Updated 305 Things to do in Salinas and Monterey County in California by Savvy Mom Ruth Paget
Goal: 100 Activities - 305 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 1/2 hour 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.
Monterey County is made up of sustainable towns that are 1/2 hour 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.
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).
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.
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
Domino's for Buffalo Hot Wings
Seaside:
Jersey Subs by Costco - Veteran owned - great turkey provolone subs with potato salad
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
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.
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:
Super Pollo - fish taco dinners
Stonies Taphouse and Bistro - mango fusion tacos and Davis Rib special for lunch with great sides like Cajun corn on the cob and BBQ bacon beans - outdoor seating available
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:
Super Pollo - fish taco dinners
Stonies Taphouse and Bistro - mango fusion tacos and Davis Rib special for lunch with great sides like Cajun corn on the cob and BBQ bacon beans - outdoor seating available
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
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
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
15 - Salinas - John Steinbeck Center Museum and Steinbeck Home for lunches
16 - Carmel - Robinson Jeffers Poetry Readings and House Tours
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.
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.
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
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.
287 - Anime World Shop - Salinas
Northridge Mall - plenty of parking
288 - Ariel Children’s Theatre - Salinas
A good place to prepare for the PAC Rep Theatre in Carmel and Disney Auditions.
289 - Car Week - Locations all around the Monterey Peninsula - Second Week August
290 - Salinas School of Dance - Salinas
Gabilan Street
291 - Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen - Gilroy
By Barnes and Noble Bookstore - lots of manga and games and magazines and ethnic cookbooks
292 - Jersey Subs - Gilroy
By Barnes and Noble Bookstore - lots of manga and games and magazines and ethnic cookbooks
293 - Chama Nativa Brazilian Steakhouse - Gilroy
By Barnes and Noble Bookstore - lots of manga, games, and magazines
294 - Mi Gusto es Mexico Restaurant - Downtown Gilroy
Across the bridge from the outlet malls and behind ST Mary’s church and school - large Mexican menu
295 - Salinas Soccer Complex - Constitution Boulevard - lots of parking
296 - Salinas Youth Football - Salinas - Colts and Broncos
297 - Youth Tennis - Salinas
Sherwood Tennis Center
298 - Youth Baseball - Salinas
Hartnell Little League
299 - Youth Swimming - Salinas
Salinas Acquatic Center
300 - Equestrian School - Salinas
The Riding Academy - Corral de Tierra
301 - Youth Gymnastics - Salinas
Kidz Corner - Main Street
302 - Comic Con - Spreckels
September event - 1/2 mile outside town - purchase tickets online
303 - Recycling Truck for CRV deposit items for cash returns - Star Market Parking Lot - Salinas
304 - Sylvain Tutoring - Salinas, CA
So far that makes 304 fun things to do and buy in or nearby Monterey County!!!
305 - Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze - Salinas - 917 Boronda Road
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)
-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
Click here for: Ruth Paget's Amazon Books
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