West Coast Swing is the California State dance and is growing in popularity, thanks to Lacey Schwimmer of “Dancing With The Stars” and Benji Schwimmer of “So You Think You Can Dance”.
West Coast Swing is a 6-count slot dance that can be danced to the blues, contemporary, pop, club, and country music, and the main age range of West Coast Swing dancers is between 30 – 70 years old.
If you’re interested in finding places to dance West Coast Swing, here are some of the places where local “Westies” hang out:
Tuesday nights–Carmel Woman’s Club at the corner of San Carlos and 9th, across from Sunset Center in Carmel. Call Jennifer at 831-324-0816 for class details.
Wednesday nights–Sly McFly’s at the corner of Cannery Row and Prescott in Monterey. It’s a small dance floor, but Westies are friendly about sharing slot space. Don’t be shy about asking a Westie to dance with you. We’ve all been beginners at some point and love bringing new people into the dance.
Thursday nights–On the 3rd Thursday of each month, join the Westie community at Clint Eastwood’s Carmel Mission Ranch off of Rio Road, right by the Carmel Mission. Dancing is located in the Barn, and the place gets packed.
Friday nights–Embassy Suites in Seaside has a lounge area where Lee Durley and Joe Indence sing oldies but goodies. If you’re in the mood for East Coast Swing, there’s music that will satisfy both dances.
Saturday nights–On the 4th Saturday of each month, the Santa Cruz Swing Club hosts a West Coast Swing dance at the Senior Center (behind 831 Bay Avenue and Woodworm Party Store) at the Bay/Porter Exit in Capitola. Class with a WCS dance pro start at 7:00 and the dancing goes until 11:00 PM.
If you’re uncertain about scheduling, contact Jennifer at 831-324-0816 and she’ll point you in the right direction, or consult the Monterey County Weekly newspaper or the Go! Calendar in the Monterey Herald.
Surprisingly, some of the area’s best burgers are not found in traditional burger joints!
This, by no means, disrespects the great burgers found at Phat Burger on Del Monte Blvd. in Seaside, R.G. Burgers in Monterey (by Trader Joe’s) and Carmel (in the Crossroads Shopping Center), or American Burger on Lighthouse Ave. in Monterey.
Side note: American Burger on Lighthouse Ave. in Monterey gets separate bonus points because they offer Argentine Tango lessons there on Monday nights.
Honestly, I was surprised myself when I discovered these three restaurants had the most amazing, mouthwatering burgers:
1. Mauricio’s on Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove (by Juice ‘n’ Java). This is a family-run establishment and we love their Avocado/Bacon/Cheeseburger. Don’t forget to order Mauricio’s special spinach salad, too!
2. Fresh Cream Restaurant at the NW Corner of Dolores and 8th in Carmel (by Adobe Inn). The burger will be found on Fresh Cream’s Lounge Menu, and if you go there between 4:30 and 6:30, they offer Happy Hour price breaks. Awesome!
3. And for the all-time most expensive burger you have ever eaten, try the Ambrosia Burger at Nepenthe’s down Hwy. 1 to Big Sur. Yes, it’s a great burger, and it is served up with the view of a lifetime! Sit on the patio, overlooking the most awe-inspiring view of the Pacific Ocean to be found anywhere, so you are paying for both the burger and the view. But once in a lifetime – why not?
Who knew?
Go try the burgers and see if you agree with us locals.
THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES OF PACIFIC GROVE
Every fall, thousands of monarch butterflies appear at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary. They look like brown leaves on the trees in the grove, until they begin to spread their wings and flutter in and out of the tree branches when the sun comes out. The Monarch Grove Sanctuary is studded with Monterey pines and eucalyptus trees, and the temperature remains moderate all winter, giving the butterflies reason to return year after year. We look forward to their return, as we look forward to the return of many of our loyal customers to Monterey Bay Property Management, who elect to, like the butterflies, spend the winter in a temperate climate. If you are thinking that the Monterey Peninsula would be a great place to spend the winter, you would be thinking correctly! And just as we are honored each year to host the Monarch butterflies as our guests, we are honored to have you. Bring nothing but your clothes and your groceries to a fully-furnished and equipped vacation rental home where you can not only enjoy the return of the Monarchs, but all the beauty of “the most felicitous meeting of land and sea in creation (Robert Louis Stevenson).”
