History thumb|left|upright|Gaspar de Zúñiga, 5th Count of Monterrey, namesake of Monterey Bay and thus the city and the county. Monterey County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood. Parts of the county were given to San Benito County in 1874. The area was originally populated by Ohlone, Salinan and the Esselen tribes.
hIstOry tHumb|LeFt|Upright|GaspAr de zúñiGA, 5th coUNt Of moNTerreY, NAmesAKe of mOntEReY baY aND ThuS The cIty and tHE countY. monterey CoUnty WAs onE oF the OriGInaL coUNTieS OF CalIfoRNia, cREated IN 1850 aT the time of stAtehood. pArts of the couNty weRe Given to saN beNIto COUnTY in 1874. thE areA was orIGiNallY POPuLated bY oHlone, sAlinan And the EsseLeN TRIbeS.