Posts from — June 2009

Once again, Carmel and Monterey have been making headlines as the dog-friendliest destination in the United States. Website Dogfriendly.com just named Monterey and Carmel the top dog-friendly resort region for 2009, and a Suite 101 article called Carmel-by-the-Sea “the most dog-friendly resort town in California, if not in America.” Pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige recently did a doggie photo shoot at Quail Lodge, and wrote about dog-friendly Carmel Valley (click to see incredibly adorable photos).

Want to plan a vacation with the whole family, including your four-legged, furry best friend? We’ve compiled a huge list of the pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, tour organizations, and more in Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas and more.

This weekend, the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix returns to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, bringing with it all the thrills and excitement of MotoGP racing. How thrilling does it get? Check out this video from last year’s fierce battle between Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner:

As the final lead-up to this weekend commences, sports writers are already making predictions and asking questions. Will Valentino Rossi get his record 101st win this weekend? Will Casey Stoner’s mysterious stomach illness keep him off the podium at this year’s Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix? Will Chris Vermeulen get his third podium in a row?

The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is unique among MotoGP events in that it features only the fastest class of MotoGP racing, along with several AMA races. It is also unique in giving race fans the opportunity to meet the riders, and to ride the track on their own motorcycles.

Organizers have expanded the program and ratcheted up the entertainment this year with Thursday’s exhibition Superkart race between Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts Sr. and Valentino Rossey and bicycle race for AMA competitors, and Saturday’s live concert with James Toseland’s band Crash. They’ve also stepped up the hospitality side, with paddock dining options from Bernardus Lodge and Kula Ranch, and even an on-site pub.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has been known for motorcycle racing since the 1970s, when Cal Rayborn won the first AMA national race in 1972 at Laguna Seca. Mazda Raceweay Laguna Seca CEO/General Manager Gill Campbell gave an interview with Superbike Planet earlier this month about the history of motorcycle racing at Laguna Seca.

There’s no doubt that, with over 150,000 motorcycle racing fans descending on Monterey County for the weekend, the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is one of the area’s biggest events. Even if you aren’t heading to the raceway, you can get a taste of the action by checking out some sleek machines at Race Night on the Row on July 4. The hottest motorcycles will be shown off throughout Cannery Row from 5pm to 11pm.

For most of the United States, July 4 is a big landmark. For Monterey, the big date is not in July, but in June. June 3, 1770 marks the date of the founding of both Monterey and what would become the Carmel Mission – which mean that both turned 239 earlier this month. Of course, as you can see from the picture below, Monterey has changed a little since then.

Monterey, when it was the capital of California. The Custom House is on the right hand side. Image from the Library of Congress.

Did you know that Monterey was initially the capital of California? Back when California was Alta California, and the property of Mexico, Monterey was the most important city in California. It even hosted California’s constitutional convention in 1849 (an event still recreated annually in the very spot where it took place, Colton Hall). The oldest government building in California, Monterey’s Custom House, is California State Historic Landmark #1.

Monterey was also the original location of the Mission San Carlos Borromeo, also known as the Carmel Mission. Father Junipero Serra moved the mission to Carmel in 1771. The mission thrived for over half a century, but as these photos show, by the 1860s it was in ruins.

Photos of the ruins of the Carmel Mission from the 1860s. Images from the Library of Congress.

By the early 1900s, however, the citizens of Carmel had joined together to restore it. It is now known as the the best restored of all the California missions.

Want to take a look at historic Monterey during the nation’s birthday week? The Wall Street Journal recently published an excellent feature on their MarketWatch website about touring the historic Monterey Peninsula. We also have plenty of tips for you!

This weekend, the Monterey Fairgrounds is taken over by the Monterey Bay Blues Festival for a weekend of the best blues music in the country. If you’re looking for other fun events, read on!

Friday

Crown Royal helps locals warm up for the California Rodeo Salinas with a cocktail contest. Try competing cocktails at the following Salinas venues in the early evening: Casa Sorrento at 4:30pm, Old Town Bar & Grille at 5:30pm, and Elli’s Lalla Lounge at 6:45pm. Then (so long as you have a designated driver) cross the lettuce curtain to see if the following Monterey venues can compete: Lollapalooza at 8:30pm, Britannia Arms at 9:30pm, and the Mucky Duck at 10:30pm.

