Updated 286 Things to do in Monterey County California by Savvy Mom Ruth Paget

Updated 286 Things to do in Monterey County and 19th Congressional District in California by Savvy Mom Ruth Paget 

Goal: 100 Activities  -  286 so far - overachiever list

I live in Monterey County California by the Pacific Ocean, which is the size of Vermont and New Hampshire put together.

Monterey County is a great place for food tourism with restaurants and markets for all sizes of budgets and many family-friendly restaurants.  I wish we had "Kids Welcome" signs at some of our restaurants to let people know there are food items for children available.

Monterey County is made up of sustainable towns that are 1 1/2 to 2 hours away from Silicon Valley and 4 hours away from Santa Barbara by car.  By plane we are 1/2 hour away from San Francisco and 1 hour away from Los Angeles.

Monterey County has science, health, agriculture and wine tourism, and arts infrastructure for weekend and one- to two-week tourism that invites repeat visits.  

Our restaurants strive to deliver superlative service and meals for all budgets.  Young couples who want to splurge can try Spanish food at Esteban in Monterey and Rustica in Carmel Valley for French, Italian, and some German specialties.

We have several major sights to see now in our county that tourists from nearby cities with families or young couples might enjoy.

1 - Elkhorn Slough – Marine Estuary home to sea otters and bird sanctuary

2 - Monterey – Monterey Bay Aquarium with famed jellyfish exhibit and a live green sea turtle exhibit.  

The sea turtles are on the endangered species list.  Help brainstorm solutions for its survival.

3 - Monterey – Whale, Porpoise, and Dolphin Watching Trips

4 - Soledad – Pinnacles National Park – Extinct Volcano that is part of the Ring of Fire and Condor Habitat Country between it and Big Sur over Santa Lucia Mountains.  Camping is available.  Check with park ranger about reservations.

5 - Soledad – Chalone Winery

6 - Carmel Valley – Talbott Vineyards

7 - Cachagua Hills – Jouillon Vineyards

(Those 3 vineyards have Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines for our climate that resembles Burgundy France inland.  Our wineries combined with our agricultural industry make Monterey County interesting for agritourism, especially as we have cool weather crops in north county and hot weather crops in south county where temperatures can go above 100 in the shade.)

8 - Pacific Grove – Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, and Seagull Territory along with Sea Lion Pup Sanctuary

9 - Pacific Grove – Natural History Museum

10 - Pacific Grove – Asilomar State Beach Trail

11 - Carmel – Point Lobos Hiking Trails by the Pacific.  Setting for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.

12 – Big Sur – Pfeiffer State Park – Redwood Groves

13 – Big Sur – Molera State Park – Hiking Trails by the Pacific amidst wildflowers



14 - Seaside, Marina, Monterey, and Salinas - Mid-priced restaurants - Various Asian, Mexican, German, Italian, and Fast Foods.  Restaurants that you might want to try include:

Marina:

Cazuelas - steak burritos, shrimp tacos, and delicious beans, too

Moon Scoops - Italian ices and ice cream
Deli Delicious - very reasonably priced deli with many sandwiches including build your own
Marina Bagels and Donuts in Seacrest Plaza with CVS Pharmacy and Lucky Supermarket (has a deli department).  

Marina Bagels and Donuts serves a great toasted jalapeño-cheese bagel with cream cheese that goes great with coffee and real cream.

Ord Market - Cajun chicken and red beans and rice - plenty of parking plus sandwiches 

Daddy's City Diner - American with a Route 66 menu
Ho - Wah - Chinese with Cantonese and Sichuanese fare - delicious honey-walnut shrimp with broccoli and kung pao chicken.  They have vegetarian Chinese fare as well.

Siam Marina - Thai
New Tokyo - Japanese
Michael's - Mexican
Tico's - American
Demetra - Mediterranean
El Rancho Grocery Store - food counter serving burritos and Mexican specialties made to order such as al pastor sandwiches and carne asada (char-grilled steak) dinners
Lee's Garden - great Sichuan chicken with an extensive menu for other items
Evelin's - neighborhood cafe for coconut prawns, chicken piccatta, shrimp scampi, and homemade cheesecake

English Ales Brewery - neighborhood brewpub making 17 beers with an extensive pub menu including favorites like fish and chips, calamari and chips, and Polish sausage with onions, chips, and sauerkraut.

Smash Burger - across from Target - great shakes

Blaze Pizza - Neapolitan pizza in a wood burning oven

Jack in the Box for Santa Fe Chicken Salads and Spicy Chicken sandwiches - open 24 hours

Subway for sandwiches

McDonalds for cheeseburgers and Hazelnut coffee
Domino's for Buffalo Hot Wings

Seaside:

Casuelas - Mexican for carne asada, shrimp tacos, and beans
Orient - Vietnamese and Chinese
Harumi - Japanese
Korea House - Korean
Lucky Bamboo - Chinese
Stammtisch - German
Paris Bakery - French with daily lunch specials from all of Europe
Baan Thai - Thai
Googie's - American with a little New Orleans
La Tortuga - Mexican
El Miguelino - Salvadoran
Ferdi's - New Orleans
Breakfast Club - American - serves lunch, too
Mi Tierra Grocery Store - Mexican and Salvadoran
Counter food items like those at El Rancho in Marina
Bayonet Golf Course Club House - American (plus a pro shop)
Cocina Cubana - under the Weekly headquarters

The Creperie Cafe - under the Weekly headquarters

Reds for coffee and donuts

Sand City:

The Habit - Chic Fast Food Chain from Santa Barbara, California.  Delivers with Dash Dining like many other restaurants.  

Grub Hub is in Monterey County, too.  See individual restaurant websites for delivery options.  Many fast foods have signed up, too.

Monterey:

The Chart House - Cannery Row - seafood and steak restaurant - lovely for small- to medium-sized celebrations - excellent appetizers include kimchi calamari, crab cakes, and raw oysters.  View of Monterey Bay and traffic headlights along the shore.  

Part of the Landry Restaurant Group Network

Crepes of Brittany - I like the complete crepe, which is made with buckwheat and white flour and comes with a sunny side up egg, ham, and cheese.  Made on the griddle with butter.  Orangina as soda goes well with this as does a little baked good for dessert.

Ambrosia - Indian
Crown and Anchor - British

Peter B's - British and American with excellent Calamari Strips.  I also like the beet salad with red and golden beets with pear slices poached in red wine with almonds, feta, and pancetta

Gianni's - Italian - pizza, calzones, Caesar salad, and gelato - reasonably priced and has parking

Hula's - Hawaiian

Alvarado Street Brewery and Beer Garten - German and American

Kona - steak and seafood
International Market - Market with items that are great for to-go meals
California Pizza Kitchen - In Del Monte Center -pizza, soups, and sandwiches.  Worth a try if you have not eaten there before.

