Restaurants
Pacific Grove
- BEST bakery: Pavels (GO EARLY, they sell out quickly)
- Lunch: The Red House
- Hulas
- Il Vicchio (Italian)
- Captain Stoker for coffees
Pebble Beach
- The Bench (MY FAVORITE)
- Sticks, casual, in Spanish Bay
- The Hay, a relatively new Mexican restaurant on Peter Hay golf course (get the nachos)
- Roys, can go early and watch the deer and bagpiper
Monterey
- Thai Food: Krua Thai (good for take out too)
- Cella
- Best Bakeries: Alta Bakery and Ad Astra
- Best Ice Cream: Revival
- Captain Stoker for coffees
- Turn 12
Carmel
- Bicyclette
- 7D
- Sushi Heaven
- Carmel Belle
- Rio Grill
- RG Burgers (best burgers)
- Katy’s Place for breakfast
- Stationaery
- Barmel (bar, dancing, late-night music)
- Foray
- Casanova
- Anton & Michel
- Pangaea Grill
- Flying Fish Grill
- Rise and Roam Bakery
- Little Swiss
- Cottage of Sweets
- Carmel Mission Ranch
- Carmel Highlands
- Jeju
Carmel Valley
- Bernardus (fun family day with bocce courts)
- Carmel Valley Ranch (smores every night outside)
- Corkscrew (no reservation needed, great for big groups, best pizza)
- Lots of great wine-tasting rooms: Cowgirl Winery, Wine House, Folktale are good ones
- Baja Cantina, live music
Seaside
- Other Brother Beer
- Counterpoint Coffee
- Acme Coffee
- Ichi-Riki Sushi
- Tricycle Pizza
- Maligne
Best Delis
- Bear and Flag, Carmel Valley
- Brunos, Carmel
- Compagno’s Market
Farmers Market
- All are great
- The one at Del Monte Shopping Center on Friday morning is my favorite
- Thursday Carmel By the Sea
- Sunday Mid Carmel Valley shopping center
Best Grocery
- Elroys
- Whole Foods
- Trader Joes
Best Salon
- Oya
Surf Shops
- On the Beach
- Midtown Surf Shop
- Carmel Surf Shop
Activities
- Asilomar-Lovers Point
- Adventures by the sea for kayaks and paddle boards
- Mad Dog e-bikes from Asilomar to Pebble Beach
- Aquarium
- Big Sur Day: Big Sur Bakery, Nepenthe, River Inn
- The Refuge (for couples)
Romantic Dinner Spots
- Ventanna
- Post Ranch
- Highlands Inn
- The Lodge at Pebble Beach
- Cassanova
Stores
- Tancredi and Morgan
- Mother, at Big Sur Bakery
- Phoenix, at Big Sur Nepenthe
- Girl Boy Girl and Paloosh (same owners)
- Coast
- The treadmill
- Host House
- Tejido
- Star Child and Heaven (same owners)
- Fourtane Jewelry
- Weston Gallery
- Monica Graham Fine Arts
- Jan de Luz
Best Spas
- Casa Palmero, Pebble Beach
- Carmel Valley Ranch
- Bernardus
Best Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Point Lobos
- Lovers Point
- Pfeiffer, Big Sur
- The Beach Club
Best Country Clubs
- The Beach Club
- The Preserve
- Carmel Valley Ranch
- Carmel Valley Athletic Club
Golf
- Spyglass
- Cypress MPCC (private)
- Spanish Bay
- Carmel Valley Ranch
- Quail Lodge
Big Events
- Pebble Beach Concours dElegance
- The Motorlux event at the jet center
- Q at Quail
- The Pure Insurance Championship Golf event ran by the Monterey Foundation
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Good Ol Days, Pacific Grove
Hikes
Palo Corona Regional Park, “Inspiration Point”
Inspiration Point Trail to Aminas Pond is 5.7 miles. Good for all skill levels, level low to moderate. You will see cows grazing and an occasional bobcat wondering through the lower fields. Amazing views from Inspiration point of Point Lobos. Picnic Bench at the top. No Dogs allowed.
Soberanes, Garrapata State Park
Level hard, One of our hardest in the area. 5.4 miles, South of Point Lobos Natural reserve. Park in the pullout under the row of Cypress Trees. You will see a barn where the trail begins. I recommend taking the trail to the right to hike through the canyon and amongst the ferns and river to ascend up the backside of Soberanes and then descend the front looking at the views of Highway 1 and the Big Sur coastline. Watch your footing, this is a difficult and steep climb with a steep descent. No dogs allowed, bring a lot of water. Wear good hiking shoes.
Garland Ranch Regional Park
700 West Carmel Valley Road, dog friendly, extensive trails to choose your level of difficulty, views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and Carmel Valley, hike the Waterfall trail to Mesa Pond or climb the steep trails to Snively’s Ridge Trail. Visitors center and restrooms at the bottom showcasing some of our native plants and animals.
Garzas Trailhead
Go east on Carmel Valley Road, turn right on Borronda Road, turn left on East Garzas Road and the trailhead is on the right hand side. 7 mile hike. Level medium to hard hike. Steep incline among the ferns and trees and then descend until you get to the river. Dog friendly. Beautiful river crossings, great picnic spots near river.
Point Lobos Loop Trail
6.7 miles, natural reserve, level moderate, the “Crown Jewel” of the State Parks. Choose a short walk or a long journey, amazing hidden coves, abundance of wildflowers, tide pooling, and rocky beaches, amazing spot for a picnic. Don’t miss the secret cove up the stairs at Whaler’s Cove.
Carmel Valley Ranch, Huff and Puff Trail
Hike a quick trail up to the yoga platform and horse corrals with views of Carmel Valley. If you park at the bottom you can walk through the Carmel Valley Ranch’s gated garden area full of beautiful vegetables and flowers, goats, and bee boxes and pass through their own private winery to where the trail head begins. Dog friendly.
Toro Park
9 miles, 1800 ft elevation, views of Monterey bay and Salinas valley, colorful wildflowers year- round, strenuous climb but beautiful views among the rolling hills. This hike can get quite warm, bring lots of water.
Jacks Peak County Park
Easy walk, sweeping views of the Monterey Bay and Point Lobos, parking is close to the peak so you see a lot of mazing views without having to hike too far.