Monterey’s Golden State Theater offers a Free Movie Weekend that is simply made of awesome, with 2008’s two best summer blockbusters. Iron Man (cue the Black Sabbath) shows at 6pm; The Dark Knight shows at 9pm. Great drama, big chase scenes and gigantic explosions in a gorgeous theater with a huge screen? You’ll find us in the first row of the balcony. Get your free tickets at stores around Old Monterey; just look for the signs in the windows.

The South Bay’s Stompin’ Ground fills Jose’s Mexican on Wave Street in Monterey with that classic R&B sound tonight. 8pm, free.

Saturday

Monterey’s Custom House Plaza hosts Pacrep Summerfest. Enjoy live music from local musicians while you peruse the wares of over 50 arts and crafts vendors and nibble on international food. 9am-6pm, free.

Toro Park hosts the Thunder Riders car and motorcycle show. Admire gorgeous machinery and enjoy family activities like bounce-houses, a magic show and face-painting, as well as live music. Show starts at 10am. $8.

Bring your fossil-mad child to Science Saturday at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Your little dinosaur or mastodon nut can get up close and personal with the Museum of Natural History’s collection of replica fossils, and use arts and crafts to learn more about the gigantic beasts that once roamed our lands and seas. 11am-3pm, free.

Monterey County has some of the best birding in the United States. Get pointers on spotting the birds of Big Sur with the Birding with Bill hike at Andrew Molera State Park. Wear layered clothing and sturdy shoes, and bring plenty of water. 11am, meets at the Andrew Molera State Park kiosk.

Learn about California’s colonial past at the Carmel Mission’s Founder’s Day celebration. Watch performances by the Alta California Dancers, learn how colonists made food, soap and clothing, and take tours of the mission. Children can play traditional games and meet descendants of the Spanish colonial horses. If you’re hungry, you can also buy barbecue food. Noon-5pm, free.

See how Big Sur has bounced back on the Valleys and Vistas nature walk at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The hike is two miles. 2pm, meet at the Nature Center.

The new Homescapes Carmel at the Barnyard hosts an open house with interior designers/authors Robert Hale and Tom Williams. Meet the authors and enjoy refreshments. 2-4pm, free.

As we said before, 2008’s best summer blockbusters + Golden State Theater’s gigantic screen and comfy balcony seats = MADE OF WIN. Iron Man’s at 6pm; The Dark Knight’s at 9pm, plus special bonus Dark Knight matinee at 2pm. Get your free tickets at many of Old Monterey’s stores.

Author Elliot Ruchowits Roberts reads from his own work as well as reading the poems of George Sterling and Robinson Jeffers during “Envying the Quietness of Stones” at the Robinson Jeffers Tor House in Carmel. The reception begins at 6:30pm; the reading begins at 7. $25; call 831-236-2557 to reserve.

Fernwood Resort in Big Sur continues its eclectic lineup with Santa Cruz neopsychedelic rockers Byron Space Circus at 9pm.

Fantastic San Francisco Bay old-fashioned Motown/soul band Whiskey Hill makes you boogie until you fall over at Jose’s tonight. 9pm, free.

Sunday

If the farmers markets on Monday in Pacific Grove; Tuesday in Carmel and Old Monterey; Thursday in Salinas, Monterey and Soledad; Saturday in Salinas and Sunday in Salinas and Marina weren’t enough for you, then you’re in luck – here comes another one! The Del Monte Shopping Center Certified Farmers Market kicks off today at 8am. At 9:30am there will be a grand opening, including a ribbon cutting ceremony, a “breaking of the bread” ceremony with Whole Foods representatives and live musical performances. Visitors get a free Farmers Market shopping bag. 8am to noon.

There are two great group hikes at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park today. At 9am, the Discovering Pfeiffer Falls hike takes a trek a mile up the Valley View trail to admire Pfeiffer Falls. At 1pm, the one and a half hour Gear Shifts trek shows off the dramatic ways Big Sur’s terrain changes abruptly in just a few yards. Discovering Pfeiffer Falls meets at the Nature Center, while Gear Shifts meets in front of the Big Sur Lodge Restaurant.

Pacrep Summerfest continues at Custom House Plaza, with live music and over 50 vendors. 9am-6pm, free.

Take a great hike while helping preserve a local park. This three to four hour hike at Garland Ranch Regional Park will follow along the Hitchcock loop and visit the park’s waterfall. As you go, you’ll help clean up and restore the benches and signs along the path. 10am, free. Meet at the Kahn Ranch lot, which is off Southbank Road in Carmel Valley.

