40 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 4, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com CULTURE Cooper-Molera Adobe is one of about 15 historic adobes— Monterey has 22 in all—that open for the annual Christmas in the Adobes event, set for Dec. 13-14 this year. The Cooper-Molera Adobe is one of the few that is open to the public regularly, year-round, but few people know about it. The facility’s first executive director, Karyn Lee-Garcia, is pledging to change that. “We want to tap into the history of the adobe and how it was utilized since the 1800s. It was always a mix of residential and commercial use,” LeeGarcia says. “Not only is there is the historic home that the family lived in, but also there was always a bakery or a general store, or even a dance studio.” The adobe is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Its 2.5 acres includes a museum, two popular dining spaces (Alta Bakery + Cafe and Cella Restaurant), as well as The Barns at Cooper-Molera, an event venue. Open to anything, the adobe also hosts a regular qigong class. “The historic home is beautiful and is available to rent,” Lee-Garcia says. “It can fit about 50 people. It has a beautiful skylight room.” She has a lot of ideas. The museum comes with permanent exhibits, but Lee-Garcia, who previously served as chief programs officer at another nonprofit, the Arts Council for Monterey County, wants to bring more art. She would like to attract local artists and rotate exhibits. Until recently the museum portion of the property was understaffed, to say the least. Lee-Garcia is now a staff of one. She started in October. She will be doing marketing and strengthening partnerships with local institutions. “Many people are curious about what’s going on in the museum and have never heard about programming,” Lee-Garcia says, who also plans to develop programs for the garden space. The museum now offers individual tours and soon will be organizing group tours. For the museum, the plan is to hire a senior manager of interpretation and education, who will get familiar with the archives, the property’s history, the stories of the people who lived here or were involved with the space. “Our goal is to tell the full American history one can learn from such an adobe,” Lee-Garcia says. Cooper-Molera Adobe museum will be open for free, self-guided tours starting on Jan. 1, 2025. 506 Munras Ave., Monterey. (800) 944-6847, coopermolera. org. DANIEL DREIFUSS Super Cooper The first executive director of Cooper-Molera Adobe has big plans for one of Monterey’s historic buildings. By Agata Pop˛eda Karyn Lee-Garcia, the new executive director of the Cooper-Molera Adobe, built in 1827. The historic site is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Indoor and outdoor dInIng and takeout Eat + Drink Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Live Spanish Guitar Music, Thursday & Friday 5-8pm Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’24 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’24 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 Best Pizza ’98-’24 Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 ’24 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 5PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 5-6PM & 8-9PM Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. 763 Wave St., Monterey 831.373.3778 thewhalingstation.com ’24 Best Steak
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