Monterey resides on the south end of the world famous, Monterey bay. This historic town is the “big City” in this neck of the woods with a whopping 29,000 person population. Monterey is home to some of California’s oldest Spanish style homes and buildings and has an amazing history. Spain named Monterey the capital of California in 1776 and continued as the capital through the Spanish-Mexican war until 1846 when the U.S. flag was raised over the Custom House, and California was claimed for the United States.