California Central
Coast
Activities |
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If you want updates about Big Sur and the Central Coast, join the PelicanNetwork email list |
Pacific Grove Art Center |
Four large galleries, with good showings of local artists. |
568 Lighthouse Avenue. PG 375.2208 http://www.pgartcenter.org/ Open Wed-Sat 12-5, Sun 1-4 |
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Elkhorn Slough Safari |
Nature Boat Tours Locally owned and operated. Two hour cruises with a naturalist guide. Good photography opportunities. Wildlife appreciation classes |
Harbor District parking lot – Moss Landing 633.5555 |
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Pacific Rim Birding Company |
Birding for whole family, and all levels of birders. 400+ species possible in five distinct habitats. Guided half, or full day nature tours. Family tours available. Walking or kayaking tours of Elkhorn Slough (most prolific sighting location in U.S.) Point Lobos, Big Sur and Molera trips. |
P.O. Box 692 Moss Landing, CA 632-2473 rimbirding@aol.com |
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Crespi Pond |
Pacific Grove Next to Ocean View Blvd. by the Golf Course in front of the Lighthouse |
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Lagoon at mouth of Big Sur River Ventana Wilderness Society operates an Ornithology Lab here – Bird walks, call Big Sur Station 831 667 2315 |
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Contemplation |
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New Camadoli Hermitage |
Benedictine Order, no talking, exquisite views, great hiking options, good meals, suggested $45 & $55 a day. Must reserve in advance – usually about 3 months, and convince the Brothers you are going there for a spiritually based reason, as in to contemplate. |
Online at: www.contemplation.com |
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Cold, fantastic dives. Point Lobos is exceptional for every skill level. Pacific Grove, Big Sur and Monterey have great dive sites, too. There are more underwater parks – marine life ecological reserves in this region than anywhere else on the western U.S. coast. |
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Aquarius Dive Shop |
Monterey |
2040 Del Monte Avenue 375-1933, and at 32 Cannery Row 375-6605 |
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Bamboo Reef |
Monterey |
614 Lighthouse Avenue 372-1685 |
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Mitchell Scuba College |
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Monterey Bay Dive Center |
Monterey |
225 Cannery Row 656-0454 and, 598 Foam St. 655-1818 |
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Otter Cove Ocean Sports |
Monterey |
32 Cannery Row 647-0147 |
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Dive Monterey |
Monterey |
598 Foam St. 655.3483 |
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Big Sur |
Pick Your Own Gizdich
Ranch When in season, pick
strawberries, olallieberries, raspberries and apples. Farm
park for kids. Fresh apple juice is pressed every Saturday
Pick-your-own field
open daily 8 am to 5 pm, May through July. Pick your own
Apple Orchard open September. Ranch open daily 9 am to 5 pm,
April though December. Open weekends, 9 am to 5 pm, Jan.
through Mar. 55 Peckham Road
Watsonville 722- 1056 Organic Webb’s Organic
Farm Twelve varieties of
apples and many fruits and vegetables. 5 varieties of
potatoes. Nuts and flowers. Open Mon thru Sat. 8 am to 5
pm 5381 Old San Jose
Road Soquel 475.1020 Bounty of the
Valley Organics sold Wed
thru Mon 10-6 – Apr – Dec 660 Canal St. King
City 385.1984 Sustainable Farming UC Santa Cruz Center for
Argroecology and Sustainable Food Systems Bay and High Streets, Santa
Cruz 459.4140 Organic fruits, vegetables, herbs
and flowers are sold Noon-6 Tues and Fri, May-Dec
Docent led tours Thurs noon & Sun
2 pm, and by appointment Boronda History
Center
Center includes
Boronda adobe built in 1844, Lagunita schoolhouse built in
1848, and Robert B. Johnston Archival Vault, a significant
research facility. Open Monday thru Friday 9 am to 3
pm. 333 Boronda Road Salinas
757.8085 Carmel Mission
Basilica and Museum Built in 1771 (an
original mission was built in Monterey at the Presidio was
abandoned) Father Junipero Serra’s California headquarters,
and his sarcophagus. 3080 Rio Road 624.3600 Casa Serrano
1845 Adobe, antique
furniture and historical artifacts Open weekends 2 pm to 4
pm 412 Pacific St 372.2608 This was the
largest, and most industrious of all California missions. It
is also the best restored, showing most of the functions of
the enterprise, tannery, water-powered gristmill, and
museum. The third mission, built in 1771, has unique bell
tower, made with burnt bricks. Mission Road Jolon – in Fort
Hunter Liggett 385-4478 Mission Santa
Cruz 425.5849 Mission Nuestra
Señora de la Soledad 36641 Fort Romie Road (off Arroyo
Seco Road) Soledad 678.2586 Monterey State
Historic Park Old Monterey, by the Wharf
649.7118 43 buildings, many
old adobes, 1795 Royal Presidio Chapel. Colton Hall, where
California constitution written 1849. Stevenson House,
where author stayed in 1879. “Path of History” walking tour
map available at 20 Custom House Plaza, and Cooper-Molera
Adobe, 525 Polk St. Point Pinos
Lighthouse
Longest continually
operating lighthouse on West Coast. Historically preserved
home. Asilomar Avenue Pacific
Grove San Juan Bautista
Historical Park Largest of
California missions founded in 1797. Nice gardens. State
Historic Park on the Mission square. 19th Century buildings
preserved. Antique carriages, black smithy. Self guided
walking tour of historic area. Open daily 10 am to 4:30
pm Steinbeck
House Childhood home of
John Steinbeck. Restored and appointed with original
furniture, and photos. Now a restaurant. Two lunch sittings
daily. Home open for touring. 132 Central Ave. Salinas 424.2735 Tor House and Hawk
Tower
Home built by Poet
Robinson Jeffers. Original furnishings, memorabilia. Tours
by reservation Fri and Sat hourly 10-3 26304 Ocean View Ave.
