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Big Sur
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Pacific Grove
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- Point Pinos Lighthouse
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- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Frog Pond Preserve
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
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Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
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- Pebble Beach Beaches
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- Zmudowski State Beach
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Sporting Events
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- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
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- Big Sur International Marathon
- Ferrari Challenge
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
- IndyCar Grand Prix
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
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Destinations
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Monterey
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
-
Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 48 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Salinas Valley
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Del Rey Oaks
- Soledad
- Castroville
- Parkfield
- Spreckels
-
Monterey
-
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do
- Attractions
-
Itineraries
- Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Frog Pond Preserve
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
-
Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Historic Attractions
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
-
Events
- This Weekend
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Rio Grill's Resolution Run
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- California International Airshow
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Ferrari Challenge
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
- IndyCar Grand Prix
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- Monterey Bay Triathlon
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Wine Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Food & Wine
Resources
Lodging
Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
-
Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 48 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Salinas Valley
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Del Rey Oaks
- Soledad
- Castroville
- Parkfield
- Spreckels
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do
- Attractions
-
Itineraries
- Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Frog Pond Preserve
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
-
Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Historic Attractions
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
Events
- This Weekend
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Rio Grill's Resolution Run
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- California International Airshow
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Ferrari Challenge
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
- IndyCar Grand Prix
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- Monterey Bay Triathlon
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Wine Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
TOP SNAPSHOT SPOTS
Everywhere you look, there's another breathtaking vista in Monterey County, but there's several specific spots that provide iconic images of the region. Here's our list of the top ten spots that amateur and professional photographers return to for photographs that are quintessentially Monterey. View them on a map of Monterey County here.
1. The Lone Cypress
As the symbol of the Pebble Beach Company, the Lone Cypress is an evocative image for golfers. It's also the most photographed tree in the world, and Troutman and photographer Rachael Short agree it's one of the area's top snapshot spots.
For an iconic shot of the Lone Cypress, says Troutman, take your photo "when the sun is setting over the ocean and the tree is beautifully back-lit." If Monterey Bay's occasional evening fog gets in the way, Troutman offers a backup plan. "Practically across the street is the Ghost Tree," he says. This tree, as well as the surrounding cypress trees, "are really spooky when foggy," he says.
2. Fisherman's Wharf
Photographer Rachael Short lists Fisherman's Wharf among her top iconic snapshot spots in Monterey.
This wharf, established in 1870, is crowded with both tourists and locals most of the day, offering the opportunity for great crowd shots. For people-free photos, visit Fisherman's Wharf around 7am, while the crowds are still asleep or eating breakfast.
3. The Carmel Mission
San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission, known popularly as the Carmel Mission, is the second California mission. Stepping onto the mission grounds is like traveling back in time. The flower gardens are almost as breathtaking as the building.
"The best angles for the Carmel Mission are out to the right of the mission, facing the Carmel Mountains," says Short. She also recommends shooting inside the Carmel Mission, but bring your tripod. "It's pretty dark in there," Short laughs.
4. The Drifters Gallery at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
The bright blue background of the tanks and the graceful movements of the jellies (also known as jellyfish) make tourists reach for their cameras.
Because the room is dark, many amateur photographers turn their flash on, thinking they'll get a better photo. In fact, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's photo tips, you'll get the brightest and most breathtaking photos if you turn your flash off. Take a few steps back to capture the silhouettes of visitors watching the jellies framed by the jellyfish tank for an especially intriguing photo.
5. High Peaks, Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park, with its unique jagged rocks, offers many opportunities for great photographs. "It's like a little taste of Utah right here in our backyard, with beautiful wilderness, lots of wildlife, and dramatic and unusual rock formations, Troutman says, adding "there's something for everyone photographically."
Troutman's favorite is the High Peaks area, which, he says, "has sweeping views, dramatic rock formations and California condors and is a wonderful workout with great rewards at the top."
6. The sea lion pier in Moss Landing
Hands-down, the best place in Monterey County to spot sea lions is at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing. In 2007, Moss Landing built a dock for visitors, and local sea lions promptly claimed it as their own. The sea lions frequently jostle and wrestle for position, slipping on and off the pier, all of which makes for great photos.
Troutman's tip: try to focus on just a few. If you move back to get every single sea lion in frame, Troutman says, "it's just a bunch of brown blobs on the dock." Troutman recommends that photographers use a telephoto lens or a good zoom lens to get a close-up shot.
7. Point Pinos
Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the West Coast, but part of what makes it such an alluring target for photographers is its setting. It's located on the beautiful Pacific Grove coastline, next to the scenic Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links, surrounded by cypress trees. It's so scenic, in fact, that almost every photo taken of it looks postcard-worthy.
Troutman recommends taking photos of "the point itself, which has dramatic waves breaking over the rocks with voluminous spray." He adds, "It's one of the most dramatic places on the Peninsula."
8. Point Lobos
"Point Lobos is a must-see," says Troutman. "There's so much there to photograph. Whether it's sunny or foggy one can always create interesting images." Troutman says.
He loves the "beautiful cypress trees and hidden coves with crystal water," but his pick for the iconic spot within the park is Whaler's Cove. "I go to Whaler's Cove every spring to photograph the baby harbor seals," he says, "which are hands-down the cutest things on Earth next to my grandchildren."
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