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Monterey County is located in the state of California on the Pacific Coast. The northwest part of the county forms the southern half of Monterey Bay and the north half of the bay is located in Santa Cruz County. Monterey County is a large sized piece of land with a population that tipped the scales at over 401,000 in the year 2000.
Monterey County was established as one of the original counties of California that were formed in 1850. Its name comes from Monterey Bay and the bay was discovered by Sebastián Vizcaíno in 1602. The cities and towns that are a part of Monterey County include Carmel-by-the-sea, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Seaside and a few more.
The county is predominately democrat, but a republican was elected back in 1988. That man was George W. Bush and he won that year. The was the last republican that made this democratic county change its vote and it has not happened there since.
Endangered animals call Monterey County home. There are habitats located in Monterey County that can house Hickman’s potentilla, the Santa Cruz Tarweed, the Southern Steelhead Trout and Yadon’s piperia. The Santa Cruz Long Toed Salamander can also be found in Monterey.
Monterey County is roughly one and half times larger than Delaware. Salinas River Valley is where most residents live while the southern coast and the mountains are almost inhabitable. 2005 was the year when Monterey was at the top of the list in home prices. The homes averaged close to 700,000. In 2008, the home prices fell to below 300,000.
Monterey County has beaches, marinas, Fisherman's Wharf and ranch style homes as far as the eye can see. Downtown Salinas, the county seat, has a historic feel that makes both visitors and residents feel welcome.
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