THE 2017 GOLDEN PINE CONES
WHETHER IT’S tracking down the best BBQ tri-tip sandwich, a fabulous
bottle of cabernet or a great box of chocolates, our wonderful Pine
Cone readers know where to find them all. Competition for the
winners in every category of the Golden Pine Cones is often fierce
and hard-fought, ensuring that only the best of the best food,
drink, services and attractions earn our treasured awards.
In these pages, you’ll find a comprehensive list of the finest
healthcare providers who can handle everything from acne to zinc
deficiency. Need an architecture firm to design your
new-but-old-looking cottage that might even breeze through the
planning commission on the first try? It’s here.
If you’re shopping for designer togs, a pair of Manolos, or a
fancy-shmancy new purse, you can find some ideas. Where do you go
for good, old-fashioned Legos and Tinkertoys? Pine Cone readers have
it sussed. And if your Phaeton gets dinged in the Plaza garage,
you’ll know which body shop to take it to. Did you make a big
boo-boo with your sweetie? There’s a top-notch florist ready to help
you make it right.
Everybody knows we have some of the best artists, galleries and
musical venues around, and of course, since the early days of
Carmel, there’s always been the theater. Read on to find out who’s
on this year’s list of greatest hits!
FOOD and WINE AWARDS
• Best Neighborhood Market
• Best Butcher
• Best BBQ
• Best Deli
Bruno’s Market & Delicatessen — Junipero and Sixth - 7
a.m. to 8 p.m. daily - (831) 624-3821
With all the items you might need to run out to the market for — a
loaf of bread from a local bakery, a head of lettuce grown a short
distance away, the best hot sauce or some gourmet ice cream —
Bruno’s Market is everything a corner store should be, and more,
with name brands and basics, house-made and made-to-order. It’s the
ideal spot to run to for steaks to cook for friends, or for fruit
juice for the kids, or to grab a freshly made sandwich for lunch.
Also voted best butcher, Bruno’s Market’s meat counter carries
top-grade beef, choice cuts of pork and other prime meats, and will
custom cut meat when needed. The scent of tri-tip on the grill just
outside the back door is an exceptional aperitif, and a wide variety
of delicious salads in the deli case round out a picnic fit for a
Devendorf. It’s an especially busy place during the holidays.
• Best Fruits and Vegetables
Farmers Markets — www.oldmonterey.org -
www.montereybayfarmers.org - www.everyonesharvest.org -
www.westcoastfarmersmarkets.org -
www.cipponerifamilyfarms.blogspot.com
Why even bother shopping for produce at the grocery store, when any
one of the main Monterey Peninsula farmers markets has better,
fresher goods practically every day of the week? Pine Cone readers
know the best fruits and vegetables are found at their local farmers
markets — and there are plenty. The largest market takes over
Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. (4
to 7 p.m. in winter), while Monterey Peninsula College hosts a
popular market on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Monterey
Fairgrounds opens Gate 8 on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific
Grove presents a modest Monday afternoon market on Central Avenue
from 4 to 7 p.m. Seasonal markets take place at The Barnyard at the
mouth of the valley on Tuesday mornings and outside Whole Foods at
Del Monte Center in Monterey on Sunday mornings from May through
September. Other small markets are held on Thursdays on Sixth Avenue
in downtown Carmel from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and in Carmel Valley
Village on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Best Organic Produce
Whole Foods – 800 Del Monte Center, Monterey - 8 a.m. to 9
p.m. daily - (831) 333-1600 - www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Whole Foods may have been purchased by Amazon, but the produce is
still as fresh and abundant as ever — and much of it is local and
organic. Lavish displays are kept fresh and well stocked by
knowledgeable staff members who can explain every product’s source
and benefits, from Asian pears, to zucchini blossoms. Adding to the
benefit of shopping there, prices are often competitive — and
are becoming even more so. The store is full-service, also carrying
fresh and frozen meats, dairy, cheeses, dry goods, baked items,
plenty of vitamins and supplements, wine and beer, and even some
household items, clothing and accessories. Just don’t look for Diet
Coke or anything else with artificial ingredients, because they
aren’t offered there.
• Best Seafood Market
Sea Harvest Fish Market & Restaurant — 100 The
Crossroads, and 598 Foam St., Monterey - daily in Carmel and
Monterey - (831) 626-3626 and (831) 646-0547 -
www.seaharvestfish.com
A stone’s throw from the Pacific, Sea Harvest market boasts the best
in fresh seafood daily, from locally famous dungeness crab and sand
dabs, to halibut, sushi-grade tuna, locally caught squid, and a wide
range of other shellfish and bounty from the sea. Whether you are
served at one of the market restaurants or take your fish home, Sea
Harvest’s knowledgeable staff is there to help you select the best
and freshest choices — and offer tips on how to prepare them.
• Best Bakery
Pavel’s Backerei — 219 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove – Tuesday
to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. - (831)
643-2636
For two decades, Pavel’s Backerei has turned out tender-crisp
croissants oozing with chocolate, crisp cookies, floury French bread
and multigrain loaves, and countless other savory and sweet baked
delights. Most mornings, a line forms out the door as fans wait for
the chance to pick up their treats for the day. Owners Paul and
Johanna bake everything fresh daily.
• Best Catering Company
Aqua Terra Culinary — (831) 657-9790 - aquaterraculinary.com
Offering corporate catering — and having just landed the gigantic
contract to cater the newly remodeled Monterey Conference Center —
Aqua Terra Culinary also provides fresh and creative fare for
weddings and other private events. Started by executive chef Dory
Ford, Aqua Terra focuses on farm-to-table cuisine that’s innovative
as well as accessible. Ford and his team turn out bright and
beautiful dishes, and regardless of size and type, the firm “has the
staff, equipment and know-how to match.”
• Best Kitchen Shop
Sur La Table — Carmel Plaza, lower level - Monday to
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. - (831)
626-6433 - www.surlatable.com
If you’re looking for a baking sheet, the latest chef’s knife,
snarky cocktail napkins or a super cute apron, Sur La Table is the
place to go for anyone who cooks, whether professionally or just for
fun. The store has lots of gifts and great gadgets, books, glasses —
and everything a chef needs in the kitchen — as well as the people
to help you make the most of it. Splurge on a new Le Creuset pot or
stock up on more martini glasses for the bar, and drop off your
knives for sharpening while you’re shopping. Whatever you need for
the kitchen — and then some — you’ll find it here.
• Best Wine Store
Nielsen Bros. Market — NE corner San Carlos and Seventh
- 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily - (831) 624-6441 - www.nielsenmarket.com
A classic Carmel market that was operated by the same family for
decades until it was sold in 2009 to Tigran and Azniv Amirkhanian,
Nielsen Bros. has never lost its small-town feel while carrying an
impressive collection of wines from all over the world. Pine Cone
readers know this, which is why they have selected it as Best Wine
Store every year since the Golden Pine Cones started in 2008. Its
wine cellar regularly hosts free tastings, and the resident wine
staff (namely, Patrick Schrady) is knowledgeable and helpful,
whether you’re looking for a splurge-worthy Champagne to celebrate a
milestone, or a Spanish sleeper that will impress your friends
without breaking the bank.
• Best Monterey County Chardonnay
• Best Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc
Bernardus — 5 West Carmel Valley Road - 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. daily - (831) 659-1900 - www.bernardus.com
Bernardus Pon launched his namesake winery in Cachagua 27 years ago,
and while he started with the goal of creating a red wine that would
rival the best of Bordeaux, the Chardonnays, Pinots and other
varietals have also garnered praise from near and far. Nearest of
all, Pine Cone readers selected its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
as their favorites of those varietals again this year. Vineyard
manager Matt Shea cultivates Bordeaux and Burgundy grapes at the
winery’s estate vineyards in Cachagua and Carmel Valley, and
winemaker Dean DeKorth and his team work to produce the wines that
keep fans coming back.
• Best Monterey County Rosé
Dawn’s Dream Winery — NW corner San Carlos and Seventh – noon
to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday - (831)
659-2649 - www.dawnsdreamwinery.com
“Rosé all day,” has become the motto of wine drinkers everywhere,
and in Monterey County, more than a dozen wineries produce a version
of this still underappreciated, versatile, delicious, dry pink wine.
