Everyone always says there’s no history in America.

Obviously there is a distinct lack of buildings pre-1600s (apart from wigwams) but on my (relatively short at only around 220 miles there and back) journey from San Francisco to Monterey and back (using two slightly different routes to see as much as possible) I went through a few places that are linked with famous people or events either in the history books already or will be in years to come:

    -Palo Alto. Shirley Temple was born here and its home to PARC, the Palo Alto Reseach Center where Ethernet and the laser printer were invented.

    -Stanford. Home of the university where Sergey Brin and Larry Page (Google) met, as well as Steve Ballmer (Apple), William Hewlett and David Packard (HP respectively) and Robert Metcalf (who is credited with co-inventing the aforementioned Ethernet). Another less famous alumnus was Menzies Campbell, one time leader of a comedy political party in the UK.

    -San Jose. Apart from being the basis of one of Burt Bacharach’s most famous compositions this is where (possibly - as its disputed) Chuck Berry came from, as well as Apple founders Steve Wosniak and Steve Jobs. Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks lived here, presumably during the time they recorded Fleetwood Mac’s biggest success, “Rumours” (which, all you music fans will know, was recorded at that most famous of recording studios, the Record Plant in Sausalito, just up the road and over the Golden Gate bridge - turn left at the lights and then ask).

Monterey itself is best known for its links with John Steinbeck, who was born just inland in Salinas and wrote extensively about the area (I can recommend “East of Eden” and “Grapes of Wrath”).

His book “Cannery Row” was written whilst living there and the sea-front street which he based his book on (which was known as Ocean View Avenue at the time) was renamed in honour of his work.