Monterey Travel Information
Set at water's edge on the north side of the Monterey Peninsula, the
little harbor city, Monterey, has come far from its reign as the
world's Sardine Capital. Though there are reminders of this grittier
past in the buildings of Cannery Row (a spot which in a dirtier day
inspired John Steinbeck to pen the novel of the same name) the city's
less savory history has been more or less subsumed by restaurants and
tourist shops, which now fill old warehouse spaces an easy walk away
from the wharves to one side - which front in turn Monterey's historic
downtown - and the area's top attraction, Monterey Bay Aquarium, to
the other. Though
most visitors put a trip to the aforementioned marine facility at the
top of their to-do list, Monterey has more to offer the discerning
visitor than just big sharks, sting rays and touch-tanks. The heart of
Old Monterey is punctuated with an assortment of historic buildings
that predate the sardine days, many of which are counted part of
Monterey State Historic Park. Take a two-mile long self-guided tour
around to see some of the most important buildings once you've enjoyed
an area introduction at the Pacific House Museum, stopping then to see
the one-time home of Robert Louis Stevenson, the old Custom House,
California's oldest church in service (Royal Presidio Chapel), the
Cooper-Molera Adobe (good for a glimpse of how sea captains lived) and
an old Spanish Fort (now the Presidio of Monterey Museum), amongst other things. There's
also a nice little fine art museum that's local (separated between two
locations), the Monterey Museum of Art, which showcases works by
significant talents from California (Pacific Street facility) and at its Via
Mirada location, East Asian art. Before moving on to see some of
Monterey's well-known neighbors, enjoy a shot at fresh perspective on
this popular tourist destination with a whale-watching excursion or an
afternoon of sea kayaking.
Far removed from the sometimes
mayhem of Monterey is the former retreat of artists and authors, quaint
little Carmel-by-the-Sea. Once home to the likes of Ansel Adams, Robert
Louis
Stevenson and Sinclair Lewis, modern Carmel-by-the-Sea is cute, a
little too cute for a long-term stay but cute. Did I mention that
Carmel-by-the-Sea is cute? Thatched-roof cottages, an abundance of wildflowers, a picture-perfect old Spanish mission and
street-performers all in proximity to dramatic Pacific seascapes lend
this spot its appeal; even if you don't do cute this still merits at least a
half-day's must-see. There's a decent range of high-end
shopping here, to boot, a good way to keep the non-golfers occupied while
the golfers put in a hard day at the world-renowned greens of Pebble
Beach.
The latter, occupying a well-groomed stretch of particularly
pretty coastline, is home to
seven golf courses, including the daunting Pebble Beach Golf Links, as
well as luxury
resorts and dramatic cliffs. The general rule of thumb in Pebble
Beach: if you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it. If
you've decided not to stay over or golf in Pebble Beach, you can still
see what all the fuss is about on a scenic cruise along 17-Mile Drive,
which despite the fee per vehicle involved is an entirely agreeable way
to enjoy an introduction to local landscape drama.
Monterey is located along California's west coast and is best
reached via California Highway 1. Monterey is approximately 70 miles
south of San Jose.
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