Sunday

Huge Resaurant Deals

Some of the best dining deals are available from this source. You may have heard of it before and may have even used it. They feature restaurants in many cities including Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Grove and if you are just here on vacation I bet they even feature your city. How it works is you go to their site and search for the restaurant of your choice either by name or by zip code. Then you are able to print out a voucher that costs $10.00 but it's worth $25.00 off your meal at that restaurant.


Me and my Friends use these vouchers all the time. The usual deal is $10.00 for a $25.00 voucher but you can also use coupon codes which change every week and get them for less. With a coupon code you can get them for as little as 2 to 3 dollars for the same $25.00 voucher.
     Why do restaurants do this? That's a good question mainly it gets people in the door even if they are paying less than full price. Also they assume you are going to order more than $25.00 worth of food when you go out. Also it's a way for newer restaurants to get people to try them out.
The Fine Print
Most restaurants will not allow you to use the voucher on a holiday. Some restaurants will put an 18% gratuity on your whole bill, and Some restaurants will not allow you to use the voucher for drinks only food.

Friday

Monterey Wineries

Monterey Vineyards by Comfort Inn Monterey CA
Monterey Vineyards, a photo by Comfort Inn Monterey CA on Flickr.
Monterey Wineries 
     When Most people think of Monterey Wineries what they are really talking about are wineries located in Monterey County. Since there are no actual wineries in the town of Monterey.  However there are several tasting rooms located in Monterey and Pacific Grove if you would like to do some tasting and they will all be relatively close to your hotel room so it's convenient for a taxi or a car service so you don't need to drive.    
Tasting Rooms in Monterey, Pacific Grove
Ventana Vineyards-
2999 Salinas Hwy, Monterey Ca. 
(831)372-7415


Baywood Cellars
381 Cannery Row #C, Monterey Ca.
(831)645-9035


Lockwood Vineyard
9777 Blue Larkspur Ln. #102, Monterey Ca.
(831)642-9200

Scheid Vineyards

751 Cannery Row, Monterey Ca.
(831)656-9463


Pierce Ranch Vineyards 
499 Wave St. Monterey, Ca. 
(831)372-8900


     Another option for wine tasting in Carmel Valley is The Monterey Wine Trolley. This is a totally different experience. You get on the trolley at the Monterey Portola Plaza Hotel and let someone else do the driving to all the wineries in Carmel Valley it is a fun day. It's a different experience than just driving to tasting room after tasting room. Definitely consider this option.  This list of tasting rooms should get you started if you see something you like please leave a comment or  +1 or if you know of a great tasting room that should be on this list please recommend it to me and I will review it and add it to the list.

Sunday

Just a Walk on The Beach

Alt=Walking on the Beach by chrisforsythWalking on the Beach by chrisforsyth
Walking on the Beach, a photo by chrisforsyth on Flickr.
Just a Walk on The Beach
     Just going for a walk on the beach is sometimes one of my favorite things to do in Monterey. Just turn off the cell phone and start walking north or south it doesn't really matter. It's sand and water and birds as far as you can see especially if you go to the more deserted beaches like Zumodowski or Marina beach or even south of Carmel beach. As I said above it's just sand and water as far as you can see but when you actually go the things you will see are pretty amazing. The different shells you can find and the huge logs pushed up by the winter storms. It's hard to imagine the wave it would take to push a log as big as that. Then there is the sea life from sea lions to whales and killer whales that you can see swimming in pods just off the beach. Pretty amazing and you are out there enjoying it by yourself.  Or take your kids or your grand kids and that will totally change your walk on the beach because of the great awe they have in simple things like a purple piece of sea glass and wondering where it came from. Or a pile of driftwood built into a tee pee or a fort and left for some other kids to play in or maybe not. It might just get washed out with the next tide. So one of the things you should definitely do is just take a walk on the beach when you come to Monterey.
    

Saturday

Big Sur Half Marathon

2010 Races & Events by luxomedia
2010 Races & Events, a photo by luxomedia on Flickr.
Big Sur Half Marathon on November 20 
     The Big Sur Half Marathon is coming up on November 20th. So if you've been preparing it's almost time to run your race since it's right around the corner. This will be a busy weekend there will be a two day fitness and health expo Friday and Saturday and The Run Forrest Run 5k as well as The Just Run 3k kids race. So if you are coming for the half marathon bring your kids out to the Just Run event it's always a good time.  All kids get a t-shirt and medal just like mom and dad. Not to mention it can be the start of a lifetime of running. This event is a really good event the race course is spectacular and the volunteers take care of everything that you need not to mention the money goes to deserving charities.