Once again, Dawn’s Dream was named the favorite among local rosés
this year. Owned by Dawn Galante, the winery produces a rosé of
Pinot Noir that offers bright citrus notes and juicy hints of fresh
berries. It’s dry and crisp, while still being layered with flavor,
making it ideal for any occasion. And it’s also socially conscious,
as Galante founded her winery with a mission of supporting charities
benefitting women and children.
• Best Monterey County Pinot Noir
Scheid Vineyards — San Carlos Street, SE of Seventh – noon to
7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday –
(831) 626-WINE (9463) – www.scheidvineyards.com
Monterey County grows more Pinot Noir than any other county in the
state, so there’s a lot of competition when it comes to selecting
the best. This year, Pine Cone readers voted for Scheid as their
favorite Pinot, and the 2014 vintage boasts “loads of bright
red fruit aromas, vibrant fresh raspberry and juicy cherry flavors,”
along with “accents of delicate rose petal, warm vanilla, soft oak
spice, and graceful tannins.” Having grown grapes locally for 45
years, Scheid has a significant legacy here — and a lot of
superlative wines to its name.
• Best Monterey County Merlot
• Best Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon
• My Favorite
Monterey County Wine
• Best Tasting Room
Galante Vineyards — Dolores between Ocean and Seventh –
noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 7 p.m. Friday
through Sunday - (831) 624-3800 – www.galantevineyards.com
Galante Vineyards clearly captured voters’ hearts this year, winning
in four significant categories. The tasting room — the first to open
in downtown Carmel, in 2004 — is warm and hospitable, while
Galante’s red wines seem to always strike the balance of substantial
fruit and underlying subtlety. Jack Galante has always focused on
growing the finest grapes possible in his Cachagua vineyard and
letting the fruit express itself in the wines — efforts that have
been rewarded with praise and support from Pine Cone readers, who
not only selected the winery’s Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as
their favorites of those varietals produced here, but chose it as
their favorite tasting room — and their favorite wine overall.
• Best Place for a Beer
Alvarado Street Brewery — 426 Alvarado St., Monterey –
Lunch and dinner daily - (831) – www.alvaradostreetbrewery.com
When it opened a few years ago, Alvarado Street Brewery quickly
became the go-to place for great beer and fun food. Since then, it’s
continued to evolve, with increasingly interesting, sophisticated —
and even lighthearted — beers, created and guided by co-owner
and head brewer J.C. Hill. The draft lineup always includes a range
of offerings to suit anyone’s and everyone’s tastes, and flights are
available, so people can try several or taste through to find their
new favorites. In the kitchen, chef Brandon Miller keeps things
fresh and lively, as well. Last year, Alvarado Street added a beer
garden, and also opened a full production facility and taproom in
Salinas.
• Best Cocktails
• Best Bartender
Montrio Bistro — 414 Calle Principal, Monterey – Dinner
nightly – (831) 648-8880 – www.montrio.com
The bar at Montrio is never a bad place to be, especially when
executive mixologist Anthony Vitacca is behind it, deftly blending
all sorts of interesting cocktails. While a few favorites stand the
test of time, the overall cocktail menu is constantly changing and
evolving — showing a sophistication and creativity not found at
many restaurants. The liquor selections are solid, as well, for
those who favor a high-quality Scotch neat or Bourbon on the rocks.
The cocktails always have great names, too. Check out Hell Hath No
Fury (Absolut pear vodka, Lillet blanc, lavender bitters, pineapple,
lemon), Head in the Clouds (Junipero gin, Green Chartreuse,
pinapple, celery bitters, egg whites, lime) or the Fractured Fairy
Tale (Pig’s Nose scotch, Ardbeg 10 Years Old, Cocchi Americano,
Lazzaroni Fernet, and tobacco bitters).
• Best Family Restaurant
• Best Desserts
Rosine’s Restaurant — 434 Alvarado Street, Monterey –
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - (831) 375-1400 -
www.rosinesmonterey.com
A lively and kid-friendly atmosphere, menus that cater to fans of
more interesting dishes as well as those who favor the tried and
true, cheerful service, and large dining room with plenty of space
make Rosine’s a consistent top choice for the best place to take the
family for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Started in 1980 by the
Culcasi family, the restaurant was also featured in an episode of
Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The mountainous
cakes and juicy pies are the stuff of legends, filling the dessert
case and giving diners something to contemplate on the way to their
tables. Even if you aren’t having a birthday, they’re something to
celebrate.
• Best French Restaurant
Fifi’s Café and Bistro — 1188 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove –
Dinner nightly, lunch Monday and Friday only, and brunch Sunday -
(831) 372-5325 - www.fifisbistrocafe.com
Owned by Calvin and Michele Wilkes, this authentic and charming
French bistro transports guests from Pacific Grove’s busiest street
to a quiet village in France as soon as they walk through the door.
Since 1985, Fifi’s has consistently served quality French
bistro-style cuisine in a quaint, intimate setting that’s elegant,
but also informal. Fans go for favorites like moules frites,
Escargots de Bourgogne and duck confit salad, and the restaurant has
a wine store that carries a wide selection of exceptional wines.
Wine tastings are regularly offered, too.
• Best Chinese Restaurant
Tommy’s Wok — Mission between Ocean and Seventh – Lunch
and dinner Tuesday through Sunday - (831) 624-8518 -
www.tommyswokcarmel.com
It’s always busy and bustling, and with good reason: The dishes
paraded out of its tiny kitchen are bright, fresh, aromatic and
satisfying in the ways that only really good Chinese food can be.
And that’s why Tommy’s Wok, the city’s only Chinese restaurant, is a
perennial favorite among Pine Cone readers, having taken the crown
each year since the Golden Pine Cones started in 2008. Tommy’s
serves up a menu of Szechuan, Hunan and Mandarin specialties, and is
popular for takeout, as well as dining in.
• Best Indian Restaurant
Aabha — The Barnyard Shopping Village – Lunch, Happy
Hour and dinner daily - (831) 250-5940 - aabhaindian.com
Executive chef and proprietor Bhupender Singh’s food is as warm as
he is. Everyone who walks into his new restaurant, which opened
about a year ago, feels welcome there, and Singh’s delicious Indian
food never disappoints. The lunch buffet is unbeatable for value and
quality, and the dinner menu offers a wide range of dishes,
including many vegetarian and vegan options. Singh’s passion for
cooking came from watching his mother, and helping her. He’s
“passionate about creating authentic Indian food and bringing Indian
delicacy to the table.” His new restaurant unseated his former,
Ambrosia, as the Golden Pine Cone winner this year.
• Best Italian Restaurant
La Balena — Junipero Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues –
Lunch and dinner weekends, dinner Tuesday through Sunday - (831)
250-6295 - labalenacarmel.com
Freshly made pastas, rich sauces, and decadent main courses
— including fabulous fried chicken on Tuesdays and Sundays —
are staples at La Balena, as is the diverse wine list, heavily
weighted with Italian wines. Owned by Emanuele and Anna Bartolini,
La Balena is popular with Pine Cone readers, as well as visitors who
return every time they’re in town. An intimate dining room and
picturesque back garden (where dogs are allowed to accompany their
human companions) add to La Balena’s draw.
• Best Japanese/Sushi Restaurant
Akaoni — Mission Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues –
Lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday, dinner Monday and
Tuesday - (831) 620-1516
A favorite among knowledgeable locals, Akaoni turns out impeccable
sushi, sashimi and other Japanese fare — many of it not found
at any other similar restaurant on the Peninsula. Live spot prawn,
live sea urchin and other delicacies can be had in this tiny Carmel
venue, a closely guarded secret among regulars who don’t want to
share it. The freshest and finest fish, carefully prepared and
presented, make Akaoni a must for any sushi fan. (But if you’re
looking for rolls with cream cheese or macadamia nuts, head
elsewhere.)
