Founded on June 3, 1770, Monterey (Spanish: Monterrey) was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico until 1850. Monterey hosted California's first theater, public building, public library, publicly funded school, printing press, and newspaper. Monterey was the only port of entry for taxable goods in California. In 1846, the U.S. flag was raised over the Customs House, and California became part of the United States after the Mexican–American War. The city is located in Monterey County in the U.S. state of California, on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Cent...