Carmel 624.1813 Wilder
Ranch
Ranch and History
Tours Saturdays and Sundays 1 pm Guided turn-of-the-century
walks. Victorian home, demonstration of the Pelton driven
farm equipment, historical buildings. 11 to 3 Saturdays and
Sundays tours of the ranch complex – Dairy ranching,
blacksmithing, ranch baking and Victorial crafts 426.0505 Local History
Online
Visit the California
State University Monterey Bay Internet history site:
http://www.monterey.edu/other-sites/history/
You can learn a lot, and plan a history oriented visit to
this history-rich area.
Esalen Private, world
famous, psyche healing, cliff side tubs 667.3000 Paraiso In the Santa Lucia
eastern foothills, this is a magical spot. Built by Southern
Pacific as a resort destination a hundred years ago, it has
seen better days. It is a little campy now. But the setting
is truly beautiful, and the waters are magnificent. Cabins,
a camp ground and a snack bar. Day use includes a big
selection of pools and picturesque picnic area. 678.2882 Tassajara Buddhist monastery.
Public admitted only brief periods. Operated by Zen Center,
San Francisco, 415.431.3771 Sykes Hot
Springs Hike in 10 miles to
hot pools in the forest. No commercial development. Rustic
campsites. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Permit required for
camping. 667.2315 Kayaks are available
to rent for paddling in sloughs, bays and in the ocean at
Big Sur. Much of the greatness of the National Marine
Sanctuary is uniquely accessed by this exciting recreation.
Monterey Bay Kayaks
693 Del Monte Avenue Monterey 373-5357 Elkhorn Slough Kayak
Connection 2370 Hwy 1 Moss Landing 724-5692 A B Seas Kayaks 32
Cannery Row, at Coast Guard Pier, Monterey 647-0147 Elkhorn
Slough Safari Adventures by the
Sea 299 Cannery Row Monterey 372.1807 Kayak
Connection
Located at the water
in Moss Landing and Santa Cruz Individual rentals, tours for
all skill levels, paddling with mother gray whales and their
calves, sunset paddles among otters, seals, herons and
pelicans, and some strenuous open sea paddles for the
kayaking adventurer.
