How to Experience Monterey Bay, California
Located on the southern tip of Monterey Bay, this namesake city has charm equal to that of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, only without the endless tourists and souvenir shops. For biology buffs, the abundance of tide pools teeming with sea life resulted in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Biologist Ed Ricketts inspired John Steinbeck, and as literary buffs can attest, Cannery Row and Tortilla Flat are set here. Southwest of the city is the world-famous 17 Mile Drive, where, past stately mansions, Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach Golf Courses break at the shore. Further south, Carmel-by-the-Sea, of Clint Eastwood fame, is a trendy enclave of boutiques and eateries.
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Instructions
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Getting there; Leaving from San Francisco International Airport, take U.S. Highway 101 south toward San Jose and then State 17 south to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is on the north end of the bay, so follow State 1 around the bay to Monterey.
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Cannery Row: Accessing the legendary row of fish-processing plants is quite easy. Take the Del Monte Exit west to Lighthouse Avenue and then onto Foam Street. After parking, the row is only one block north. Though most of the canneries are gone, there are plenty of places to shop and dine, or just relax and read a Steinbeck novella.
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Monterey Bay Aquarium: At the heart of the row is the aquarium. Not to be confused with SeaWorld, the Monterey Aquarium is much smaller, similar to the one at Long Beach. The focus is on the ecosystem of one of the deepest ocean canyons in the world, and species unlike anywhere else are on display here.
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Taking the 17 Mile Drive: Backtrack to Pacific Street and return south on State 1 to the very next exit. For a nominal toll, the drive takes the visitor through coastal pines and stately homes before approaching some of the most spectacular real estate in California.
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Pebble Beach: Pulling the vehicle off the road, gape in awe at the surf thundering against the rocks and shore. In season, seals are plentiful, barking a hello. Golfers play through the manicured greens. There are plenty of places to stop and photograph the surroundings.
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Visiting Carmel: From Pebble Beach, the drive returns inland among the homes. Many visitors opt to leave the 17 Mile at Carmel Way, where at a second toll booth Carmel becomes San Antonio Avenue heading south and soon crosses Ocean Avenue. Ocean Avenue is the main thoroughfare through Carmel-by-the-Sea, where there are places to park, shop, dine and view a perfect California sunset.
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