"Gateway to Wine Country" Monterey by TRimer

Monterey Travel Guide: 912 reviews and 2,720 photos

Historic City

Monterey is the most historic city in California. It has been a capital many times over. First in 1776, the Spainish named Monterey the capital of Baja (lower) and Alta (upper) California. Later in 1822, when Mexico gained its independence from Spain, Monterey became the Mexican capital.

Sardine Capital of the World

In 1902, Otosaburo Noda, an early Japanese commercial venturist with ties to the Japanese abalone cannery at Point Lobos, founded the first canning operation on Ocean View Avenue. By the 1920s, the sardine market had grown greatly and the section of Monterey (now known as Cannery Row) was established. During the next two decades, a score of canneries and reduction plants grew up in the area. Workers processed an estimated 250,000 tons of sardines each year. Unfortunately, by the late 1950s the Sardines had disappeared! Economic devastation settled in on Monterey's fishing and canning industries, ending it forever as Monterey's major economic engine.

Pirates

Walking around Monterey you cannot miss all the shops selling t-shirts and other nick-nacks bearing a pirate motif. Local lore says Robert Louis Stevenson’s stay in Carmel inspired him to write Treasure Island, the classic tale of pirate ships and buried treasure. In fact, the famous golf couse- Spyglass- names each of its holes after the book. So I was curious as to how exactly Monterey and pirates relate.

Monterey holds the dubious distinction of being the only city in California to have been sacked by a pirate. It happened in 1818, during the Spanish-American wars of independence. Privateers from South America attacked Alta California, which was under Spanish control. French sea captain Hippolyte de Bouchard from Buenos Aires led the attack and plundered Monterey. It was the only time California was conquered by an enemy—and a pirate.

I also discovered that there are numerous movies depicting Monterey with pirates including: The Pirates of Monterey and Stowaway.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Less expensive lodging then Carmel
  • Cons:More of a tourist destination
  • In a nutshell:Gateway to wine and golf
  • Last visit to Monterey: Jun 2007
  • Intro Written Jul 1, 2007
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (7)

Comments (1)

  • Ewingjr98's Profile Photo
    Jul 15, 2007 at 10:53 PM

    Hey, it's nice to see some new Monterey tips. Hope you enjoyed your stay! Joe

TRimer

“Too many places to see, too little time (especially now that I have toddlers)”

Online Now

Female

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 7 5 9
Forum Rank:
0 1 4 1 9

Badges & Stats in Monterey

  • 7 Reviews
  • 4 Photos
  • 0 Forum posts
  • 1 Comments
  • 445PageViews

Have you been to Monterey?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Monterey

Friends

See All Friends (1)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Latest Monterey hotel reviews

Beach Resort Monterey
697 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013
Marina Dunes Resort
451 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 24, 2013
Monterey Plaza Hotel
1677 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013
Munras Lodge
77 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 28, 2013
Hotel Abrego
851 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013
Cannery Row Inn
118 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 9, 2013
Comfort Inn Monterey by the Sea
163 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013
InterContinental The Clement Monterey
1161 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 15, 2013
Hyatt Regency Monterey
990 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 15, 2013
Otter Inn
133 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 12, 2013
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
933 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 14, 2013
El Adobe Inn
87 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 1, 2013
Comfort Inn Monterey Peninsula Airport
82 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 16, 2013
Monterey Bay Inn
877 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 11, 2013
Cypress Tree Inn (Americas Best Value Inn & Suites)
73 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 12, 2013