Monterey, California: attractions and photos

The city, which is represented in this article, was founded by the Spaniards back in 1770. It is to this settlement that the title of the former capital of one of the US states - California belongs.

The city of Monterey (California) has a rather interesting long history of its development.

It is a delightful, charming and small, but very nice and cozy town. After reading this article, you can learn more about this amazingly beautiful historical place.

Monterey (California): photo, location

For visiting tourists one of the favorite places in the US state of California is the city of Monterey. This picturesque, sunny town is located on the very shore of the same Monterey Bay (Pacific Ocean) between Los Angeles and the beautiful city of San Francisco.

In the centuries-old history of North America, he occupies a rather honorable place. This is a real paradise, an oasis for entertainment and a wonderful holiday. Every year more than 2 million tourists visit it for the purpose of rest and acquaintance with its magnificent natural and historical sights. This is one of the most beautiful places in California, representing the west coast of the state.

Monterey (California) is located 80 kilometers south of San Jose, from which there is a road number 17 (saddle), passing almost in the middle of the road (from Santa Cruz) to the ancient coastal Spanish road No. 1. The latter extends along the shores of the Pacific Ocean (North and South America).

In 2005, the city's population was only slightly more than 30.5 thousand people.

A bit of history

Monterey (California), like the entire state, originally (in the 1770s) was part of New Spain. And, from 1775 to 1849, this city was the first capital of the state.

The state was in possession of Mexico until 1846, but after the war the US-Mexican American flag was posted over the trading house of the city of Monterey. By this, he marked the accession of California to the States of America. At that time, for the residents of this locality, this event did not turn out to be anything particularly noteworthy.

Later, Monterey, gradually losing the status of the state capital, began to turn into a place where they began to engage in mass industrial fishing. Here along the coast, opened several plants for the production of canned sardines.

About the fishing industry

The bay is home to a large number of sardines, making Monterey a fishing town with a fishing shipyard with many fish processing plants. However, by the mid-20th century, due to its excessive catch, the resources of the Gulf had been depleted. As a result , the fish industry here was completely ruined.

The hulls of those plants have survived to this day, and represent one of the main city attractions. Many buildings are used for the best hotels and fish restaurants, souvenir shops and shops. Among other things, since the end of the last century in one of the former factories one of the most unique marine aquariums has been discovered. It contains about 35 000 species of various inhabitants of the sea depths.

A lot of interesting things can be seen by tourists visiting the city of Monterey (California).

sights

Monterey has many attractions: the aquarium, the port old buildings, the library, the theater, etc.

The atmosphere and entourage of the city give it an irresistible charm. Most of the houses are built in the style of the Victorian era. There is even a two-storey building with a fireplace in it from the time of the Spanish discoverers - Larkin House. Entirely preserved and the buildings of the centuries-old buildings, which now houses the library, the theater, as well as the building of the House of Customs (customs).

Interesting are the Chapel of Saint Presidio, and Colton Hall (an old school). In addition, the only (last) in the US pavement, made of whale bones, has survived in this town. It is located near the Old Whale Station.

No less known for Monterey (California) its main street "Cannery series." Today there are the main urban entertainment facilities.

Since 1958, the famous jazz festival has been held annually in Monterey. And since 1991 - a bicycle festival. Now the city is a great place for a relaxing holiday in numerous coastal hotels.

The Oceanarium

In Monterey is one of the most unique and best oceanariums in the world - Monterey Bay, which was mentioned above. It contains the best marine animals and plants.

Water in the aquarium is a natural habitat for marine exhibits, as it comes directly from the ocean. The facility itself is located in the building of an old factory located on the shore. From the ocean side in the aquarium is a unique viewing platform with a unique stunning view of the emerald vast expanses of the great Pacific Ocean.

Marine life

Monterey Bay (California) contains water, which represents an excellent nutrient medium for all the underwater vegetation present in it. These places are rich in numerous and diverse representatives of fauna and flora: extensive areas with seaweed, rookeries of sea lions and seals, numerous species of fish, etc. All this together attracts the attention of divers and scientists: geologists, biologists, etc.

From the pier, ships periodically sail for observation of beluga whales, dolphins, gray whales, and also for sperm whales (although rarely). They sail without fear to the shores in search of food, and tourists, seeing it all with their own eyes, come to an indescribable delight. Habitual whales allow people to even touch themselves.

An unusual and amazing sight is represented by 3-6-meter algae stretching to the surface of the water from the very bottom of the ocean.

Nature

Near the city on the very bottom of the Monterey Bay (California), as noted above, is a unique underwater deep canyon. The presence of it and other smaller submarine canyons led to the formation of such a diverse plant and animal marine world on a relatively small area of the ocean near the shore.

Remarkable and the landscape of the coastal areas of the city, strewn with a fantastically beautiful carpet of rose lavender. Great looking and covered with white sand beaches with scenic landscapes against the backdrop of amazing reefs and rocks.

The most surprisingly beautiful winding road (No. 17) runs along the shore of the ocean between stately rocks and snow-white beaches, periodically diving into groves and forests growing in the very depths of the peninsula, where the most beautiful and expensive mansions of California are.

Weather

Great in these places and the weather. Monterey (California) attracts with its warm and sunny atmosphere many tourists from around the world.

In the city the climate is moderately warm. In winter, much more rain falls here than in summer. In total, about 424 mm of precipitation falls in a year. The average annual temperature is + 13.2 ° C.

Conclusion

Along the Pacific coast of California are numerous cities, each with its own features and attractions. But it was Monterey rightfully earned the title of one of the best places for entertainment and leisure travelers and tourists.