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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Monterey

14 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Monterey, California

Updated December 20, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Monterey

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Literature 3
Museums 3
Monuments 3
Ecosystems 3
Shops 2
Intriguing Environs 2
Military 2
Animals 2

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All illustrations: Anne Meadows for Atlas Obscura (Photo: Courtesy Monterey Bay Aquarium)

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Crossword: Exploring the Kelp Forest

Sponsored by Monterey Bay Aquarium
The basket star (Gorgonocephalus eucnemis), on display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, is a deep sea species related to the sea stars seen in more shallow waters.

How to Recreate the Deepest, Darkest Ocean

Revealing the unseen world under Monterey Bay.
by Kevin McLean
A hammerhead shark may look ominous, but in the wild they have no beef with humans.

From Shark Tanks to the Deep Sea: A Day in the Life of a Monterey Bay Aquarist

What it’s like to care for fascinating animals at an aquarium on the edge of the Pacific.
Sponsored by Visit California
That mouth is full of info for scientists to chew on.

Sea Otter Teeth Are Gross but Really Useful for Scientists

You don’t want to look an old sea otter in the mouth—unless you want to tell how old it is.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
Point Alones was once home to the state's largest Chinatown. This photograph of Chinese fisherman was taken in 1875.

A Chinese Fishing Village Regains Its Rightful Place in California History

A shipwreck brought Chinese immigrants to the Monterey area. Discrimination forced them to start over.
by Claire Wang
So many cephalopods.

Found: The Largest Cluster of Deep-Sea Octopuses Ever Recorded

More than 1,000 were spotted off the coast of Monterey, California.
by Anna Kusmer

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