![]() ![]() No matter which route you take, drive with caution.Īmtrak's Coast Starlight train stops in Salinas. Unfortunately, because Monterey is so popular with tourists, all of those roads are often busy with traffic, which means there is a higher risk of head-on crashes. Again, for a scenic but slower route, you can take State Route 1 along the coast.ĭespite Monterey's popularity, all of the above routes will require you to traverse a two-lane road section at some point: SR 1 between Moss Landing and Watsonville, SR 156 between Prunedale and Watsonville, SR 68 between Salinas and Monterey, and SR 1 from Carmel all the way south to Morro Bay. From the south, take US 101 north to Salinas, then State Route 68 west to Monterey.Alternatively, for a more scenic but even slower route from San Francisco, you can take State Route 1 all the way along the coast.At uncongested times and in good weather, SR 17 can be enjoyable, but otherwise opt for State Routes 101 and 156. Although State Route 17 through the Santa Cruz Mountains is shorter than US 101, it is filled with sharp curves and corners, is often highly congested, and accident-prone, so may take longer than Highway 101. From the San Francisco Bay Area, internet map sites, mapping software, and GPS systems will advise you to take State Route 17 to Santa Cruz and then State Route 1 south.If Highway 1 ceases to be a freeway, you've gone past Monterey. If heading to Cannery Row] or the Aquarium, look for a brown sign that advises which exit to take. Monterey is then 15 miles along Highway 1. At Prunedale go west 5 miles on State Highway 156, then merge onto southbound Highway 1. From the San Francisco Bay Area, take US 101 south to Prunedale (in inland Monterey Bay).State Highway 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway) runs through Monterey, providing access southward from Santa Cruz (50 minutes) and northward through Big Sur.Seals, sea lions, and sea otters are visible year-round, and migrating whales are commonly seen in the fall and spring months.Īlvarado Street serves as downtown Monterey's "main drag." It has superb restaurants, a selection of bars, and unique shops. The abundance of marine wildlife visible from the shoreline is one of the primary attractions of the region. The Monterey Peninsula has the largest population of sea otters on the California coast. Monterey soon recovered, however, and today is known for its magnificent natural beauty, world famous Aquarium, and temperate year-round climate. This era saw the mass northward migration of ambitious people in search of gold, which led to a near desertion of the town. A delegation of writers drafted the constitution which marked the entrance of the State of California into the United States of America. Monterey soon fell under American power in the Mexican-American War and remained the capital of the territory. Lands once owned by the government began to come into private hands, and local families began to consolidate their property and power into business enterprises based on the ranches or "ranchos," where they raised cattle or invented the famous Monterey Jack cheese. From this era come many classic stories of flirtation, fashion, and politics in the Mexican colonial era. Once Mexico gained its independence from Spain, Monterey became the capital of Alta California under Mexican rule. The military presence eventually gave way to a thriving commercial trade that brought in many enterprising foreign merchants. Monterey was established in 1770 by Father Junipero Serra and soon became a Spanish military base with a small fort or "presidio" located near a calm harbor that could provide shelter to supply ships. After a disastrous attempt to explore this new territory by sea, Spanish missionaries in Mexico launched a series of overland expeditions from San Diego. Rugged terrain and vicious Pacific currents made much of the California coast virtually unexplorable to European ships. Today it is best known for its beautiful coastline, its world-class aquarium and from the many John Steinbeck novels set there, including Cannery Row and Tortilla Flat. It was originally the state capital of California, and has more historic buildings in its downtown than any other city west of Santa Fe. Monterey is one of the more beautiful coastal cities of California and can make for a great two day trip for those visiting San Francisco or a weekend getaway for California natives.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |