Otter Days Event at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Otter Days Event at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Sept. 21–22 (Sat.–Sun.) 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Included with Aquarium admission – More Info

otter

Kick off national Sea Otter Awareness Week with “Otter Days,” our annual celebration of all things otter, including special feeding and training sessions and opportunities to meet our sea otter staff. Be sure to check out our “Otter Spotter” station where you’ll have the chance to find otters in the wild with the help of high-powered optics and knowledgeable staff.  – More Info

Pacific Grove Vacation Rental – Mariposa

1300 sq. ft. | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bath | Sleeps 2

Like a butterfly, every inch of this Victorian jewel has been transformed. From the designer kitchen to the upstairs bedroom with its own Juliet balcony, no detail has been overlooked. Gleaming hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, luxury linens… and a location that can’t be beat: just turn the corner to explore the cafes, restaurants, boutiques, antique stores and galleries of America’s “last hometown.” Walk a few blocks further, and you’ll bump into the Pacific Ocean and the magnificent coastal recreational trail. Featured on the Pacific Grove Historical Tour, this lovely 1,300 square foot home is close to the Monterey Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, the storybook charms of Carmel and the rugged beauty of Big Sur.

A golfer? Pebble Beach is a short drive away, and the Pacific Grove Golf Links are a half mile from your doorstep. Pack a picnic and spend a leisurely afternoon on scenic 17-Mile Drive, or choose from an array of outdoor activities, from kayaking and scuba diving to horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, and whale watching.

King bed upstairs and a Queen sofa sleeper in the living room. Two free tickets to the Monterey Aquarium included with each rental ($70/day value).

Pacific Grove Transient Use License #0086

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Cannery Row Block Party!

Any day of the week, Cannery Row feels like a party – but on June 3rd we make it official.

That’s when we’ll be celebrating the ninth annual Cannery Row Block party – and if you’re vacationing in the Monterey area, we sure hope you can stop on by the “Row” between 11am and 5pm.

Just look for the balloons and listen for the music: Michael Annotti & the Kings, the Chicano All-Stars Band, and Matt Masih & the Messengers.

There will be all kinds of food and family fun: live animal shows, balloon artists, games, crafts, contests and prizes. See you there!

Best Coffee in Monterey (with a view)

Coffee in MontereyMaybe it’s sipping a latte from a real china cup. Or the tall terracotta pots spilling with brilliant flowers, or the bubbling fountain that reminds me of a Roman piazza.

Maybe it’s the way the sea rushes right under the pilings, swirling shades of emerald and jade.

Maybe it’s the large patio with tables and umbrellas overlooking Monterey Bay and the whole coastline.

Some people still swear by Starbucks, but Cafe La Strada at 400 Cannery Row is hands down my favorite place for coffee on the Peninsula. They brew Peet’s coffee, the service is great, and they have a good selection of panini, pastries, quiche and salads.

The cozy interior makes it a great place to hang out when it’s cold outside. But on a good day…. it’s all about the sea and the sunlight. Soak in the sunshine, listen to the waves crash: it doesn’t get any better than this.

Believe me, you don’t even have to drink coffee to love Cafe La Strada.

Cannery Row Block Party

crowd

It’s time to party – and it’s FREE! The summer season kicks off Sunday, June 5 from 11am – 5pm with the annual Cannery Row Block Party, a lively family favorite with kids’ games, balloon artists, food, music, and entertainment.

There will be live animal shows at the Bubba Gump Plaza, and four live bands playing at Steinbeck Plaza: Long Distance Flyers, Red Glare, Nu-Horizon and Local Groove.

Jellybeans, cinnamon rolls and magic tricks…. flaming cocktails, cioppino and Dippin’ Dots… from palm reading to wine tasting, Cannery Row truly has something for everyone!

 

193b_-_view_2Walk to Cannery Row…

We have some great places to stay nearby, too.

Like an oceanfront duplex just a short walk from Cannery Row along the beautiful coastal trail.

Be sure to ask for the “June Special.” Rhiannon@MontereyRentals.com

What The Locals Know–Sailing Races On Monterey Bay

The Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club is very active and you can see sailboats on the water on most sunny days. The MPYC hosts several sail boat races–mostly Sundays on a weekly basis–and it’s a delight for participants and spectators alike. Wednesday is a popular sailing day, but races are not typically held mid-week.

The race schedule can be found at the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club’s website. Most races begin at 1:00 PM and end by 5:00 PM. Spectators can get good views anywhere along the Recreation Trail, but here are some local places where you can get the best views from shore.

Sapporo Restaurant is a local favorite for teppan-yaki and sushi yummies. The restaurant is located upstairs and is right next door to the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club, located at the Commercial Wharf #2, at the corner of Del Monte Blvd. and Figueroa in Monterey. You’ll find ample paid parking close by.

Del Monte Beach is where you can take a stroll and see all the sailing action without any obstructed views.

Find a bench along the Recreation Trail anywhere from San Carlos Beach park (but the Coast Guard pier can block your view) up to Fisherman’s Wharf.

If you don’t mind seeing the boats from a distance, but want a bigger picture overview, drive up the hill and into the New Monterey neighborhood. You can get pretty good views from the corners of Belden and Dickman, Belden and Hoffman, and Belden and Prescott. The further up you go, more panoramic views will be found. Be mindful of locals walking their dogs and all the stop signs. You don’t want your sightseeing of the water to become dangerous for the locals.

