City of Monterey

The City of Monterey is a waterfront community where citizens, community organizations, businesses, military partners, nonprofit organizations, and city government work together to ensure that the community retains its hometown identity, high quality of life, and natural beauty. Home to 29,874 residents (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021), Monterey is the third-largest city in Monterey County.

Monterey is at the heart of the Monterey Peninsula, serving as the region’s business, financial, government, and services core with urban amenities common to a city of much larger size.  Monterey is home to the region’s community college (Monterey Peninsula College), hospital (Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula), largest shopping center (Del Monte Center), largest business park (Ryan Ranch), Monterey County Fairgrounds, the U.S. Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey (home of the Defense Language Institute), Naval Support Activity Monterey (home of the Naval Postgraduate School), Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, Cannery Row, and Monterey Bay Aquarium. Monterey’s waterfront is second-to-none, featuring Municipal Wharf No. 2 (serving as the region’s commercial fishing hub), Old Fisherman’s Wharf (attracting 3.9 million visitors per year), the Coast Guard Pier, Breakwater Cove, and U.S. Coast Guard Station Monterey.

At the same time, the city provides a small-town atmosphere and distinct neighborhoods that range from historic adobes to mid-century modern abodes. Monterey is proud of its 16 neighborhoods, stretching across the City’s 8.62 square miles, each with their own distinct character and neighborhood association.  Monterey’s neighborhoods feature a variety of offerings: multi-family housing and mixed-use projects, walkable to markets and business districts, beachfront neighborhood tracts, large suburban homes, and living among the Monterey pine forests. 

The Monterey Regional Airport is located less than 10 minutes from historic Downtown Monterey, offering over 40 daily flights to Los Angeles, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, and points beyond. 

The City of Monterey maintains and offers a variety of community amenities and services, including the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational trail, over two miles of beaches, a harbor and marina, two wharves, the Monterey Sports Center with two indoor pools, the world-class Monterey Conference Center, California’s first public library, four community centers, 36 dedicated parks and open spaces, three fire stations, one police station, multiple parking facilities and garages, over 100 miles of public streets, the Veterans Park Campground, and El Encinal Cemetery.

First incorporated in 1850 and with its present charter adopted in 1925, Monterey is a charter city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The Mayor and City Council are responsible for establishing policy and providing direction to the City Manager. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, who serves as the city government’s Chief Executive Officer, as well as the City Attorney, who serves as the City’s legal counsel.  The Mayor is elected at-large. The Councilmembers are elected based on four districts and serve staggered four-year terms. The Mayor presides at City Council meetings.

The Monterey City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at Few Memorial Hall of Records on the historic City Hall campus at Colton Hall. Council meetings are televised on Cable Channel 25, streamed live on monterey.org, and replayed at various times on both mediums.

The Monterey City government also takes pride in its level of community engagement and participation. The City boasts several boards and commissions including the Architectural Review Committee, Historic Preservation Commission, Board of Library Trustees, Measures P & S Oversight Committee, Museums and Cultural Arts Commission, Neighborhood and Capital Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Appeals Boards.  In addition to committee participation, the City of Monterey hosts a variety of Town Hall meetings and its representatives regularly participate in neighborhood and business association meetings.