Tarpy's Roadhouse - American

Bistro Moulin - a splurge, but they have terrine de campagne, French onion soup, steamed mussels, confit de canard, gnocci aux epinards (spinach gnocci), and profiteroles
La-La Cafe - California Cuisine - in Del Monte Center across from the movie theatres - I think LA stands for Los Angele
Jack's - in lobby of Portola Hotel - I liked Brussels sprouts with bacon and garlic .  Their bowls of French onion soup are what Midwesterners call "righteous."

Salinas:

Bag O'Crab - New Orleans Franchise with fried shrimp po'boy sandwiches and boiler bags of shrimp, crab, andouille sausage, corn, and potatoes
Kokoro Sushi - excellent chicken teriyaki, gyoza (pork dumplings) and deep fried egg rolls Pizza Factory - pizza plus 7 pasta dishes 

Taquito's - Mexican
Steinbeck Home for lunch - American
Gino's - Italian
IHOP - Pancakes
Olive Garden - Italian
Norma's - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Lots of parking, large restaurant, big menu, behind FedEx off Main Street
El Pollo Loco - excellent roast chicken dinners for large families and they deliver
Charley's Philly Cheese Sandwiches - sliced beef and melted cheese sandwiches - Northridge Mall - Salinas

Nob Hill (Raley's) and Star Market have very good items to buy for picnics.

Carmel:

Brophy's Sports Bar - next to a large hotel with plenty of parking for guests
Little Napoli - Italian 

Demetra - Mediterranean
R.G. Burgers - American

Carmel Valley:

Cafe Rustica

Gonzales:

Luigi's - Italian
Located in a former bank at the gateway to the Salinas Valley's wine country
Lucky Bamboo - Chinese

Castroville:

Giant Artichoke Restaurant - American with Mexican specialties like Chile Verde.

Elkhorn Slough:

Whole Enchilada Restaurant and Market

Phil's Fish Market for Cioppino and Dungeness Crab

Pajaro (Near Elkhorn Slough):

Pajaro Golf Club Restaurant (open for breakfast and lunch) - Club open to public.  See website for fees.

Pacific Grove:

Point Pinos Grill - American by golf course

Petra - Middle Eastern

International Cafe - Turkish and European

Bechler's - Alsatian (French)

Pebble Beach -

The Gallery Cafe at the Lodge across from the Market (the Market does sandwiches)

Hay’s Place near the Lodge - Tex-Mex Cuisine

The Bench at the Lodge - Flatbreads with organic mushrooms (Chanterelle), triple cream Brie, and feta and a Margherita made with San Marzano tomato sauce

Soledad

Fortune Garden - Chinese by Foods Co

Denny's

Round Table Pizza

Windmill 

15 - Salinas - John Steinbeck Center Museum and Steinbeck Home for lunches

16 - Carmel - Robinson Jeffers Poetry Readings and House Tours

17 - Monterey - Monterey Dali Expo - Houses works from Dali's years on the Monterey Peninsula with his wife

18 - Carmel - Weston Photography Gallery - Houses black and white works done by Ansel Adams and Edward Weston

19 - Monterey - Maritime Museum of Monterey

20 - Carmel - Carmel Mission

Europeans introduced agriculture and viticulture (grape growing for the wine industry) to California's Central Coast.  Costanoan Native Americans were hunter-gatherers.  Agriculture, hunting, seafood gathering, and berry gathering together provided a more stable food supply for everyone.

21-Carmel – Fairy Tale Cottages Walking/Driving Tour

The Visitors Center in the Ocean Avenue Mall a color guide to the 23 Fairy Tale Cottages in Carmel.  Most are located off Ocean Avenue by the foot of the street by the ocean.

22 – Carmel – Tuck Box Restaurant

One of the Fairy Tale Cottages has a breakfast and light lunch restaurant in it.

The Tuck Box serves Welsh Rarebit Eggs Benedict and Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce for breakfast along with scones and tea.

The Tuck Box has cute merchandise for sale:

-Joanne Mathewson’s book about The Comstock Fairy Tale Cottages, which gives historical information about the cottages profiled in the book

-scone mix

-tea pots

-loose leaf tea

23 – Carmel and Salinas – De Tierra Winery (All their wines are certified organic wines) Tasting Rooms



I promote certified organic viticulture and viniculture, so fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides do not go into ground water, tap water, and the wine I purchase.

De Tierra has an elite array of certified organic wines to taste, but I like the following wines for weekend meals:

-       Riesling to go with baked salmon, potates, and spinach sautéed in olive oil with a little nutmeg added

-       Pinot noir to go with boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, and roast beef with potatoes, carrots, and celery served au jus

-       Chardonnay – every winery in California has Chardonnay with a touch of oak in it.  I think fish grilled in grape leaves might go well Chardonnay with coleslaw with raisins in it on the side.  An easy carbohydrate to go with this wine is Hawaiian rolls.  People who like India Pale Ale beer or Greek retsina wine might like this milder Chardonnay with grilled foods.  

24 – Seaside – Acme Coffee

Start your touring with a cup of Acme Coffee.  Fair trade and locally brewed.  Located on Palm Avenue with parking and sales office in the back on the Del Monte side of the business.

25 - Salinas (Close to Marina) - Monterey Zoo

Small zoo with 100 wily animals located at 400 River Road.

26 - Carmel Valley – Garland Park 

Hike along the trails that go through cottonwood-sycamore trees below and maple-filled canyons on the way up to open savannas on top of the Santa Lucia Mountains.  Redwoods are also present in the Park by Garzas Creek.

A picnic area is available.

27 – Monterey – Pacific House Museum Downtown

This Museum houses an exhibit about Monterey’s history as the capital of Spanish and Mexican California. 

Upstairs is the Monterey Museum of the American Indian with an extensive collection of handwoven baskets used for cooking surprisingly as well as for carrying babies and other items.  Pottery and other Native American artifacts round out the collection.

28 - Elkhorn Slough - Kayaking

Kayak in the Slough to see Dungeness crabs, fish, egrets and other birds up close.

29 – Big Sur – Coast Galley

View prints by Marc Chagall and Henry Miller and have a light lunch on the rooftop café.  Online shopping is available.

30 – Big Sur - Big Sur Brunches

Enjoy invigorating Pacific breezes as you eat at River Inn and Nepenthe before or after shopping in these Big Sur establishments.  

Rocky Point Restaurant does not have stores, but has a great view of Bixby Bridge in Big Sur for photos and views of the Pacific along its ceiling to floor windows.  The non-window seats are terraced, so most seats in the restaurant have a great view.

31 - Parkfield - V6 Ranch for Horseback riding

The Parkfield Cafe and Inn are nearby for a holiday in California ranching territory.

