The Central California coastal city and its surrounding area have attracted and inspired artists for decades including the likes of authors John Steinbeck and Robert Louis Stevenson, musician Frank Zappa, writer Josh Billings and painters Thomas Kinkade and Percy Gray. Monterey was founded in 1770 by Father Junipero Serra and explorer Gaspar de Portolà. It was the capital of the Alto California territory from 1767-70 and was home to California's first public library, theater, newspaper and public school. Popular city attractions are Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey County Youth Museum, Colton Hall Museum, Path of History and Monterey State Historic Park.
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