Monterey Bay.html

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, between Santa Cruz and Monterey, CA. The roughly semicircular bay is ringed by a segment of 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, sharks, 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 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 the surrounding ocean.

Cities around Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay from Jacks Peak Park

Clockwise around the bay, generally from north to south. Inland cities are indented:

Gallery

Monterey Bay seen with the old Cannery Foundations

One of many beaches along the Monterey Bay coast line

Monterey Bay as seen from Soquel, CA. The Moss Landing power plant is visible in the distance.

Scuba diving lessons in the bay, near Monterey, California

External links

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