• Best Mediterranean Restaurant
Dametra Cafe — Ocean and Lincoln, Carmel – Lunch and
dinner daily - (831) 622-7766 - www.dametracafe.com
People flock to Dametra for the lively, convivial atmosphere, the
delectable food, and the music performances that can happen at a
moment’s notice. Friends Faisal Nimri and Bashar Sneeh were brought
together by their love of music — both play the traditional Middle
Eastern stringed instrument, the oud — and their desire to create a
restaurant that feels like home to all who enter it. Hence, their
Dametra Café, which offers Greek, Italian, Spanish, Moroccan,
Turkish, French, Israeli and Lebanese dishes — and always has a line
out the door. Nimri, from Jordan, and Sneeh, from Syria, continue to
build their following by displaying their inimitable hospitality,
which fans can also experience at their newer restaurants,
Mediterranean and PortaBella, a block away.
• Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Yafa — NW Junipero and Fifth – Dinner nightly - (831)
624-9232 - yafarestaurant.com
A characteristically warm welcome, a menu filled with Middle Eastern
and Mediterranean specialties, and a casual, homey room make Yafa a
popular destination for diners seeking grilled octopus, ouzo shrimp,
watermelon salad, lamb ravioli and other pastas, and main courses
like kebabs, seared salmon and gorgonzola filet mignon. The menu is
broad enough to offer something for everyone, the prices are
affordable, and the service is friendly and welcoming.
• Best Thai Restaurant
Pacific Thai Cuisine - 663 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove –
Lunch and dinner daily - (831) 646-8424 (THAI)
In a restaurant founded on the motto, “We are Thai Family,” the
owners of Pacific Thai Cuisine pride themselves on sharing family
recipes with distinctive and traditional flavors and textures.
Located in the heart of Pacific Grove on Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific
Thai offers lovely food at reasonable prices in a bright and casual
setting. Chef specials complement mainstays like Pad Thai and an
array of green, red, yellow and Panang curries at a restaurant
that’s always a sure bet.
• Best Mexican Restaurant
Baja Cantina — 7166 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley –
Lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on weekends - (831) 625-2252 -
www.carmelcantina.com
Some people go just for the margaritas and dancing to the band on
the outdoor deck, while others prefer to sip some of the more
unusual offerings among an extensive list of tequilas. But most who
flock to Pat and Gina Phinny’s cantina go for the broad and
unexpected menu of fresh Mexican fare served with flair. Fresh fish
tacos, organic garden tamales and mole enchiladas are just a few of
the many favorites. Baja Cantina is more than a Mexican restaurant —
it’s a place where friends meet, and strangers become friends. Baja
is particularly popular among car guys and gals, since much of
Phinny’s abundant collection of automobile and motorcycle
memorabilia is on display there, and the restaurant regularly hosts
events catering to car fans. With a large bar and several
televisions, Baja is also a great spot to grab a beer and watch the
game or a Formula 1 race.
• Best Restaurant for Seafood
Flying Fish Grill — Mission Street between Ocean &
Seventh – Dinner nightly - (831) 625-1962 - flyingfishgrill.com
Unobtrusively tucked away in Carmel Plaza, Flying Fish Grill is the
Asian-fusion brainchild of owners Tina and Kenny Fukumoto. When your
appetite for seafood is competing with a craving for Far East fare,
this place is the precise junction for a peaceful resolution. Start
out with the California Tower of Dungeness crab, seaweed and sushi
rice, or savory shrimp curry soup, and follow that up with seafood
pasta that’s taking a dip in sake-butter sauce with shiso herb.
Meat-eaters can enjoy an Asian twist on a New York steak in Madeira
sauce with mushrooms and a tempura onion ring. For culinary drama,
order a clay pot entrée cooked tableside. Wrap it all up with a warm
banana or green tea sundae.
• Best Restaurant for Steak
The Whaling Station — 763 Wave St., Monterey - From 4:30 p.m.
daily for cocktails; dinner nightly - (831) 373-3778 -
whalingstation.net
Founded by local legend John Pisto and now run by Kevin Phillips and
his son, this spot’s been around for more than 40 years. Classic
apps like escargot and oysters Rockefeller whet the appetite for
dry-aged Beef Wellington, a petite filet mignon or slow-roasted
prime rib. Go all-out with steak and lobster, or just have some
buttery, flaky sand dabs. Cioppino? They have that too. And all your
favorite steakhouse sides, like creamed spinach (with bacon!), wild
mushrooms, and scalloped potatoes, are ready for their close-ups. An
extensive listing of fine wines awaits your perusal, or order a
special house Manhattan from the bar. Order in the bar for casual
fare like burgers and prime rib egg rolls.
• Best Restaurant for Vegetarians
Basil Seasonal Dining — San Carlos between Ocean &
Seventh - Lunch and Dinner daily - (831) 626-8226 –
www.basilcarmel.com
Chef/owner Soerke Peters can often be found at the Carmel Farmers
Market on Thursdays, choosing from the freshest local produce for
his creations. The menu changes regularly, with specials inspired by
Peters’ selections. While meat and fish are there for those who want
them, there are always great vegetarian choices like grilled peach
salad with locally made East of Edam cheese, a vegan plate of
roasted farmers market treasures, or Parisian herb gnocchi with
green olives and sage brown butter. Peters revels in showcasing the
essence of his ingredients. Eating your veggies has never tasted so
good.
• Best Ice Cream
Revival Ice Cream – 463 Alvarado St., Monterey - Daily from
noon to 9 p.m., open ’til 10 p.m. June through Sept. - (831)
747-2113 - www.revivalicecream.com
When pastry chef Ron Mendoza was at Aubergine, you could count on
him for breathtaking, original desserts. He turned out all kinds of
flavorful pastries and mad-scientist concoctions that played with
texture and appearance. Now he’s taken that creativity and started
churning out the organic cold stuff at a shop with a location in
Monterey, but with the soul of Carmel. Seriously, he’s pasteurizing
Clover dairy milk, and making and scooping a flavor called “The Bees
Knees,” studded with candy made from honeycomb. Everything that can
be locally sourced, is. If you could grow chocolate here, he’d use
that, too. Instead it’s luxurious egg- and cream-free Valrhona from
France. You’ve got to see this spot to believe it.
• Best Sandwich or Burger
r.g. Burgers — 201 The Crossroads, Carmel, and 570 Munras
Ave., Monterey (next to Trader Joe’s) – Lunch and dinner daily -
(831) 626-8054, (831) 372-4930 - www.rgburgers.com
These burgers are indeed “r.g.” — real good! They’re always juicy,
and plenty of choices are waiting for you. Once you’ve gotten
rolling with an order of garlic parmesan fries or fried zucchini
sticks (because, vegetables), choose from burgers made with 100
percent beef, ground turkey or falafel (because, also vegetables).
Try the spicy Firehouse Burger, Cajun Burger or Sriracha edition.
Better yet, get one topped with homemade mac and cheese. You could
also put a fried egg on it. Add a cup of soup or onion rings on the
side. Sip a frosty malted or a Coke float. Or you can have a more
adult beverage of the frothy or vintage variety, if you prefer. We
hear red wine is good for your heart.
• Best Breakfast
Katy’s Place — Mission between Fifth and Sixth, Carmel –
Breakfast and lunch daily - (831) 624-0199 -
www.katysplacecarmel.com
For the 10th year running, Pine Cone readers have affirmed that
fanciful and family-friendly Katy’s lives up to its trademarked
brand, “Carmel’s Breakfast Tradition,” and as its website says, “The
most precious ingredient that goes into every meal at Katy’s Place
is ... Love.” Warm maple syrup on the Belgian waffles may be a close
second, however. Among the 20 kinds of Benedicts are an ode to
Ireland, with homemade corned beef hash; one from Russia with love,
with caviar and smoked salmon; and a Windy City tribute with pulled
pork and spicy Hollandaise. And they’re just getting warmed up. You
know, like the maple syrup.
• Best Coffee
• Best Coffeehouse
Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co. — Roasting facility at
212 Mid Valley Center, Carmel Valley, with retail locations on Ocean
Avenue in Carmel, The Barnyard Shopping Village, The Crossroads
Shopping Village, Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove, and the City
Center at Broadway and Fremont in Seaside - Hours vary by location,
but generally open between 6 and 7 a.m. - See
www.carmelcoffeeroasters.com for locations, hours and contact phone
numbers
In business since 1994, CVCRC has had only one job: “to provide
serious handcrafted coffee, using the finest Arabica beans,
delivered very fresh to discerning customers.” It’s also a certified
organic roaster by California Certified Organic Farmers. Roast
Master Tina Muia and her staff slow-roast organic coffee beans
daily, churning out the Carmel Foglifter — which works as advertised
— and 14 other varieties and blends. Owners Dean & Janet McAthie
“get” coffee culture, too. Every location is designed for relaxation
and convivial pleasure. Baristas are friendly and knowledgeable, and
there are plenty of locally made snacks to nosh on. Sip in the shop
or take home a bag o’beans — or do both.