Museums Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History 831.648.3119 165 Forest Avenue (at Central Ave.) Exhibit of migratory Monarch butterfly. Displays for lifestyle of regional Indians. Touch tide pools for children. Native plant garden. Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum King City 385.8020 San Lorenzo Regional Park 1160 Broadway, near Hwy 101 Many farming antiques, and many artifacts from early Salinas Valley Open everyday 10-4 Center for Photographic Art Carmel 625.5181 Sunset Cultural Center In Offices where Ansel Adams worked Exhibits. Workshops. Tues through Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm Monterey Peninsula Museum of Art 559 Pacific Street 372.7591 American and Asian art, photography, graphics, international folk and ethnic art. Permanent exhibits by regional artists. Open Wed - Sat 11 am to 5 pm Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm Maritime Museum of Monterey 375.2553 Stanton Center 5 Custom House Plaza next to Fisherman's Wharf Sardine, whaling, and Ohlone Indian exhibits, plus thousands of items, books and photographs. Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm Casa Serrano 412 Pacific Street Monterey 372.2608 1845 Adobe Antiques and historical items Open Sat and Sun 2 pm to 4 pm National Steinbeck Center (see Pelican page) Recreation Back packing. Horse back riding. Ventana Wilderness Outfitters and Guides A working ranch at the edge of Los Padres National Forest and Ventana Wilderness, and 500 miles of trails. The Nason family are descendants of Esselen Indians and pioneer Big Sur families, and are extraordinarily knowledgeable of the area. They conduct horse pack in camping trips filled with cultural, flora and fauna education. Trips into the most remote and spectacular areas of Santa Lucia mountains. Or, you can stay at the ranch, camp in a teepee in an alpine meadow and hike on your own. Also, short horse back trips out of Carmel Valley are available. Ventana Wilderness Ranch & Expeditions 1780 Prescott Avenue Monterey, CA 93940 Tel: 831-372-4974
or, 38655 Tassajara Road Carmel Valley, CA 93924 Tel: 408.659.2153Santa Lucia Outfitters
831 444 7100
Holman Ranch Carmel Valley 659-6054. Hilly 400 acre ranch, guided rides up to great views of the Valley $30 per hr. $50 for two hrs. Longer trips available for experienced riders Pebble Beach Trail Rides - rides in the Del Monte Forest, coast trails, sand dunes and Spyglass Hill fairways 4 Beach trail guided rides daily, 10am, 12 noon, 2 pm and 3:30 pm group and private riding lessons $45 regularly scheduled rides $60 -90 private rides Arranged rides for picnic, business functions, brunch excursions Pebble Beach Equestrian Center Portola Rd $ Alva Lane Pebble Beach, CA 93953 624-2756 Molera Horseback Tours, at Molera State Park, Hwy 1 625-5486 prices begin at $25 Sailing Olympus Sailing Charters 647-1957 Shakespeare and other Live Theater Forest in Carmel State Parks Garrapata 624.4909 10 miles south of Carmel Four miles of coastline between Point Lobos and Molera State Park Nearly 3,000 acres Coastal Bluffs Canyons Redwoods to Cactus Hiking trails. Andrew Molera 667.2315 Pelican Page Big Basin Pfeiffer-Big Sur 667.2315 Along the Big Sur River 26 miles south of Carmel Pfeiffer Falls Hike Nature Trail Camping Lodge and cabins, 667.2171 Access to Ventana Wilderness Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve 4,000 acres managed by Nature Conservancy, Save-the-redwoods League, & University of California Tel: 415.777.0541 for groups educational expeditions Jack's Peak County Park 755.4895 Up, behind San Juan Bautista Scenic meadows and forests Highest point in Monterey Peninsula. Nature trail. Picnic area Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 667.2315 38 miles south of Carmel McWay Falls 3,500 acres, including a big underwater park, great dive site Marina State Beach 384.7695 170 acres of beach and dunes Natural Bridges State Park Pinnacles National Monument 389.4485 A rocky wonderland of spirals and nooks. Wildflowers. Hiking Trails Good Visitors Center Camping Enter from the east side (Hwy 101 to 146) Check Pelican Page for driving instructions. Skates and Surfboard Rental Adventures by the Sea 299 Cannery Row Monterey 372.1807 On the Beach Surf Shop 693 Lighthouse Ave Monterey 646.9283 Sunshine Surf and Sport 443 Lighthouse Ave Monterey 375.5015 Wildlife Butterfly Habitats Natural Bridges State Park Santa Cruz Monarch Grove Sanctuary and Deer Habitat Pacific Grove Butterfly Trees Oct.-Feb Washington Park Monterey Pine Forest Butterfly Trees Pacific Grove Elephant Seals see Pelican page: San Simeon and Piedras Blancas Piedras Blancas 1.5 mi. south of Lighthouse 8.5 mi. north of Cambria Sea Otter Preserve South from Partington Point Wine Tasting Salinas Valley and Santa Lucia Highlands Chalone Vineyard In the western Gabilan mountains, next to the Pinnacles. Stonewall Canyon Road (Hwy 146) Soledad 678.1717 One of California's greatest wineries. Julia Child is a stockholder. Weekends 11:30 am to 5 pm, or call to visit during week Cloninger Cellars Dave Paige, wine master. 