Monterey County is located on the Pacific coast of the state of California, its northwestern section forming the southern half of Monterey Bay. The northern half of the bay is in Santa Cruz County. As of 2000, the population was 401,762. The county seat is Salinas. Monterey County is a member of the regional governmental agency, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments.

The coastline, including Big Sur, State Route 1, and the 17 Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula has made the county world famous. The city of Monterey was the capital of California under Spanish and Mexican rule. The economy is primarily based upon tourism in the coastal regions, and agriculture in the Salinas River Valley. Most of the county's people live near the northern coast and Salinas Valley, while the southern coast and inland mountain regions are almost devoid of human habitation.

Monterey County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood. Parts of the county were given to San Benito County in 1874. The county derived its name from Monterey Bay.

As of December 2005, Monterey County ranked among America's ten most expensive counties, with Santa Barbara County topping the list. In Monterey County, the median home price was $699,900. In the northern, more densely populated part in the county, the median home price was even higher, at $712,500, making it the fourth most expensive housing market in California.

County Website: http://www.co.monterey.ca.us

School District: http://www.monterey.k12.ca.us/education/district