Set off on one of the most beautiful drives in the world, where I’ll share captivating stories about how the quaint town of Pacific Grove grew into a thriving city nicknamed Chautauqua by the Sea. Pacific Grove is often overlooked in favour of its neighbors but, on this driving tour, I’ll tell you how it came to be known as the Cultural Centre of the West, with thousands of people swarming to the town via the Southern Pacific Railway every week to experience the Methodist Church's Chautauqua. The Chautauqua Movement's range of music, drama, lectures and activities geared towards adult education and entertainment would forever change the face of Pacific Grove. I’ll show you where famous orators like William Jennings Bryan delivered speeches to gathering crowds, and US President Theodore Roosevelt called Chautauqua “the most American thing in America”.

On this driving tour, you’ll cruise along Ocean View Boulevard and Sunset Drive, soaking up stunning views, before heading into City centre. Along the way, you’ll hear Monterey Peninsula’s rich history starting with Native Americans, Chinese families, Italian fishermen, Spanish settlers and, finally, American families in the early 1900s. I’ll also show you the city’s stunning architecture and some of its over 700 historically listed buildings.