00. There you can get all the information you need about Monterey from its employees, and they will help you plan your leisure time in the best way absolutely free of charge.

It's good to have a house in Monterey!

Interesting to know: Between the cities of Monterey and Carmel, there is a private area called Pebble Beach, through which the famous passes. This is one of the most beautiful highway in the world winds along the coast through the forest of cypresses and rich private houses of local residents.

On the 17-mile road you can see a lone cypress - a symbol of California

When is the best time to go

Monterey is known for its mild Mediterranean climate and is quite warm almost all year round. However, when planning a visit, it is worth considering the peculiarities of the weather. Coastal fog is common during the summer months, and it often rains in Monterey during the winter.

Good to know:

• The best time to visit Monterey is late autumn. October and early November here the largest number sunny days and the chance of rain is minimal.

How to get there

It is very easy to get to Monterey by car:

• From Los Angeles along highway number 1 to the north, if you want to go along the ocean along the serpentine. Or use 101 tracks and race fast.
• And from San Francisco - along the same road number 1 south along the coast. Or through mountain passes along a combination of several roads - 1, 17 and 101.

Recommendation:
We were looking for a car for traveling around the USA on rentalcars.com. After the flight from Moscow to Los Angeles, we immediately took a car booked in advance at a bargain price right at the LAX airport ().

The MST bus ride from San Jose to Monterey costs $12.

You can also fly to Monterey by plane from cities in different US states:

Where to sleep

It is very easy to find hotels in Monterey and you can settle both in the city center and in neighboring towns.

• On our first visit to California, we chose an inexpensive hotel with a pool for an overnight stay. Magic Carpet Lodge in one of the suburbs of Monterey called Seaside, in order to immediately go towards San Francisco early in the morning and not waste time driving around the city and stopping by the tempting ocean.
• And the second time we stayed in a cozy hotel in Pacific Grove with nice rooms and a good breakfast - Wilkies Inn .

Here best hotels in Monterey(and in the Pacific Grove area):

	Spindrift Inn(price from $200 , rating 9.3 ) is a homely, historic 3* hotel with spacious rooms and ocean views. It is located in the heart of Cannery Row and is considered one of the most romantic hotels in the United States by guest ratings.
	The Jabberwock Bed & Breakfast (price from $220 , rating 9.4 , with breakfast) is a completely homely hotel with Victorian decor.
	Pacific Garden Inn(price from $120 , rating 8.7 ) is an inexpensive but very cozy hotel with parking, fast internet and a separate entrance. The best option in terms of price-quality ratio.
	Gosby House Inn(price from $300 , rating 9.1 ) is a historic Victorian inn with the most best reviews . Spacious and comfortable rooms with a fireplace.
	Seven Gables Inn(price from $320 , rating 9.2 , breakfast included) - a two-story 4 * mansion right on the beach, comfortable rooms, a gorgeous view of the ocean.

Even in Monterey, you can stay in an apartment or even rent an entire house. This is where Airbnb comes in very handy.

Related article:

Where to eat

Monterey has a wide variety of restaurants. Choose any one you like best. We will list only those recommended by the official guide - Cannery Row Visitor Guide.

• Sly McFly's Oceanview Grill - Delicious food, beautiful views of the bay, the best live music and dancing
• Lalla Oceanside Grill - Contemporary California Restaurant, Patio with Monterey Bay View
• Sarsdine Factory Restaurant - dinner with live music, treating every guest like a star
• Angels Share is a great place for a romantic dinner
• Cooper's Pub & Restaurant - British pub vibe

Our visit

Since a new one has been built next to the old historic pier, you can watch the day's catch being unloaded from the fishing boats right from the restaurant.

• If you're lucky, you might be able to photograph sea lions and otters frolicking in the calm waters of the inner harbour.
• To get a better understanding of ocean life, take a glass-bottom boat trip, go fishing, or go on a whale watching tour.
• For food, it is recommended to take a cup of hot clam soup or try fresh squid in one of the restaurants where you can have a bite while enjoying the ocean view.

Cannery Row

cannery row is a street along the waterfront in Monterey that used to have several canning factories (the last one closed in 1973). Once upon a time it was called Ocean View Avenue, but in January 1958 it was renamed in honor of John Steinbeck's famous novel Cannery Row.

At the very beginning of his work, published in 1945, Steinbeck very accurately and contradictoryly described Cannery Row as "a poem, a rattle and a stench, its own color, mode and character, a nostalgic vision, a dream." He went on to talk about the cannery's colorful past and its culture, which has declined over time.

