Resting on the shores of a sparkling, crescent-shaped bay, the city of Monterey is known worldwide for the beauty of its landscape, scenic vistas, verdant hills, and unique architecture. While Monterey has become a luxurious tourist destination, it is the people of Monterey who tell its story most vividly. Drawn to the coastal region from all parts of the world, Monterey's citizens brought with them a diversity of cultures and together created their homes and livelihoods by Monterey Bay.

Selected from the photo collections of the Monterey Public Library, the photographs in this new volume, A Monterey Album: Life by the Bay, show the activities of everyday life. From festivals like the Santa Rosalia to family picnics, from artists to fishermen, from children's antics to civic club events, from beaches to hillside neighborhoods, and from weddings to fiestas, Monterey's residents tell their stories in work, play, and celebration. This collection of their cherished memories reveals not only customs, styles, and events, but reflects and illuminates the life of one of California's most historic places.