• Best Pizza
Allegro Gourmet Pizza – 3770 The Barnyard – Lunch and dinner
daily - (831) 626-5454 - http://www.allegrogourmetpizzeria.com
On the southwest corner of The Barnyard shopping center is a place
that’s been dishing up pizza by the pie and the slice since 1988. If
you’ve ever picked up a big wedge of East Coast pizza, folded it in
half and nibbled from tip to crust while molten cheese burned your
mouth, its offerings will be satisfyingly familiar. Allegro’s
cranking out traditional combos like pepperoni and cheese, and
meatball and cheese with homemade meatballs. Fancier seafood combos
(with or without cheese), veggie pies and meat combos are also on
the menu. There are some combinations that might push a
traditionalist to the edge — like a chipotle and tri-tip number or a
Thai pizza with peanut sauce and cilantro. Vino flows by the bottle
or the glass, and you can taste a flight of three reds or three
whites for $6. Pull up a chair in the restaurant, decorated with
hanging bunches of empty Chianti bottles and braids of garlic, or
get your pizza to go.
• Best Fast Food
In-N-Out Burger — 1350 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside - Early
lunch to late dinner daily - locations.in-n-out.com/312
Not sure how this joint keeps making the list in a town supposedly
populated by chain-haters. Is it possible Steve Dallas is disguising
himself with a fedora and a faux mustache to sneak a shake? Are city
council members renting an unmarked van to load up on the burgers
and fries? Whatever the case, this shiny eatery has worked its way
into local hearts, with its simple menu and fast, drive-through
service. They’re making the shakes with real ice cream, hand-cutting
the French fries, and publishing their not-so-secret-menu, that was
once the stuff of urban legends.
• Best Buffet
Crazy Horse — 1425 Munras Ave., Monterey, in the Bay Park
Hotel – Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - (831) 649-4771 -
www.crazyhorserestaurant.com
The buffet at Crazy Horse in Bay Park Inn hasn’t changed much since
at least the mid-1980s, when Pluto was still a planet and the
clambake was still the Crosby. And that’s a Great Thing. For a
moment, step away from the trendy beet-bearing, vegan
mac-and-cheese-pot-wielding, kale-infested salad bars that inhabit
some establishments. Instead, inhale the aroma of the crusty
three-seed rolls, pile on sliced turkey and a hard-boiled egg,
indulge in the shrimp curry salad, and even butter a baked tater or
sweet potato. Sure, there’s salad, and plenty of it, but this is a
place to make a real meal. Did we mention it comes with an adorable
cup of soft-serve frozen yogurt at the end? ’Cause it does.
• Best Wine List
• Best Happy Hour
• Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion
• Best Restaurant in Monterey
The Sardine Factory — 701 Wave St., Monterey – Dinner
nightly, Lounge Menu nightly, Happy Hours from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and
9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. nightly - (831) 373-3775 -
sardinefactory.com
Best wine list? Well, if your sommelier can pop open an 1871 Chateau
Laffite Rothschild — valued at between $10,000 and $15,000 — because
Leon Panetta rid the world of a terrorist, you might warrant that
honor. Of course, you don’t have to spend that much to get a great
glass of vino at the Factory, but allow some time to read the
extensive list. In the lounge, you can enjoy happy hour not once,
but twice every evening, with signature drinks for $7, draft beers
for $4, and a few wines by the glass for $5. In addition to the
three-course prix fixe lounge dinner menu, there are yummy snack
bites for $5 apiece, including white bean hummus with soft, chewy
naan bread; truffle sea salt popcorn with pecorino romano butter,
and smoked BBQ pork rib tips with crispy fried onions. To have a
really special celebration, book a table in the Conservatory or book
the whole wine cellar for a private party.
• Best Brunch
• Best Piano Bar
Mission Ranch — 26270 Dolores St., Carmel - Dinner nightly
from 5 p.m., Sunday Jazz Brunch 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - (831)
625-9040 - www.missionranchcarmel.com
Also known as Clint’s place, this is where you want to be for
brunch. You can be virtuous at the oatmeal bar, or pile up your
plate with roasted cauliflower or quinoa salad. You can be
slightly less so with some smoked salmon (hey, omega-3s are good for
you), or just leap straight into decadence with French toast and
Applewood bacon. There are Benedicts, an omelet bar and prime rib,
too. Just keep telling yourself you’re going to take that walk along
Scenic after brunch, while you slide a piece of Key Lime pie or
cheesecake off the dessert bar. You can also come back for dinner,
and eat from the great American menu (pork chops, New York strip,
filet and tail, Caesar salad), then sing from the Great American
Songbook at the piano bar.
• Best Outdoor Dining
The Bench — The Lodge at Pebble Beach – Lunch and dinner
daily, with small bites between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - (831)
625-8533 - www.pebblebeach.com/dining/the-bench
“Spectacular” has come to be a cliché when it comes to the view from
the Bench. Except it’s not. If you ever get tired of this vista,
it’s time to check in with your favorite shrink. The Bench’s wait
staff will make sure you’re comfortable, whatever the day’s weather
calls for, by turning on a fire pit or a heater, bundling you in a
blankie, and serving you a warming libation, if necessary. They can
also arrange umbrellas to keep the October sun from searing your
skin. The food is as memorable as the view, and isn’t at all stuffy
— the duck fat potatoes with truffle salt and the Portobello
mushroom fries with smoked cheddar dip are equally delicious
starters. Grab a flatbread with pancetta and broccolini, or with
spicy pepperoni. Soups, salads and mains like potato gnocchi and a
killer burger round out the menu. So go. Sit. Have fun, already.
• Best New Restaurant
Seventh and Dolores — If you have to ask …. – Lunch and
Dinner daily, Bar Menu from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - (831) 293-7600 -
www.7dsteakhouse.com
The latest endeavor by the folks at Folktale, 7D (as it’s known
colloquially) is a steakhouse where Todd Fisher (formerly of
Tarpy’s) continues to churn out big flavors and big cuts of meat.
Yeah, there’s a raw bar. Who doesn’t love a raw bar? But the
restaurant’s website says, “the showstoppers are the all-natural
meats from Niman Ranch, included 28-day dry aged steaks that melt in
your mouth, and a burger that has been known to induce actual tears
of joy.” With 28-day aged steaks that run to a 32-ounce ribeye and
favorites like rack of lamb and pork chops snuggling up with
mac-and-cheese, marrow mushrooms and brandy peppercorn sauce, it
seems a little gluttony may be trending in “things to confess at the
Mission.”
• Best Place to Take Clients
Tarpy’s — 2999 Monterey Salinas Hwy, Monterey – Lunch and
dinner daily, Sunday brunch - (831) 647-1444 - http://tarpys.com
Location, location, location. Tarpy’s home at the intersection of
the Monterey-Salinas Highway and 218 into Del Rey Oaks, right by the
Monterey Airport, makes it a central spot for a business lunch or
dinner. Add to that a selection of tasty non-alcoholic mocktails to
keep the head clear for negotiating, as well as nicely-priced wines
by the glass and some terrific food to suit all sizes of appetites,
and you’ve got yourself a winning proposition. You can share a few
apps, like the Castroville artichoke or the deviled eggs. The fussy
dieter can delve into the tangy beet and rhubarb salad, and hungry
folks can tuck into buttermilk fried chicken, meat loaf, or
Portobello with cambozola cheese. Got room? Flip a coin between the
Gizdich Ranch Ollalieberry pie ala mode or the chocolate-peanut
butter mousse pie. Even if you don’t seal the deal, you’ll rock the
meal.
