Monterey Peninsula

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incomparable beauty encompassing both land and sea; for idyllic weather, neither too hot nor too cold, few places in the world can compare with the Monterey Peninsula. From Santa Cruz, on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, south all the way to Big Sur, can be found somé of the most beautiful beaches in California. Caught between rocky cliffs and vast forests of gnarled cypress and majestic redwoods can be seen white sand set against azure sea. The Monterey Peninsula was discovered by Jüan Cabrillo, a skilled Portuguese navigator, in 1542. Cabrillo, with Spain's blessings, lay claim to nearly 800 miies of what is now California coastline. Spain's hopes of finding gold and the fabled Straits of Anian, possibly the shortest Northwest Passage, were unfulfilled, however. The legendary straits were never found and gold proved equally elusive. In 1602, Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino traveled much the same route Cabrillo did, renaming the points as he went. San Diego, Monterey and Santa Barbara still bear those names. Vizcaino named Monterey Bay affér the Count of Monte-Rey, the Viceroy of Mexico. However, it would be nearly 200 years before Spain again took a serious interest in the Monterey Peninsula, and that would come in the form of missionaries. Spain's hold on California was tenuous at best, and in 1822 the region became part of the Mexican Republic. This was not to last, either. The Yankee fishermen and traders who frequented the harbors prevailed, and in 1846 Monterey became a U.S. possession. In 1849, while building a sawmill, James Wilson Marshall discovered gold and thefamous gold rush was on. Before the end of the century nearly $1.3 biliion was mined. When the gold rush ended, Monterey went intoa declinefor a time, but slowly became a major whaling center complete with canneries and fisheries lining its wharves. Novelist John Steinbeck wrote "Cannery Row" and "Sweet Thursday" after visiting the sardine fisheries. The canneries are silent now, most converted to trendy shops. The whaling and commercial industries are only a memory and Monterey Peninsula has retumed to its natural beauty and serenity. Monterey Bay, with its giant 8,400 foot canyon on the floor of the sea, provides safe harborfor ships and wonderful fishing for sport fishermen. The coastal areas alsó draw sea lions, seals, sea otters and migrating grey whales, as well as a wide variety of sea and shore birds. Long a mecca for artists and writers, the Peninsula is now home to somé of the richest people in the country. Lavish mansions may be glimpsed perched on seaside cliffs or tucked discreetly into the thick pine forests. Shopping in Monterey and Carmel has become world-famous and the Peninsula is home to many world-class golf courses, including beautiful Pebble Beach. With a great deal of respect for history, restoration and preservation efforts are evident throughout the Peninsula. Delightful examples of 18th and 19th century architecture, somé unique only to the area, have been carefully preserved and are open to public viewing. Often the Spanish-inspired architecture of the West has been artfuily mixed with that of the Old New England fishing village to produce a style not seen anywhere else in the country. From dramatic mountain vistas for hiking or horseback riding, to warm beaches for swimming and surfing, from world-class shopping to world-class golf, from architectural wonders to a wonderful amusement park for the children, the Monterey Peninsula has something for everyone. Contributing Photographers Morley Baer, Richárd A. Bucich, Howard Hall, James Mattison, Philip Miller, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Jeff O'Connell, Bob Petley, Jerry Sieve, Kyle Smith, Bob Thamm, Becky and Gary Vestal. Vissza