Introduction to Monterey

Nestled on a peninsula of sandy beaches and cypress-dotted bluffs, Monterey is rich in marine life and Hispanic heritage. The former Californian capital's Path of History leads past Spanish and Mexican adobe clay buildings from the 18th-19th centuries. Look out for Colton Hall, where the state constitution was first drafted in 1849. Every September the city sways to the smooth melodies and laidback rhythms of the legendary Jazz Festival. A short drive away in Carmel-by-the-Sea, storybook cottages and one-of-a-kind boutiques face a pristine beach lapped by blue-green waters.

Things to Do

Cannery Row's old flophouses and sardine canneries were made famous by Nobel Prize-winning novelist John Steinbeck. Today they house shops and local artist galleries selling glass sculptures and paintings. At Monterey Bay Aquarium sea otters playfully wrestle and spotted leopard sharks weave between 28-foot fronds of the enchanting Kelp Forest. Sea lions bark and fishing boats tie up alongside bustling Fisherman's Wharf in downtown Monterey -- from here, explore the ocean on a glass-bottomed boat trip or a whale-watching tour.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Downtown Monterey is the city's hub for nightlife and entertainment. Relax with a glass of Californian Chardonnay at The Crown & Anchor pub, where the nautical decor and model ships pay homage to Monterey's seafaring history. The venerable 1920s-era Golden State Theatre draws in audiences for its packed schedule of concerts, plays and films. At the waterfront Cannery Row Brewing Company, choose from an impressive selection of 73 beers on tap and sit outside by the roaring fire pits.

Restaurants and Dining

Monterey restaurants proudly use local ingredients sourced with minimal environmental impact. Check menus for recipes using the humble artichoke -- a vegetable that grows abundantly in the region. Just outside downtown, always-dependable and hopping Monterey's Fish House is a stand out for calamari, oysters and fresh-caught halibut or sea bass cooked on an oakwood grill. In downtown Monterey, locals flock to Rosine's for eggs benedict and towering cakes, and Monterey Café for sweet pecan-banana pancakes.

Active Pursuits

Bicyclists and walkers follow the 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail along Cannery Row, over hills and sand dunes to Lover's Point Park in Pacific Grove, a romantic spot that looks out over the shimmering sea. Hire a kayak and paddle among otters and sealions in the waters of Monterey Bay or join golfers teeing-off at the posh Pebble Beach Golf Course, home of the U.S. Open and just one of 20 links in the area.