• Most Romantic Restaurant
Casanova — Fifth Avenue between Mission and San Carlos,
Carmel – Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch - (831) 625-0501 -
www.casanova-restaurant.com
Ah, romance. It’s part of the essence of Bohemia, n’est-ce pas? And
Casanova — that womanizer, musician and scoundrel — he
engineered a prison break involving a spike, hidden in a Bible,
further secreted under a giant plate of pasta. (Not sure how one
would explain a Bible buried beneath fettucini, but OK.) He probably
would have fit right in here. Then, layer on the possession of
Vincent van Gogh’s table, available for private parties, and the
Georis family has a romance-laden spot in a town that’s hosted the
lascivious and the loquacious, but most of all, the lovelorn and
love-lost. An amorous feast might include oysters, beef tartare,
olives and fat, satisfying pappardelle. There’s quail and sweet
desserts and beverages abound — the wine list is dizzying.
• Most Dog-Friendly Restaurant
Cypress Inn – Lincoln and Seventh, Carmel – Lunch and dinner
daily, Tea Friday and Saturday, Sunday Brunch - (800) 443-7443 -
www.cypress-inn.com or www.carmelterrys.com
Que sera sera. And in this case, what will be is the height of le
chien chic, at the hotel and restaurant owned in part by Doris Day
and named for her late son, record producer Terry Melchior. The best
thing about having drinks with your dog is that he won’t shame you,
or post an unflattering photo of you on Facebook later, so go ahead
and order your pal a Muttini during Yappy Hour and get yourself a
classic cocktail. You can have drinks inspired by Cary Grant, Ronald
Reagan and Kirk Douglas, among others. Dinner offerings include
exotic, cumin-scented Moroccan chicken, with dried fruit and honey,
as well as locals’ favorites like sand dabs and Castroville
artichokes.
• Best Restaurant Service
• Best Restaurant in Carmel
• Best Chef
Grasing’s Coastal Cuisine/Kurt Grasing — Sixth and Mission -
Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday - (831) 624-6562
- grasings.com
Kurt Grasing has created an atmosphere of modest elegance in which
diners can still hear conversation while feasting on familiar, yet
elevated dishes like Dungeness crab cakes, warm spinach salad or a
tender juicy steak with traditional steak house sides, like
mac-and-cheese. Guests enjoy stellar service from a knowledgeable
and friendly wait staff. The wine list is extensive and includes
special bottles from California and farther afield. And Chef
Grasing? Well, he’s been at the stove and wielding knives for
decades, and believe it or not, almost 20 years have gone by since
he opened his namesake place here in town. Need more culinary cred?
He’s filmed a cooking show with Julia Child. Bon appetit!
• Best Restaurant in Big Sur
Nepenthe — 48510 Highway 1, Big Sur – Lunch and dinner
daily, Breakfast daily at Café Kevah - (831) 667-2345 –
www.nepenthe.com
Back in the day, getting to Nepenthe meant hiking 3 miles each way,
much of it uphill. Of course, “back in the day” was just a week or
two ago, before the new bridge opened, but it’s no surprise that a
restaurant that inspires that sort of loyalty would be this year’s
winner. The views from the deck or a window seat are downright
inspirational, and the Ambrosiaburger has staying power like no
other. The menu’s simple and straightforward, not to mention
delicious, with roast chicken, steaks and albacore tuna making
appearances.
• Best Restaurant in Carmel Valley
Café Rustica — 10 Del Fino Place – Lunch and dinner Tuesday
through Sunday, with limited afternoon menu - (831) 659-4444
- www.caferusticavillage.com
This place is usually packed with happy diners, enjoying the Tuscan-
and Alsatian-inspired dishes. You can start with escargots or a
simple-but-elegant butter lettuce salad, proceed to sweet-and-savory
butternut squash ravioli, or split a pizza from the wood-fired oven.
Unique offerings include the smoked salmon pizza, the pizza verde
with tomatillo sauce, and the “Dynamite” — a meaty tour of
Europe combining Italian sausage and pepperoni with Black Forest
Ham. Shout-out to singletons — pull up a chair at the counter
and enjoy the cooking action, chat with a server, or just read your
Pine Cone.
• Best Restaurant in Pebble Beach
Roy’s at the Inn at Spanish Bay — 2700 17 Mile Drive –
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily – (800) 877-0597 -
www.pebblebeach.com/dining/roys-at-pebble-beach
Roy Yamaguchi, the celebrity chef and James Beard award winner,
constantly brings creativity and freshness to his Hawaiian fusion
cuisine. Executed daily by Chef de Cuisine Pablo Mellin, the flavors
are clean and satisfying, bite after bite. Breakfast might include
the Kalua Pork Scramble, with caramelized onions and tortillas, or a
Castroville omelet with artichokes, spinach and cheese. Come back
after a round of golf for lunch — try the Lakanilau roll, made with
seared waygu beef, crab, and crispy asparagus. Or nibble on the
coconut shrimp, served with black garlic sauce. You could jump into
the current Asian pasta craze at the noodle bar, too. Gussy up a
little for dinner (before or after the bagpiper comes by at sunset)
and select from a wide variety of seafood, pork, chicken, beef and
vegetarian options. And please, enjoy the views.
• Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove
Fandango — 223 17th St., Pacific Grove – Lunch and dinner
Monday through Saturday, Brunch and dinner Sunday - (831) 372-3456 -
fandangorestaurant.com
Fandango is a place where you can sit by a fire, be waited on by a
grownup who actually understands the food, and truly dine. The
classics are all here. Traditional apps like a cup of the French
onion soup, or the foie gras terrine make a grand beginning. Salads
are generous, and the duckling a l’orange is easily worth the
25-minute wait. Other specialties include the couscous and lamb
shank, and tortellini maison with cream sauce. Let owner Pierre Bain
or one of the other wine experts guide you through the voluminous
wine list that spans the globe and the decades. For dessert? Dig
into the profiteroles — tiny pastry shells filled with ice
cream and topped with a warm sauce, or a hot Grand Marnier soufflé.
• Best Restaurant in Seaside
Gusto’s — 1901 Fremont Blvd., Seaside – Lunch and dinner
daily - (831) 899-5825 - www.gustopizzeriapasta.com
Denis Boaro, owner and general manager of Gusto’s, was born and
raised in a tiny town in the province of Treviso, northwest of
Venice. His grandfather owned a restaurant, and Boaro learned to
cook from him, making pasta and pizzas from scratch. The
wide-ranging menu features about a dozen pizzas, made with San
Marzano tomatoes and Italian prosciutto; fresh, creamy burrata
cheese; and locally-foraged wild mushrooms. Pastas are made daily at
nearby Bigoli, and served up with tasty sauces, seafood or carbonara
made tableside. Soups and salads round out your tour of Italy.
Mangia!
RECREATION and THE ARTS
• Best Local Artist
Will Bullas — www.willbullas.com
An award-winning illustrator and a past president of the Carmel Art
Association. Will Bullas is a master of one-liners. The lighthearted
Bullas finds humor in just about everything. His work often shows
animals doing people things, like a dog sipping a glass of wine, a
gorilla trying on a pair of sunglasses, or a pig dressed in a Roman
toga and presiding over the games in the Coliseum.
• Best Photo Gallery
Weston Gallery — On Sixth between Dolores and Lincoln - 10:30
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday - (831) 624-4453 -
www.westongallery.com
Perhaps the most famous family in fine art photography, the Weston
legacy begins with Edward, who established himself as one of the
world’s most influential photographers in the early 20th century.
Two of his sons, Cole and Brett Weston, followed in their father’s
footsteps, and each received acclaim for their own work. Today, the
images of all three can be found in the Weston Gallery, along with
photographs by Cole’s daughter, Cara Weston. Besides showcasing the
talents of one family, the gallery also features work by luminaries
like Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock and Imogene Cunningham, as well as
contemporary photographers who are carrying on the tradition.
• Best Sculpture Gallery
Dawson Cole Fine Art — At Lincoln and Sixth - 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday - (800)
972-5528 - www.dawsoncolefineart.com
The downtown gallery showcases the work of celebrated bronze
sculptor Richard MacDonald, who has long sought to capture the
beauty, strength and grace of athletes in motion. McDonald’s
distinctive work is on display in the NFL and NBA halls of fame, and
he has been commissioned to create noteworthy pieces for the U.S.
