The Monterey Cookhouse, on North Fremont Boulevard in Monterey, is a hit with the crew at Monterey Bay Property Management. “Great food at reasonable prices, said Managing Broker, Jan Leasure, about the Monterey Cookhouse experience. The casual dining-type restaurant offers a varied menu and service customized to the diner’s dietary preferences. While the chef routinely prepares the grilled salmon on the rare side, he had no problem accommodating a diner who requested that it be well-done; the well-done salmon arrived moist and delicious. A vegan diner in the party who wanted a pizza was not only accommodated, but delighted with a wonderful vegan pizza creation that clearly demonstrated the chef’s creativity. The Monterey Cookhouse is a restaurant that should not be missed by those visiting the Monterey Peninsula!
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Leave it to America’s last hometown to put together an old-fashioned celebration for no good reason – but then, who needs a good reason? Just because it’s good, plain fun – reason enough to join locals and tourists alike for Pacific Grove’s Good Old Days Festival! This small town of only about 15,000 people will put on the largest event of its kind in Monterey County on April 10 and 11, 2010. There’s something for the whole family here, including a parade, live entertainment at six different venues, arts and crafts vendors, delicious food booths, carnival rides, a classic car show, a dunk tank, pony rides, historic tours and more! And what do local families like best about the Good Old Days? There is no admission cost to this once-a-year entertainment that appears out of nowhere in the middle of downtown Pacific Grove each spring.
The Good Old Days parade starts Saturday, April 10, at 10:00 a.m., and proceeds down Pine Avenue. The over 100 entries will include historic vehicles, live bands, community groups, and more. Over near the Post Office, you will find carnival rides, inflatable jumpers and exhibits that will the entire family will enjoy. The kids may want to take a pony ride at Jewell Park. Young and old alike enjoy playing eighteen holes on a miniature golf course at Caledonia Park. The youngest members of your family will enjoy the Kids’ Fair at Jewell Park on Saturday. And even the family dog is invited! Jewell Park will be the site of games for the furry member of your family as well as an agility show and other dog events on Sunday.
One requirement for getting the most out of your old-school weekend in Pacific Grove is to come hungry! Start with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at Jewell Park on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. But don’t eat too many pancakes, because there will be more than thirty food vendors on hand throughout the Good Old Days to insure that you don’t leave hungry! My favorite is the kettle corn! While you probably won’t be able to see all 320 entertainers at Pacific Grove’s Good Old Days, you will be able to see a wide variety, including theatrical performances, dancing, and all types of music. Some of the local favorites we always look for are Trusting Lucy, The Cachuagua Playboys, Peter Muse, the Chicano All-Stars, the Cypressaires Barbershop Chorus, Island Breeze, Population Five and Alli Clark and the Boys. You can see a live puppet show with the Dickens Group and a performance of Kurt Vonnegut’s play, “Who Am I This Time?” The dance genres represented include tap, Brazilian, belly dancing, and more. In order to be sure you catch all your favorite live acts, check the online Good Old Days entertainment schedule to find out who’s playing where and when.
If you like arts and crafts, the Pacific Grove Good Old Days festival will not disappoint you. With over 200 artisans from across the country, it is the largest arts and crafts fair in Monterey County. And finally, you can see your favorite media personalities duke it out at the Ninth Annual Media Challenge Basketball Tournament. Or you may want to send a local official into the water at the Dunk Tank. Test your own physical prowess by scaling a rock wall in front of the Post Office. Bibliophiles can shop for books at the Wachovia location, and car buffs won’t want to miss a walk back in time at Saturday’s classic car show. Hear the best in live local Christian music on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Take a salsa lesson on Sunday at Chautauqua Hall from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
The City of Pacific Grove is concerned about the environment, and as a demonstration of its concern, has committed to making the Good Old Days celebration a carbon-neutral event. You can find out more about ways to increase your environmental savvy with the Sustainable Environmental Fair on Saturday at the corner of Pine and Forest Avenues.
More events are constantly added, and the City of Pacific Grove will publish an official program in the near future.
For accommodations for you and your family in Pacific Grove, see www.PacificGroveRentals.com for vacation rental homes that can be reserved for two nights or longer. And by the time the Good Old Days happens, Monterey Bay Property Management will have our new branch office open at 650 Lighthouse Avenue, right in the middle of the action of the Good Old Days! So if you are in town for the fun, stop in and say hello!
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With a TV commercial highlighting vacation rentals having aired in Sunday’s Super Bowl, football fans are discovering why renting vacation homes, condos, villas and cabins is a favorite choice for many versus hotels. Beyond the experiences families and friends build by staying in a home away from home on the Monterey Peninsula, there are numerous benefits to choosing vacation rentals – sometimes in ways they’d least expect.
Whether trying vacation rentals for the first time or if you’re one of the nearly nine in 10 travelers who plan to rent again*, here are some
Casa de la Estrella on the Pebble Beach Golf Course
planning tips and insights as a post-game update for visiting the Monterey Bay area:
• KNOW YOUR DESTINATION: Whether you are a first-time traveler to the Monterey Bay or not, it’s recommended that you become familiar with the area’s special events, seasons and offerings.
• LOOK FOR SPECIALS: During certain seasons, vacation rental packages can provide even more value, some with two-bedrooms starting at just $125 per night, with all of the typical amenities and more. Visit www.MontereyRentals.com to become familiar with various vacation rental types, reservation rates as well as travel specials available.