675.9463 1645 River Road Salinas Mon-Thur 11 to 4, Fri-Sun 11 to 5 The Monterey Vineyard Paraiso Springs Vineyards & Cobblestone 38060 Paraiso Springs Road Soledad 678.0300 Exceptional Pinot Noir Open 12-4, Sat and Sun 11-5 Jekel Vineyards 40155 Walnut Ave Greenfield 674.5522 Johannesburg Riesling, Open 11-4 daily Smith and Hook 37700 Foothill Road Soledad 678.2132 Santa Lucia Highlands, above Soledad Mission New hospitality center. Exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot Open 11-4 daily Scheid Vineyards 1972 Hobson Avenue Greenfield 386.0316 Open daily 11-6 Carmel Valley Chateau Julien Wine Estate A bit of Europe in the Valley. 8940 Carmel Valley Road Carmel www.chateaujulien.com 831.9463 Mon-Fri 8:30 5, Sat and Sun 11 to 5 Durney Vineyards Organically grown grapes, fed by underground springs. 13746 Center St. Carmel Valley 659.6220 Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot Pinot Noir Chenin Blanc and Late Harvest Riesling Mon-Fri 10-4, Sat and Sun 11-5 River Ranch Vineyards 19 East Carmel Valley Road Carmel Valley 659.1525 Monterey Ventana Vineyards Innovative. Highly awarded. Historic tasting room. 372.7415 Old Stone House 2999 Monterey-Salinas Hwy (68) Monterey Open 11-5 daily Santa Cruz Mountains Organic Wine Works Empire Grade Road, Felton Open Daily Award winning wines that are made with no added sulfites. Very picturesque setting, nostalgic tasting room PelicanNetwork Page
May |
Pelicans return from Baja |
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The Great Monterey Squid Festival |
Memorial Day Weekend |
649.6544 |
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Monterey County Artists Studio Tour |
625.4175 |
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Artichoke Festival |
May 20-21 Castroville |
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June |
Early Days in San Juan |
Celebrates founding of San Juan Bautista Costumed docents, 1860s dance, |
623.4526 |
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Outdoor Summer Art Festival |
Carmel |
Local artists |
624.3996 |
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Monterey’s Birthday |
Parade and booths |
Historic Alvarado Street |
655.8070 |
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Monterey Bay Theaterfest |
Arts and crafts fair, summer series of free performances. Fairy tale theater, comic opera, Shakespeare, musicians |
649.0340 |
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Monterey County Strawberry Festival |
Laguna Seca |
663.4166 |
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Monterey Bay Blues Festival |
Fairgrounds |
394-2652 |
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July |
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Bach Festival July and August |
Carmel |
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Daily concerts, recitals and lectures at the Sunset Cultural Center, and at the Carmel Mission. Sells out early. |
624.1521 |
August Antique and
Collectible Show San Juan Bautista
623.2454 Carmel Valley
Fiesta 659.4000 Monterey Scottish
Festival & Highland Games 649.1770 September Greenfield Broccoli
Festival 674.3222 Santa Rosalia
Festival Monterey Italian celebration,
blessing the fishing fleet, food, procession down Main
Street to Custom House Plaza 373.2628 Festival del Pueblo
de Monterey Indian
celebration Monterey 375.0095 Estuaries
Day Nature activities Elkhorn
Slough 728.2822 Begonia
Festiva Capitola
Village 475.6522 Two weeks. Begonia
covered floats parade down the San Lorenzo River California
All-Indian Market San Juan
Bautista 623.2379 Celebrating native
tribes. Artists, food, dancers, fashion
Monterey Jazz
Festival Fairgrounds Oldest continuous
jazz festival. Historic and sublime 373.3366 October River Inn
Oktoberfest Arts, crafts, German
food and beer. Benefits Beacon House Big Sur 625.5255 Tor House
Festival Carmel Butterfly
Parade Children parade in
butterfly costumes to celebrate the annual return of the
Monarch Pacific Grove 646.6520 Victorian Home
Tour Restored
Victorians Pacific Grove 373.3304 Jade
Festival Art, crafts, gems, local projects.
Biggest gathering of jade artists Gorda, Big Sur 805.927.5574 November Robert Louis
Stevenson’s “Unbirthday” Celebrate the birth of the great
author. It’s called an “un” birthday, because he gave
hi s away to a local youngster who felt
she didn’t have one because she was born on Christmas
day. 649.7118 December Festival of Trees Handcrafting
ornaments to decorate trees at Museum of Art Monterey 372.5477 Christmas in the Adobes Historic costumes,
tours of old Monterey homes Monterey 649.7118 Christmas at the Inns Open House at the
Vistorian B & Bs decorated for the holidays Pacific
Grove 373.3304 La Posada Traditional
candlelight Christmas parade with carolers. Piñata
party. Monterey 646.3866
PelicanNetwork is a cultural and natural history information advocacy and Eco-Travel Guide to
California Central Coast
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