WHERE TO SEE THE BUTTERFLIES
From mid-October to mid-February, you can see clusters of monarch butterflies at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary at 1073 Lighthouse Avenue. The entrance is just off Lighthouse Avenue, and the park is open from sunrise to sundown. Best of all, it is free! The best time to see the butterflies is between noon to 3:00 p.m., as that is the time when the sun is shining brightly on the trees. You should find that a docent is always on duty when the park is open.
Should you arrive on the Monterey Peninsula in early October, you can be a part of Pacific Grove’s celebration of the monarchs’ arrival. The Butterfly Parade, featuring local school children dressed in butterfly wings.
We have lots of rocks. Rocky coast…pebbled beaches…granite hillsides…etc. All this stone has lent itself to a crafty use of stonework on houses. If you’re a fan of looking at houses, take a walk around Carmel and notice all of the stonework.
There are also stone paths, stone walls, stone steps, stone sidewalks all throughout Carmel. The main local stones quarried around Monterey County are limestone and sandstone, and they are mostly quarried within 150 miles of the county.
If you’re interested in seeing some of the fine masonry work, take a walk down any of the following Carmel streets: Dolores, 10th, the red brick house near 2nd and Carpenter, and the beach step path near the intersection of Scenic Road and 8th.
However, the crown jewel of stonework is the Tor House, where you can arrange for a tour. The Tor House is the home of lauded poet, Robinson Jeffers, and it is a “can’t miss” if you’re visiting Carmel. The Tor House is situated on Carmel Point at 26304 Ocean View Avenue, just to the south of Carmel Village. Here is a link to the Tor House Foundation if you’d like to arrange for a tour.
If you decide to do some stonework yourself on your home, there is a local masonry consultant who sells his own “how-to” videos that are remarkably helpful. If you’re interested, check out Steven Kelley’s videos at Bricks And Mortar USA.
The Monterey County Fair is going on now between Wednesday, Sept. 1 and Monday, Sept. 6, which is Labor Day.
A few of us staff members at Monterey Bay Property Management attended the Fair on opening day, and here were some points to ponder from a local perspective:
Parking–Parking around the Faire is extremely limited, so your best bet is to park your car over at Monterey Peninsula College and take a free shuttle. By parking at MPC and taking the shuttle, you’ll be able to spend your money on more rides and cotton candy rather than spend $25.00 for parking in a lot across the street.
Rides–Rides are what makes Fairs so cool. All the rides are safe and little-kid friendly, but the Ferris Wheel wins our hearts every time. The view is great!
Live Entertainment–We counted at least 3 stages with live entertainment that included a hypnotist (Mark Yusick, the Las Vegas-based hypnotist, is a cool guy), a KWAVE Kids Talent Show Contest, Karaoke machine, and a kid-friendly act that involved a gal with a guitar and a guy running around on stage. Ahhh, entertainment at its Fair finest!
Food–Fair food can be so wonderfully decadent! Try the funnel cakes, cotton candy, gelato, and BBQ booths to start. Don’t forget to check out the fudge booth near the Arena!
Surprise Food–If you’re into baked goods made by mom or your favorite auntie, go into the “Home Arts” building and have yourself a slice of German Chocolate Cake, Red-Velvet Cake, or Blackberry Pie made by a local. The bakers who entered the Fair’s contest are wonderful and many made extra of their award-winning desserts for the public. The German Chocolate Cake was a hit, but so was the Key Lime Pie.
Slow Walking–You know how it is…when you’re pushing a baby cart, holding hands with a 5-year-old, and strolling alongside Grandma, you tend to walk more slowly. If you’re in a hurry, remember to take a deep breath if you get stuck on the path behind a slowly ambling family. It’s the Fair, after all, and there’s plenty of time to get to the next ride or food booth.
