MONTEREY BAY REGION

Talk about having it all: From the waves crashing into Big Sur’s wild cliffs to Morgan Hill on the edge of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area, the Monterey Bay Region takes in a diverse swath of California. It’s an expansive region that’s big enough to encompass fog-cloaked redwood forests on the coast and inland towns such as Hollister near Mission San Juan Bautista and Gilroy, which is home to a world-famous garlic festival. Even the communities along or near Monterey Bay all have their own distinct identities. Arty Carmel has held onto its village atmosphere while Monterey still retains remnants of the fishing industry and colorful harbor life that writer John Steinbeck so vividly captured in the novel Cannery Row. Along Cannery Row, you’ll now find the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, which displays the rich marine life of its namesake bay. Farther north along the bay, Santa Cruz is famous for its surfing tradition, progressive ways, and a vintage seaside amusement park.

VISITOR SERVICES FOR THE MONTEREY BAY REGION

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