• AVOID AIRLINE BAGGAGE FEES: Most Monterey Bay vacation rentals come equipped with washers and dryers. Travelers may choose to use these perks to pack less clothing, avoiding commercial airlines’ baggage fees and restrictions.
• USE SPACE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE: Monterey Bay vacation homes and condos can be from 500 to more than 5000 square feet, often costing less than a single hotel room by sleeping up to 12 or more guests, versus just a few.
• SAVE ON DINING OUT: With full kitchens and outdoor grills, Monterey Bay vacation rental travelers often make and store meals and snacks for less, including football favorites like homemade nachos during postseason trips. Use local ingredients and recipes for more memorable mealtimes, like fruits and vegetables from the local farmers’ markets and fresh fish from Fisherman’s Wharf. This also provides healthy travel options, cutting the amount of calories typically consumed while on vacation.
• ASK ABOUT AFTER-HOURS SERVICE: When looking into any vacation rental accommodations, check to see if there is an accessible customer service number for emergency needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and for after-hour requests. There is always help available at Monterey Bay Property Management.
• ENTERTAIN FOR FREE: Most of Monterey Bay Property Management’s vacation homes, villa rentals and condos include amenities not found in hotels, some with private swimming pools, whirlpool spas, game rooms, fireplaces, DVD players, Internet access, and game consoles. Many are also in neighborhoods with access to golf courses, tennis courts, fitness centers, hiking trails, parks, and beaches.
• ASK ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS: Beyond the ability to live like a local in the Monterey Bay, vacation rental guests can also take advantage of our relationships with activity providers, shops, restaurants, tour companies and more. Guests can also opt for concierge-type services, including grocery delivery, personal chefs, in-home massages and spa treatments, to name a few.
• REMEMBER BIG EVENTS: Whether it’s for football championships or national Bowl games, concerts, baseball series’, basketball or the US Open at Pebble Beach in June, vacation rentals can save fans from the hassle of finding multiple hotel rooms during big events, and on the cost of multiple reservations.
• TRANSPORTATION: Other relationships to remember are those made between vacation rental managers and transportation providers, whether it’s rental cars, shuttle services, golf carts, bicycles and more. Monterey Bay Property Management can provide assistance with all your transportation needs.
To learn more about available vacation rental options in the spectacular Monterey Bay, visit www.MontereyRentals.com as a comprehensive resource. Also visit www.mpcc.com which lists more ongoing events in the area.
For general answers to frequently asked questions about vacation rentals or for more information, visit http://www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com as an official category resource. Also connect with travelers and experts in the Facebook vacation rental community at http://bit.ly/b4idHA and http://www.facebook.com/DiscoverVacationHomes, and join the conversation on Twitter @GoVacationHomes.
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We are just ten days away from the AT&T! I am so excited to volunteer with the folks from the Monterey Veterans Association who provide transportation for the physically challenged. If you are one of the many who will be visiting Pebble Beach for this wonderful event, Monterey Bay PropertyManagement still has availability in Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Monterey, and Carmel. Remember! You can rent nightly and weekly in Pacific Grove now!
If you are at the event, I’ll be the crazy lady on the course in the red scarf driving the golf cart! Oh what a life!!!
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It is now legal to rent a house or condo for your weekend or weekly vacation in Pacific Grove, the quaint town on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula.On Wednesday, January 6, the Pacific Grove City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will permit rentals for less than 30 days, which had previously been illegal. The City plans to regulate short-term rentals by registering them, issuing a license, and inspecting them for fire safety, including smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
Property managers and owners who are renting their homes for less than 30-day periods will be required to collect the same ten percent transient occupancy tax as hotels and motels do. Visitors should not be surprised to see this surcharge added to the cost of renting a home.
You may have rented a home in Pacific Grove for less than a month in the recent past. City officials acknowledged that they have been aware that it was going on, despite the ban on such rentals. The City realized, however, that licensing and taxing those rentals could generate some much-needed income to the city.
Property owners may register their homes by contacting the City of Pacific Grove, or Monterey Bay Property Management has a registration service whereby the management company will register a home for a nominal fee. Property owners who fail to register their rentals face significant financial penalties. An additional requirement for property owners who live more than 30 minutes from the property is to have a responsible party who can respond to complaints within 30 minutes. Monterey Bay Property Management will provide an “on-call” agent for any owner who is managing his or her own property, again for a very nominal fee.
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The Pacific Grove City Council voted unanimously this week to modify a 12-year old restriction on rentals for less than 30 days. The modification would permit rentals of residential property with registration, licenses, and payment of transient occupancy tax. This move will not only legitimize activity that has been going on in the City, but will bring in some much-needed cash flow to this great town.
The modification to the City’s rental ordinance could not have come at a better time, since approximately 45,000 people will descend on the Monterey Peninsula in June, 2010, for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
Monterey Bay Property Management will be registering its entire portfolio of Pacific Grove properties in January, once the ordinance is adopted, in an effort to make PG properties available to its customers who desire to rent a home for less than 30 days.
This is also a great opportunity for private property owners who manage their own properties to come out of the closet and be up front and above board about their rental business and contribute to the welfare of the city we all love so much. For property owners who would like assistance with this process, Monterey Bay Property Management will offer a registration service, as well as a monthly “on-call” service for out-of-town owners who would like a 24/7 contact within arms’ reach of their properties.
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While the rain threatened but never materialized, the sun fought to break through, eventually putting in an appearance that reminded those of us lucky enough to be here today just how fortunate we are! What a beautiful place!