"Healthy oceans are critical to the future of all life on Earth, yet by and large the underwater world remains hidden to us, unknown and mysterious. The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans, and this series of books is intended to further that goal. By helping people discover their connection with the natural world, we hope to foster a lifelong commitment to learning about and caring for the oceans on which all life depends."--Julie Packard, Executive Director, Monterey Bay Aquarium

The first complete natural history of one of the most popular diving and tourist meccas in this country.

Photos and engaging text celebrate the underwater marine life located at Monterey Bay off the coast of California. Color photos and illustrations.

Surveys kelp forests, wetlands, the open ocean, and other aquatic environments, encountering otters, sharks, and many more creatures.

The essential insider's guide to exploring the Central Coast's wineries, restaurants, recreation, culture, and accommodations. The Central Coast is internationally recognized as one of the natural treasures of the West, offering craggy cliffs, ancient redwoods, and endless beaches to explore. This book, written by fourth- and fifth-generation Californians, takes travelers to some of the most sought-after destinations, including shops, inns, restaurants, and wineries known only to the locals until now. With a down-to-earth appreciation for their own stomping grounds, the authors write as enthusiastic guides, eager to share what they know and love about the region. Rich in detail, covering everything from the autumnal monarch butterfly migration to opera festivals, the best honky-tonk blues joints to fine dining steeped in tradition and elegance, this book homes in on an eclectic selection of what makes this strip of coastline one of the most desired destinations in the world.

Anyone who has ever stood on the shores of Monterey Bay, watching the rolling ocean waves and frolicking otters, knows it is a unique place. But even residents on this idyllic California coast may not realize its full history. Monterey began as a natural paradise, but became the poster child for industrial devastation in John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row,and is now one of the most celebrated shorelines in the world. It is a remarkable story of life, death, and revival—told here for the first time in all its stunning color and bleak grays. The Death and Life of Monterey Bay begins in the eighteenth century when Spanish and French explorers encountered a rocky shoreline brimming with life—raucous sea birds, abundant sea otters, barking sea lions, halibut the size of wagon wheels,waters thick with whales. A century and a half later, many of the sea creatures had disappeared, replaced by sardine canneries that sickened residents with their stench but kept the money flowing. When the fish ran out and the climate turned,the factories emptied and the community crumbled. But today,both Monterey’s economy and wildlife are resplendent. How did it happen? The answer is deceptively simple: through the extraordinary acts of ordinary people. The Death and Life of Monterey Bay is the biography of a place, but also of the residents who reclaimed it. Monterey is thriving because of an eccentric mayor who wasn’t afraid to use pistols, axes, or the force of law to protect her coasts. It is because of fishermen who love their livelihood, scientists who are fascinated by the sea’s mysteries, and philanthropists and community leaders willing to invest in a world-class aquarium. The shores of Monterey Bay revived because of human passion—passion that enlivens every page of this hopeful book.