Mission San Juan Bautista
Located at 406 Second Street, San Juan
Bautista, was founded on June 24, 1797
by Padre Fermin Francisco de Lasuén.
The Mission is named for Saint John the
Baptist and is known for being the larg-
est of the mission churches. It was built
by Spanish and Mexican settlers with
signifi cant labor provided by Mutsun
Indian tribes who inhabited the area
before the missions came into being.
In addition to the mission, visitors
can browse the museum to find infor-
mation about the original buildings and
activities that took place in the 1800’s.
The mission faces San Juan Bautista’s
historic district. Among the site’s other
historic buildings are: Castro-Breen
Adobe, the Plaza Hotel, Settlers Cabin
and Garden, Indian Burial grounds,
and Plaza Hall. The museum is open
Mondays through Fridays from 9am-
4pm. For information call 831-623-
2127 or visit oldmissionsjb.org.
Downtown San Juan Bautista
In addition to the historical treasures
found throughout the city of San Juan
Bautista, visitors will enjoy its Third
Street scene, including the Bear Flag
Gallery Mall, which houses a variety
of independent local businesses all
under one roof. Sidewalk Sundays are
a great opportunity to shop for jewelry,
apparel and antiques or visit local art
studios. Don’t miss the annual Antique
Collectibles Fair and the Vaquero
Heritage Days in August.
Stop for a bite to eat at Dona
Esthers or another local restaurant,
and top it off with dessert at Margot’s
Ice Cream Parlor. For information visit
sanjuanbautistaca.com/discover-our-
city.
Pinnacles
40
Miles
Monterey
and Carmel
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Pinnacles National Park, located
at 5000 Highway 146 in Paicines, was
formed by volcanic activity that took
place more than 23 million years ago.
The 26,000-acre park’s landscape is
unique, with grasslands along stream
beds, chaparral, oak woodlands,
canyons and towering rock spires.
Various species of plants and animals
make their home in the park, including
bobcats, black-tailed deer, coyotes,
lizards, tarantulas, falcons, eagles, and
the endangered California Condor.
Among the popular attractions
for hikers are the talus caves, which
provide a welcoming environment
for Townsend big-eared bats and red-
legged frogs.
Some 32 miles of trails provide
scenic views and viable options for
hikers of all skill levels. Reservations
are available for full campground
facilities with a campground store.
For information call 831-389-4486
or visit nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/
basicinfo.htm.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, located
at 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, truly is
a window to the wonders of the ocean.
The aquarium was founded in 1984
as a nonprofi t organization to serve
the public. It is located on the site of a
former sardine cannery along the shores
of the beautiful Monterey Bay.
It’s easy to spend a day or two
exploring the Aquarium and viewing
hundreds of species stewarded there.
Central to the Aquarium’s exhibits
is a 28-foot-high, 333,000-gallon
tank dedicated to coastal marine life,
including giant kelp. The largest exhibit
in the aquarium is a 1,200,000-gallon
Open Sea exhibit with one of the world’s
largest single-paned windows.
Sea life on exhibit includes sting-
rays, jellyfish, sea otters, penguins,
seahorses, and numerous other marine
species, which can be viewed above
and below the waterline. The Monterey
Bay Aquarium is one of very few
in the world to exhibit both blue-
fin and Yellowfin tuna. It’s impossible
not to be impressed watching sharks
glide by within inches of visitors. In
one tank bioluminescent moon jellies
mesmerize visitors, while in another, an
octopus changes colors with its chang-
ing mood. More than 35,000 creatures
representing over 550 species fill 34
major galleries. A range of educational
and interactive programs and tours are
available, from feeding the fish to diving
in Monterey Bay to a sleepover at the
Aquarium.
The Aquarium is open daily from
10am to 5pm. For information call: 831-
648-4800 or montereybayaquarium.org.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
june/july 2019
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