MONTEREY

A deep-sea mystery has been unlocked in California. In 2018, researchers discovered an octopus garden on the seafloor, about 80 miles off the coast of Monterey, and for 3 years, scientists have been monitoring it. Amanda Kahn of the SJSU Moss Landing Marine Laboratories has more.

Look for a cooking demo, and lots of great eats, at the 90th annual festival.

We’ll have the artichoke fries, please.

Like, really big: The tiny crustaceans are receiving some outsized attention, and deservedly so, on the institution’s social pages.

An on-land lark pays homage to the epic icons of the ocean.

The pull-apart, super-dippable icon is the star of a Monterey County map, one that takes eaters to ‘choke-tastic Castroville (and beyond).

We’re marking the birthday of author John Steinbeck as February concludes, which puts a visit to this vibrant destination in our hearts and minds.

The dates are set for the Monterey merriment, which has a tagline to remember: “Thistle Be Fun.”

A glittering tree, pop-up performances, and other holiday happenings will festoon the ocean-close attraction during much of December.

A man who recently had a close encounter with a shark on Monterey Bay, near Pacific Grove, recounted the experience, saying he’s happy to have escaped with his life and his dog.

A man who had a close encounter with a shark in Monterey Bay is speaking out. Ian Cull reports.

The second shark attack in the last few months at the same beach in Monterey County has that beach closed again. Scott Budman reports.

The city of Monterey issued a warning Wednesday after reports of a second shark attack in Lovers Point Beach, in Pacific Grove, in just a couple of months.

A swimmer suffered “significant injuries” in a shark attack near Monterey Wednesday morning, according to police. Ian Cull reports.

Watch 12 uplifting hours of bloody-belly comb jellies at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Birch Aquarium in La Jolla and Monterey Bay Aquarium are asking penguin people to weigh in.

Thistle be good: Pros who know this unusual treat will take to the demo stage during the Monterey event.