Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1047605
with all the cultures. It's a microcosm of what America is all about…There were five flags over Monterey…everybody came here for a new way of life, and for some reason Cannery Row blended them all together in harmony…Each generation left a certain charm to the area." Steinbeck's famous book and characters, many of whom were based on real life people, like legendary marine biologist Edward "Doc" Ricketts, helped add mystique to the gentrifying region, and in 1958, Ocean View Avenue was renamed Cannery Row. "It became a literary destination besides an economic destination from the sardines," Balestreri says. "Suddenly these people who went to Carmel loved to tiptoe in and visit. It was kind of a little adventure…" Soon the main partners, Ted J. Balestreri, Bert P. Cutino, Harr y Davidian and George Zarounian, started buying up properties; today In the early 1980s, the dilapidated 980 In the early 1980s, the dilapidated i In the early 1980s, the dilapidated i In the early 1980s, the dilapidated Hovden Cannery was transformed into Hovden Cannery was transformed into The Monterey Bay Aquarium. David The Monterey Bay Aquarium. David and Lucile Packard donated $55 million and Lucile Packard donated $55 million to start the institution. The nonprofit, to start the institution. The nonprofit, world-famous Aquarium opened in world-famous Aquarium opened in 1984 and leads the way in ocean 1984 and leads the way in ocean conservation and education. conservation and education. Balestreri and Bert Cutino were in their late 20s when 50 years ago, they decided to open the Sardine Factory restaurant at 701 Wave Street in Monterey, in what was considered "the wrong side of the tracks," according to Balestreri. 108 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 8 1980 1983 2018 Photo: The Pat Hathaway Collection/CAviews.com Photo: Kelli Uldall Photo: The Pat Hathaway Collection/CAviews.com