There are many treasures that locals know about that many tourists overlook. If you’re lucky enough to stay awhile and see more than the “must sees”, here are a few places to check out or things to do:
1. Kayak the Elkhorn Slough during the full moon.
2. Visit Tassajara in Carmel Valley.
3. Rent a kayak or bike down the rec trail right by the Monterey Plaza Hotel.
4. Visit Big Sur Bakery, grab a few pastries and drive 1/4 mile North up Hwy. 1 and turn left to go to Pfeiffer State Beach.
5. Visit Esalen south of Big Sur…but make sure you have a reservation!
Obviously there are more off-the-beaten-path places, but these should get you started for now. If you have a cool place to share, let us know and we’ll add it.
Many visitors comment on how cool it is here on the Monterey Peninsula. Like Mark Twain is reported to have said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” and since San Francisco is close by, the same can be said of our area.
Our weather is cool during the summer for several reasons:
1. Our ocean currents run from the Arctic Circle and (North to South) and our water temperature tends to be around 49 degrees to 55 degrees Farenheit.
In contrast, the Eastern seaboard of the United States experiences water currents flowing North from the Equator (South to North) with an added bonus of the warm water originating from the Gulf of Mexico known as the Gulf Stream.
2. We have a deep underwater canyon that begins in the Monterey Bay (at Moss Landing and Carmel) and there is a lot more water depth than eyes on land can see.
To compare, the Eastern seaboard tends to be shallower and can heat up from the sun more quickly.
3. Water currents and wind churn the water up from the depths to the surface, which causes cooler water to circulate up. This makes for very happy marine life because the upwellings bring food closer to the surface.
Now you know why you don’t see Sea Lions and Otters frolicking on Florida beaches.
4. The water’s cool water temperature and wind from the ocean makes the air cooler and creates a marine layer/low cloud ceiling. When that cooler air blends with the warmer air temperature over land, fog is created. Our marine layer usually evaporates from the sun after noon.
We hope this helps explain why our air is cool and why we rarely need air conditioning. It also explains why you should always keep a jacket or sweater handy when you’re visiting the Monterey Peninsula.
The annual Cherry’s Jubilee, another great car weekend, will be held on the Monterey Peninsula on September 8 – 12, 2010. Venues 
include Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, and the Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca. The event kicks off on Wednesday, September 8th, at Oldtown in Salinas, at the Passport to Cherry’s. Passport to Cherry’s is a hometown party for the whole family. It is a strolling food tasting event through charming Oldtown Salinas with over a dozen participating restaurants and great entertainment.
On Thursday and Friday, September 9th and 10th, enjoy the Monterey Waterfront. Show N’ Shine will be from 8 am to 11 pm on the wharf waterfront lot and on Alvarado Street, where spectators can come and view cherry cars and trucks. Restaurants and entertainment will just be steps away. Also on Thursday, Otis Auto Sales welcomes all to the Nostalgic Nights Show & Shine Official VIP kick off party for Cherry’s Jubilee from 9am until 9pm on the corner of Figueroa and Del Monte Avenue, with plenty of food and 
vendors, including a DJ spinning those oldies but goodies that will have you singing and dancing in the street (parking lot).
Friday night there will be a cruise through downtown Monterey and the wharf waterfront from 5:00p.m. To 9:00 p.m. The cruise will head out of the wharf parking area, south on Figueroa Street and turn right on Pearl Street; it will go right again onto Alvarado and proceed through the wharf parking lot. Spectators are free. Friday night, September 10th, you may enjoy 
dancing under the stars, as Fiesta Italia presents The Joe Sarino Band, one of the most popular dance bands in Northern California. From 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey, there is no admission charge. All of your favorite Italian foods and drinks will be sold on the plaza.
Saturday and Sunday, things heat up at Mazda Laguna Seca Recreation and Raceway. Show N’ Shine for all categories will begin each morning at 8am. For a real adrenalin rush, you may want to consider Hot Laps, on the Mazda Raceway corkscrew. For $30, Hot Laps participants are given the thrill of riding in a Porsche driven by a seasoned driver on the famous Laguna Seca track. All of the cars are safety equipped and tested for track driving and the drivers are certified. Hot Laps are Saturday starting at 9:00 a.m. Also at the Raceway will be a food court, manufacturer’s midway, car sale area, sports bar and official Cherry’s Jubilee memorabilia for sale as well.
