The Monster of Monterey, recently installed at the north end of Pacific Street, is inspired by reports of a Loch Ness type monster in the Monterey Bay which later washed ashore in the 1920s. Artist Arnold Martin’s work was selected because “It seemed particularly fitting for Santa Cruz mixing technology and biology in a humorous piece that is ‘pretty far out!’” says City Arts Manager, Beth Tobey.

The Monster of Monterey Bay (also called the Monster of Santa Cruz) washed up on Moore beach in 1925. Most reports support the idea that the animal had a long neck (possibly around twenty feet) and a tail (around three feet). Also at least three different reports compared the front of its head to a duck’s bill.