There is no getting around it: the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a masterpiece. You can easily spend four hours completely mesmerized by the giant kelp forest, the sea otters, and the hypnotic pulse of the deep-sea jellyfish. But all that awe-inspiring marine biology works up a very specific kind of hunger.
If you step out of the aquarium doors onto Cannery Row without a game plan, you are highly likely to fall victim to overpriced, neon-lit tourist traps serving frozen shrimp and uninspired burgers. You don't have to settle for that. Some of the best independent food spots on the peninsula are sitting just a few blocks away if you know which direction to walk.
Summer in Monterey is famously misunderstood. If you come here expecting tropical beach weather, the July fog will give you a swift reality check. We have a saying around here: the coldest winter you’ll ever spend is summer on the Central Coast.
If you’ve ever breathed in the misty air on a Big Sur cliffside, you’ve tasted the "zing" of the Pacific. Most people just call it the ocean breeze, but Carlo Overhulser and his team at Big Sur Salts figured out how to put that specific feeling into a jar.
Legend has it that in 2015, a rogue wave in Big Sur soaked Carlo and left a bit of the ocean behind in a beer bottle he was holding. Instead of just drying off, he took that water home, evaporated it, and realized he was onto something special. Today, the team at Big Sur Salts has figured out how to put that specific coastal feeling into a jar. I used to think salt was just salt, but after learning of Carlo's process, it’s clear they are harvesting the literal DNA of the Monterey coastline.
If you’re wandering through the Carmel or Del Monte Farmers Markets and see a crowd hovering over what looks like a jewelry display, you’ve probably found Qouign (pronounced “queen.”)
The force behind the brand is Santana Rodriguez, a Soledad native and resilient "pastry queen" who sharpened her skills in legendary kitchens like Bernardus Lodge and Thomas Keller’s Bouchon before striking out on her own.
I’ve often walked down Cannery Row and wondered if the tourists snapping photos of the bronze statues realize just how much the ground beneath their feet has shifted. Today, it’s all high-end hotels, breezy galleries, and the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium. But if you could peel back the layers of paint and modern glass, you’d find a place that was, for a long time, defined by a smell so pungent it could apparently peel the paint off a house!
Monterey Bay Food Tours maintains an inside track to our amazing food partners, from the terrific stops on our food tour to the folks who hand make the goodies in our giftable totes.
For the most treasured digital souvenir around, read on to discover a treasured recipe straight from one of the best restaurants in Monterey.
Discover new and old favorites up and down one of the prettiest downtowns in California with this list of top 6 restaurants in historic downtown Monterey.
Has it been awhile since you experienced spring break in Monterey? Our dynamic city has changed so much in the last few years – it’s time you came back for a visit!
There are plenty of things to do while visiting Monterey and a lengthy checklist of stops for sightseeing in Carmel. However we want to remind you that sometimes some of the best things to do on your next vacation (other than a Monterey Bay Food Tour of course!) is to simply relax.
Read on to explore the various ways we love to recharge in Monterey, whether that’s one of the best Monterey hikes or a visit to some of the best spas in the Monterey area.
As California’s First City, Monterey holds a rich history inside of its many buildings and adobes. On our Monterey Bay Food Tours, we highlight how many of these first structures pulled double- or even triple-duty over the years as the city rapidly changed, existing as banks, jails, stores, and restaurants. This blog will explore one of Monterey’s unique restaurants housed inside a historic building, giving you a fascinating (and maybe spooky!) appreciation for our culinary hot spots.
Monterey County nurtures an impressive array of native plants, including the delicious elderberry and elderflower. Have you ever sampled this tart berry and delicate edible flower?
Restaurants in Carmel, Monterey, and on the Monterey Peninsula continue to wow diners with their terrific, local ingredients and internationally-renowned chefs.
If romantic fine dining is on your travel to-do list, continue reading to learn all about the most romantic restaurants in Monterey.
Whale watching tours provide unforgettable memories and a unique way to enjoy our little slice of paradise. Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of a Monterey whale watching tour.
Planning a vacation to the Monterey Peninsula but wish to maintain your resolutions? Monterey’s location in the Salad Bowl of the World makes for a delicious, satisfying, and nutritious vacation for those who like to eat healthy while traveling (or those who need a break from our yummy bread bowls!)
These 6 best breweries in Monterey highlight the spectrum of top-notch breweries available for hop snobs, beer newbies, and even those who prefer a non-alcoholic drink.
The next time you’re in Monterey, stop by one of these downtown spots for a pick-me-up. These spots offer delicious coffee, tea, and usually some pastries that are impossible to pass up.
With the days starting to feel more and more like spring, dining outside feels like a luxury at times. Not all patios are created equally, however, and we wanted to list a few of our favorites. We took into consideration the shelter from the wind, available heat lamps, views, and that little something extra that helps create those lasting memories.
As Cupid’s shadow looms over this week, poor, well-intentioned procrastinators have been awakened with a gripped panic as Valentine’s Day draws nearer. We see you, we hear you, and we have compiled an assortment of last minute ways to make your Valentine’s Day special!
