Living in Monterey, California

Monterey sits on California’s Central Coast, about 120 miles south of San Francisco. It’s a city built around the Monterey Bay and is known for the dramatic ocean views and beautiful Pacific Ocean rocky beaches. The Monterey Peninsula, which also includes Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, and Carmel-by-the-Sea, is one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the country (the world?).

People move here or first visit for the beauty, but they stay for the lifestyle. Monterey has an easy rhythm that balances outdoor life with small-city charm. It draws a ton of tourists, but locals know how to enjoy the town without getting caught up in the extra visitors. It’s not big, but it feels whole. The area has strong schools, walkable neighborhoods filled with bars, restaurants, and cafes, amazing outdoor options, away from weekend chaos, and year-round events that give the local families a ton to do.

The city’s roots run deep in California’s history, from its days as the state’s original capital to the fishing era that shaped Cannery Row. Today, the canneries are gone, but the waterfront remains the city’s heart, filled with lots to eat and drink and sea lions lounging on the docks.

Monterey’s lifestyle is built around its setting. The Pacific Ocean dominates, of course, how could it not, with its stunning and rugged shoreline. The coast is a series of cypress-covered hills, and the fog rolls in like clockwork, sending warm-weather fans scurrying to Southern California. The air feels clean, and the days move more slowly than up in San Francisco, San Jose, or Oakland. Locals treasure walks or bike rides along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, or the surf at Del Monte Beach. And families for generations have been exploring tidepools near Pacific Grove.

The city leans outdoorsy and intellectual. You’ll meet marine biologists, artists, tech transplants, and retired professionals who traded bigger metros for the view. The Monterey Bay Aquarium anchors the waterfront and gives the city an educational pulse, while California State University Monterey Bay brings a younger population and energy to the social scene.

Evenings are pretty quiet. There are plenty of wine bars, and also live jazz, and small local restaurants rather then clubs and big nightlife. Weekends often mean hiking in Garland Ranch Park or driving the short stretch down to Big Sur. If you want beauty and a calmer pace, Monterey makes daily life feel intentional.

Monterey’s economy centers around tourism, education, the military, and research. The Naval Postgraduate School and Defense Language Institute are major employers, along with Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Remote workers are increasingly common, drawn by the climate and proximity to Silicon Valley. Internet infrastructure is strong, and local coworking options like The Pearl Works and East Village Coffee Lounge cater to laptop professionals.

Commuting is minimal for most residents; many live and work within ten minutes of home. If you do need to reach larger job centers, Santa Cruz and Salinas are within range, and San Jose is about a 90-minute drive on a clear day.