1. Point Lobos State Reserve The reserve spreads over almost 550 acres on land and 750 acres underwater, designated the first marine reserve in the United States in 1960. In 1992, the underwater area became part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. FULL STORY
2. Monterey Bay Aquarium More than 35,000 animals and plants. More than a million gallons of water. Kelp forests. Jellyfish galleries. Penguins. Sea otters. The occasional great white shark. It all adds up to the No. 1 aquarium in the country, according to a travel survey, and, to one of the seven wonders of this county, according to our poll. FULL STORY
3. Bixby Creek Bridge This icon of the California coast is the picture of form and function. The Bixby Creek Bridge was built as a linchpin in the highway chain, but it s also an architectural work of art. FULL STORY
4. Carmel Beach The stretch of white sand that forms the city s western border is a playground, an artistic inspiration, a meditative space. Traffic ebbs and flows throughout the day, starting with the early morning walkers taking in the fog-shrouded scene, and ending with the sunset watchers, staking out a patch of sand to catch the last light slip into the sea. FULL STORY
5. Carmel Mission Established in 1771, it was the second in the chain, but became the headquarters for the importation of Christianity to California. It also was the home, and later the burial place, of Junipero Serra, the father of the missions. FULL STORY
6. 17 Mile Drive In the old days, this was considered part of a daylong trip. Modern-day visitors should take a page from that book, stopping along the way to really take in wonders including Point Joe, with its colliding currents, Bird Rock and its countless winged inhabitants, the dramatic views from Cypress Point, the stately Lone Cypress and more. FULL STORY
7. Monterey Submarine Canyon This underwater marvel rivals the Grand Canyon in size, stretching nearly 300 miles long, more than seven miles across at its widest point, and plunging more than a mile deep. And contrary to a common perception that the deep sea is a barren place, the canyon actually is home to a wide variety of creatures. FULL STORY
Featuring videos from Monterey County, including Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Salinas Valley, Pacific Grove and more.
If you're a fan of indie rock and singer-songwriters, this is an ideal week to satisfy your desires. Two house concerts will also offer up widely divergent fare, while a popular free outdoor music series has been extended, this time including a mini-beer festival.
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Chanticleer arrives in town on Wednesday with a new program at the Carmel Mission featuring music about the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets and the vastness beyond these familiar orbs.
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Monterey Peninsula College Storybook Theatre's latest princess production isn't just for little girls. Little girls should love it of course — but the intended audience includes little boys, and even adults.
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