| Big Sur
South of Carmel and stretching along 90 miles of breathtaking scenery along Highway 1 is the unincorporated area known as Big Sur. An inspiration to every artist and poet, including some who made their homes here, Big Sur offers 580 miles of hiking trails in and around Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and the Big Sur Wilderness, consisting of Los Padres National Forest and the Ventana Wilderness. Other spectacular park lands abound: Andrew Molera State Park, Garrapata State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. To describe Big Sur as paradise or Eden is an understatement. Some of the more remote mountain areas of Big Sur still lack electricity. Big Sur is truly a place to get away from it all and experience all that Mother Nature has to offer. Big Sur has always attracted such visitors from all over the world. For such a large expanse of land, the population is incredibly small at only 1,400 people and 660 households. Median and average annual household income is well over the national figures. Roughly half of the population is part of the workforce, with half of that number employed in white-collar occupations. However, the area has no employers with more than 200 employees. Personal and professional services account for 56% of all employment in the Big Sur area. Wholesale and retail trades account for 17%; agriculture 15%; manufacturing 8%; public administration 2%; and transportation, communications, and utilities 1%. The governing body for Big Sur is the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. Carmel-by-the-Sea
An enchanting seaside community, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known throughout the world for its pristine white, sandy beaches, fairy-tale cottage-type architecture, and Mission San Carlos de Borromeo, the jewel of the California missions and the resting place of its founder, Father Junipero Serra. Local law preserves Carmel's rustic quaintness by prohibiting stop lights, neon signs, live music in bars, and commercial enterprise on the beach. Even trees may not be cut without special permission. However, this one-square-mile village, with its secluded alleyways and courtyards, is a beehive of small business activity that includes many fine inns and hotels, over 80 art galleries, and hundreds of boutiques, small cafés, and gourmet restaurants. True to its roots as a cultural oasis for artists, writers, and other creative individuals, Carmel annually presents many events such as the Carmel Art Festival, Carmel Art Walk, Carmel Bach Festival, and the Carmel Shakespeare Festival. Carmel-by-the-Sea has a population of 4,081, and a median age of 53.3 years. Carmel's median household income, after Pebble Beach's, is the highest on the Monterey Peninsula, and is higher than in the state or nation. It should come as no surprise that tourism accounts for the significantly high retail sales in Carmel, which are far higher than its population could ever support on its own. Carmel has no employers with more than 200 workers, because its tourism-driven economy is based on a great multitude of very small, upscale establishments, offering unique goods and personal service. Personal and professional services account for 57% of all employment in Carmel. Wholesale and retail trades account for 20%; manufacturing 11%; public administration 5%; transportation, communications, and utilities 5%; and agriculture 2%. Carmel Valley
From the mouth of the Carmel River at Highway 1 to the rolling hills surrounding Carmel Valley Village is a winding 12-mile drive through a countryside dotted not only with sturdy oaks, golden poppies, and purple lupines, but with small oases of commerce. The excursion begins at the river delta with its two impressive shopping centers. Just south on Highway 1 are the aquamarine waters of Point Lobos State Reserve. Heading inland on Carmel Valley Road, you pass farm, ranch, and park lands. A few short miles later is Garland Ranch Regional Park and the country town of Carmel Valley Village, or simply “The Village.” The Carmel Highlands, the Mouth of the Valley, and the Village are all unincorporated areas composed of 25,000 acres of residential and agricultural lands. The governing body is the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. Vineyards with tasting rooms welcome tourists, as do this area's two largest employers, Carmel Valley Ranch Resort and Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club. In these rural areas, personal and professional services account for 55% of all employment in the Carmel Highlands and 44% in Carmel Valley. Wholesale and retail trades account for 20% Highlands, 17% Valley; manufacturing 13% Highlands, 15% Valley; agriculture 4% Highlands,11% Valley; transportation, communications, and utilities 4% Highlands, 7% Valley; and public administration 4% Highlands, 6% Valley. The population is approximately 4,700 people. The median age of the valley is 35.2 years. The median income is $52,800, well above the national average.
