Monterey

History

Monterey is situated on California's central coast with its northern border approximately 100 miles (160 km) south of San Francisco. California Highway 101 bisects the county providing easy access to all Monterey County cities and the Monterey Peninsula, while Highway 1 offers a scenic view of the California coast.

The region features diverse historic, cultural and natural sites, including the spectacular Big Sur coastal area, world-class golf courses such as Pebble Beach, extensive cycling and hiking paths, portions of the famed Mission Trail historic Spanish Mission sites, and the unique Monterey Bay marine ecosystem and world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Beginnings

In prehistoric times the Rumsen Ohlone tribe , one of seven linguistically distinct Ohlone Native American groups in California, inhabited the area now known as Monterey. They lived a subsistence life of hunting, fishing and gathering in what has been deduced as a biologically rich Monterey Peninsula. 

Spanish & Mexican Eras

First established in 1770 by Franciscan Father Junípero Serra and Gaspar de Portolà, Monterey served as the capital of California from 1777 to 1849, under the flags of Spain and Mexico. Portola erected the Presidio of Monterey to defend the port against expected Russian invasion. It was also the site of the July 7, 1846, Battle of Monterey during the Mexican-American War. In 1848, in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, California, along with the territories of the present-day states of Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming, were ceded to the United States.

California "Firsts"

Many California "firsts" occurred in Monterey. These include California's first theater, brick house, publicly funded school, public building, public library, and printing press. California's first constitution was also drafted here in October 1849.

Historic Center for Arts & Literature

Monterey has a noteworthy history as a center for California painters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Such painters as Arthur Frank Mathews, Armin Hansen, Xavier Martinez, Rowena Meeks Abdy and Percy Gray lived or visited to pursue painting in the style of either En plein air or Tonalism.

Many of America’s foremost noted authors have also lived in and around the Monterey area. They include John Steinbeck, Robert Louis Stevenson, Henry Miller, Robinson Jeffers, Robert A. Heinlein, and Ed Ricketts.

Coastal History & "Cannery Row"

Monterey is well-known for its abundant sea habitat, centered on the Monterey Submarine Canyon, an underwater canyon just a few miles offshore that is over 2 miles (3.2 km) deep. This diverse coastal habitat includes kelp seaweed forests, sea otters and sea lions and draws thousands of scuba divers each year to Monterey, which is considered one of the best regions for the sport in California.

There had long been an abundant sailing and fishery community in Monterey Bay. That changed in the 1950s, when overfishing led the local fishery business to collapse. A few of the old fishermen's cabins from the early twentieth century have been preserved as they stood along Cannery Row. The famous Cannery Row, featured in John Steinbeck’s writing, has now been turned into a popular visitor’s attraction, with restaurants and shops in the historical site. It is also the location of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.