Monterey
County - Moving up the coast, Monterey County
is just 120 miles south of San Francisco and 345 miles
north of Los Angeles. The 12 incorporated cities in
the county are within 3 to 10 miles of each other.
Of these be sure to visit Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea,
and Big Sur.
The
county boasts 25 golf courses, three of which are consistently rated among the
top ten courses in the nation. There are great whale-watching opportunities, and
the peninsula is a popular spot for scuba diving and fishing.
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Big
Sur Coastline
Photo courtesy of the
Monterey County CVB
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The top
attraction in the county is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, with over 300,000 marine
plants and animals. Other attractions include Cannery Row in Monterey, made famous
in the same-named novel by John Steinbeck. The aquarium is located here, as are
shops restaurants and galleries. Also in Monterey, Fisherman's Wharf is a good
place to soak up the coastal atmosphere, watch the fishing industry and grab some
seafood.
In
Salinas, the National Steinbeck Center displays the author's work and has interactive
exhibits, art exhibits and a gourmet café. In Big Sur, within the Andrew
Molera State Park, the Ventana Wilderness Sanctuary serves as a wildlife protection
and habitat restoration site. Take a steam train ride through redwood forests
of Felton in neighboring Santa Cruz County. Just south of Carmel, hike scenic
trails in the Point Lobos State Reserve.
For
more information, call the Monterey County Convention
and Visitors Bureau at (888) 221-1010 or visit the
web site at www.montereyinfo.org
These
attractions and others encourage Highway 1 drivers
to enjoy stops along the journey on this scenic
route. Who knows? You may enjoy these spots so much
you'll save California's biggest cities for another
trip, and another excuse drive along Highway 1.
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