Today, the restored old factory buildings house specialized shops and galleries of local artists, as well as more than 25 restaurants and cafes. The combination of the beauty of nature, interesting history and some mysterious atmosphere makes Cannery Row one of the most attractive places for tourists (as in Arizona).

The main attraction on Cannery Row and a clear favorite among tourists is the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the best attractions in the world. He constantly surprises with new exhibits and programs, and also conducts educational work in the study and conservation of marine life.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Visitor Information:

• Opening hours: from 9:30 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 9:30 to 20:00 on weekends
• Ticket price - $50 (adult), $30 (children - from 3 to 12 years old, up to 3 years old - free of charge)

Cannery Row - tourist map

Helpful advice:

Don't miss it while walking Cannery Row Monument- a monument to everyone who took part in the life of the Cannery Row. It is located across the street from the brewery building, next to the wax museum.

In the center of the composition is the figure of the writer John Steinbeck, the main promoter of Cannery Row. Also on display are marine biologist Ed Ricketts, one of the first to study the underwater life of Monterey Bay, a mid-19th-century Chinese fisherman known for her boundless generosity, Madame Flora Woods, and four entrepreneurs who have revived a temporarily extinct life in Cannery Row.

Monterey - the history of the region of the former capital of California

As always in North America, some are recognized as the indigenous population, and therefore the first people. So, as for the territory where Monterey, Carmel and San Francisco are now located, the Oloni Indians have lived here since the 6th century.

And the Europeans discovered the Pacific coast of California only in 1542, when the Portuguese subject of the Spanish king, Joao Cabril, sailed by. He did not land in Monterey, as in other places, he only explored the coastline.

It was only at the beginning of the 17th century that the Spaniards set off again in the footsteps of Cabrillo, and Monterey Bay received its name. But another hundred and fifty years passed before people came here again. The decision to found a city here was made in 1770.

Moreover new town became the capital of both Californias, Upper (Alta) and Lower (Bach). The upper one is what we now call the state of California in the United States, and the lower one is Baja, a popular resort, the California peninsula in Mexico. And at that time, both Californias were part of the state of New Spain.

After the War of Independence, both Alta and Baja became part of Mexico. But the Mexican-American War ended with the defeat of the former Spanish colony in 1846, and the American flag was flown over the trading house of Monterey, which was still the capital. So California became part of the United States, and the capital was moved to.

At first, the city did not derive any benefit from the fact that it became part of another state. Except that many adventurers came here in search of happiness during the gold rush.

However, when these times ended, Monterey finally lost its metropolitan status (at that time San Francisco rose), and the inhabitants had to continue to engage in fishing, which did not distinguish them from others. Fish were caught by everyone who lived near the coast, that is, literally everyone on the coast. The fishing business went bankrupt by the middle of the 20th century.

Many famous artists and writers lived here in the late 19th and 20th centuries, including John Steinbeck, who described Monterey in the novels Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday, Henry Miller, Robert Stevenson, Robinson Jeffers, Arthur Frances Matthews, and many others.

Now every period of Monterey's history has been turned into a local attraction, and the city lives on tourism and ... translations. Monterey has found a new face and is now the translator capital of the world!

Monterey State Historic Park

Today, you can get acquainted with the history of Monterey in the Historical Park, located right on the territory of the city near the pier. The variety of well-preserved buildings from the century before last reflects the cultural diversity of Monterey. In the architecture of houses and interior items, one can trace the milestones of California's gradual transition from a modest Spanish outpost to an agrarian Mexican province and evaluate the changes after joining the United States.

For more information about Monterey State Historic Park, see its website →

Historic buildings in the city of Monterey:

1. Custom House (1827)
2. Pacific House (1847)
3. Boston Store (Casa Del Oro) (1845)
4. Casa Soberanes (1842)
5. First Brick House (1847)
6. Old Whaling Station (1847)
7. California's First Theater (1844)
8. Larkin House (1834)
9. Sherman's Quarters (1834)
10. Stevenson House (1840-1897)
11. Casa Gutierrez (1846)
12. Casa Serrano (1845)
13. Colton Hall (1849)
14. Old Jail (1854)
15. Royal Presidio Chapel (1794)

Monterey Historical Park (click to enlarge)

Recommendation: It is better to start your acquaintance with the history of Monterey with a visit to the museum located in the Pacific House building. There you can find information about historical park and see exhibits that tell about different eras and their impact on life in Monterey.

Opening hours are from Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Ticket price is $5.

Pacific Grove - a chic neighborhood on the ocean

Pacific Grove- in fact, a separate city, or suburb of Monterey. We drove around here by car and took a few shots.

The city of Monterey is also known for the fact that it is here that the most expensive house in California is located. We do not know if we saw it or not, but the houses in Pacific Grove turned out to be quite pretty and picturesque, built in the Victorian style. Almost all of them are classified as historical heritage, and many have turned into small hotels.

Interesting facts about Pacific Grove:

• The 1989 movie Turner & Hooch was filmed here.
• There is a monarch butterfly sanctuary, which is very suitable for the local climate.
• Lover's Point - the most comfortable spot in Monterey for kayaking and beach holidays
• In the spring, in Perkins Park on the ocean, you can see a "magic carpet" of flowers

The ocean has a walking path where tourists and locals like to walk

And now let's start walking past the pretty houses of Pacific Grove.

Just a fabulous house

Curious turrets with balconies

This house must be very warm in winter. The pipe is amazing!

A typical street in Pacific Grove

Gazebo near the waterfront

And just beyond Pacific Grove, the 17-mile road begins.

Photo

Monterey on the map

Symbols on the map:

• blue marker- sights of Monterey
• green marker- Attractions Pacific Grove and Lone Cypress (17 Mile Road)
• burgundy marker- entrance to 17 Mile Road from Pacific Grove
• orange marker — good hotels in Monterey

Check out another cool video of things to do in Monterey:

What else to see on California's Pacific Coast

When we traveled through California for the first time, we arrived in Monterey from the city of San Luis Obispo in the afternoon. On this day we drove a huge distance and visited so many sights and were so filled with impressions that we decided not to study Monterey in detail (we looked at it in detail on our second trip along the Pacific Highway when we drove in the opposite direction, from San Francisco to Los Angeles). Angeles).

On our website, we describe in detail what you can see on the way to Monterey from Los Angeles:

• In the morning we saw a ghostly
• Then they loved it.
• Visited in Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park.
• We are just crazy about the beautiful road.
• We looked into a pretty fairy tale.

In addition, on the 1st highway, but closer to, is located, as well as, in the depths of the Santa Ines hills, you can visit and plunge into the atmosphere of Denmark of past centuries. There are many interesting places in California!

Our very first trip to the cities of California began with a two-day trip to Monterey and Carmel. There's a Monterey in Mexico, pretty Big City, and Monterey in the US is much smaller. Monterey was the first capital of California. Who knows what the capital of California is now?

It is located on the coast of Monterey Bay (Monterey Bay) on the Monterey Peninsula. On this peninsula there are also the cities of Pacific grove, Pebble beach and very close - Carmel. The first two cities can be called conditionally, but the last one is a completely fabulous town. This is how our big ones began.

From the city of Mountain View in Silicon Valley, where we now live, it's an hour and a half drive to Monterey.

For an unaccustomed eye, the track looks completely unrealistic: unusual views, dry yellow grass, in the middle of which rare trees and bright blue skies.

There is a tourist information center right at the entrance to Monterey, but we did not go there. One of the main attractions of the city of Monterey is this. That's where we first went. I wanted to write about it in the same post, but it would be inconvenient to read with so many photos, so I decided to write about the Monterey Bay Aquarium separately.

We parked in a closed city parking lot - $ 15 per day. And then we walked to the Monterey Bay Aquarium along the main street - Cannery Row. It is called so because Monterey used to be the main city for the production of canned fish (cans). You could say it was the sardine capital of the world. On this street I met a nesting doll and I could not resist, looked inside the room.

It turned out to be a Russian shop with gingerbread, dumplings, pickles and even buckwheat. The talkative American host, seeing my animation, said: “Hello!” and started talking about how many Russians live here.

As you stroll along Cannery Row, you won't miss the large Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant near the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

This restaurant is based on the Hollywood movie Forrest Gump and is owned by Paramount Pictures. By the way, everyone can take a picture in Forrest Gump's sneakers on the "same" bench.

The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant in Monterey, California is the very first of this chain. It was discovered almost twenty years ago and has since spread to many cities in the United States and even around the world. I saw him in Las Vegas and San Francisco. The main ingredient of all dishes is, of course, shrimp. You can choose them cooked in different ways, but fried in oil and breadcrumbs will prevail, which is typical of American cuisine.