Google Maps has gone off-road for the latest evolution of its Street View function; it’s now showing bits of the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail!

As reported in USA Today, Google sent a tricycle down the bike path, taking photos all the way. Perhaps it’s due to the slow speed, or perhaps they’ve upgraded their equipment, but the graphics are far more high resolution than one sees in the normal Street View. How high-resolution are they? You can even see seals sunning themselves on a rock in the bay if you zoom in far enough. It’s a little blurry, but still impressive.

Unfortunately, getting to the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail on Google Maps Street View is not as easy as typing in the address (as we found through much frustration). To view the Coastal Recreation Trail:

1. Go to Google Maps
2. Type in an address you know in Monterey. (Don’t know one? Try “765 Wave Street”.)
3. A pointer box will appear on the map, with a photo next to the address you typed in. Below the photo, you’ll see “Street View.” Click on that link.
4. If you move your cursor around the lower left-hand side of the photo, you’ll see a circle around the cursor. Double-click.
5. Ta-da! You’ve magically teleported down to the bike path. You can click to get a full view of whatever is along the side, like this great view of the Quock Mui Tea Room near sunset.
6. Not sure exactly where you are on the bike trail? In the map in the lower right hand corner, click the minus button to zoom out. You’ll soon see where you are in relation to the rest of Monterey.

Or, if that’s too much trouble, just click on this link, which puts you right in front of the IMAX Theater. Then use the left and right arrows placed along the yellow line two-thirds of the way down the photo to move around.

We haven’t had time to check and see if this has every foot of the bike trail from Castroville to Pebble Beach. Have you? Did you spot anything nifty in any of the particular shots (such as passersby pointing and gawking)? Let us know!

Just released by the National Archives on YouTube, this film shows Big Sur as it was in the 1930s, when they were initially establishing California’s state parks, including Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. This historic Big Sur film footage shows Construction Corps and Conservation Corps engineers and laborers working to construct the trails, roads and buildings in our parks. Many of the workers are shown sleeping in tents for months at a time. At many parks, they were still bringing in supplies on horseback!

Fast forward to 14:26 to see the footage of Big Sur. It’s fascinating to see what has changed about the park (and about conservation techniques) -- and what has stayed the same. (They can’t resist the iconic shot of the waves cascading through the archway at McWay Falls.)

Other California state parks featured in this historic film include California Redwood (now either Big Basin Redwoods or Henry Cowell Redwoods -- please comment if you are sure which one this is) (2:46), Humboldt Redwood (now called Humboldt Redwoods State Park) (5:29), Calaveras (now called Calaveras Big Trees State Park) (7:17), San Jacinto Mountains (now called Mount San Jacinto State Park) (7:54), Rubicon (now part of D.L. Bliss State Park) (11:18), Prairie Creek (now called Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park) (13:14), Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (about 17 minutes in; the introduction is cut off), Morro Bay (now Morro Bay State Park and Morro Strand State Beach) (18:40) and Russian Gulch State Park (19:51). You’ll also see scenes of Conservation Corps workers boxing, playing baseball, washing dishes, and other aspects of daily life.

As the Monterey County Weekly reported Thursday, visitors may not have much of a chance to see the newly opened Discovery Center at Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur. Recent state-level budget troubles have threatened to close 280 of California’s parks.

Here’s the list of Monterey County parks that would close due to state budget cuts:

• Andrew Molera State Park
• Carmel River State Beach
• the just opened Fort Ord Dunes State Park
• Fremont Peak State Park
• Garrapata State Park
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
• hang glider favorite Marina State Beach
• paraglider haunt Monterey State Beach
• Monterey State Historic Park
• surfer favorite Moss Landing State Beach
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
• Point Sur State Historic Park
• Salinas River State Beach
• Zmudowski State Beach

It’s easier to list what would stay open: surfer favorite Asilomar State Beach and Elkhorn Slough Natural Estuarine Reserve (which is run in part by the state Department of Fish and Game and is not technically a state park).

Get the full list of proposed closures throughout the state from the California State Parks Foundation.

