Monterey County is located on the central coast of the state. It is home to the famous city of Monterey, which is known for its world class aquarium, historic buildings, and rich cultural heritage.
The county has a diverse geography, with a mix of coastal, mountainous, and agricultural regions. It is home to several state and national parks, including Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and Pinnacles National Park. The county is also home to several iconic landmarks, including the 17-Mile Drive, which takes visitors along a scenic coastal route past stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Pebble Beach Golf Links. The world-famous Big Sur coastal route extends into the county, with some of the most iconic coastal scenery in the US.
Monterey county sits on the ancestral lands of the Ohlone, Salinan and the Esselen tribes. In 1542, Spanish colonial explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to discover the area. In 1602, surveyor Sebastien Vizcaino named Monterey Bay after his patron, the Count of Monterrey. Mounterey county was established with statehood in 1850, and reached it's present territory after a land swap with San Benito county in 1874.
Monterey County has a population of around 459,000 people, and the major towns and cities include Salinas, Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Seaside. The economy of Monterey County is largely based on agriculture, with lettuce, strawberries, and wine grapes being among the major crops grown in the region. Tourism and the oil industry also contribute to the local economy. The county is also home to several military institutions, including the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and the Naval Postgraduate School.
Commercial cannabis is fully legal in Monterey County, with a one of the larger concentrations of cultivation in the state. Due to the mild climate, all kinds of cultivation are prevalent in the area. This cultivation is served by a significant number of manufacturers and retailers, making Monterey county one of the most active cannabis industrial regions of the state.