| | History (Source: WCities) | Top | Human habitation of the Monterey Peninsula dates back some 3,500 years. The Ohlones to the north and the Chumash to the south led a peaceful, subsistence-based existence, enjoying the area's temperate climate and abundant resources. Spain laid claim to the entire California coast in 1542; it was explorer Sebastian Vizcaino who discovered Monterey Bay 60 years later. The Viceroy of Mexico Gaspar de Zuniga y Acevedo named the area after him and was enthusiastic about its further exploration. He was replaced, however, in 1603. Vizcaino was subsequently fired, and the King's orders for him to return to Monterey with colonists were quietly shelved. It was not for another 168 years that Gaspar de Portola, the Spanish governor of Baja California, established the first mission (under the direction of Father Junipero Serra) and presidio in Monterey. (So inaccurate were Vizcaino's descriptions of the Bay's features, that it took Portola two expeditions to finally locate it.) Portola established the Carmel Mission (under the direction of Father Junipero Serra) and presidio (still standing) in Monterey. In 1775, Monterey was made the Capital of Alta California and it remained so through Spanish, Mexican and independent California rule until American statehood took effect in 1850. Spanish settlement and mission life doomed Ohlone and Chumas culture. Huge land grants, or ranchos, were sold to Spanish settlers, or Californios . When Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There By Air Carmel is serviced by the Monterey Peninsula Airport ( MRY ) ( 200 Fred Kane Dr. #200 Monterey, CA 93940, off Olmsted Rd.; +1 831 648 7000 / http://www.montereyairport.com/; info@montereyairport.com ). Travelers to Carmel can also fly into San Francisco International Airport ( SFO ) ( http://www.flysfo.com ), the Oakland International Airport ( OAK ) ( +1 510 563 3300 / http://www.flyoakland.com/ ) or the Mineta San Jose International Airport ( SJC ) ( +1 408 277 4SKY / http://www.sjc.org ) and drive down to Carmel. Monterey Peninsula Airport: http://www.montereyairport.com/ American Eagle Airlines/American Airlines ( +1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com/ ) United Airlines/United Express ( +1 800 241 6522/ http://www.skywest.com/ ) From the Airport Monterey Salinas transit: ( +1 831 899 2555/ http://www.mst.org/ ) Monterey Salinas Airbus: ( +1 831 373 7777/ http://www.montereyairbus.com/ ) Bus Route 21 services the airport, while the Airbus provides transportation to and from the San Francisco and San Jose International Airports. The airbus offers hotel and home pick-up service and 2 Airbus pick-up points. In Monterey: Monterey Transit Plaza. Look for Airbus sign by the Ordway Drug Store on Pearl at Alvarado. Limited parking available suggest curb drop. In Salinas: Salinas Amtrak Station, 11 Station Place, off of West Market Street. Sign Posted; Free parking available. Rate: One way to
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | A trip to Carmel and its environs on the Monterey Peninsula offers a wide range of entertainment for all types of visitors. Whether a die-hard nature lover or a dyed-in-the-wool indoors-type, this locale provides spectacular opportunities for cultural, physical and spiritual endeavors. Outdoor Adventures Sightseeing along the rugged coastline of this secluded peninsula is one of the all-time favorite ways to enjoy a trip to this area. Visitors marvel at the sea's sheer power as waves crash against the craggy cliffs; lovers wonder together at the magnificent seascapes as they wander along the white sand beaches. Hiking trails are abundant throughout the area, although many are now sequestered within privately owned resort properties. Photographers from around the globe seek out the famous "Lone Cypress," the longstanding symbol of this area along the Seventeen Mile Drive , to try their hand at capturing its time-tested majesty. Enjoying the ageless natural beauty of this region can be as much entertainment as one needs, but there's no lack of other options. Music The Monterey County Symphony ’s October to May series of concerts pulls in internationally renowned guest artists for a classically based program, seasoned with choice works from the modern repertoire. The musicians perform at the Sunset Cultural Center in Carmel. The venue also hosts Chamber Music Monterey Bay , which pulls in top small-group performers for its six-concert, winter-and-spr
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