32 - King City - San Antonio Mission

You have to go on a tour at the Mission last time I was there.  There is an exit for Jolon Road off Highway 101 by King City that leads to the Mission.  Prepare for a long drive.

33 - Pacific Grove - Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

The orange and black Monarch butterflies arrive in Pacific Grove in October and rest on trees in the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary until they are warm enough to mate.

Check the Monarch Sanctuary website to see where they are in their hibernation and mating cycle.

34 - Monterey - 10,000 Steps of History

Use the Monterey History Trail using the yellow markers in the sidewalks on the wharf and downtown to set up a 10,000 steps of history walking using your Fitbit.

Surrounding communities could do similar walks in downtown shopping areas and parks.

35 - King City - San Lorenzo Park

A nice place for a picnic with well-maintained farm buildings.  I take a tablecloth and baguette sandwiches, but the last time I went they had grilling facilities.  There is an admission fee, but South County is warm and well worth a warm picnic for me.

36 - Monterey Wharf - Drop-in Improv Classes at Dali Exposition

 - check their online calendar for dates, times, price ($10 last time I checked), and availability

37 - Pacific Grove Ocean Walk and Monterey Wharf - Harbor Seal viewing except when breeding pups

38 - Hartnell College Planetarium in Salinas, California - includes children's shows - reserve ahead to assure a seat.

https://www.hartnell.edu/academics-affairs/academics/stem/planetarium/index.html

39 - Western Stage in Salinas, California - online ticket purchase available

40 - Bowling Alleys

Monterey, California - Monterey Lanes

Salinas, California - Valley Center Bowl

41 - Rock Climbing Gym

Salinas, California - The Switzerland Inn

42 - Horseback Riding

Salinas - Monterey Bay Equestrian Center

Marina - Star Riders CM for Disabled

Pebble Beach - Pebble Beach Equestrian Center

Prunedale - Seahorse Equestrian Tours

Salinas - The Riding Academy

Salinas - Hope Horses and Kids

Prunedale - Ellen El-Bisi Horse Training

43 - Salinas - Northridge Mall Cinema

Watch first-run movies in a recliner with footrest and a retractable table with cup holder for soda or beer and concession items.  

Check out Monterey-Salinas Transit for bus schedule or MST Rides to reserve a ride to Northridge Mall.

44 - Marina - Skydive Monterey Bay

45 - Sand City - Monterey Sky Sports

46 - Monterey - Capoeira Classes - Afro-Brazilian Martial Art with Music - Capoeira Monterey

47 - Salinas - Ariel Theatrical - Youth Theatre - online ticket sales available

48 - 17-Mile Drive Escorted Tours, including Pebble Beach

Look up "Escorted Tours 17-Mile Drive" for package prices.  

49 - Mini Shopping Trip - "Marshalls to VerizonCorner" 

-Marshalls - Discount Designer Store - Sand City, California

Marshalls - Discount designer accessories, perfume, clothing, and more.

Jersey Subs

Signature Nails Spa

Save-On Dry Cleaners

Sally Beauty Supply Store

Home Goods - next mall over across from Lucky Supermarket - discount home accessories and furniture.  Very good for items like trays, pitchers, dish sets, and tablecloths.  Some items are from Portugal.

Plenty of Parking

50 - Youth Orchestra Salinas YOSAL.org

Check the website for upcoming performances and ticket prices.

51 - Fremont Peak Observatory - Outside San Juan Bautista

San Juan Bautista is in San Benito County, but it is on the way to Monterey County.

Warning:  The road up to the observatory is long, steep, and winding with deer crossing the road, but the observatory has three telescopes that allow you to see the rings of Saturn and Jupiter's moons (there are 79).  Make sure to bring a flashlight.

Dinner options in San Juan Bautista - Dona Esther or Les Jardines.

Another in-town tourism venue is El Teatro Campesino for Spanish-language plays.  See their website for upcoming performances and ticket prices.

There is a fee to visit the San Juan Bautista Mission.  The interior is painted in lacy floral designs in pastel colors.  Sometimes mariachi bands play for weddings and quinceneiras (15th birthday parties).  The bell tower was used in Alfred Hitchcock's film Psycho.

52 - Alvarado Street Brewery Tasting Room in Salinas

53 - Mount Madonna Park in Watsonville (Santa Cruz County) for horseback riding and hiking

On the way to Monterey County (especially Elkhorn Slough for Whale Watching Tours and Phil's Fish Market Meals) 

54 - Mini Shopping Tour - Reservation Road in Marina - Ace Hardware Anchor Strip Mall

-Marina Tire

-Ace Hardware

-Daddy's City Diner

-Michael's Taqueria

-Kula's Kusina - Filipino Food

-Chong's Tailor Service

-Ray's Haircuts for Men and Children

-Foot Massage

-Accountant - Tax Services

-Domino's Pizza

-McDonald's - I like the cold brew coffees, especially hazelnut

55 - Marina State Beach

56 - Cannery Row 

Marilyn Monroe appeared in a film called Clash by Night about Cannery Row.

57 - Philips Observatory in Salinas, California

The Observatory is located at Salinas High School.  Check their website opening days and hours.

58 - Carmel Valley - Astronomy Lecture

The Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District holds astronomy lectures in Garland Park in Carmel Valley.  There is a lot of parking and remember your flashlight.

Check their website for other activities like hikes and science camps.

59 - Carmel Valley - Cachuaga Hills - Jouillon Winery

Check website for tastings, harvest festivals, wreath making, and barbecues.

60 - Marina - Mini Shopping Trip - Reservation Road

India Fashion Trends - clothing for men, women, and children

Marina Bagels and Donuts

Mountain Mike's Pizza with a lunch pizza and salad buffet

Lucky Supermarkets with tons of condiments!

CVS Pharmacy - medication plus office supplies and beauty supplies

61 - Seaside - Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (By CSUMB) - 

Adult Astronomy Club

Website has a pull-down menu called "In the Sky Tonight" to show what sky looks like now.  The Earth moves!

62 - Seaside - Water City Skate (By CSUMB)

Skating and youth hockey lessons

63 - Soledad - Newly opened Monarch Butterfly Garden Project at Frank Ledesma Elementary School. 

Monterey County is on the migration path of the Monarch Butterflies.  The children at this school have planted plants that will attract the butterflies, making this a year-round educational project. 

64 - Monterey - MyMuseum 

Children's Museum with Interactive Projects.  They also have a Wheelie Mobilee for rent to bring the museum to your event.

65 - Seaside - Canada Goose Watching

The Canada Goose live in the Laguna Grande Pond in the Park.  They often cross the road on Canyon Del Rey.

66 - Seaside - Wild Turkey Watching

Groups of wild turkeys can be seen on the way to Bayonet Golf Course on General Jim Moore Boulevard.  Deer and foxes can sometimes be seen, too.  Bring popcorn and drive slowly.

