Monterey Travel Guide, California

Along the coast of California is the beautiful, historic seaside community of Monterey. Few California cities contributed as much to the historical story of early California as Monterey. The story of Monterey extends beyond its secular and sacred origins. The Victorian homes of Pacific Grove grew out of a Methodist seaside camping retreat. In his book CANNERY ROW, John Steinbeck immortalized a chapter of recent Monterey history depicting the sardine fishery and its workers.

The one great constant, the thing that makes this area special still, is the long stretch of ocean that borders it. A few years ago, recognizing the area's ecological worth, the federal government set aside a 5,200-square-mile area as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It is the largest protected oceanic zone in the United States,and second in the world only to Australia's Barrier Reef. The area is home to countless blue whales, seals, fish, and seabirds, many on the endangered-species list.

This place is it for the whole family. The jewel of the area is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Situated in Monterey's Cannery Row, the world-acclaimed aquarium representing nearly 600 species. There are even rarities, such as Pacific hagfish, eelpouts, and squat lobsters, that only deep-sea divers have witnessed until now. There is a play land for the younger crowd who can play and learn at the same time about things like our earth, resources, how to conserve and keep them clean. There is also Fisherman's Wharf for those who like to watch the surf, listen and gaze at giantsea lions.