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outh of the San Francisco Bay Area, the coastal region from Santa
Cruz through Big Sur has views that rival the rest of the state. Within
earshot of the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, this is where
many Californians vacation, so it's the ideal place to slow down and adopt a
California-style appreciation of the great outdoors and a laid-back lifestyle.
The Big Sur coastline inspired artist Francis McComas to claim that the
area was the "greatest meeting of land and sea," and the wild coast has
lured artists and fans of the great outdoors to enjoy its remoteness as well
as its rich restaurant choices—from Nepenthe to the Big Sur Bakery and
Restaurant. On the other side of the Santa Lucia Range lie the otherworldly
spires and crags of Pinnacles National Park, an extinct volcano on a long
voyage north at the edge of the San Andreas Fault. Both regions lure hikers,
bikers, climbers, campers and birdwatchers.
The two biggest population centers of the region are Santa Cruz and the
Monterey Peninsula. In historic Monterey, small-town Pacific Grove and
fashionable artist retreat Carmel-by-the-Sea, there are beautiful beaches,
performing and fine arts venues, outdoor pursuits, stylish shops, epi-
curean delights and an inland region known for wine and agriculture.
Much of the same can be said of funky Santa Cruz, but away from the red-
woods, the university town resembles a beachside playground, with its
historic boardwalk and many surf spots.
LYNN
Y/SHUTTERSTOCK
.
OPPOSITE:
JEJIM/SHUTTERSTOCK
;
SEAN
LEMA/SHUTTERSTOCK
MONTEREY
BAY &
BIG SUR
TOP CITIES
Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove,
Salinas, Gilroy
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
San Francisco International Airport (SFO),
62 miles (100 km) from Santa Cruz;
101 miles (163 km) from Monterey
TOURISM WEBSITES
santacruzca.org
seemonterey.com
carmelcalifornia.com
pacificgrove.org
cityofsalinas.org/visitors
gilroywelcomecenter.org
POPULATION
700,000
MONTEREY BAY & BIG SUR
Where Californians go to relax
