Around Town the course goes easy on golfers. This is simply a challenging and beautiful place for a round—or two, three, whatever—of golf. BEST SURF SPOT BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE SUNSET Asilomar State Beach Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove (831) 646-6440, parks.ca.gov Unlike the northern end of Monterey Bay, finding good surf spots and places to watch the sunset is not difficult in Monterey County. But sunset seekers and surfers can find everything they’re seeking at Asilomar State Beach. The roughly one-mile strip of sand and rocky coves has a few spots that can accommodate surfers of all ability levels but can be dangerous for swimmers due to cold water and rip currents. Because of its location on the west side of the Monterey Peninsula, it’s one of the best places to watch the sun disappear behind the horizon. BEST PARK Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Highway 1, Carmel (831) 624-4909, parks.ca.gov If we were to ask ourselves, “Why do we choose to go to something so wild and out there” as the circus?, the answer may simply be: to be mesmerized. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, with all of its spectacular beauty and wonders, is where people go in Monterey County to be mesmerized by the natural beauty that surrounds them. It can be as breathtaking as watching a tightrope act, one without a net. Known as “the crown jewel of the California State Park System,” Point Lobos has also won Best Park—a testament to its otter-filled coves, sparkling waters and rolling meadows along the rugged coastline. BEST PLACE TO BIKE / MOUNTAIN BIKE Fort Ord National Monument Various entrances in Seaside, Salinas and Marina (831) 582-2200, blm.gov We would never advise to ride a bike on a tightrope—that’s best left to the professionals. Instead, the next best thing is to hit the trails at Fort Ord National Monument. Try Trail 93 (that area is called Little Moab for a reason) or ride Sandstone Ridge Road, high above the valley below. It’s just like being on a tightrope—the views, the adrenaline—without the fear of death. Well, there is the chance of injury, like anything involving mountain biking, so please, stick to the trails. BEST HIKING TRAIL Garland Ranch Regional Park 700 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley (831) 659-6065, mprpd.org Hiking trails abound at Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley and many of them veer vertical pretty quickly. If you prefer to stay low and not huff up the ridge, meadows and wildflowers await on the valley floor and gentle, dog-friendly trails loop throughout. Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District offers hiking, birding, workshops and family programming with schedules available in their Let’s Go Outdoors! catalogs published twice a year. BEST BOAT TOUR Princess Monterey Whale Watching 96 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey (831) 372-2203, montereywhalewatching. com Step right up! Impressively huge! See these amazing animals and feats of strength! Like the bulging strongmen and towering giants of the turn-ofthe-century circus, the wonders of the Monterey Bay draw big crowds yearround to its marine carnival. Princess Monterey Whale Watching acts as a seasoned ringmaster, giving tourists and locals a front-row seat for sightings of acrobatic sea birds, clowning seals and the main attraction: whales. Princess Monterey Whale Watching boasts a 99 percent success rate to witness nature’s biggest spectacle. 22 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2026 montereycountynow.com/bestof 8TH & LINCOLN, CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA (831) 624-1588 | CARMELFOUNDATION.ORG NEW: WELLNESS CENTER Weights | Cardio | Fitness Classes 65+ WEEKLY PROGRAMS Fitness | Arts | Lectures | Cards | Movies NUTRITIOUS MEALS $6 Meals | On-Site | Grab & Go | Curbside | Homebound Delivery SUPPORT SERVICES Resources | Referrals | Medical Equipment | Affordable Housing Membership is open to adults 55 and older — no matter where you live. JOIN TODAY Just $60 per year. Thank You, Monterey County! VOTED “BEST HANGOUT FOR SENIORS” FOR 25 YEARS IN A ROW ’26
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