Monterey, California

Monterey
City
City of Monterey
Clockwise: An aerial view of Monterey; Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo; Marina; Monterey Bay Aquarium; Naval Postgraduate School; Santa Catalina School
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Language Capital of the World,[1] California's "First" City
Location of Monterey, California
Monterey Location in the contiguous United States
Coordinates: 36°36′11″N 121°53′37″W / 36.60306°N 121.89361°W / 36.60306; -121.89361
Country	United States
State	California
County	Monterey
Incorporated	May 30, 1850[2]
Named for	Monterey Bay
Government
• Type	Council–manager
• City council[6]	Mayor Tyller Williamson Kim Barber Gino Garcia Alan Haffa Ed Smith
• City manager	Hans Uslar[3]
• State senator	John Laird (D)[4]
• Assemblymember	Robert Rivas (D)[4]
• U. S. rep.	Jimmy Panetta (D)[5]
Area [7]
• Total	12.27 sq mi (31.77 km2)
• Land	8.65 sq mi (22.41 km2)
• Water	3.62 sq mi (9.37 km2)  28.03%
Elevation [8]	26 ft (8 m)
Population  (2020)[9]
• Total	30,218
• Density	2,500/sq mi (950/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes	93940–93944
Area code	831
FIPS code	06-48872[8]
GNIS feature IDs	1659762, 2411145
Website	www.monterey.org

Monterey (/ˌmɒntəˈreɪ/ ^ⓘ; Spanish: Monterrey) is a city in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on the U.S. state of California's Central Coast. Founded on June 3, 1770, it functioned as the capital of Alta California under both Spain (1804–1821) and Mexico (1822–1846). During this period, Monterey hosted California's first theater, public building, public library, publicly funded school, printing press, and newspaper. It was originally the only port of entry for all taxable goods in California. In 1846, during the Mexican–American War of 1846–1848, the United States Flag was raised over the Customs House. After Mexico ceded California to the U.S. at the end of the war, Monterey hosted California's first constitutional convention in 1849.

The city occupies a land area of 8.466 sq mi (21.93 km²) and City Hall is at 26 feet (8 m) above sea level.^[8] The 2020 census recorded a population of 30,218.

Monterey and the surrounding area have attracted artists since the late 19th century. Many celebrated painters and writers have lived in the area. Until the 1950s there was an abundant fishery. Monterey's present-day attractions include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, California Roots Music and Arts Festival, and the annual Monterey Jazz Festival.