Monterey Travel OverviewHighways 1 and 101 nearly converge in Monterey County. Here; rugged California headlands shelter numerous campsites in Pfeiffer Big Sur; Julia Pfeiffer Burns; and Andrew Molera state parks at world-famous Big Sur. The jagged shoreline of Point Lobos State Reserve; an underwater ocean preserve; is home to a variety of sea mammals. For more civilized pursuits; the quaint community of Carmel-by-the-Sea offers inviting shops and restaurants and the 1770 mission; San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. Cruise 17-Mile Drive; a loop along the coast from Carmel through Pebble Beach to Pacific Grove. Continue up the peninsula to Monterey. Visit the Maritime Museum; the Custom House; the state's oldest government building; and Fisherman's Wharf; where you can stroll among fish stalls; shops; and restaurants. Drive Lighthouse Road to Cannery Row. Here; old cannery buildings house shops; galleries; and restaurants. John Steinbeck's novel Cannery Row was set here when the bay flowed with 'silver rivers of fish.' Today; the fish are at the Monterey Bay Aquarium; home to more than 6;500 marine animals. The aquarium's Outer Bay exhibit; a million-gallon indoor sea behind a vast window; opens this year. Monterey Bay is a national marine sanctuary. | 