AROUND TOWN BEST PLACE TO BIKE/ MOUNTAIN BIKE Fort Ord National Monument Various entrances in Seaside, Salinas and Marina (831) 582-2200, blm.gov/visit/fort-ord-national-monument Open world video games as we know them today stem from 2001’s Grand Theft Auto III, where the player can go anywhere in a virtual realm, within certain restrictions. Fort Ord National Monument is very much the real-life equivalent of an open world game, with more than 14,600 acres of land to explore. If you can see it, you can likely get there. Just follow the more than 86 miles of trails, please, for your safety—this was once an active military training facility, and remnants are still being cleaned out. It’s a mountain biker’s dream, and plays host to one of the largest annual biking events in the world: the Life Time Sea Otter Classic. BEST HIKING TRAIL Garland Ranch Regional Park 700 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley (831) 659-6065, mprpd.org/garland-ranch-regional-park Garland Ranch Regional Park isn’t a trail, of course. It’s a jewel. The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District’s flagship property, Garland Ranch boasts a dog- and horse-friendly network of trails—many of them quite steep—climbing up the south side of Carmel Valley all the way up to Snively’s Ridge, where the views in every direction bring a smile. It’s got a seasonal waterfall, redwood canyons, tiny trails lined with ferns, oak woodlands and meadows, and at the base of it all, the Carmel River, where you might see young kids playing the oldest game of all: turning over rocks. BEST LIBRARY Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St., Monterey (831) 646-3933, monterey.gov/library Like any truly great library, the Monterey Public Library is like a quiet town square, a place where there are always people quietly reading, whether on a screen or a page, lost in their own thoughts. Or maybe they’re sitting outside on the upstairs patio, taking in some afternoon sunshine and not reading anything at all. It’s always busy but never too busy, it always seems to have the book you’re looking for, and for local history nerds, the California History Room is a gift that keeps on giving. The library is a place to expand and sharpen one’s mind, and there’s no better way than that to up your game. BEST HANGOUT FOR TEENS Del Monte Center 1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey (831) 373-2705, delmontecenter.com Truth or dare? I dare you to take silly selfies on the phones at the Apple Store. If you were gifted a shopping spree, would you spend it all at Lululemon or Free People? I dare you to eat an entire extra-large popcorn while we see a movie. If you could eat at only one Del Monte Center restaurant for the rest of your life, which one would it be? With so many great stores and restaurants, it’s no wonder teens love hanging out at the Del Monte Center. 24 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2025 montereycountynow.com/bestof Il Migliore! THANK YOU for voting us The Best Restaurant in Seaside Mention this ad and get 15% off dinner! ’25 ’24 ’20 ’19 Open Fri – Sun 11:30am-2:30pm & 5-9pm Tues - Thur 4-9pm 1901 Fremont Blvd, Seaside (831) 899-5825 gusto1901ca.com We are honored to be selected by the Michelin Guide in 2025. Stop in and taste why! ’18
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