Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay, California.

This article is about the bay near Monterey, CA. For other uses, see: Monterey Bay Aquarium, California State University, Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is a bay of the Pacific Ocean, on the coast of California, south of San Francisco. The roughly semicircular bay is ringed by a segment of California State Route 1 which connects Santa Cruz at the north end to Monterey at the south end.

Monterey Bay is home to many species of marine mammals, including sea otters, harbor seals, and bottlenose dolphins; as well as being on the migratory path of Gray and Humpback Whales and a breeding site for elephant seals. Many species of fish, mollusks such as abalone and squid, birds, and sea turtles also live in the bay. Several varieties of kelp grow in the bay, some becoming as tall as small trees, forming what is known as a kelp forest.

The Monterey Canyon, one of the largest underwater canyons in the world, begins off the coast of Moss Landing, exactly in the center of Monterey Bay. In 1992 the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was created, protecting over 4,000 square nautical miles (14,000 km²) of the bay and surrounding ocean.

Cities around Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay from Jacks Peak Park

• Monterey, CA
• Pacific Grove, CA
• Sand City, CA
• Seaside, CA
• Marina, CA
• Santa Cruz, CA
• Capitola, CA
• Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz, California
• Aptos, CA
• Watsonville, CA
• Moss Landing, CA
• Gilroy, CA

Gallery

Monterey bay seen with the old Cannery Foundations

One of many beaches along the Monterey bay coast line

Sea Monsters

There have been many reports of sea monsters in Monterey Bay, the most famous being the "Old Man of Monterey Bay", or Bobo. The famed Moore's Beach Monster washed up nearby, in Santa Cruz.

External links

• MCCVB Visitor Guide and Business Directory
• Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council
• Santa Cruz Independent Media Center
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Satellite image from Google Maps
• Monterey Bay history, events, folklore, tourism and related links

Donate to Wikimedia