Open golf championship, the Olympic games, and the Royal Ballet
School in London.
• Best Art Gallery
Carmel Art Association — West side of Dolores between Fifth
and Sixth - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily - (831) 624-6176 -
www.carmelart.org
One of the oldest nonprofit galleries in the country, the Carmel Art
Association was founded in 1927, and today, it represents more than
100 local artists, including familiar local names like Johnny
Apodaca, Melissa Lofton, Albert Paley, Erin Gafill, Warren Chang,
Mark Farina and Will Bullas, who was named Best Local Artist in this
year’s Golden Pine Cone readers’ poll. Besides staging monthly
exhibits and receptions — and serving as the epicenter of the local
art scene — the recently-renovated downtown gallery is the site of
numerous events ranging from art demonstrations and lectures, to
films and theatrical productions.
• Best Local Theater Company
PacRep Theatre — Monte Verde and Eighth - (831) 622-0100
(box office) - www.pacrep.org
PacRep Theatre produces an array of theatrical productions and
events throughout the year, including the annual Carmel Shakespeare
Festival. Founded by Stephen Moorer as GroveMont Theatre in 1982,
the theater company’s name was changed when it moved into the Golden
Bough Playhouse 12 years later. Besides the many plays and musicals
it stages at the Golden Bough and the landmark Forest Theater,
PacRep produces an enduring and ever-changing rock ’n’ roll tribute
concert that calls attention to the pop music of the 1950s and
1960s. The theater group’s School of Dramatic Arts introduces local
youngsters to the joys of live theater, and the recently renovated
Golden Bough provides an ideal site for theater company’s many
creative ventures.
• Best Concert Venue
Sunset Center — San Carlos between Eighth and Ninth - (831)
620-2048 - www.sunsetcenter.org
What started in 1926 as a school is now a state-of-the-art
performing arts center that attracts world-class talent from around
the globe. Owned by the city and run by a nonprofit group, the
theater offers an eclectic schedule that’s full of surprises. It
also hosts classical music concerts presented by the Monterey
Symphony, Chamber Music Monterey Bay and the Carmel Music Society.
The center, meanwhile, is home to the Marjorie Evans Gallery, Carmel
Yoga Center, the Arts Council for Monterey County, and the Center
for Photographic Art.
• Best Place to Relax and Listen to Music
Cypress Inn — Lincoln and Seventh - lunch, noon to 4 p.m.;
afternoon tea, 1 to 4 p.m.; dinner, 5 to 10 p.m. daily - (831)
624-3871 - www.cypress-inn.com
Elegant yet casual, Cypress Inn offers locals and visitors an ideal
place downtown to unwind, savor a cocktail and enjoy live music.
Some of the Monterey Peninsula’s finest musicians play here Friday,
Saturday and Thursday evenings, and Sunday afternoons when brunch is
served. When Carmel lifted its longtime ban on the practice 10 years
ago, the Cypress Inn became the first business in town to add live
music. Perhaps because Doris Day is a part-time owner, the inn is
famously friendly to people’s pets, who, like their owners, seem to
enjoy jazz.
• Best Local Music Group (classical)
Monterey Symphony — 2560 Garden Road, Suite 101, Monterey -
(831) 646-8511 - www.montereysymphony.org
Founded in 1947 and now led by conductor Max Bragado-Darman, the
Monterey Symphony is Monterey County’s only all-professional
orchestra. Each year, the symphony presents a half dozen concerts at
Sunset Center in Carmel that showcase the orchestra, call attention
to world-class guest performers and keep alive the legacy of
classical music in Monterey County.
• Best Local Music Group (rock, jazz and pop)
The Money Band — (858) 752-3590 - www.moneyband.org
When word gets out that the Money Band is playing somewhere on the
Monterey Peninsula, the site, and its dance floor, fill up quickly.
Led by charismatic lead vocalist Zoe Alexander, the hard-working
cover band plays just about every style of music from country to
classic rock, disco to funk, reggae to modern rock, and plenty of
pop. No matter the eras of their music or the ages of their
audience, everything old sounds fresh again. We’re putting our money
on this one. Apparently, so is everyone else.
• Best Place to Take Visitors
Point Lobos State Reserve — On Highway 1 three miles south of
Carmel - 8 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset daily -
www.pointlobos.org
Offering nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts an ideal “Gateway to
Big Sur,” Point Lobos State Reserve is dwarfed in size by other
local parks, mostly because only 550 of its more than 10,000 acres
lie above the surface of the sea. But with its dramatic coastline,
quiet groves of pines and oaks, rich history, user-friendly trails
and easy-to-reach scenic vistas, the park packs a mighty punch. It’s
also just a quick jaunt away from the heart of the Monterey
Peninsula and its many fine restaurants — making it easy to follow
up your hike with a culinary adventure.
• Best Family-Friendly Activity
Monterey Bay Aquarium — 886 Cannery Row in Monterey - 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. every day - (831) 648-4800 - www.montereybayaquarium.org
Short of a trip to Disneyland, it’s difficult to imagine a better
family-friendly adventure than a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Located in the heart of historic Cannery Row, the world-class
aquarium welcomes nearly two million visitors each year, offering
them an awe-inspiring glimpse into the secret and colorful world
that exists beneath the waves. One of California’s most popular
tourist attractions, the award-winning aquarium is consistently
rated as one of the best in the world.
• Best Local Festival
Monterey Jazz Festival — www.montereyjazzfestival.org
Recalling jazz’s illustrious past and showcasing some of its
brightest contemporary stars, the three-day festival provides a
stage for more than 500 musicians and 100 performances each October.
One of the world’s longest-running jazz festivals, it’s been held
every year since 1958 at the Monterey Fairgrounds. Many of the
biggest names in jazz have performed there over the past 60 years,
from Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie, to Herbie
Hancock, Chick Correa and Branford Marsalis.
• Best Church-Sponsored Event
Jewish Food Festival — 5716 Carmel Valley Road – (831)
624-2015 – www.carmelbethisrael.org
People wait all year for a taste of rugelach – that small swirl of
flaky pastry wrapped round chocolate or cinnamon and sugar. Or
freshly made latkes, homemade challah, and the creamiest cheesecake
west of New York. Every year, on the last Sunday in August, a
village springs up on the grounds of Congregation Beth Israel in
Carmel, conjuring the fictional 1905 Anatevka from Fiddler on the
Roof. Replete with traditional Jewish costumes and rituals, music
and dance, food and drink, the village harkens congregants to their
heritage and the culture that reminds them who they are and what
they represent.
• Best Place to Watch the Sunset
• Best Place to Walk Your Dog
• Best Beach
Carmel Beach — Ocean Avenue and Scenic Road - free parking
along Scenic is permitted from 6 a.m. to midnight -
www.ci.carmel.ca.us
It may not get as many sunny days as Malibu or Waikiki, but Carmel
Beach is in a league of its own if you’re looking for the perfect
place to put your toes in the sand. Mother Nature smiled on the
Central Coast when she created this crescent-shaped beauty, which is
world famous for its white sands and its thriving population of
canines. It’s a wonderful place for a contemplative stroll, a romp
in the surf with your dog, or a romantic picnic at sunset. It’s also
a great destination for a late-night marshmallow roast, but be sure
to check the latest city regulations on beach fires because they are
a work in progress.
• Best Hiking Trail
• My Favorite Park
Garland Ranch Regional Park — 700 W. Carmel Valley Road,
Carmel Valley - every day 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. - www.mprpd.org
Located just west of Carmel Valley Village, Garland Ranch Regional
Park spans more than 4,400 acres and features dozens of miles of
hiking trails. A vast network of paths climb more than 2,000 feet,
exploring shady creeks and leading to dazzling, sun-drenched vistas.
The park is managed by the local Monterey Peninsula Regional Park
District, which doesn’t charge visitors a fee for entering, but
somehow manages to keep trails in top condition — no small challenge
at a time when many parks are struggling to stay open.