What The Locals Know–Monterey County’s Wine Region

A new generation of wine enthusiasts is being drawn to Monterey County. Monterey County boasts a delightful wine region and it’s due to several factors: The distinctions of our deep underwater canyon, widely varied temperatures, specialized soil types, and wine and food pairing harmony between local fresh agriculture and sustainable seafood from the Monterey Bay, make Monterey one of the stand-out regions that wine connoisseurs and beginning wine enthusiasts are passionate to explore.

These distinctions are described as follows by the Monterey Wine Country’s website:

Blue Grand Canyon–Monterey Wine Country is home to the Blue Grand Canyon™. The Monterey Canyon begins at Moss Landing, in the middle of Monterey Bay, and extends approximately 95 miles. The canyon’s bottom is about 2 miles below the surface, making it comparable in depth to the Grand Canyon. The impact of this natural resource on the grape growing region is significant – guiding the exact location of viticulture areas, the wind pattern between the two mountain ranges in the region, the constant and predictable weather, and the varietals that are grown. Monterey Wine Country stands alone in being in such close proximity to a maritime landmark with such significance to a viticulture region.

Thermal Rainbow–The southeast end of Monterey County, during any given day in July, will approach 90 degrees before noon while the Bay will still be engulfed in fog and 60 degrees. This temperature gradation starts the daily wind that moves the air mass from the bay down the valley—the mid-valley, near the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco AVAs, may never reach 80 degrees. The sun adds heat to the south, while the wind moves the cool air off of the bay. From 2 until 5 the “air conditioner” moves from Gonzales to San Ardo, which produces the cooling effect through the southern end of the County for the rest of the day. This creates the vibrant Thermal Rainbow that makes Monterey unique in the world wine regions of Mediterranean climates.

8 Primary Soil Types–The eight primary viticulture soil types include:
• Lockwood Shaly Loam (28%)
• Chualar Loam (15%)
• Garey Sandy Loam (9%)
• Arroyo Seco Gravelly Sandy Loam (7%)
• Rincon Clay Loam (7%)
• Placentia Sandy Loam (6%)
• Oceano Loamy Sand 95%)
• Chamise Shaly Loam (5%)
This variety of soil types is part of what makes the expanse of Monterey County so special.

42 Varietals–Classy Chardonnay and Elegant Pinot Noir. Aromatic Riesling and Magnificent Merlot. Rich Cabernet and Syrah. From the steep slopes of Carmel Valley to the rolling hills of the Santa Lucia Highlands and Gavilan Mountain Ranges, Monterey stands alone in crafting 42 fine wine varietals of exceptional flavor, character, and balance.
The influences of the Blue Grand Canyon and the Thermal Rainbow allow for such diversity of varietals to be grown.
The leading white varietals in Monterey Wine Country are Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc.
The leading red varietals in Monterey County include Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, and Cabernet Franc.
Other red grapes of significance include Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Barbera, Valdiguie, Aleatico, Alicante, Dolcetto, Freisa, Mourvedre, Muscat Hamburg, Nebbiolo, Souzao, Tannat, and Tempranillo

Insider’s Tip: Take a day trip along River Road, between Salinas and Soledad, where you’ll find the majority of the wineries. For those who desire to stay close to the comfort of their Cannery Row hotel, kick back and enjoy the offerings of the Scheid Vineyard’s Tasting Lounge and A Taste of Monterey.

Cannery Row – a piece of local history

Monterey Bay Property Management is located in the heart of Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck, one of America’s most revered literary figures. Seventeen of his works, including Cannery Row (1945), were made into Hollywood movies. You might want to rent the 1982 movie, “Cannery Row,” starring Nick Nolte and Debra Winger, to watch either before or after your visit to Monterey. Even if you have seen it before, it will be more meaningful to you after having visited our area.

The crew at Monterey Bay Property Management enjoys operating in the midst of this historical location. We also enjoy the atmosphere that is constantly electric, as visitors from all over the world trip by our office on their way to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, just around the corner at the north end of Cannery Row, and at the former site of the major Del Mar Cannery.

Our personal attachment to the area stems from our appreciation that we live and work here, and John Steinbeck’s personal attachment to the Monterey area and Cannery Row was likely no different, as he lived in adjacent Pacific Grove. Steinbeck wrote stories spiced with the vibrant tales of cannery workers and roughnecks he knew, and their rogue spirit and energy is still alive here. Cannery Row ignited Steinbeck’s imagination, and his affection for the colorful mix of people there influenced a number of stories and characters. “Cannery Row”, one of Steinbeck’s best and most widely read fictional works, immortalized Cannery Row as a one-of-a-kind neighborhood of fish packing plants, bordellos, and flophouses, and made it the most famous street in America. Cannery Row itself is now a tourist attraction with many restaurants and hotels, many of which are located in former cannery buildings, and a few historical attractions. A few privately owned and operated fishing companies still exist on Cannery Row, housed on piers located a short distance from the historic district frequented by tourists.

If you would like to spend some time in the Cannery Row area, ask an agent about availability at property 816A, a chic pied-a-terre for two in historic Cannery Row! It is the vacation rental of choice for many visitors who want to experience Cannery Row first-hand!