Cherry’s Jubilee will also be in Pacific Grove for Saturday’s Show and Shine. Cherry’s Jubilee participants will cruise the shoreline and 
charming, cottage-lined streets of this Victorian-era resort town and park their pride and joy on Lighthouse Avenue in downtown PG. Local restaurants and other downtown businesses invite you to enjoy a relaxed, Saturday afternoon experience with your family and friends.
Cannery Row is Cherry’s destination on Saturday night starting at 5pm, Cherry’s cars will be parked on Cannery Row from Drake Street to David Avenue and in the El Torito parking lot. Cannery Row will be closed to all traffic beginning at 3pm. There is plenty of food, fun, music and cars on the evening’s agenda, and “Restaurant Row” has something for every car lover. The pubs and clubs will be rockin’ with live music.
An exciting way to wind up the weekend is with the Cherry’s Jubilee Pancake Breakfast. Pancakes are tossed from a flatbed truck to the hungry crowd. Diners listen to oldies played by a DJ as they gobble up pancakes tossed hot off the griddle by their servers. Eat as many as you can catch or, if you are not the “Frisbee” type, you may serve yourself, buffet style. The pancake breakfast is followed by the awards ceremony.
Monterey Bay Property Management welcomes all Cherry’s Jubilee participants and spectators. If you need an accommodation with a garage for your special vehicle, please ask the reservation agent to insure that the house or condo you book includes that amenity.
The First Tee open returns to the Monterey Peninsula over Labor Day weekend, featuring the nation’s outstanding junior golfers and amateurs competing side-by-side with the PGA Champions Tour players. From a spectator’s point of view, it is one of the most entertaining of all golf events to observe. The skill of the senior players combined with the youthful enthusiasm of the juniors makes for a heart-warming formula, as one generation gently guides another. This enjoyable event will be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course September 3rd to 5th. The First Tee is an organization dedicated to impacting the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Monterey Bay Property Management has vacation rental housing available for First Tee Open participants, their families, and spectators.
We have one of the most gorgeous coastlines in the world. Our Monterey Bay is home to spectacular sea life and unsurpassed beauty. However, our rugged coastline can be dangerous to those unfamiliar with the power of the Pacific Ocean, so here are a few tips to keep our visitors safe from rogue waves.
Several people have climbed out onto the rocks of Lover’s Point and have been swept off those rocks by rogue waves. The same can be said for visitors who get too close to the the waterline at Monastery Beach, nicknamed Mortuary Beach due to its dangerous riptides.
To keep yourself safe and away from harm, follow these general guidelines:
1. Never turn your back to the ocean.
2. Make sure you watch the wave patterns before venturing into the water. If the water is calm and there is plenty of flat beach, chances are you can wade in the water without any issues. If, however, the water is rough and/or you see big waves crash ashore, that’s Mother Nature’s signal to stay clear, because she’s far more powerful than you. Also, if no one else is in the water nearby, there’s probably a good reason why.
3. If you are at Monastery Beach, in particular, stay several yards away from the wave break portion of the beach. Most visitors are unaware that they are at the foot of an enormous underwater canyon and when waves crash onshore, there is a steep precipice that can literally sweep you off your feet and out into the deep water. DO NOT go for a swim or get close to shore at Monastery Beach…and if you’re a scuba diver, exercise EXTREME caution.
4. If you are swept out in a riptide, swim along parallel to shore until you feel the current subside, and then swim into shore. Riptides are swift currents running perpendicular away from shore, and if you try to swim into the riptide going back toward shore, you’ll get tired very quickly. So, if you’re swept out, remain calm, swim along side the shore until you feel you are safely out of the rip current, then swim back toward shore. If you get tired, float and rest until you can start swimming again.
5. If you are at the beach and see someone get swept out to sea, dial 911 and alert the rescue teams of your exact location. The Fire Department, Coast Guard, and Parks Service are all trained in water rescue, so act quickly if you see a distressed swimmer.
Water safety is a life skill, and we hope you find these tips useful. These guidelines are not intended to scare you away from enjoying the water. Instead, these guidelines are meant to help keep you safe when visiting our beautiful and powerful Pacific Ocean.