• Best Bicycle Shop
Carmel Bicycle — 26543 Carmel Rancho Blvd. - Tue. to Sat. 10
a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sun. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - (831) 625-2211 -
www.carmelbicycle.net
Owned by folks who are as passionate about bicycles as you are,
Carmel Bicycle carries major brands like Trek and Giant, and
features an extensive selection of accessories and clothing. Their
staff understands everyone’s bike needs a little TLC from time to
time, and with 25 years of experience, they can quickly diagnose
whatever is ailing your bike so you can get back on the pavement or
the trail as quickly as possible.
• Best Fitness/Health Center
• Best Yoga Studio
Carmel Valley Athletic Club — 27300 Rancho San Carlos Road,
Carmel Valley - Mon. to Fri., 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sat. and
Sun., 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. - (831) 624-2737 - www.cvaconline.com
Honoring its heritage as a racquet club with a tennis program,
Carmel Valley Athletic Club is a multifaceted fitness facility.
Besides cardio, weight and spin-bike rooms, the club offers a
fantastic array of workout programs, including yoga, Pilates, Zumba
and other classes led by experienced instructors and personal
trainers. The club is also home to a beautiful pool, and a
European-inspired hydrothermal relaxation spa, Refuge. With its
rough-wood architecture, lofty ceilings, crackling fireplace and
living room lounge, the lobby looks like a ski lodge, and serves as
a social hub where members gather for wine tastings and other
gatherings.
• Best Martial Arts studio
American Karate — 182 Country Club Gate, Pacific Grove -
(831) 372-5425 - www.americankaratemonterey.com
American Karate of Monterey teaches students of all ages, but
specializes in children’s programs. Starting as early as age 3, kids
can learn coordination and self control through the martial arts.
“At American Karate, we strive to develop the body, mind and spirit
through rigorous training,” says owner Matt Durney. “We have all
kinds of students, and everyone is welcome at our dojo.” Durney
offers a free week of karate lessons and a free month of
cardio-kickboxing for new clients.
• Best Golf Course
Pebble Beach Golf Links — 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble
Beach – Hours vary by season - (831) 622-8723 - www.pebblebeach.com
When SFB Morse began developing and preserving the coastal splendor
of the Del Monte Forest nearly 100 years ago, surely he understood
that golf along that Pacific blue backdrop would be a winning
proposition. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course
hugs the rugged coastline, providing wide-open vistas, cliff-side
fairways and sloping greens. Since 1919, the exquisite beauty and
unique dynamics of the Pebble Beach Golf Links have challenged and
thrilled golfers and their spectators. The famed course has been the
site of golf’s most prestigious tournaments, including the annual
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the upcoming U.S. Open
Championship in 2019. Pebble Beach Golf Links also include chipping
and putting greens, the Peter Hay par-3 course and a practice range.
• Best Museum
Monterey Museum of Art — 559 Pacific St., Monterey –
Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – (831) 372-5477 –
www.montereyart.org
In its collections and its presence in the community, Monterey
Museum of Art conveys the history and the culture of this community.
Founded in Carmel as a chapter of the American Federation of Arts in
1959, its mission is to inspire appreciation of the evolving
California artistic legacy and to expand a passion for the visual
arts. With its eight galleries of American artwork, this leading
visual arts organization in Monterey County is distinguished by its
exceptional permanent collection, vibrant exhibitions, and engaging
educational programs. The strengths of the collection include early
California paintings, photography and modern and contemporary art.
The museum encourages all visitors to connect with art and to learn
about the enduring artistic significance of the Monterey region.
• Best Inn/B&B
Carmel Forest Lodge — Ocean at Torres and Mt.
View – (831) 624-7372 – www.carmelforestlodge.com
On the outside, it looks like a tiny community of quaint cottages
with fresh white siding and a lovely garden setting. Yet inside
these pet-friendly rooms is an alchemy of the cozy and the
contemporary with tasteful, hand-selected furnishings that suit the
aesthetic of the space. In these recently “eco-remodeled” cottages,
guests will find light ceilings, most with exposed beams;
board-and-batten or smooth-coat walls, hardwood floors and sisal
rugs, fireplaces and comfortable settings in which to linger or
lounge while enjoying fresh fruit, snacks and a sip of cream sherry.
Each room is decorated with paintings or drawings by local artists,
and other attractive soft furnishings. Television and free wireless
internet are available for entertainment. Once the sun slips into
the sea, night settles its curtain on the Carmel stage, and the show
is over for another day.
• Best Hotel
La Playa Carmel — Camino Real and Eighth, Carmel – (800)
582-8900 – www.laplayahotel.com
After renovations to the historic property, what is being called
“the new” La Playa Hotel is still considered the “The Grande Dame”
of luxury hospitality. Designed to harmonize with the Mission, La
Playa was built in 1905 as a private mansion by artist Christian
Jorgensen for his wife, heir to the Ghirardelli
fortune. Its elegant Mediterranean architecture played
gracious host to many prominent guests until the 1920s when the
property was converted to a boutique hotel, offering 75 guest rooms
in its lush garden setting overlooking the sea. Although the
property has been upgraded and expanded considerably over the years,
its ambience has remained true to its original aesthetic as an
intimate inn by the sea.
• Most Dog-Friendly Hotel
Cypress Inn — Lincoln and Eighth – (831) 624-3871 –
www.cypress-inn.com.
Dogs dine from their own tea tray of delectable doggie treats.
Humans can enjoy lunch, dinner, cocktails or afternoon tea at
Terry’s Restaurant & Lounge, accompanied by a faithful furry
friend. Rooms are appointed with Fido in mind, including special
blankets, a place to shower your pooch off after a romp on the
beach, doggie pickup bags and a list of local pet sitters if you
want to visit that rare spot that is for people only. When the inn
is located in one of the world’s foremost canine communities, and
owned by dog devotee Doris Day, you know there will be room at the
inn and a place at the table for your pet.
RETAIL
• Best Florist
Twigery — Seventh, between Lincoln and
Dolores – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday – (831) 626-8944
– www.twigery.com.
While his work has been showcased internationally in exhibitions,
grand events and periodicals, master floral designer Michael Merritt
also delights in creating his floral artistry through Twigery, the
floral boutique he and his wife Cheryl have owned and operated since
2009. A visionary artist renowned for his artistic expression and
diversity of design, Merritt believes “beauty is not primarily
planned; it is the phenomenon that occurs at the moment when all
relationships are perceived to be harmonious.” While he enjoys the
juxtaposition of various materials, Merritt also appreciates the
beauty in a single bloom.
• Best Furniture Shop
Mum’s Place — 246 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove – 10 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday – (831)
372-6250 - mumsfurniture.com.
Mum’s Place is an enclave of fine home furnishings, where the
showroom is laden — but not overloaded — with a diversity of
furniture, accessories and objets d’art staged in vignettes to help
guests’ imaginations roam. Wandering in and among the classic,
traditional, transitional, country French and contemporary
collections, clients can customize their choices more than 80
furniture lines and some 5,000 fabrics. Even if they don’t find what
they want, they just might want what they find. Since 1986, Mum’s
has been dedicated to bringing in the latest designs on the market,
in great variety to please a wide variety of tastes and budgets.
• Best Golf Shop
Pebble Beach Pro Shop — 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach –
6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily – (831) 622-8723 – www.pebblebeach.com
The pro shop is commonly the introduction to a guest’s Pebble Beach
golf experience, so the folks here work to ensure it lives up to
their dreams and imaginings. The mission of the Pebble Beach Pro
Shop is to provide products and services guests are not likely to
find elsewhere. For international tourists who have never held a
golf club, or avid golfers who own more than their fair shares,
Pebble Beach staff balances the new and exciting with proven core
brands. Since merchandise is a tangible part of Pebble Beach guests
can take with them to remind them of their experiences, the Pro Shop
endeavors to provide the best products at the highest quality
befitting the Pebble Beach brand.
• Best Hardware Store
Carmel Ace Hardware, Forest Hill Ace Hardware, Pacific Grove
Hardware — 290 Crossroads Blvd., 1146 Forest Ave., Pacific
Grove, 229 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Sunday – (831) 293-8050, (831)
372-3284, (831) 372-646-9144 - www.acehardware.com
Likely they’re winners — all the local Ace Hardware stores — because
they are consistent. At Ace, shoppers have come to expect dedicated
staff and hard-working products without frills — except for the
seasonal décor — that make folks feel at home. Maybe it’s because
each Ace Hardware store is a member of the largest retailer-owned
hardware cooperative in the business, giving customers a sense of
shopping local with the backing of big business. Possibly it is the
specialized service of independently owned stores that remind
customers, “Ace is the place with the helpful hardware folks.” Which
is why Ace Hardware employees are trained to say, “Helping you is
the most important thing we have to do today.” It’s what they
promise on the radio and what they deliver. Consistently.
