The City of Monterey is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in northern California. The city is noted for its rich history of resident artists beginning in the late 1800s and its historically famed fishery. Monterey is home to the Naval Postgraduate School, the Defense Language Institute, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf and a field station of the Marine Mammal Center. The Monterey American Viticultural Area is also located in the area.
First established in 1770 by Father JunÃpero Serra and Gaspar de Portolà , Monterey served as the capital of California from 1777 to 1849, under the flags of Spain and Mexico. Portola erected the Presidio of Monterey to defend the port against expected Russian invasion. It was also the site of the July 7, 1846, Battle of Monterey during the Mexican-American War. It was on this date that John D. Sloat, Commodore in the United States Navy, raised the U.S. flag over the Monterey Customs House and claimed California for the United States.
In addition, many Californa "firsts" occurred in Monterey. These include California's first theater, brick house, publically funded school, public building, public library, and printing press. California's first constitution was also drafted here in October 1849.
Monterey had long been famous for the abundant fishery in Monterey Bay. That changed in the 1950s, when the local fishery business collapsed due to overfishing. A few of the old fishermens cabins from the early twentieth century have been preserved as they stood along Cannery Row. The famous Cannery Row has now been turned into a tourist attraction, with restaurants and shops in the historical site. It is also the location of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In June 1967 the city was the venue of the Monterey Pop Festival. Some have dubbed Monterey "the cradle of history."
