Monterey is a historical city located on the central coast of California, boasting breath-taking cliffs, sandy beaches, and lush forests.
The Monterey Institute is located on the scenic Monterey Peninsula, 130 miles (210 km) south of San Francisco and 345 miles (555 km) north of Los Angeles.
Student LifeOur campus is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Monterey - just a short walk to the beach. While often bustling with cultural events, the city maintains an intimate, small-town charm that cultivates a sense of community among students, faculty, and locals.
Monterey provides contemporary entertainment such as the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium, the annual Monterey Jazz Festival, and excellent water sports such as scuba diving and kayaking. You can also stroll down the Recreation Trail to Fisherman's Wharf, where sea otters and seals are often found swimming and sunbathing. |  Students enjoy riding their bicycles in our small, safe community of 30,000 people. |
Monterey's average year-round temperature is about 15°C (60°F), perfect for outdoor sports and adventures! If you're planning a day at the beach, be sure to bring some warm clothes, or a wetsuit for the water, since the weather can be quite breezy along the coast. Warm-weather fans can look forward to the Indian summers that frequent Monterey in the Fall and Spring. |  The enchanting Monterey Aquarium offers discounted admission for students. |
Historical MontereyThe city of Monterey tells the story of California's rich cultural past through it's historic architecture and museums displaying the lives of Native Americans, early Spanish explorers, and the original Californios. The town is traditionally an artist's paradise - inspiring creativity with it's beautiful landscapes and tranquil waterside overlooks. Once the original stomping grounds of writer John Steinbeck, Monterey features beautifully preserved historical remnants such as Cannery Row, which in the mid-1900s was the hub of the sardine canning industry, as well as Steinbeck's inspiration for his novel.
The Row is now a touristic hotspot lined with hotels, shops, restaurants, and fun activities. |
Fun fact: Our Admissions office was once John Steinbeck's home! |
Environmental Sustainability
Our students can take advantage of Monterey's central location of environmental policy, business, and technology. The city features top-notch environmental resources such as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which is one of several marine protected areas that serves as an example of ocean conservation. Additional local environmental organizations include: the Center for Ocean Solutions, the Center for the Future of the Oceans, the Ocean Conservancy, and Oceana.
Our neighboring Salinas Valley is known as the "Salad Bowl of the World", providing organically-grown produce weekly at the Monterey Farmers Market. Slightly further north, Silicon Valley serves as the heart of the green tech revolution.
Language Capital of the World
Monterey is known as “The Language Capital of the World” owing to the presence of the Monterey Institute and its educational neighbor, the Defense Language Institute, the U.S. Armed Force’s language training facility. Additionally, the Naval Postgraduate School, a military officer training institution, California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), and the nearby Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) all contribute to an enriching educational environment, often finding ways to share resources to strengthen the Monterey Institute’s offerings.
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