The Very Best Books About Monterey County
When I first moved to Monterey County there was so much I did not know about the area. Thankfully, I became educated by not only visiting places but also reading about them. I thought I would share some of my favorite books about Monterey County. If you are visiting, and want to learn more about the area, I suggest you check them out!
Elkhorn Slough, written by Mark Silberstein and Eileen Campbell, is amazing. It is part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Natural History Series. If you visit Monterey, I highly recommend you visit Elkhorn Slough, which lies near the middle of Monterey Bay. It is home to a rich habitat for plants, fish, birds, and other animals. My favorites include the playful sea otters, egrets, and harbor seals. Elkhorn Slough is also one of the top spots to go whale watching. For an up close and personal experience with wildlife here, you can also go kayaking. This book provides a very detailed history of the area and also paints a vivid picture of all the beauty you will find here.
Monterey Peninsula, The Golden Age, by Kim Coventry and Monterey County’s North Coast and Coastal Valleys by Margaret Clovis, are great to read if you love history. Coventry’s book covers the southern scope of Monterey County, from Big Sur through Point Lobos, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, and finally Monterey. From Castroville, the “Artichoke Capital of the World” to Moss Landing’s fishing and canning operations, Clovis’s book covers the northern part of Monterey County. Both books are filled with legend and lore about the area, combined with wonderful old photos. 
The Monterey Pine Forest by The Monterey Pine Forest Watch, includes captures all the amazing things you will find here in the unique ecosystem of California’s central coast. The Monterey pine is considered rare and endangered in its natural habitat. It is thought that the foggy, cool conditions in the Carmel and Monterey Submarine Canyons offshore have provided the favorable conditions to sustain the Monterey Pine Forest for thousands of years. I love this book because it provides not only beautiful photos, but also tells you where you can find the Monterey Pines along with detailed maps. There is also a great deal of information about local flora and fauna.
Know that when you arrive in Monterey County, you are entering wine heaven. The distinctive soil and diverse microclimates here produce some spectacular wines! From the Highlands to the Sea, Exploring the Wineries of Monterey County is a complete reference guide to more than 40 wineries here in Monterey County.
The delightful Fairy Tale Houses of Carmel, by Joanne Mathewson, features illustrations and descriptions of all the storybook cottages designed and built by Hugh Comstock in Carmel-by-the-Sea from 1924 to 1930. It is just adorable!
Carmel-By-The-Sea, by Monica Hudson, offers a glimpse of the history of this charming village. There is so much you can learn from this book. For example, did you know that Carmel was originally named Carmelo by Carmelite friars in 1602? The author states that the area was depicted on a map “well before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock”. Who knew?
Big Sur, A Complete History & Guide by Tomi Kay Lussier, is an authentic guidebook to the Big Sur Coast. It includes landmarks, points of interest, and more. Big Sur is simply breathtaking, and not to be missed. I love all the history and information this book contains, and highly recommend it!
Thank you for visiting my blog! You may also like Top 10 Free Things to Do in Monterey and The Most Beautiful Instagrammable Spots in Monterey! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas!
