IPA Tourism on California's Central Coast by Ruth Paget

IPA Tourism on California’s Central Coast by Ruth Paget 

I have enjoyed reading about travelers who visit whisky distilleries in Scotland in magazine articles over the years and was inspired to put together similar information about IPA (India Pale Ale) tourism on California’s Central Coast for people who live in this region or who visit from outside the area. 

The following breweries produce IPA and some have brewpubs where you can enjoy an assortment of IPAs and food that pairs well with this bitter brew: 

-Alvarado Street Brewery (Salinas and Monterey) 

-Other Brother Brewery (Seaside) 

-Peter B’s (Monterey) 

-Firestone Walker (Paso Robles)

-Solvang Brewery Company (Solvang) 

A little farther away from the Central Coast are the historic breweries below: 

-Anchor Steam Brewery (San Francisco)

-Sierra Nevada (Chico) 

I referred to the book IPA: A Legend In Our Own Time by Roger Protz for information on the IPA production, history, and a listing of some of the world’s most famous IPA brands and their products. 

IPA is characterized by its bitter flavor from hops. Californian producers primarily use hops from the following states: 

-Washington State (Yakima Valley) 

-Oregon (Willamette Valley) 

-Idaho (Treasure Valley and Kootenai Valley) 

IPA has its origins in Pale Ale that was drunk in the English countryside by aristocrats in the 17th and 18th centuries to avoid importing French wines during times of warfare with France. In the 19th century, 

George Hodgson began shipping pale ale to England’s colony in India giving rise to the India Pale Ale style and trade. Ships with India Pale Ale went to India and came back laden with tea, spices, silk, and other luxury goods for English aristocrats. 

(Three generations of Hodgsons organized and popularized the trade in India Pale Ale (George, Mark, and Frederick). This information is of interest to me personally. One of my great-grandmothers was a Hodgson, who may be a cousin of George Hodgson, who organized the IPA trade. There is a detailed history along with paintings and photographs of the Hodgson Brewery in the book by Protz.) 

To finish up with IPA tourism based in California’s Central Coast, I would suggest trying the following dishes that highlight food products from the Central Coast: 

-fish and chips made with Pacific rock cod and organic potatoes from the Salinas Valley. I also like to order a creamy coleslaw to go with the fish and chips, if it is available. 

-Swiss cheese and mushroom topped burgers and fries made with Point Reyes cheese and mushrooms from Monterey County or Oregon

-a simple BLT made with thick-cut, hickory smoked bacon from San Benito County with organic lettuce and tomato and mustard-mayonnaise and fries 

-pizza made with spent grain from beer-making and spicy pepperoni 

-Reuben sandwiches made with corned beer, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing on marbled rye bread (From the East Coast sandwich tradition, but tastes very good with IPAs)

Have fun IPA tasting on California’s Central Coast! 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Salinas Rodeo - July 16 - 19, 2026 reposted by Ruth Paget

The Salinas Rodeo is taking place July 16 - 19, 2026.

Miranda Lambert is the rodeo concert star in 2026.  Concert ticket purchase information follows:

https://www.carodeo.com/events/2026/kick-off-concert-2026

Ticket information and event details follow:

https://www.carodeo.com/events/2026/california-rodeo-salinas2026

See you in Salinas!

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

UChicago Press Celebrates Juneteenth and the Opening of the Obama Presidential Center reposted by Ruth Paget

The University of Chicago Press celebrates Juneteenth and the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side with the following titles:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19edfc2f6d71e66a

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Cachagua Country Fair east of Carmel Valley, California is being held on July 11, 2026 reposted by Ruth Paget

Facebook lists the Cachagua Country Fair east of Carmel Valley, California as being held on July 11, 2026 this year.

The following link provides details about this fun family event:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10238327398502930

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Chicken Enchiladas and Bird Watching at Plaza Linda Restaurant in Carmel Valley, California by Ruth Paget

Chicken Enchiladas and Bird Watching at Plaza Linda Restaurant in Carmel Valley, California by Ruth Paget 

I saw an announcement for an Audobon hike at Rana Creek Preserve in Carmel Valley on the Monterey County Weekly’s Online Community Calendar and liked the idea of bird watching, but not the two-mile hike. 

However, the dense oak forest by Rana Creek is similar to the forest surrounding Carmel Valley Village as well. There is even a restaurant where you can sit on an outdoor terrace right by the woods and do some bird watching as you eat chicken enchiladas or other delicious Mexican food at the Plaza Linda Restaurant. 

(Plaza Linda is located at the eastern end of the Village along Carmel Valley Road before it mounts into the mountains toward Cachuaga.) 

The trees you can see from Plaza Linda’s terrace are oak. They are an ecosystem for birds who occupy the tree’s canopy above the restaurant. 

Three bird species of note for their colorful plumage (feathers) include:  

-yellow-billed magpies 

-goldfinches

 -orioles 

The following details will allow you to identify these birds easily: 

*yellow-billed magpies 

-yellow bills -black and white songbird 

-feeds on insects, seeds, and acorns from oak trees 

-yellow-billed magpies are only found in Carmel Valley, California 

*goldfinches 

-called a wild canary 

-the male is bright yellow and black in summer. The male turns gray in winter -seed eaters

-goldfinches especially like thistle seeds, sunflower seeds, and dandelion seeds 

*orioles

-black, yellow, and red plumage 

-red-orange chest 

-feeds on insects, fruit, and nectar -songbirds 

I found the above information on the Audobon website, which has much more detail on these birds and other wildlife in Rana Creek. 

For people who would like to go on the hikes at the Rana Creek Preserve and learn about the 200 wildlife species in this ecosystem in Carmel Valley, I have posted a link to the Rana Creek Preserve below: 

https://wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve/rana-creek-preserve/

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Millenial and Gen-Z Wellness Trends Study reposted by Ruth Paget

This study about the future of wellness for Millenials and Gen-Z by McKinsey is interesting, especially for companies providing wellness services:

 https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/future-of-wellness-trends?cid=soc-app

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Gams

Health of Millenials Study by Blue Cross Blue reposted by Ruth Paget

The stresses on millennial health have increased over previous generations requiring more preventative care according to this study by Blue Cross Blue Shield:

https://www.bcbs.com/dA/17117d2b3e/fileAsset/HOA-Millennial-Health_2019.pdf

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games