67 - Marina - Mini Shopping Trip - Reservation Road - Grocery Outlet Mall

Great possibilities for small gifts.

-Grocery Outlet for organic fruit and vegetables

-Dollar Tree for party supplies and party gifts

-Mecca German Delicatessen for stollen coffee cake, chocolate, and gingerbread boxes

-Printing shop for newsletters and business needs

-Lee's Garden for lunch.  Wish they sold gift cards.  (Maybe the printing shop could set these up for them?)

68 - Sand City -  Sand Dune Plant Habitat Hiking Area behind Sand Dollar Shopping Center

Parking Available by Mattress Nation and Lucky Super Store to access Sand Dune Habitat Area.

69 - Salinas - Toro Park

Horseshoe tossing range, 20 miles of hiking trails, and horseback riding areas.

70 - Monterey - Bocce Ball Game Area at Custom House Plaza

3 tossing ranges. Can be used for French petanque ball game from Marseilles.

71 - Pacific Grove - Point Pinos Lighthouse

The Point Pinos Grill is across the street for lunches with golf course views.

72 - Monterey - Dennis the Menace Park

Lots of good ideas for equipment and games here that other communities might want to reproduce.

73 - Monterey - Skating at Custom House Plaza beginning at the end of November

Admission fee and skate rental available.

74 - Monterey - Monterey Museum of Art - Pacific Street Building

Permanent exhibits of American and Early California painting.

75 - Monterey County - Monterey County Free Libraries - Library Card holders can check out telescopes for stargazing

76 - Salinas - Salinas Center for Arts and Culture

Managed by California State University - Monterey Bay.  Shares site with National Steinbeck Center.  Large parking garage next door.

Check website for current and upcoming events.

77 - Monterey - Turkish Festival - Summer

78 - Monterey - Greek Festival - Summer

79 - Seaside and Salinas - Japanese Bon Festival - August

80 - Monterey - Santa Rosalia Festival (Sicilian) - September

81 - Monterey - Greek Festival - Labor Day Weekend

82 - Monterey - Chinese Festival - October

83 - Monterey - Las Posadas in the Adobes - Spanish Christmas Festival

84 - Monterey - Monterey Peninsula College Theatre

85 - Carmel - Pacific Repertory Theatre

86 - Monterey - Paper Wing Theatre

87 - Three First-Run Movie Theaters

-Marina - Century Theatre

-Salinas - Northridge Mall

-Monterey - Del Monte Center Mall

88 - Carmel - Sunset Center

Home of the Bach Festival and live music

89 - Salinas - Cowboy Poetry Gathering - Summer

90 - Various Locations - Mexican Supermarket Outing.  Most markets have full-service butcher counters where you can order hot Mexican sandwiches and meals.

Items to look for Pinatas, Jumex Juices, Medudo soup in cans.

Santa Fe Supermarkets - Part of a Mexican supermarket chain with locations in Castroville, Gonzales, Watsonville (Santa Cruz County, but close to Monterey County), and Seaside

Seaside - Mi Tierra - Mexican and Salvadoran items

Marina - El Rancho - great selection of peppers, tomatillos, and Oaxacan cheese.

91 - Marina - Filipino-Asian Market - Reservation Road

       Steve's Filipino Indian Market - Del Monte Boulevard

Filipino, Southeast Asian, and East Asian pantry items such as ramen soup, curry powder, and various snack foods such shrimp chips as well as tropical fruit sold market style outside.

92 - Monterey - Arthur Murray Dance Studio

You can learn to tap dance like Shirley Temple here.

93 - Seaside - Han Kook Market

Korean grocery store.

94 - Salinas - Tokyo Oriental Foods and Gifts

95 - Salinas - Streets of Bethlehem 

Reenactment of the Christmas story by the First Baptist Church of Salinas

96 - Monterey - First Night Monterey

New Year's Eve Celebration with music, dance, and exhibits.

97 - Monterey County Fairgrounds - Monterey County Fair

98 - Sand City - Sand City Art Festival

99 - Monterey - Monterey Cowboy Festival

100 - Carmel - Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theatre - Sunset Center

101 - Salinas - Comic Con - Steinbeck Center

102 - Salinas - Residence Inn Suites Weekend in Summer - Have fun in the pool!  It's hot in Salinas.

103 - The Farm in Salinas (By Spreckels on Highway 68)

The Farm is a Rural Education Station.  It provides farm tours, family activities, and a farm stand.  

104 - Wise Music on Highway 68 in Salinas

An instrument store that also provides lessons.

105 - Malbec Wine Tasting

Hahn Winery - River Road Winery outside Salinas off Highway 68

Cowgirl Winery - Carmel Valley

Check Grocery Outlet in Salinas for Clos d'Argentine Malbec.  It is great with grilled steak.

106 - Beer Tasting at local Monterey Couny breweries

A round-up article by Asaf Shalev in the Monterey County Weekly gave me the idea for this listing in our county that has wine, ag, and great beer!

Monterey - Alvarado Street Brewery

Carmel - Carmel Craft Brewery

Seaside - Other Brother Beer

Monterey - Fieldwork Brewing Company

Sand City - Post No Bills Beer House

Monterey - Dust Bowl Brewing Company

Gonzales - Fourth Street Tap House

Monterey - Peter B's

Carmel - Alvarado Street Brewery

107 - Folktale Winery for Photo Shots at our local French Chateau

Located mid-way to Carmel Valley Village is Folktale Winery designed to look like a French chateau.  Wedding photos would look great with their architecture and vineyards.  (Ask management how to set this up.)

Folktale Winery has a sparkling rose wine that goes well with organic strawberries from Pajaro (Monterey County)  and Watsonville (Santa Cruz County) and other fruit along with Monterey Jack cheese as a nice cocktail.

108 - Carmel History Center in Carmel Valley Village (By Park)

This center is located about 1/2 mile out of Carmel Valley Village.  The park has a walking trail, some picnic benches, a gazebo, and restrooms.  Several wineries have tasting rooms downtown and there are restaurants.  

109 - Grüner Vetliner Tasting 

Scheid Vineyards – Salinas Valley

Winery Tasting Room (Between Greenfield and King City off Highway 101)

Winery Tasting Room (Carmel-by-the-Sea)

Grüner Vetliner is a white wine grape grown primarily in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.  The wine is similar to Sauvignon Blanc.

Scheid Vineyards pairs this wine with spicy BBQ chicken wings.  I would add a salad made with organic Monterey County lettuce and blue cheese dressing to the wings.

110 – Touriga Nacional Tasting

Scheid Vineyards – Salinas Valley

Winery Tasting Room (Between Greenfield and King City)

Wine Tasting Room (Carmel-by-the-Sea)

Touriga Nacional is a Portuguese red grape used to make wine in the Douro and Dão regions of Portugal as well as port.

