A woman from England stood at the end of Fisherman’s Wharf one morning taking in the scene of moored boats bobbing lazily in the calm swells from the bay. Her family would be setting out shortly on a whale watching trip. There was a pitch of excitement in her voice as she admitted to never having heard of the Monterey Peninsula. A travel agent had suggested the location, and it was as if she had been sent to an unexpected paradise. Visitors come to the area for many reasons. The county is a bucket list destination for golfers, thanks to iconic courses like Pebble Beach Golf Links. But there are lesser-known treasures, too. In Monterey, one can play the oldest course west of the Mississippi River, Del Monte Golf Course. For those caught up in scenic vistas, it’s difficult not to be drawn to Big Sur, where nature is at its most aweinspiring. Fans of literature can trace the works of John Steinbeck, from Cannery Row to the fields of the Salinas Valley. With the antics of otters or the mesmerizing spell cast by the ethereal jellyfish, the Monterey Bay Aquarium rekindles imaginations. There’s the thrill of race cars plummeting down the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca or the captivating sight of condors soaring over the ancient rock formations of Pinnacles National Park. The attraction can be evident. But even for regular visitors to Monterey County, there are unexpected moments of discovery, whether it is a stellar restaurant somehow overlooked by the Michelin guide, a theater troupe performing an innovative script, a tour company that rents classic cars for that ride along Carmel Valley or a rugged mountain biking trail. In those moments, it’s as if you’ve come across the county for the first time. We hope this guide opens the possibilities of Monterey County. For current updates on local news and events, visit montereycountynow.com or pick up a copy of Monterey County Weekly. And go have some fun. -Dave Faries 22 Events Calendar 32 At Play 46 Golf 52 Spa 54 Drinks 66 Wine 70 Area Map 76 Food 124 Arts & Culture WELCOME MONTEREYBAYVISITORS.COM Carmel River State Beach KAREN LOUTZENHEISER Founder & CEO Bradley Zeve Publisher Erik Cushman Project Editor Dave Faries Editor Sara Rubin Art Director/Production Manager Karen Loutzenheiser Contributing Writers and Copy Editors Erik Chalhoub, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Pope˛da Photographer Daniel Dreifuss, except where noted Graphic Designers Alexis Estrada, Lani Headley, Kevin Jewell Advertising Keith Bruecker, Diane Glim, George Kassal Business Development Director Keely Richter Cover Photo by Daniel Dreifuss Boats line the docks of the harbor in Monterey, promising adventure on the waters of Monterey Bay. The Best of Monterey Bay® is published by Milestone Communications, Inc., a California corporation. The entire contents are copyright 2024. No portion may be reproduced. 831-394-5656. www.montereycountynow.com. 20 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2024-2025 News Arts Culture Food and More SIGN UP TODAY: montereycountynow.com/signup DISCOVER MONTEREY COUNTY NOW Local news and lively commentary delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to Monterey County NOW and get it DAILY. Local MCNOW_1-3v_VG24_kpr.indd 1 6/17/24 9:54 AM
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