This weekend, the California State Parks Foundation has organized “SOS Weekend” at parks around the state. (The SOS stands for “Save Our State Parks” – apparently the P is silent.) If you want to learn what to do about the state parks situation, visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park on Sunday at 2pm. In what amounts to a music-backed teach-in, volunteers will explain how to most effectively contact your representatives in Sacramento to ensure the park stays open. Folk singer Alisa Finerman will perform. If you’re not near Pfeiffer Big Sur, you can still participate; their website lists events at 17 other parks throughout the state.

There’s free admission for locals to the Aquarium on Saturday, free admission to Pinnacles National Monument all weekend and that big rally for the State Parks on Sunday, plus much more going on this weekend.

Friday
It’s a Bay Area-style punk rock party at Jose’s on Wave Street in Monterey, with old-school-vibe band Vitamin Party, high energy My Parade, the thrashy 12 Steps to Nothing, all down from the Bay Area. Even louder and faster locals Hate for State round out the bill. 9pm, $5.

Saturday
Are you a Monterey County resident? Enjoy free admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Saturday. Don’t miss the awesome Secret Lives of Seahorses exhibit – wave hi to Herbie Hippocampus, Facebook’s favorite seahorse! 10am-6pm.

Pinnacles National Monument has waived their entrance fees for this weekend. Take Dad on a hike!

Marina’s Vince DiMaggio Park hosts Native American Cultural Day. Watch live traditional dances, hear traditional stories, and learn to make traditional Native American crafts. Noon to 3pm. Free.

If you’re a surfer, Carmel Beach is the place to celebrate International Surfing Day. Help with a beach cleanup, and enjoy barbecue and music. Noon, free.

Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, usually known for its wine, makes a big splash in cocktail culture with their Afternoon Cocktail Hour featuring Sobieski Vodka. Learn how to make amazing cocktails with fresh local fruits and herbs, then enjoy some cocktails yourself in the garden, as well as hors d’oeuvres by Chef Cal Stamenov. 3-5pm, $65.

Jose’s rocks again, with LA outfit Spindrift (imagine a soundtrack to drug-induced hallucinations in a Quentin Tarantino-directed Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, and you’ve got the idea), San Francisco’s melodic Aseemble Head in Sunburst Sound (think early Pink Floyd atmospheric moments without the nervous breakdowns, with a cupful of Grateful Dead in the mix), and Serpico (think very early Rush with a little Steely Dan demo vibe). 9pm, $10 at the door.

Big Sur’s Fernwood continues their Saturday night lineup of eclectic acts with Santa Cruz’s funky Afro-beat artists Danjuma & Onola. 9pm.

Sunday
As you may have heard, Monterey County’s state parks are all threatened with closure by budget cuts. At Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, they’re not just talking about it – they’re doing something. Enjoy great music from folk singer Alisa Finerman, show your support for our state park system and learn what you can do to make sure our parks stay open. This event is synchronized with others at parks across the state. 2pm, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park softball field.

Want to take a free hike? Entrance fees at Pinnacles National Monument are waived for this weekend.

Looking for something to do for Father’s Day? Bring Dad to Bernardus Lodge for brunch, barbecue and bocce. Noon-3pm, $40/guests over 12, $20 for children 6-12.

As usual, there’s more going on here than we can list. Take a look at the Monterey County Weekly’s online calendar to get more info on this weekend’s events.

If you’re a fan of the Bentley car (as seen in many James Bond films), you’ll want to make plans to attend the Concours d’Elegance. Classic Bentleys, such as three of the early race car Bentley Speed Six and four of the supercharged Birkin Blower, will be on display. Motor Trend just announced that the first Bentley ever entered in a Le Mans race will also appear. As previously reported, Bentley will also reveal the concept version of its new Arnage at the event.

Bentley isn’t the only marque planning to unveil a new car at the Concours d’Elegance. Devon Motorworks has announced it will roll out the super-fast GTX at the event. Here’s some computer-generated images of that beauty:

A record-setting auction is expected when Ettore Bugatti’s Bugati type 57C goes on the block. The winning bid on that automotive work of art is expected to be somewhere north of $12.1 million. Wired has stunning photos of the one-of-a-kind vehicle.

As Bethpage prepares for the 2009 U.S. Open Championship, avid golf fans are already making plans for the 2010 U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The USGA will begin accepting ticket applications at the USGA website on June 22. If you’d prefer to lend a hand, the USGA is currently accepting volunteer applications. For detailed information on the ticket application process and how to volunteer, as well as hotel booking information and more, see our 2010 U.S. Open Championship page on SeeMonterey.com.