Del Rey Oaks
Del Rey Oaks, a city of 1,650, is located on the border between Monterey and Seaside. The wooded community was incorporated as a city in 1953, and boasts an almost "fog-free" climate. Although it is zoned almost entirely residential, it is in the process of acquiring property from the former Fort Ord on which to build a major economic development that is anticipated to create about 600 new jobs. Del Rey Oaks has a median income that is much higher than that of the state or the nation. It shares zip code 93940 with the City of Monterey. Marina
On 9,000 acres, just six miles north of Monterey, is the city of Marina. This coastal town, bordered by the former Fort Ord and the Salinas River, was once a flag stop for the Southern Pacific Railroad. It offers 50 miles of nature trails for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding on the Bureau of Land Management public lands. Marina State Beach, with its rolling sand dunes, is a mecca for hang gliding enthusiasts, while the Marina airport offers go-cart races, sky diving, and autocross races. Marina's population of 24,000 is ethnically diverse. Like other Peninsula cities, its median and average incomes are higher than those of the state or the nation. The development of former Fort Ord property offers a bright new future for Marina. The city is developing a business center at the former military airport, which the city now owns. There is room for retail expansion in Marina. Only two retail sales categories are above what could be expected from its population: service stations and food stores. All other categories have a large growth potential. Personal and professional services account for 41% of all employment in Marina. Wholesale and retail trades account for 24%; public administration 12%; manufacturing 11%; agriculture 6%; and transportation, communications, and utilities 6%. Monterey
Monterey is a city of natural beauty with a rich cultural heritage. It is the oldest city in the state, founded in 1770, and was the state capital for a time. The first California Constitution was signed there in 1849, and the city was incorporated in 1850. Today, Monterey is a thriving community of 29,700 (plus 2,500 in unincorporated areas). Montereyans pride themselves on living in a clean and safe environment. Monterey is a 8.62 sq. mi. center for tourism, with its unique collection of historic adobes, in addition to many world-known sites including Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Thanks to tourism, Monterey boasts world-class dining and accommodations, as well as an outstanding array of scenic parks, beaches, and recreation facilities. This tourist-driven economy accounts for 10.2% of the county's retail store sales, and while tourism employs the most people, it does so in small businesses. The major employers in Monterey include the City of Monterey, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Monterey Peninsula College, CTB-McGraw Hill, Inc., Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Naval Postgraduate School, and Defense Language Institute. In Monterey and Del Rey Oaks combined, personal and professional services account for 51% of all employment. Wholesale and retail trades account for 23%; manufacturing 12%; public administration 7%; and transportation, communications, and utilities 4%. Monterey has a median income that is much higher than that of the state or the nation. Pacific Grove
This quaint and charming town is proud to call itself "The Last Hometown, USA" and its residents enjoy a quiet and safe lifestyle. Pacific Grove is also known as "Butterfly Town," in honor of the Monarch butterflies that over winter there during their annual migration. Located at the tip of the Peninsula between Monterey and Pebble Beach, this 2.86 sq. mi. town was founded in 1875 as a Methodist retreat, and was incorporated in 1889. Today, with a population of about 15,500, it is a prosperous city with a strong retail center and many scenic attractions, including Point Pinos Lighthouse, (California's oldest working lighthouse), the Museum of Natural History, and Asilomar State Beach and Park. The American Tin Cannery, California's first outlet center, is located in a renovated tinnery which supplied the cans for the sardine industry on historic Cannery Row in neighboring Monterey between 1921 and 1946. Tourism strongly influences retail sales in Pacific Grove, and 16% of the Peninsula's visitors lodge there. As with other tourism- driven cities, retail sales are well above what would be expected from local commerce alone. However, at least 50% of the city's shoppers live in neighboring cities. Pacific Grove is under-served in the general merchandise category retail-wise, and might benefit from a store or two with a broad merchandise selection. However, there is very little buildable vacant land in the city, and the focus is on managing existing uses. Pacific Grove boasts the lowest crime rate on the Peninsula, the median age is 41.9 years, and the median household income is higher than that of the state or the nation. In Pacific Grove there is only one large employer, Delaware North Parks Service. Personal and professional services account for 53% of all employment in Pacific Grove. Wholesale and retail trades account for 21%; manufacturing 13%; public administration 6%; transportation, communications, and utilities 5%; and agriculture 2%. Pebble Beach
Some of the most spectacular scenery on the Monterey Peninsula is found along Pebble Beach's 17-Mile Drive, a route that meanders through tall pine forests and along the rocky coast. Pebble Beach is indeed a tourist mecca, and is probably best known for its world-class resort hotels and championship golf courses. Each year, it plays host to several major events, including the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Pebble Beach is an unincorporated area, population approximately 4,500, managed by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. It is a private community consisting of the Del Monte Forest and Pebble Beach Resorts, and is owned by The Pebble Beach Company, the only large employer in Pebble Beach. Personal and professional services account for 58% of all employment in Pebble Beach. Wholesale and retail trades account for 22%; manufacturing 13%; transportation, communications, and utilities 4%; public administration 2%; and agriculture 1%. The median age of the population is 56 years. The median income is the highest on the peninsula and is about double that of the rest of the nation. Sand City
Sand City is a small town resting on 347 acres of coastline. It was originally named for the sand-mining operations that were once its only industry. Today, Sand City's two large shopping centers have made it a regional retail powerhouse. In addition to these retail centers, it is also an industrial center that is home to a growing number of artists and artisans. Incorporated in 1960, over 4,000 people come to work in Sand City every day, but the city has a population of fewer than 300. Sand City has big plans for an ultimate permanent population of 1,300. To that end, it is being re-planned, with future high-end coastal resorts slated for a portion of the shore, and is welcoming to new businesses. Median income in Sand City is comparable to that of the state and the nation. Seaside
Just north of Monterey is the city of Seaside, a culturally and ethnically diverse city, and the most populous (31,700) of the peninsula cities. Founded in 1887 as "East Monterey," it was renamed Seaside in 1890, and was incorporated in 1954. Seaside has sixteen parks consisting of recreational trails, athletic fields, and wildlife habitat. It also prides itself on being a family town, with many community activities almost every weekend. Seaside is also business-friendly and is actively seeking family-oriented businesses such as movie theaters, supermarkets, and restaurants, to meet the needs of its residents. Seaside's only large employer is California State University Monterey Bay, which was founded during the 1990s on former Fort Ord lands. In the cities of Seaside and Sand City combined, personal and professional services account for 48% of all employment. Wholesale and retail trades account for 24%; manufacturing 12%; transportation, communications, and utilities 6%; public administration 6%; and agriculture 4%. The median income in Seaside is comparable to that of the state and the nation. Like the city of Marina, Seaside's growth is largely dependent upon the development of the property in the former Fort Ord. |