Scheid Vineyards recommends pairing Touriga Nacional wines with a burger.  I would add red onion slices, leaves of organic Monterey County lettuce, and a slathering of spicy Sriracha mayonnaise to the bun to go with the Touriga Nacional wine.

111 – Chardonnay Musqué Tasting

Chalone Vineyards – Salinas Valley

Soledad Tasting Room (by Pinnacles National Park)

Chardonnay Musqué is a mutation of the world’s most famous white wine grape according to wine-searcher.com.

Its principal growing regions in North America are Canada’s Niagara Peninsula and New York’s Finger Lakes.  It pairs well with lentil salad made with fresh herbs and lemon juice, which pleases vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike.

112 – Pinot Blanc Tasting

-Chalone Vineyards – Salinas Valley

(Soledad Tasting Room near Pinnacles National Park)

-Scheid Vineyards - Salinas Valley

-Winery Tasting Room

(Between Greenfield and King City off Highway 101)

-Wine Tasting Room

(Carmel-by-the-Sea)

Pinot Blanc is a white wine grape that is a mutation of pinot noir.  Instead of producing a black grape, the pinot noir grape produces a white one.

Pinot Blanc is popular in Alsace (France), Austria, and Germany.  It has an aroma of citrus and apple and pairs well with fondue.

113 – Chenin Blanc Tasting

Chalone Vineyards - Salinas Valley

(Soledad Tasting Room near Pinnacles National Park)

Chenin Blanc is a white grape from the Loire Valley of France.  It is used to make the slightly sweet wines Vouvray and Montlouis in France.

You can serve it as an aperitif (cocktail) or with a white fish main dish served with a cream sauce.

114 – Rosé Tasting

Chalone – Salinas Valley – Rosé made from pinot noir

Folktale Winery – Carmel Valley – Sparkling Rosé in a photogenic setting that resembles a French château

Scheid Vineyards - Salinas Valley

Rosé conjures up images of sitting by a pool, on a deck, or dining on a patio during a hot summer day with an icy cold glass of rosé as you await a dinner of grilled hamburgers or grilled all-beef hot dogs with everything or pepperoni pizza or steamed Chinese bao dumplings with BBQ filling.

Rosé snack foods include the following:

-fresh goat cheese on sourdough flatbread or black olive and feta flat bread

-pitted black olives

-skinned almonds

-sourdough toast squares with tuna fish salad and sliced black olives

-skewered raspberries

-skewered strawberries

-watermelon slices without seeds

-quartered skewered figs

-skewered thick banana slices

-pear slices with sour cream-honey dip

-apple slices with sour cream-cinnamon-sugar dip

-skewered tangerine slices with whipped cream dip

-orange slices with sour cream-orange liqueur dip

-Kettle® Pepper and Salt Potato Chips

115 – Zinfandel Tasting

Chalone – Salinas Valley

Zinfandel, also known as Primitivo in Italy and Crijenak and Kastelanski in Croatia, is a red grape whose wine is semi-sweet.

Some dishes that go well with Zinfandel wine follow:

-braised and pulled pork with North Carolina BBQ sauce.  You can make pulled pork sandwiches with this dish.  Alvarado Street Brewery used to have it on their menu and served it with sweet pickle and fries.  I would add coleslaw to round out the meal.

-braised pork with prunes

-Japanese tonkatsu pork (like Wiener Schnitzel sliced cutlets) with curry sauce

116 - Fort Ord National Monument Hike

Off Highway 68 by the Laurales Grade to Carmel Valley Village.

117 - Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting

Hahn Family Wines - River Road Wineries - Smith and Hook Label

Cabernet Sauvignon is the main red grape used in Bordeaux red wines.  My favorite dish to eat with a Bordeaux red is grilled confit de canard (duck confit) with steamed French green beans and slices of red skin potatoes.

118 - Pinot Noir Tasting

Chalone - Salinas Valley

Hahn Family Wines - River Road Wineries - SLH Gabrielle Pinot Noit

Burgundy beef or Coq au Vin are the classic dishes that go with pinot noir.  I like gratin daupinois to go with this dish - slices of potato baked with a little garlic, creme fraiche, and grated Swiss cheese with butter dabs to form pools on top of it when it's finished baking.

119 - Chardonnay Tasting

Chalone - Salinas Valley

Gambas al ajillo (Spanish garlic shrimp) go great with chardonnay.  They taste briny, garlicky, and fresh with chopped parsley.

120 - Tassajara Zen Mountain Center

Cachagua Hills outside Carmel Valley Village - this is the first Zen Center set up in the United States.  It is a meditation and hot springs retreat.  If you are interested in this, contact the center.  They might be able to arrange a tour of the facilities, but it is not really a public facility.  However, they have a photogenic gate.

121 - Tea Room Tourism

Carmel-by-the-Sea - Tuck Box

Carmel-by-the-Sea - Cypress Inn

122 - Coffee House Tourism

Seaside - Acme Coffee

Carmel and Seaside - Carmel Roasting Company

Seaside - Babaloo Cuban Cafe

Marina - Bagels and Donuts

Marina - Cafe Mia

123 - French Bakery Tourism

Seaside and Monterey - Paris Bakery

Carmel-by-the-Sea - Lafayette

124 - Chinese Restaurant Tourism

Seaside - Chef Lee's

Seaside - Lucky Bamboo

Seaside - Orient (Chinese and Vietnamese food)

Gonzales - Lucky Bamboo

Marina - Ho-Wah

Marina - Chef Lee's

125 - Korean Restaurant Tourism

Seaside - Orient Express

Marina - Nak Wan BBQ

126 - Japanese Restaurant Tourism

Seaside - Harumi

Marina - Michi Cafe

Marina - New Tokyo

127 - Vietnamese Restaurant Tourism

Seaside - Orient

Marina - Noodle QQ

128 - German Restaurant Tourism

Seaside - Stammtisch

Marina - Mecca Delicatessen

129 - Mexican Restaurant Tourism

Salinas - Taquito's

Marina and Pacific Grove - Michael's

Salinas - El Pollo Loco - Great roast chicken dinner combos for families

130 - Outdoor Market Tourism - check websites for times

Marina - Organic - by Grocery Outlet

Seaside - Organic - by Mariscos Puerto Nuevo

Carmel-by-the-Sea - Barnyard Parking Lot

Carmel Valley Village - by park and city history museum

Monterey - by Monterey Peninsula College

Monterey - Alvarado Street Market

Carmel Valley Mid-Valley - in Safeway Supermarket Parking Lot

131 - Ice Cream Parlor Tourism

Pacific Grove - Pacific Grove Ice Cream Shop

Pacific Grove - Cream and Crumbles

Monterey - Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop

Monterey - Revival Ice Cream

Monterey and Seaside - Baskin Robbins

Monterey - Cold Stone Creamery

Monterey - Nestle Toll House Cafe

132 - Chocolate Tasting Room

There's so much chocolate in Monterey County that you can pretend you are in Paris, France.

