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Staycation O N T H E M O N T E R E Y B A Y 14 A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 1 8 W ere we to stand in the center of Cannery Row and close our eyes, we would see it. We would wit- ness the workers in their plastic aprons, see the fish bubbling in the brine, smell the salt air and experience the Row as it lived and breathed sardines. We would hear an orches- tration of productivity in the surging waves and boat motors, steam engines and the din of voices on the job, syncopated by a kind of xylophone rhythm of sardines moving up the conveyor belt, all creating the cacophony of commerce. We might imagine workers ending their day at the cannery, slipping out of the sludge and into an overcoat before trudging up the hill in silent surrender to an evening of sup- per and, gratefully, sleep. Others would stay on the Row for a night on the town just to feel something besides sardines. What made Cannery Row thrive was sar- dines. What made it famous was Steinbeck. During its heyday, from the mid-1920s to the mid-1940s, the Row produced a reported million pounds of sardines per day. In 1945, author John Steinbeck christened it "Can- nery Row," in homage to the silver harvest, the hard work and the culture that came up around it. is month, Cannery Row celebrates its 60th anniversary of the year e City of Monterey changed the name of the street from Ocean View Blvd. to Cannery Row, in recognition of Steinbeck's now-legendary novel. Created by commerce, christened by Steinbeck, Cannery Row's history is a tale of American dreams. Hard-working im- migrants from China, Italy and elsewhere brought their heritage and hopes to the fishing and sardine-canning industry in Monterey. On Cannery Row, they endeav- ored to build better lives for themselves and give their children a chance at bright future. By the 1950s, the sardines had all but disappeared, and immigrant families were forced to seek different prospects. Fortunate- ly for many, aer the fish died, the Row came to life as families turned to tourism. Half a century later, Cannery Row is flanked by res- taurants and specialty shops, hotels and hot spots, art galleries and ice cream stores, and anchored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. e Aquarium opened in 1984, a de- cade aer Ted Balestreri and Cannery Row Company had begun to develop their vision to transform the Row to a premium tourism destination. is, along with the vision and generosity of the David and Lucile Pack- ard family, created an opportunity for an attraction like the Aquarium to develop on Cannery Row and succeed. Today, the featured fish of Cannery Row are not canned but are swimming freely in the world-class aquarium, once home to the Hovden Cannery. More than 4 million visitors a year roam the Row, tucking into the exhibit rooms of the custodian of the sea; watching seahorses dance and jellyfish float, studying sharks and touching tide pools and marveling at the "Outer Bay" tank, which holds 1.2 million gallons of sea water and a microcosm of the sea. When it was built, the main view into this exhibit was the world's largest window, at 56 by 17 feet. Once guests have seen enough sea life, they can wander out to enjoy the irony of a fresh fish meal from, among others, Fish Hopper, e C Restaurant & Bar, Bubba Gump, or Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar. Balestreri and Bert Cutino's legendary Sardine Factory, responsible for launching the "renaissance of the Row," is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. Before or aer enjoying a bay-view meal, guests also enjoy world-class wine-tasting among five different tasting rooms, including A Taste of Monterey Wine Market & Bistro, located in the Monterey Canning Company. Guests complete their Cannery Row expe- rience with some sightseeing and shopping, and maybe a sip of something steaming from Starbucks, chased with a taste of Ghi- rardelli chocolate, as they watch the whales, otters, sealions, sailboats, kayakers and an occasional cruise ship pass by. During the past 60 years, Cannery Row has continued its evolution with the establishment of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and development of "hotel row," including the elegant Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, and the contemporary Intercontinental e Clement Monterey, as well as many bay-view inns, enabling locals and guests a chance to linger on the Row and extend their stay. "Cannery Row is a special place where the beauty of the Monterey Bay and the rocky coastline create an atmosphere that has in- spired some of the most influential figures of the past century," Balestreri said. "It inspired me to envision a transition from the sardine cannery days – immortalized by Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck – to a place where everyone can find his or her dream. For me it has been a labor of love." rough August, in celebration of 60 years, the Cannery Row Company is giving away 60 one-night hotel stays, with dinner for two on the Row. Visit https://cannery- row.com/60years before August 31 to enter the contest for the chance at a memorable night on Cannery Row. And so, the dream continues. Cannery Row comes of age T H E L E G E N D A R Y C O A S TA L E N C L AV E C E L E B R A T E S 6 0 Y E A R S by Lisa Crawford Watson Kayaking off the shoreline near McAbee Beach and Steinbeck Plaza on Cannery Row. Photo contributed A family bike ride along Cannery Row on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Photo contributed

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