Monterey Peninsula [antikvár]

A bird's-eye view of Monterey Harbor. INTRODUCTION Much as it was in 1602 when Sebastian Vizcaino first described it, the shoreline of Monterey Peninsula is still a nature poem of azure sea, shimmering sea life, white beaches, rocky cliffs, cypress trees, raucous birds and capricious sea animals. At that time, the Spanish explorer sailed into the bay, and upon landing, named the area after a viceroy of New Spain, the Count of Monte Key then sailed out again. Bounded to the north by Monterey Bay to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to the south by Carmel Bay the Monterey Peninsula has retained large stretches of unspoiled territory over the 17-Mile Drive, the Del Monte Forest, dovm through the Point Lobos State Reserve and Big Sur The remaining area is interspersed by farmlands, vineyards which make notably fine wines, and small communities, each with its own special character Echoes of the Spanish past are found on the Monterey Path of History, while the unique sea life and habitats of Monterey Bay are on view in the city's Aquarium. In a twist of fate, the latter is located in a former sardine processing plant on Cannery Row, The New England-style Point Pinos Lighthouse is the prelude to the Victorian clapboard houses of Pacific Grove. The name Pebble Beach immediately conjures images of trim golf courses, golf tournaments, and big prize money Artists, writers and movie stars dwell in tiny Carmel, where the locals have taken ^eat pains to maintain it as a small village, while some of its boutiques and art galleries are worthy of a big city On a more spiritual level. Father Junípero Serra's spirit (as well as his body) is serenely preserved within the dreamlike Moorish architecture of the Carmel Mission, also known as the Mission San Carlos Borromeo. Further inland, a mere hop, skip and jump from the Monterey Peninsula shoreline, where it all began, fruits and vegetables are grown in the Salinas Valley - John Steinbeck country.