Monterey - Lula's Chocolates

Monterey - Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop

Monterey - Rocky Mountain Chocolate

Monterey and Salinas- See's Candies

Salinas - Chocolate Dipper

Monterey - Sweetock

Monterey - It's Sugar

Carmel-by-the-Sea - Pieces of Heaven

Monterey - Candy Row

Carmel-by-the-Sea - Cottage of Sweets

Monterey - Carousel Candies

Monterey - Candy World

133 - Vietnamese Restaurant Tourism

Seaside - Orient

Marina - Noodle QQ (next to Nak Wan BBQ)

134 - Filipino Restaurant Tourism

Marina - Kula's Kusina

135 - Hawaiian Restaurant Tourism - Looks like Trader Vic's with authentic food, especially luau pork

Monterey - Hula's

136 - Sauvignon Blanc Tasting 

Hahn Family Vineyards - River Road Wineries

I would serve scallops that have been sautéed in butter with this and place them on scallop shells to be finished in a microwave with 1 tablespoon cream and grated gruyere cheese on top.  Scallop shells can be scrubbed and washed in dishwasher after an initial cleaning.

137 - British Food Tourism

-Monterey - Crown and Anchor Pub

-Monterey - Britannia Arms

-Pebble Beach - Mission Ranch - It is expensive, but a great meal is  guaranteed.

138 - Italian Food Tourism

-Salinas - Gino's

-Carmel-by-the-Sea - Little Napoli

-Monterey - Peter B's for fried squid and baked rigatoni with Italian sausage

-Monterey - Gianni's for pizza, Calzone, real Caesar salad, and gelati

139 - Spanish Food Tourism

Monterey - Esteban - in the Casa Munras Hotel

140 - Thai Food Tourism

Seaside - Baan Thai

Marina - Siam

141 - San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral Church - Monterey

142 - Segment of the Berlin Wall

Presidio of Monterey - Monterey - Call to make arrangements to visit

143 - La Perouse Monument - La Perouse was a French explorer and whaler, who kept a famous journal.  He disappeared in the South Pacific and is rumored to have been eaten by cannibals.

Carmel Mission - Carmel-by-the-Sea

144 - Richard Macdonald Studio

Monterey - Sculpture Studio

145 - Conway of Asia Gallery

Local estate auction house that is famous for Central Asian carpets of all sizes - workshop and nomadic.  They also clean oriental carpets.

146 - Henry Miller Library

Library located in Henry Miller's last home on the Big Sur Coast

147 - Nursery Tourism

McShanes Landscape and Supply - Salinas

Grigg's - Carmel Valley

Rana Nursery - Carmel Valley

Earthbound Farms - Carmel Valley - Garden-to-Table Cafe inside

148 - Bakery Tourism

Paris Bakery - Monterey and Seaside

Pavel's - Pacific Grove

La Plaza Bakery - Salinas, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, and King City

Lupita's - Seaside

Angelina's - Seaside

Lafayette - Carmel

149 - Online classes at Monterey Peninsula College in creative writing - fiction, novel writing, and general including poetry

150 - Western Stage Online Coffee Table Conversation Series about Theatre - Free as of 12 - 23 -2020 and archived.

151 - Santa Cruz - in Santa Cruz County, but 20 minutes away from Monterey County

-Atlantis Fantasy World Comics and Graphic Novel Shop has all sorts of surprises.  I bought Astertix and the Goths comics here for my daughter Florence Paget.

-The main reason for going to Santa Cruz is the Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park with everything from roller coasters to bumper cars.  The arcade has the newest toys from Silicon Valley it seems.

152 - Monterey Drive-In Movie Theatre at Fairgrounds- closed for Covid-19, but check it out for re-opening

153 - California State Fair - Monterey Fair Grounds

Good place to buy merchandise in addition to viewing animals and exhibits.  Maybe a virtual place to buy merchandise would increase profits.

154 - California State Fair - King City

155 - Cowboy Poetry Gathering - Salinas, California

156 - Karate Demonstrations in Chef Lee's Parking Lot, Marina, California

These happened in summer 2019 and might be a nice tradition to keep up for all martial arts.

157 - Earthbound Farm - Carmel Valley, California

Cafe and Market featuring organic agricultural products

158 - Baja Cantina - Carmel Valley, California

Long-time Mexican eatery in a typically warm place in Monterey County.

159 - Players in the Parking Lot - Monterey, California

Monterey Peninsula College Theatre Arts Program featuring Monterey High School Students

160 - Wheel Wagon Restaurant - American food in Western Decor - 

Carmel Valley by Baja Cantina

161 - Gilroy Garlic Festival - Gilroy, California 

All things garlic including ice cream

162 - Bonfante Gardens - Gilroy, California

163 - Gilroy Outlet Malls - Gilroy, California

Including Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Mimi's Cafe (New Orleans Decor), Popeye's Chicken, Applebee's, and many clothing outlet stores including Brooks Brothers and Nike.  Nike has a discount program with some items at 40% off.  There is also a Bath and Bodyworks store.  Many stores offer a military discount.  Ask if the stores do discounts.

164 - Riding the Mechanical Pony for Toddlers - Star Market in Salinas, California

You need to provide the cowboy hat for a really cute photo.

This is a cute photo op while you shop.  You can buy newspapers from machines here and do recycling of plastics, aluminum, and glass that have the recycle seal. 

165 - Lion Asian Market - Tully Road off Highway 101 in South San Jose

There are 4 Lion Asian Supermarkets in San Jose.  The Tully Road location is San Jose's Chinatown.  Lots of instant soups that are great with boiled egg halves and snipped chives.

166 - H Mart - San Jose

Two Korean market locations in San Jose.  This is a national chain.  Nongshim brand udon is easy to make.  Udon is noodles in a tuna and seaweed broth.  Nongshim's Shin black noodles are vegan and spicy - great on a cold, rainy day.

167 - Japanese Supermarkets - San Jose

-Mitsuwa

-Nijiya

-Fugetsu

-Japantown Farmer's Market (Taylor Street)

-Hokkaido Fair

Kikkoman is a famous Japanese brand.  Their tofu miso instant soup is a vegan breakfast in Japan.

168 - Kinokuniya Japanese-language Bookstore Chain from Japan - San Jose

169 - Chili's - Seaside, California

Behind the Embassy Suites Hotel off Highway 1.

Reliably good.  I like the brioche sandwich with chicken, bacon, avocado, and melted Swiss cheese.  They are famous for American fare, ribs, fajitas, and salads.

