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The Central Coast is an area of California, United States, roughly spanning the area between the Monterey Bay and Point Conception. It extends through Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County, and Santa Barbara County.
The Central Coast is also the location of the Central Coast American Viticultural Area.

The region is known primarily for agriculture and tourism. Major crops include lettuce, strawberries, and artichokes. In particular, the Salinas Valley is one of the most fertile farming regions in the United States. Popular tourist attractions include Cannery Row (in Monterey), the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the golf courses of Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula, the rugged coastline of Big Sur and Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
Overall, the area is not very densely populated, not surprising considering that the primary industry is agriculture. The largest city in the region is Salinas, with approximately 150,000 people. Due to the low population density of the central coast, educational and cultural resouces are relatively scarce. University of California campuses are found both in Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara, on the extreme north and south edges of the region, respectively. One of the universities found within the central coast area itself is California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), founded in 1994 using facilities donated when Fort Ord was converted from military to civilian uses. In San Luis Obispo, the state university California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) was founded in 1901, and has been in full operation for decades.

Of Interest

Local News from Monterey County Weekly via Yahoo! News

Otter Pup Pops Out

Nov 21, 2008 8:02 am

The aquarium community is thrilled with news of a historic first for their Sea Otter Research and Conservation program.

Extra Protection

Nov 20, 2008 8:33 am

The U.S. departments of Interior and Commerce today announced the availability of the final Framework for the National System of Marine Protected Areas of the United States.

Poll Position

Nov 20, 2008 8:33 am

The Monterey County Elections Office and county Democratic Central Committee are investigating whether a group of Marina voters received an erroneous notice to vote at a Salinas church on Nov. 4.

Local News from The Fresno Bee via Yahoo! News

JC football: Northern California bowls

Nov 22, 2008 8:55 am

FRESNO CITY AT FOOTHILL

Toles-Bey leads Rams to victory in men's basketball

Nov 22, 2008 8:55 am

Sultan Toles-Bey scored 27 points - including 6 of 8 on 3-pointers - as Fresno City College thumped Hartnell 95-67 in the opening round of the Rams' basketball tournament Friday.

News briefs

Nov 22, 2008 7:27 am

Deputies arrest teen girl

Fresno County jobless rate jumps past 11%

Nov 22, 2008 7:12 am

Spreading economic woes pushed Fresno County's jobless rate past 11% last month to the highest point since February 2005, state officials said Friday.

Ingenuity and conservation in a small Dinuba repair shop

Nov 22, 2008 6:57 am

DINUBA -- Three signs in the short alley point the way to Pete's Shoe Repair. When you walk in the door there's Pete Hodian, 80, wearing a bright yellow hat that says "Pete's Shoe Repair," l...

Gottschalks sells stock to Chinese

Nov 22, 2008 6:57 am

Gottschalks Inc. has inked a deal giving the retail chain a transfusion of up to $30 million and placing majority ownership into Chinese hands.

Yosemite to shutter part of Curry Village

Nov 22, 2008 6:57 am

Yosemite National Park will permanently close about a third of the lodgings at popular Curry Village after repeated and sometimes deadly rockslides during the past dozen years.

Final: Fresno State 24, San Jose State 10

Nov 22, 2008 2:12 am

Powered by a dominating ground game in the second half, Fresno State defeated San Jose State 24-10 on Friday night at Spartan Stadium. The Bulldogs improved to 7-4 overall (4-3 WAC) and all but clinch...

Fresno City College to name new president Monday

Nov 22, 2008 2:12 am

The new president of Fresno City College will be named Monday, officials said today.

Friday Night Lights

Nov 22, 2008 1:12 am

It's Friday and the first round of playoff action of Central Section football. Check fresnobee.com tonight and every Friday night during the season for scores, stats and photos from the games. Click h...

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