Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is a bay located in California, United States. It was named in 1602 by Sebastián Vizcaíno in honor of the count of Monte Rey, viceroy of New Spain. The bay is home to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, established in 1992, which protects a deep abyss and diverse marine life, including mammals, fish, and birds. Many tourists visit the sanctuary to observe migratory whales. The area was originally inhabited by Costanoan people before being explored by Spanish explorers. Monterey Bay is also adjacent to the city of Pacific Grove, which was founded as a religious retreat and is known for its monarch butterfly sanctuary. The California Coastal National Monument also extends along the entire coast of California, protecting offshore rocks, pinnacles, reefs, and islands that serve as habitats for seabirds and marine mammals.123