This reminds me of regular fast food. But you can also take a bucket of ordinary boiled in sauce. With beer - what you need 😉

Almost like the Black Sea 😉 🔍View Larger Photo

There are also other fish dishes.

In general, you can look for other restaurants and cafes, there are a lot of them in Monterey, there are generally chic restaurants with excellent sea food, but this is such a typical American restaurant that we could not miss it. Children's menu - as usual, french fries, pizza, pasta, fish and chips. The most expensive dish costs up to 20 dollars, mostly around 10. For visitors who are big fans of the movie Forrest Gump, the waiters offer to answer quiz questions. There is no prize for this, so we did not participate 🙂 To get into the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant, you must first sign up, and then you will be called when a place becomes available. There is also a gift shop right next to the restaurant. While we were waiting for our turn at the restaurant, we went with the children to a small square around the corner.

And it was here that I took a photo of the ocean (or rather, this is Monterey Bay), which absolutely delights everyone.

After lunch we decided to go to the pier - Fisherman Wharf. Walking with children is far away, so we took advantage of the free bus that runs along the main streets of Monterey.

At the pier too beautiful views, many restaurants and cafes.

Almost everyone has dishes with food that you can try here - lobsters, freshly caught fish, crabs, shrimp.

The most popular dish here is clam chowder. It is a creamy seafood soup in a loaf of bread. A large portion costs $7. This time I didn’t try it, but then I ate it in Santa Barbara, and this weekend also in Santa Cruz, I liked this soup so much.

But the most interesting thing to come to the pier in Monterey is to look at the sea lion rookery. Positivity for the whole day is guaranteed! At first we watched them from a little distance.

And then they saw that they can go down closer. On the pier there is such a small booth with steps down and for $ 2 per person (we bargained for a discount for one child) you can get very close to the animals.

Not only are they so funny, they also scream! I love this video, even though it's quite short:

What else to do in Monterey Bay? You can go to the city center - downtown. There are several attractions there: the old theater, the church, interesting historical buildings. But we didn’t get there, but just walked along the promenade along Cannery row. There are a couple of good hotels on this street.

You can sit and drink a cocktail by the square fireplace in the bar of one of them - Monterey plaza hotel & spa. I understand that these fireplaces are a local California feature, very fashionable. I met these in so many places in California, and our grandparents have the same one in the yard.

You can also go on excursions to Monterey Bay:

• Whale watching (whale watching), this is a small cruise for three hours from May to November, when you can watch whales in the open sea, or rather, the ocean. The cost is $40 per adult. The photos are impressive - huge whales emerge from the water, and people are so small on small boat, which is even scary somehow on such an excursion and go. Some tour organizers claim that 99% of the time on their tours you will be lucky to see whales, and if you are not lucky, you will be issued a check for a free ride again.
• Fishing is a full day trip that costs $75-80, plus gear rental and a one-day license ($15).
• You can also ride a boat with a transparent bottom, watch sea lions, otters, seals and birds. I would go on this tour of Monterey Bay, and even the price is normal - $ 14 for an adult, $ 12 for a child.
• Bicycle tours. Bicycle rentals and a recommended Monterey Peninsula itinerary are available. The cheapest bike will cost $8 an hour/$30 a day.

The city of Monterey is also connected with my very first surprise from California. It turns out that the ocean is not always warm. Until now, at the word ocean, and even at the sight of palm trees, I immediately had associations with swimsuits and heat. And in the Pacific Ocean, the water is quite cold and not so many people swim in it. Even just on the embankment, despite the bright sun, it was cool to walk. So we brought the first souvenirs from Montreuil Bay - we bought warm sweaters for children with sea lions embroidered on them. In the comments to my article, I wrote that I prefer practical souvenirs to all sorts of magnets and figurines, so everything turned out very handy here. Well, for those who like to bring standard souvenirs, there is also a very large selection, there are a lot of souvenir shops.

So our first day of exploring the cities of California passed, and in the evening we went to the next city -.

In the form below you can find tickets to any city in the United States. Several options are offered, from which you can choose the cheapest one, as well as choose a hotel.

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Almost a year later, I finally got to the story of the small California town of Monterey, located on the Pacific Ocean, in Monterey Bay. It's about 185 kilometers south of San Francisco, 563 kilometers north of Los Angeles, and a short drive from a similarly sized town, Carmel (Carmel).

The city was founded by the Spaniards on June 3, 1770, and from 1822 to 1846. was the capital and main port of Old California. Due to its strategic location, Monterey served as a key military outpost.

