MONTEREY-CARMEL

You’ve been planning your Carmel trip for months and you even went to Get WildBlue so you’d have internet at home to bid on flights…now you’re broke but ready for the vacation of a lifetime! Here are a few of our favorite FREE things to do in Carmel, California…
Monastery Beach – This picturesque strip of sand provides a great spot for kids to play or a romantic evening walk…grab (more…)

A beautiful and peaceful area to visit or relocate is Monterey, California. Located on the coast, with a year round comfortable climate, and not far from the Big Sur area of California, the area offers outdoor fun, art and culture, and stunning scenery. Since it is one of the most historic cities in the state, older homes and adobes are found in Monterey. Some adobes are open to the public and tours are given.

With golf courses, shopping and scenic drives to Big Sur, there is always something to do. (more…)

Whether you are looking for a place to vacation or are thinking of relocating, the Monterey Carmel area is a great spot. No matter what your interests are, you are sure to find activities and events that interest you. The Monterey Carmel area boasts a variety of events from magnificent golf courses and music & art festivals to surfing and hiking. Other activities include kayaking, scuba diving and whale watching.

You also have the opportunity to explore many area vineyards & (more…)

When deciding to visit the Monterey-Carmel area, you will quickly notice there are so many fun and relaxing things to do. One of the greatest experiences in this area is the The Pebble Beach Classic. As an outing for his buddies, this event was started in the 1930s by none other then Bing Crosby. This wonderful golf experience can bring you the fun of golf, but has so much more to offer. This golf “party” can include the likes of Bill (more…)

Traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco to college became routine for me. I spent many hours driving on Interstate 5. I did it so much that I felt I was on auto pilot most of the time. When I had time I would drive Highway 1 to replenish my battery. This drive is far different. It takes longer but what you lose in time you gain in beauty. Driving through Big Sur area is more like driving through a natural cathedral dedicated to nature. The drive makes you feel alive. I compare (more…)

The Wild West was America’s claim to the wild frontier and the adventures that came with it. The term frontier is used to describe the area of land that was being settled by pioneers and explorers from the east. As people moved west during the early years of American history the frontier zone shifted with the movers. Eventually the frontier zone met up with the Pacific Ocean. The Monterey-Carmel areas of California are today’s frontier zones.
Monterey was first settled in 1770 and served as the (more…)

With its sunny climate, rugged coastline, and magnificent scenery, California is one of the grandest places to visit in the country. This article will concentrate exclusively on the two cities of Monterey and Carmel and the area immediately surrounding. Many of John Steinbeck’s novels are set here.

In Monterey you can see the Monterey Bay Aquarium. No one can afford to miss the fluorescent jellyfish, nor the four sea otters who live there permanently. And there are the Pacific House Museum, which houses exhibits on (more…)

I’ve always filed John Steinbeck under American Writer in my mental index. Only recently, doing some research, did I realize that American Writer And Traveler would be a more descriptive tag.Born in Salinas, Steinbeck lived up and down the coast and sailed the Gulf of California. He traveled most of America, including the 40 state jaunt he took with his dog in Travels with Charley. As a war correspondent he filed stories from the Mediterranean and North Africa, and later became one of the first Americans to travel extensively in the Soviet Union and Israel. Steinbeck’s gift lay in getting to know a place quickly and intimately, and write about it as if he’d lived there all his life. There are many places that could claim him as one of their own, but when I think of Steinbeck Country, I think of the misty little wharf-lands stretching south from San Francisco – the scrappy, ramshackle places that were California before California was a big deal. Only here, in books like Tortilla Flats and Cannery Row does the lighter side of the novelist emerge, creating picaresque and always charming bums, a kind of Rat Pack by the sea. These are places and people that vanished long before I was born, but Steinbeck brings them to life, fresh and salty as sea air.

Even though Big Sur may be considered sparsely populated, it is that very reason that contributes to its spectacular beauty. Interestingly, the area known as Big Sur has no real specific geographic boundaries since the name is derived from the region’s original Spanish-language inhabitants of “el sur grande” which translates to “the big south.” However, many define the area as the 90 miles of coastline between the Carmel River and San Carpoforo Creek and extending inland 20 miles to the eastern foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Situated just 120 miles south of (more…)

There’s a wide assortment of spas to choose from in the Monterey area. We provide the following FAQ to help assure your visit is a pleasant one in the event you have not had the pleasure to experience the wonders of a spa environment before now. Enjoy!What should I wear? In all cases you should wear comfortable clothing and do not bring jewelry or valuables to the spa. Remember, it’s a time for relaxation not a fashion show. A spa robe and slippers are often provided for your treatment(s), but in the event they are not, loose clothing should be the selection of choice. Will I have to get naked? If you’re scheduled for a message you may prefer to fully disrobe for your treatment since massage therapists are professionally trained and licensed in proper draping techniques to ensure privacy and comfort for clients.When should I arrive? We suggest arriving 20 minutes prior to your appointment to allow ample time to check in, change and relax prior to any treatment. Remember, this is a time of relaxation and pampering, so it’s best not to arrive at the last minute in a stressful state since this may negate any positive effect of the treatment(s) you are receiving.Is there expected protocol? Again, since most spa environments are designed for guests to relax and enjoy the silence it’s best to always speak softly and to leave cell phones, laptops and pagers behind.Can I make special requests? You can discuss special requests with your practitioner and if reasonable they can usually be accommodated. Examples might include focusing on your back during a massage should you be having concerns in that particular area or special chemical treatments during a facial. Likewise, if at any time during your service you feel uncomfortable, by all means mention these concerns so modifications can be made.What should I tip? As with any service, it’s appropriate to tip a minimum of 15 (with 20 being average).