Monterey Bay, Pacific Ocean bay in Central California, US
Monterey Bay is an ocean inlet along the central Pacific coast of California between Santa Cruz and the Monterey Peninsula. The coastal water forms a curved line of about 30 miles (48 kilometers) and is bordered by sandy beaches, cliffs, and small harbor towns.
A Spanish navigator reached these waters in the mid-16th century and noted the pine forests on the peninsula. The area later passed from Spanish to Mexican and finally to American control during the 19th century.
The name of this coastal inlet recalls the early Spanish presence in California and has endured through centuries of changing control. Today visitors recognize the protected area by signs along the shore and by research vessels that regularly depart to observe marine mammals.
Whale watching tours depart year-round, with gray whales passing in winter and humpbacks in summer. Kayakers and divers usually find calmer conditions in the morning before winds pick up.
A deep underwater canyon begins near Moss Landing and reaches a depth of over 11,800 feet (3,600 meters), comparable to the Grand Canyon. This submarine gorge extends nearly 95 miles (153 kilometers) beyond the seafloor and attracts deep-sea creatures normally found only far out in the open ocean.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