The first inhabitants of Monterey were Native Americans, later Spanish explorers, Mexican settlers, American traders, Japanese and Italian fishermen settled here. As of 2010, the number of inhabitants of the city is 27.810 people. However, during tourist season The population increases by about 70,000.

As for attractions, there are actually few of them. Let's see what we found here.

Entering the city along the road leading along the beach, you can easily get to old Fisherman's Wharf (Old Fisherman's Wharf).

Fisherman's Wharf (also known as Fishermen's Wharf) is one of Monterey's most popular tourist spots. If only simply because you simply cannot pass by.

The pier is visible from afar. In the meantime, we are approaching it, walking along the shore along the alley.

Customs building (The Custom House).

The customs building is located on the shore right in front of the Fishermen's Wharf.
The plaque says that the customs house is the oldest government building in California. As I said, from 1822 to 1846. Monterey was the capital and main port of Old California. All goods arriving here passed through this customs.

On July 7, 1846, during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), the US military flew a star-striped flag over the customs building as a symbol of the end of the Mexican and the beginning of the American era in California.

The building was used for its intended purpose until 1858. Today it looks more like it did during the reign of the Mexicans (1822 - 1846).

Old Fisherman's Wharf

Along the pier there are souvenir shops, small cafes and restaurants.

The boy is working. True, it is impossible to listen to what he "plays". However, it is also hardly possible to call his actions a game.

Monument to fishermen.

A local grandpa named George took his parrots to the pier. For a small fee (what a pity), he allows children to hold their birds and take pictures with them. Well, what are we? We are like children - there too!

Fish restaurant.

View from the pier down.

By the way, on such boats you can ride around the bay. We have not tried it, but it is clear that such a business exists here.

Wherever you look, yachts are everywhere.

We left the pier and went down to the water. Despite the fact that it is mid-August outside, the water is icy even near the shore.

Santa Rosalia (Palermo 1132 – 4 September 1166) is the patron saint of the Sicilian fishermen in Monterey. The monument was erected on September 4, 1979 in memory of the brave and hardworking Sicilian fishermen.

Fishing pier. Right view. Or on the left. See how to stand.

I'm flying-u-u-u!

Not far from the pier, seals and sea lions sprawled on rocks along the shore. Real, wild. It’s cold for people to swim, but at least they need henna. They're warming up, you know!

Three poplars on ivy carcasses in nirvana.

Beautiful flowers. Mmm... they look ugly in the photo, I agree.

So, and this... It's in the square between Customs and Fisherman's Wharf. A high curb, about a meter, probably, and in it are vertically "embedded" such drawings on a tile. Drawings - the history of the city in pictures.

Gaspar de Portola de Rovira- Spanish soldier, governor of Old California, founder of the cities - San Diego and Monterey. The square is named after him, and behind the monument is a hotel.

Building with a flag. I can't say anything more.

Approaching the next city attraction - cannery row- we stopped near a beautiful, as it seemed to us, fountain with dolphins.
It got colder, warmer.

- "Stars and stripes", I love you!

The shot was taken on the beach (I was cold) and inserted into this order of photos because it starts from that white building "Cannery row" (Cannery row).

Start. The entire route, and it is rather short, is shown on the map.

cannery row ("Cannery Row") is another popular tourist destination. The street got its name due to the canning factories located here earlier. Until 1958, it was known as Ocean View Avenue, but was renamed after the novel by John Steinbeck, who spent his childhood in a house located two blocks from Monterey.
By 1973, all factories were closed, but the street retained its name. The vacated premises were converted into hotels, shops and restaurants.

Plant unknown to me and its fruits.

The squirrel jumped onto a plum tree, tore off a plum and calmly hamstered, sitting on a branch.

Local law enforcement officers.

I don’t start a top, I sat down and sit. (With)

The store is like a big top. We urgently need to start trying on everything, show off and grimace in front of the camera.

Exactly. I didn't return the hat. Mine now! No, I didn't steal it, if anything)

Cannery building. Now the Marine Reserve named after Edward Ricketts, a marine biologist and close friend of the writer D. Steinbeck, is located here.

The car is taller than me! And I'm not a dwarf. Right and left everywhere shops and "e d alni".

By the end of daylight hours, the Lazki want to sleep. After dinner in an Indian establishment, I wanted to lie down, sit down at least somewhere.

On this trip we failed visit the famous Aquarium (Monterey Bay Aquarium). We filled this gap a few months later, already in 2014. But more on that in the next episode.