170 - Vietnamese Markets - San Jose, California

-Dai-Thanh

-Thien Thanh

-Me-Kong

-Maxim

-Thien Loa Hoa

-Tuong Phong

-Marina Grocery

-Maxim Market III

-Story Supermarket

171 - Filipino and Indian Markets

-Asian Filipino Market - Marina

-Indian Filipino Market - Seaside

Look for curry, tropical fruit, and and Thai iced tea in cans.

172 - Spanish-Language Bookstore - San Jose

Barnes and Noble has a large Spanish-language book section for heritage speakers and language learners alike.

173 - Michael's Craft Store Chain - Marina

Mega craft store with lots of parking

174 - Party City

For all party supplies with lots of parking

175 - Target

Suburban stuff and a full-service grocery store with curbside delivery of pre-purchased items is nice.

176 - Griggs Nursery - Carmel Valley Road

Close to Earthbound Farms.  Having a sale today on September 2, 2021.

177 - Plaza Linda - Carmel Valley 

At the end of Carmel Valley Village.  Mexican bar-restaurant with a large terrace out back in the woods leading to Cachagua Hills.

178 - Monterey Scottish Games - Monterey County Fair Grounds

Check the Monterey County Fair and Event Center Website for the 2022 dates and times.

179 - California Rodeo - Salinas

Check the Salinas Sports Complex Website for the dates and times.

180 - Monterey Jazz Festival - Monterey County Fairgrounds

Held in mid-September this year, check the website for details.

181 - Atlantis Fantasyworld Comic Store - Santa Cruz

182 - Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park- Santa Cruz

183 - Catalyst - Santa Cruz

Concert Venue

184 - Salinas Sports Complex - Salina

Concert Venue

185 - Jack's Peak Park - Monterey

186 - Foods Co - Soledad - Part of Kroger National Chain

The food and drug warehouse - The true low price leader everyday.

The store provides a map of aisles with leading products and has room to make a list if you want to to do this in your car.  Round Table Pizza, Starbucks, and Denny's are in the same shopping center.  Outstanding produce section.

187 - Bookshop Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz

Bestsellers and books for UC - Santa Cruz students

188 - Riverhouse Books - Carmel

In Crossroads Shopping Centre

189 - Bookworks - Pacific Grove

Books and cafe on Lighthouse Avenue

190 - Patricia Qualls Contemporary Art - Carmel

15 W Carmel Valley Road

191 - Hauk Fine Arts - Pacific Grove

Fountain Avenue

192 - New Masters Gallery - Carmel

193 - Orientations Fine Asian Antiques - Monterey

Across from Monterey Museum of Art

194 - Monterey Symphony - Carmel

Concerts held in Forest Theatre

195 - Sur la Table - Carmel

Carries 1, 200 cooking items from around the world

196 - Kate Spade - Carmel

197 - Coach - Carmel

198 - Tiffany and Company - Carmel

199 - Fourtane Jewelers - Carmel

200 - Macy's - Monterey

201 - Moe's Alley - Santa Cruz - Music Venue

202 - Felton Music Hall - Santa Cruz - Music Venue

203 - Monterey Peninsula College Author Series

mpc.edu for details

204 - Motorbike Races - Laguna Seca - off Hwy 68

205 - IndyCar Series - Laguna Seca - off Hwy 68 

206 - Salinas Airshow - Salinas Municipal Airport

207 - Arts and Crafts Festival - San Juan Bautista - 3rd Ave 

208 - California Indian Market and Peace Dance - San Juan Bautista

209 - Avatar Indian Grill - Salinas - Creekbridge Shopping Mall - Behind Natividad Medical Center

Tandoori chicken, saffron chicken, 2 orders rice, 4 naan breads, and 2 mango lhassis - $45.87 - A great deal plus I got 10% off next visit excluding buffet.  I also have a meal for lunch tomorrow, because I ate half my order.

210 - Current Comics - Monterey

211 - Old Monterey Book Company - Monterey

212 - Old Capitol Books - Monterey

213 - Pilgrim's Way Bookstore and Secret Garden - Carmel

214 - Carpe Deum - Fine Books - Monterey

215 - Downtown Book and Sound - Salinas - Main Street by Steinbeck Center

216 - Luminata Books - Monterey - used books

217 - Book Buyers - Monterey - used books

218 - Friends of the Marina Library Bookstore - Marina - Reservation Road - used books

219 - Jan de Luz - Carmel - French decor items, especially French household linens

220 - C. U. Sushi - Salinas - I like the Bulgogi Bimbimbap Bowl

221 - Jewish Food Festival - Carmel Valley - Temple Beth Israel

222 - Japanese Bon Odori Festivals - Seaside and Salinas - August

223 - Streets of Bethlehem Re-Enactment - Salinas - Christmas

224 - Steinbeck Festival - Salinas - May 2022

225 - Christmas in the Adobes - Monterey

226 - Santa Cruz Natural History Museum - Santa Cruz

227 - Concorso Italiano - Monterey-Seaside - August 2022 - check out the latest Ferraris

228 - Pebble Beach Hiking - S.F.B.Morse Gate off Highway 68 has limited parking - Pebble Beach

229 - Pebble Beach Equestrian Tours - Daily Tours - Pebble Beach

230 - Picnic at Spanish Bay Beach - Pebble Beach

231 - Pebble Beach Oceanfront Walk - Use the Pebble Beach app to plan a walk and lunch with maybe a little shopping! More postcards needed.

232 - Scottish Bagpiper - Spanish Bay Resort at Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach - check schedule, but usually a daily show at 5:45 or before sundown

233 - Gonzo Christmas in Pacific Grove

Candy Cane Lane is off Forest Avenue opposite Trader Joe's.  Many Christmas lights, but the tinsel is really set off by a full figure Elvis greeting you at the entrance complete with spotlights.

The Little Richard Christmas house on Denton Avenue has its own radio station.  You have to use your GPS to find the house.

234 - Watsonville County Fair Grounds Holiday Light Show

Check website for entrance fees.  Food and drink are available for purchase.  Site has its own radio station.

235 - Total Wines - Sand City Shopping Center - next to Marshall's

Tastings and classes - large wine selection.  Must be 21 or older to enter

236 - Shakespeare Festival - Santa Cruz - August

237 - Santa Cruz County Fair - early September

238 - 18th Hole Walk - Pebble Beach, California

After lunch at the Bench, walk from the end of the 18th Hole to the beginning and back along the paved path and alongside the ocean for a great paseo.

239 - Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove, California

Temporary exhibits throughout the year

240 - Sea Otter Classic - April - Laguna Seca, Monterey County

Cycling event that draw 71,000 some years and includes family festival.