The weekend is nearly upon us! Here’s our hot picks for what to do.

Friday

That tween favorite, Hannah Montana, hits the big screen at 7pm at the Golden State Theatre in Monterey with “Hannah Montana The Movie.” Pick up your free tickets at participating stores in Old Monterey; look for the poster in the window that says “Free Summer Movie Weekends.”

You knew wine and food could be paired together, but did you know both could also be paired with cigars? Find out the flavors that cigars bring out at Chateau Julien’s Wine & Cigar Dinner. Reception begins at 6:30, dinner begins at 7:30. $100 for club members, $125 for non-members.

It’s a skinny-jeans-and-neckties night as electro DJ/promoting outfit Blood and Glitter throws a dance party with Pimp Gypsy and the Disco Werewolves at Jose’s Mexican in Monterey tonight at 9pm. Free.

Saturday

The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau is cleaning up Lovers Point Beach in Pacific Grove, and you’re invited! Refreshments and cleaning supplies will be provided. 10am to 11:30am.

Earthbound Farm in Carmel holds a vegetable garden walk, cooking demo and food tasting with Chef Craig von Foerster of Post Ranch Inn. Participants will get recipes to take home. 10am-noon, $20 for adults, $5 for 12 and under.

It’s the 10th annual Summer Wildflower Show at Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley! Stop by anytime between 10am to 4pm to hear talks about wildflowers. Join in a free guided Wondrous Wildflower Walk at 1pm. The walk will be about one and a half to two miles. Register for the walk online at the Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District website.

Gardeners can pick up plants, books, supplies and more while benefiting a good cause at the Cooper-Molera Adobe’s Garden Sale. 10am-2pm. Free.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park holds family activities at the newly reopened campground today, including activities about nature and recycling for 7-12 year olds at 10am, storytelling and games for the 6 and under crowd at 11:30am, and a two mile nature walk (beginning at the Nature Center) for everyone at 2pm. $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Carmel Valley Village hosts the fifth annual Art & Wine Celebration. Try food samples and wine tastings while enjoying live entertainment and browsing the work of over 60 artisans. 11am-5pm. Admission is free, $15 for five wine tastings includes commemorative glass.

The Golden State Theatre has two free movies today. The movie version of that favorite kid franchise, “Hannah Montana The Movie” shows at 3pm. At 7pm, see the critically acclaimed and extremely popular animated film “Coraline.” Pick up your free tickets at participating stores in Old Monterey; look for the poster in the window that says “Free Summer Movie Weekends.”

Moss Landing’s Hallway Ballers bring their funk/rock/Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers-esque music to Fernwood Resort in Big Sur tonight at 9pm.

Up the coast in Monterey at Jose’s Mexican, three unique and refreshing hip-hop bands, Realization, Aces and Para la Gente play live. 9pm, $5 cover.

Sunday

The 10th annual Summer Wildflower Show continues at Garland Ranch Regional Park from 10am to 4pm. Arrive at 9am for a free, challenging Wildflower Hike, roughly three and a half miles long with about a 1000 foot elevation gain. Register for the hike online at the MPRPD website.

Not to be outdone, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park holds two nature walks today. 9am’s walk, called “Discovering Pfeiffer Falls,” meets at the Nature Center and takes a one-mile hike along the recently reopened Valley View trail to Pfeiffer Falls. At 1pm, the one and a half hour walk “Gear Shifts,” beginning in front of the Big Sur Restaurant, will explore Big Sur’s extreme terrain and flora changes. $10 adults, $5 children.

Learn how to make amazing Indian food with Chef Raghavan Iyer, author of 660 Curries, and Quail Lodge’s executive chef Jeff Rogers. Take a chef-guided tour of Earthbound Farm, then head back to Quail Lodge to learn great Indian cooking tips. Enjoy a cooking demonstration from Iyer followed by a three-course plated lunch paired with perfect wine. All those who attend will receive a gift bag and a signed copy of 660 Curries. Noon to 3:30pm. $75 per person, $140 couple.

Once again, the Golden State Theatre has two kid-favorite free movies on deck. See “Hannah Montana The Movie” at 3pm and animated film “Coraline” at 7pm. Pick up your free tickets at participating stores in Old Monterey; look for the poster in the window that says “Free Summer Movie Weekends.”