It is a glamorous life being a military wife. I am currently laying on my completely bare mattress eating the last remaining food items out of my freezer which happen to be an "uncrustable" kids PB&J and a bag of lima beans, while I am stranded at home alone with no husband, no car, no kids {hallelujah}, practically no food, and a house full of boxes wondering how on earth we have accumulated an estimated 10,192 pounds of stuff?! The packers are busy downstairs packing up the last 3 to 5 thousand pounds of our belongings while I am supposed to be cleaning. But one can only scrub a bath tub for so long before they need to take a break and have a bag of lima beans and a frozen PB&J. Please try not to be jealous, I know you all want my life right now.
In all seriousness though, I feel ridiculously blessed to get to live in the amazing places the Navy has sent us over the past 7 years and Monterey is no exception. I knew nothing about this place when we moved here and it is pretty much nothing how I imagined, but regardless, it is challenging to let go of the very full life we have built here.
As a military wife, I am always meeting other spouses destined for the places we have already lived asking about living there and for any recommendations. So while Monterey is still fresh in my heart and my mind, I thought I would put off the cleaning a few minutes longer to pass on some of our local favorites for those of you who may end up living or visiting here in the future.
Some general information:
Monterey is on the central coast of California. It stays around 60 degrees most of the year. "Summer" occurs in September and October when the temperatures reach into the sweltering {ha} 70's. I do not recommend getting in the ocean, I once put my toe in and nearly died of hypothermia. The area is full of micro-climates and the weather can be significantly different 5 minutes down the road. Something to pay attention to if you're house hunting.
All the little towns from Carmel up Route 1 through Marina are very close together and there is practically no traffic. Unless it's the week of the car show or the motorcycle event, in which case, just stay out of town and pray for it to end.
Things to do:
Farmer's Market. There are farmer's markets year round practically everyday somewhere in the area. The largest is Tuesday evenings 4-7pm on Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey. Beautiful produce, delicious food vendors, street performers and more. My other favorite farmer's market for produce, meat/fish, and flowers is Friday morning 10am-1pm at MPC.
Monterey Bay Aquarium. Really nice aquarium, year-long passes are very affordable, kids love it. Make sure you bring quarters for parking.
MY Museum. The children's museum downtown is really fun for toddlers and elementary aged kids. Year-long passes are very affordable.
Earthbound Farm Stand. A fun place to go in Carmel Valley in the fall. They have a corn maze, gardens, a pumpkin patch, and a little store. Check online for schedule of events.
Carmel Valley Tasting Rooms. A bunch of wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel Valley within walking distance of one another. Makes for a fun afternoon.
Coastal Trail. There is a paved coastal trail along the water that runs for miles and miles along the old railroad. Great for running, biking, strolling. It goes right by Del Monte Beach, Lover's Point, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, and the Aquarium. There is a free parking lot with access right across from the Del Monte gate to NPS.
Beach Bonfires. Most of the beaches you can have fires on. Our favorite is Carmel Beach because the sunset is breathtaking on a clear night from there. Make sure you are South of 10th street to have a fire though. And don't forget the s'mores!
Point Lobos. Really pretty hiking without leaving Monterey!
Gizdich Ranch Fruit Picking. The ranch is about 30 minutes from Monterey in Watsonville and they have various pick-your-own fruits available in season. Check their schedule online. We've been berry picking and apple picking there and the kids loooove it! There is also a nice little picnic area near their little barn store and make sure to try the Apple-Ollalieberry juice- yum!
Nearby:
San Francisco. Less than 2 hours North.
Santa Cruz. 45 minutes North. Check out the summer concert series on the beach boardwalk there.
Big Sur. Drive about an hour South for gorgeous uninhabited coastal views and some good hiking.
Sonoma & Napa. Drive 2 and a half hours North, or better yet, take a long weekend, and do some wine and olive oil tasting and tour some beautiful wineries.
Hearst Castle. Gorgeous old California estate 2 hours South.
Tahoe. 5 hours Northeast. Not exactly "nearby" but absolutely worth a trip!
Santa Barbara. 4 hours South, also definitely worth a trip!
Restaurants:
I think I will mourn the loss of the most delicious place I have ever lived more than anything else about California!
Red House Cafe. Home-y comfort food where you can taste the freshness. Quaint and comfortable little location in Pacific Grove. Wish I could eat there breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day!
Passionfish. Specializes in sustainable seafood menu items. A little pricier but unforgettably good.
Esteban. Spanish tapas place in the Casa Munras hotel in Monterey. Everything on the menu is delicious and it's probably the place we go most frequently on date night (like last night!).
Restaurant 1833. My favorite place for ambiance! And the food does not disappoint! More of a special-occassion type place. We have reservations with our beloved small group from church for our last night in town.
Trailside Cafe. One of my favorite places to meet friends for lunch after a walk on the trail or a morning at the close-by aquarium.
Chopstix. I had lunch nearly every single Sunday for 3 years at this amazing Vietnamese place. My favorite Pho anywhere {and I have lived in Southeast Asia, so that's sayin something}. You know you are a regular when the owner gives you a big hug and cries on your last visit before your move. Yep, that happened yesterday.
The Forge in the Forest. Another favorite place to meet girlfriends for lunch while shopping in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Try the San Francisco fondue- yum!
Lilian's. This Italian place is up in Santa Cruz, but worth the drive. And make sure you call ahead or you'll be waiting for at least an hour, for good reason!
Thai Bistro in new Monterey.
Crystalfish in new Monterey for sushi!
Full Moon in old Monterey for Chinese. Best Chinese restaurant ever! Think white meat chicken, fresh veggies and the best egg flower soup you'll ever taste!
Turtle Bay Taqueria for fish tacos
Other recommendations:
Pediatrician: Monterey Pediatric Group, Dr Dwelle & Dr Bennett. I cannot say enough good things about either of these doctors!
Family Practice: Pacific Medical Group, Dr Sweet
Obstetrician: Dr Keith (who I had and loved), Dr Alexander & Dr Walker are also wonderful according to several friends
Hair Dresser: Chris at Venus Salon
Preschool: I cannot say enough good things about Mother's Morning Out at First Presbyterian.
Church: we love Shoreline Community Church
I know there are many great doctors and hairdressers and preschools and churches but I can only speak from my experience and we have been so pleased with all of those mentioned above.
Hopefully those of you potentially moving to or visiting this area that we currently call "home" find some of this information helpful! I may be looking for similar recommendations from my fellow military spouses the next time we are moving to an unfamiliar place!