Visitor Statistics

Tourism
Visitation
Hospitality
Population
Demographics
Assets
Weather
Events
Distances/Driving Times


Tourism

  • Tourism in Monterey County is a 1.978 billion dollar industry (2005 CTTC report).
  • In 2003, Monterey County ranked the 11th highest county for tourism expenditures in the state. (2005 CTTC report).
  • The number of tourism-generated jobs in Monterey County in 2004 was about 22,700 Full-time Equivalent positions, totaling $824 million in salaries.
  • 54.5 million dollars goes into local taxes: Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) of $39.5 million and local sales tax revenues of $15 million (FY2004-05 figures).
  • Average Daily Expenditures:
    • $122.86 per person (mean)
    • $113.20 (average business traveler)
    • $122.09 (average leisure traveler)
    • (CTTC/D.K. Shifflet & Associates Figures, 2006)
  • Other Domestic Visitor Stats:
    • Average length of stay (all trips): 1.91 days
    • Average length of overnight stay: 3.05 days
    • Percent day trips: 50%
    • Average party size: 2.49 persons
    • Percent traveling with children: 32%
    • Mean household income of visitors: $98,625
    • (CTTC/D.K. Shifflet & Associates Figures, 2006)
  • Monterey County's core markets include the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley and Los Angeles
  • High/Low Seasons: Peak season is summer: June through September; Shoulder season: October, November and April, May; Off-Peak: December through March

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Visitation

  • Number of visitors annually to Monterey County according to State of California and D.K. Shifflet & Associates (2006 figures):
    • 7.89 million person-trips total
    • 6.61 million leisure
    • 1.31 million business
  • Number of visitors to the El Estero visitors center
  • Most visited attraction: Monterey Bay Aquarium - 1,883,671 (2005)
  • Average Occupancy
    • Fall (Sept.-Nov.):
    • Winter (Dec.-Feb.):
    • Spring (March-May):
    • Summer (Jun-Aug):

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Hospitality

  • Total number of lodging properties:
    • 252 in Monterey County (total county)
    • 210 in Monterey Peninsula
  • Total number of hotel rooms:
    • 12,004 in Monterey County (total county)
    • 9,588 in Monterey Peninsula

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Population

  • Monterey County: 421,400
  • Del Rey Oaks: 1,650
  • Greenfield: 13,150
  • Marina: 19,100
  • Sand City: 310
  • Soledad: 26,200
  • Carmel-by-the-Sea: 4,100
  • Gonzales: 8,425
  • King City: 11,250
  • Monterey: 30,250
  • Salinas: 152,200
  • Seaside: 33,300
Based on 2004 figures from Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments

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Demographics

  • Average Age of Total Population:
         County - 32.3
         Peninsula - 37.6
  • Average Household Income:
         County - $68,000
         Peninsula - $76,000
  • Average Cost of Housing:
         County - $650,259
         Peninsula - $938,685

Based on US Census Bureau information

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Assets

  • 252 lodging facilities with 12,004 guest rooms
  • 700 restaurants
  • More than 100 art galleries
  • 1 airport with passenger service to Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles
  • Amtrak rail service
  • 99 miles of shoreline including the Big Sur coast
  • 6 county parks
  • 14 state parks
  • 2 regional parks
  • 1 National Forest
  • 1 National Monument
  • 1 Wilderness Area
  • 1 Marine Sanctuary
  • 2 Harbors
  • 1 National Estuarine Research Reserve & Visitor Center
  • 9 Museums (History, Art, Natural History and Children's)
  • 25 golf courses
  • 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • National Steinbeck Center
  • More than 40 wineries, including many that are open to the public for tasting and tours
  • A diverse destination with regions including Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row and the central business districts of Carmel, Monterey, Salinas and Moss Landing.
  • Special events, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Golf Tournament, Monterey Jazz Festival, Salinas Rodeo, Salinas Air Show, Living History Day, the Castroville Artichoke Festival—and many more, covering sports and recreation, the lively and plastic arts, history, food, and wine.

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Weather

  • Climate: Moderate year-round. Coastal climate tends to be cool and sometimes foggy in the summer months. Inland temperatures (Salinas Valley, upper Carmel Valley and Big Sur Valley) are generally warmer and can exceed coastal temperatures by 20 degrees in summer.
  • Temperature: Average year round temperature is 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Average summer temperature ranges from 51 to 68 degrees F.; average winter temperature ranges from 44 to 61 degrees F.
  • Rain Days: Average 19 days per year; average yearly rainfall in 18 inches, falling primarily between November and April.
  • Water Temperature: Ocean surfaces average low in the low 50s all year.

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Events

Major local events and estimated attendance (based on 2011 figures)

  • AT&T National Pro Am: 140,000+
  • Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Events
    • Rolex Grand Am Series: 28,000
    • Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix: 136,000
    • Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races: 50,000+
    • American Le Mans Series: 36,000
    • Porsche Rennsport Reunion: 50,000
    • Ferarri Racing Days: 18,000
  • California International Airshow: 45,000+
  • Sea Otter Classic: 60,000+
  • California Rodeo Salinas: 50,000+
  • Monterey County Fair: 70,000
  • Monterey Jazz Festival: 40,000+
  • Pacific Grove Good Old Days: 35,000
  • Monterey Auto Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance: 50,000+
  • Big Sur Marathon
    • Athletes: 10,000+
    • Exposition: 18,000
  • Monterey Blues Festival: 30,000+
  • Castroville Artichoke Festival: 30,000

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Distances / Driving Times

To Monterey Peninsula

From San Francisco
From San Jose
From Santa Cruz
From Sacramento
From Los Angeles
From Hearst Castle

120 miles / 2.5-3 hours
70 miles / 1hour 20 minutes
45 miles / 1 hour
190 miles / 3.5 hours
378 miles / 6-7 hours (dependent on route)
90 miles / 3 hours

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