241 - Center for Photographic Art - Carmel, California

Workshops and exhibits throughout the year, including online workshops and portfolio evaluation

242 - Big Sur International Marathon - Big Sur, California

Held in April

243 - Whale Fest - Fisherman's Wharf - Monterey, California

Held in March

244 - Scottish Games and Celtic Festival - Monterey, California

Held in July

245 - Big Sur Half Marathon - Big Sur, California

Held in September

246 - Charcuterie Board Making - Monterey County - Cru Winery

Held in May

247 - Guelaguetza Festival - Santa Cruz, California

Oaxacan (Mexican) Festival with dance, costumes, and food

248 - Concours d'Elegance - Pebble Beach, California

Antique Car Show held in August

249 - Concorso Italiano - Seaside, California

Luxury Italian Car Show with catered Italian meals held at Bayonet Golf Course in August

250 - California Roots Festival - Monterey County Fairgrounds

Reggae music and art show held in May

251 - Sea Otter Watching - Moss Landing

Ocean trips available through Whisper Charters

252 - Monterey Gold and Coin Exchange - Monterey

Located in the American Tin Cannery Outlet Mall by the Aquarium.  Call for appointments - 831-521-389 - also interested in silver

253 - Salinas Valley Plastic Surgery - Salinas

Located at Main and Blanco across from Nob Hill

254 - Tribute Artists Concerts - Monterey

Held in June at the Del Monte Center Outdoor Shopping Mall

255 - Perfume Shopping - Monterey

Macy's Department Store at the Del Monte Center Shopping Mall

256 - Perfume Shopping - Seaside

Ulta Beauty

257 - Perfume Shopping - Monterey

Located in the Del Monte Center Shoppping Mall

258 - Leather Briefcase Shopping - Monterey

Leather Company Store

259 - Leather Belt Shopping - Monterey

Leather Company Store

260 - Leather Travel Bag Shopping - Monterey

Leather Company Store

261 - Cowboy Boots Shopping - Seaside

Joanna's Western Wear

El Texano Western Wear

Linda's Western Wear

Jimenez Western Wear

261 - Restaurant Supplies - Seaside

American Supply Company

262 - Wedding Dresses - Seaside

Butterfly Boutique

Lily's Seaside Boutique

263 - Photos - Seaside

Lopez Photography and Bridal

264 - Florist - Seaside

Seaside Florist

265 - Montblanc Pen Shopping - Carmel-by-the-Sea

The Pleasure of Writing Shop

266 - Purses - Seaside

Ross Dress for Less

267 - Coach Wallets - Carmel-by-the-Sea

Coach Outlet Store and Retail Shop

268 - Victoria's Secret - Monterey

Large store at the Del Monte Shopping Center with lots of parking.

269 - Parisian Sandwiches and Coffee Selections - Monterey

In addition to crepes, Crepes of Brittany downtown has 4 kinds of Parisian sandwiches along with Italian coffee selections that you can eat outside or in.  It is located opposite the Portola Hotel downtown.

270 - Blues in the Park - Seaside 

Free, outdoor show in Laguna Grande Park by Embassy Suites Hotel - held in early July - almost 40 years straight running show - July and August 2023

271 - West Wind Capitol Drive-In Movie Theatre - South San Jose

1 hour and 10 minutes away from Marina off Highway 101 - Capitol Highway exit. First run movies with food and drink and bathrooms.

272 - Monterey County History Museum - Salinas

By appointment

273 - Lush - Monterey

Vegan beauty products store in Del Monte Center.  Lots of parking behind the front of the mall.

274 - Read a John Steinbeck book by a Salinas native son who won a Nobel Prize for Literature after a day of touring

275 - Read a book of poetry by Carmel poet Robinson Jeffers

276 - Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park - South San Jose

Skateboarding, Scooter, and Biking Park

277 - Jogging or Biking - Pacific Grove

Asilomar Beach - a State of California Beach

278 - Iron Man Competition - Santa Cruz

September event along Highway 1- half marathon, bicycling, and swimming

279 - Gem Show - Monterey County

Monterey County Fairgrounds - Mid September Exhibit with Food

280 - Oaxaca by the Sea - Seaside 

Late September show with vendors and food by city hall

281 - Baskin Robbins Ice Cream - Seaside

By the corner of Fremont and Obama Way (Broadway)

282 - Dunkin Donuts - Seaside

Behind Baskin Robbins by the corner of Fremont and Obama Way (Broadway)

283 - Fall Round Up Carnival - Spreckels

October 15 - 18, 2023

284 - The Patch - Spreckels

10 River Road off Highway 68 - Pumpkin Patch and Bounce House for fall

285 - Haunted House for Halloween - Hollister

At Swank Farms.  Pumpkin patch and corn maze, too.

286 - Picnic Table Lunch - Marina Library Park Lawn

Parking and picnic tables in Locke Paddon Park in front of the library.

So far that makes 286 fun things to do and buy in or nearby Monterey County!!!

24/7 Virtual Medical Visits with in-store or office follow-up if necessary

CVS - Pharmacy - 2 locations in Marina, 1 in Monterey

Montage - Monterey, Marina

Walgreens - for first aid items

Marina is good place to start and end explorations of Monterey County for several reasons:

Full-Service Grocery Stores in Marina

Lucky

Target

Walmart

Grocery Outlet

El Rancho

10 minutes away in Salinas: Nob Hill (Raley's Chain) and Star Market

Banks in Marina with plenty of parking

Chase

Wells Fargo

Bank of America - inside Lucky Supermarket.  There is a change counting machine in the store as well.

Gas Stations in Marina:  12 + 1 electric charging station by Smash Burger

Picnic Tables are in Locke Paddon Park by the Marina Public Library.

Coffee Shops:  2 Starbucks, Caffe Mia, and Marina Bagels and Donuts.

Grocery Outlet Shopping Center has an ice cream parlor that also sells several gallon water bottles.

There is a large bus transfer area with buses for Monterey and Salinas.

The downtown area has sidewalks wide enough for strollers and pedestrians with street lights at major crossing points.

Smaller communities could offer “country” outings to “city” dwellers including:

-hayrides

-hay pitching contests

-carriage rides through downtown

-square dancing

-Gene Autry Western films including Dude Ranch films
-Steinbeck films (Prunedale, Aptos, Pajaro)

-John Ford Western Films (Gonzales and Greenfield)

-James Dean films (Bradley and Parkfield)

-Marilyn Monroe films (Castroville – she was the artichoke queen here)

-American breakfasts for lunch with pies and cakes for purchase

-Cowboy poetry writing workshops

-Western crafts workshops

-puppet shows

-drawing lessons

-painting lessons (The artist Georgia O'Keefe began her career painting barns in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.)

-Western song singing after barbecues over a campfire

Sell merchandise at each venue.

Just a few ideas.

By Ruth Paget, author of Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Click here for:  Ruth Paget's Amazon Books

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