• Best Housewares Store
Prim’s Carmel — 546 Carmel Rancho Blvd. – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday – (831) 620-1251 –
www.primscarmel.com
Maybe their motto is what brought home the award as Best Housewares
Store: “We stand out from the competition because we deliver the
products you can’t get anywhere else. We not only offer the best
products but the best value for you.” Prim’s opened in late 2012,
following renovations to the property. The company created a fresh
venue, increasing the hardware, housewares and paint sections of the
store, developing the patio, home furniture, bedding and gift
departments, and bringing in new vendors. What they didn’t change
was the customer service.
• Best Craft-Knitting-Quilting Shop
Monarch Knitting — 529 Central Ave., Suite 4, Pacific Grove
– 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday – (831) 647-9276 – www.monarchknitting.com
Its name is a nod to the butterfly sanctuary for which the town is
known, but this place has knit together another kind of sanctuary.
The shop looks like it will welcome you in, and you’ll find a fresh,
well-lit atmosphere with cubbies of colorful skeins of yarn, and a
really cool farm-style table, where you’ll feel like you can get
right to work, where you’ll feel at home. It evokes a community of
craftspeople, like someone will show you what you need and how to
work with it. It’s so much more than a store — a place where you can
take lessons, participate in projects, buy beautiful yarn, belong.
Monarch Knitting creates community.
• Best Pet Store
Pet Food Express — 300 Crossroads Blvd. – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday – (831) 622-9999 –
www.petfoodexpress.com
There’s a chance they won the Golden Pine Cone award because
everyone who works there seems to love animals. Or because they
feature adoptable cats from Animal Friends Rescue Project. Or
because they host Greyhound Friends for Life, Peace of Mind Dog
Rescue and Golden Oldies Cat Rescue adoption events, plus regular
dog training, bathing and weekly walks. Or maybe Pet Food Express is
popular for its wide range of food products, plus other creature
comforts. Likely it comes back to the employees, who seem to know
what they’re doing and really, really care.
• Best Garden Shop
Griggs Nursery — 9220 Carmel Valley Rd. – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday – (831) 626-0680 - www.griggsnursery.com
For 17 years, Griggs Nursery has been thriving in its Carmel Valley
location, where customers have been watching the current generation
of Griggs kids grow up among the plants. The key to the family-owned
business seems to be customer acquaintance and a wide diversity of
products, enabling Griggs to give people what they want and need.
They hand-select their plants, most of which they grow on a
five-acre parcel on Schulte Road, and then bring to the nursery,
where their customer service kicks in. “We know what works here, so
we can grow the variety and quality we want for our customers,” the
Griggs family says. “It’s an investment in our community.”
• Best Camping/Skiing/Surfing Store
REI — 145 General Stilwell Dr., Marina – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
– (831) 883-8048 – www.rei.com/stores/marina
Once you walk through the dramatic entrance of REI, you’re already
on an outdoor adventure. Whether you are a novice or expert outdoor
enthusiast, the membership-optional store likely has something for
you. Founded in Seattle in 1938, the retail chain carries apparel,
footwear and gear for a wide range of outdoor and fitness
activities. By now, even the acronym evokes as vivid a sense of the
great outdoors as what it stands for, “Recreational Equipment, Inc.”
Its mission statement says REI is dedicated to inspiring, educating
and outfitting for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.
Clearly, this space at The Dunes retail center covers a lot of
ground.
• Best Place to Buy Athletic Wear
The Treadmill — 111 Crossroads Blvd. – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday – (831) 624-4112 –
www.thetreadmill.com
Janice and Chris Cleary, and Cathy and Mike Hirst are coming up on
six years since they bought The Treadmill and set their sights on
selling athletic and athleisure wear. Seeing the store as a
reflection of this community where they live, they endeavor to
provide what folks need to be active or adventurous on the
Peninsula. In 1983, the founders began with a vision, to develop a
store that would anchor the running community like a starting line.
They focused on running but featured a wider array of fitness
products, both high-tech and low-maintenance, and imagined it would
become a hub for both weekenders and warriors. Today, the store
remains a community center, focused on supporting the Big Sur Land
Trust, the Ventana Wilderness and the people who come through the
door.
• Best Pharmacy
Carmel Drug Store — Ocean between Dolores and San Carlos
– 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday
& Sunday – (831) 624-3819 – www.carmeldrugstore.com
The only thing missing is a soda fountain. Carmel’s classic drug
store and family pharmacy has been independently owned and serving
the community since 1910. There’s a reason it’s lasted so long.
Known for offering quality products and service, this drug store
might just be the most convenient stop in town. Located in the heart
of Carmel, the narrow storefront is chock-full of everything you
just might need or maybe forgot on your way into town. The back of
the shop looks like the old-fashioned pharmacy it is, yet it
provides state-of-the-art products. The front of the store offers
greeting cards and postcards, magazines and books by local authors.
It has hair accessories and hygiene products, perfume and makeup,
candy and scented candles. And more.
• Best Camera/Photo Store
Green’s Camera World — Fifth and San Carlos, 555 Del Monte
Center, Monterey, 350 Main St., Salinas – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily –
(831) 624-8880, (831) 655-1234, (831) 424-5247 –
www.greenscamera.com
Green’s Camera World is considered the county’s complete camera shop
for sales, service and solutions. Prepared to provide products for
every project and price, it is known for having the “best selection,
best price, and most knowledgeable staff in photography,” at all
three locations. Serving Monterey County since 1921, Green’s Camera
World features Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji and Samsung cameras. Whether
photography enthusiasts have a brand-name camera in mind, or
photographers are seeking a specialty camera for fine-art or
professional photography, the experts at Green’s Camera World seem
to know what their clients need.
• Best Toy Store
Thinker Toys — Seventh and San Carlos – 10 a.m. to 7
p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday – (831)
624-0441 – www.thinkertoys.com
Thinker Toys, a local landmark since 1969, prides itself on
being an “old-fashioned toy store, featuring classic educational and
imaginative toys for children and adults.” Which is why plenty of
parents and grandparents have used Thinker Toys as de facto
childcare while they “just run an errand up the street.” And plenty
of children have hardly noticed. Partly because of the great
diversity of toys and games, and also because the little ones are
allowed to touch them, to try them out and to play to their heart’s
content. Kids of all ages collect cards and costumes,
birthday presents and party favors, coloring books and crayons,
Barbies and baby dolls, board games and books, Sesame Street
figures, Legos and lollipops, K’NEX and Kanoodle, and that’s just in
the first five minutes.
• Best Children’s Clothing Store/Boutique
Heaven — A Child’s Boutique — Lincoln between Ocean
and Seventh – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to
5 p.m. Sunday – (831) 624-6550 –www.heavenincarmel.com
It’s like wandering into the custom wardrobe of a privileged
child. Heaven beckons customers through double doors into a
gracious, well-lit salon appointed with very special, very select
children’s apparel. Ash and Monique Vasanji celebrated the
grand opening of Heaven in 2001, their European-style children’s
boutique designed for the customer who has exquisite taste and wants
quality and style — including their young daughter, Alia. Today,
Alia runs the store. Located on Lincoln in the site of the
legendary Village Straw Shop, now closed, Heaven is a haven for
gifts, grandmas and that little something special that turns every
day into a special occasion.
• Best Men’s Store
Khaki’s of Carmel — Carmel Plaza on Ocean – 9:30 a.m. to
6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday -
(831) 625-8106 – www.khakisofcarmel.com
Khaki’s of Carmel is a respected purveyor of contemporary European
and American menswear that sells clothing the old-fashioned way; up
close and personal. The essence of Khaki’s lies in the touching —
some of the finest fabrics in the world; the trying — to see if it
becomes you before it becomes yours; the tailoring — including
custom fits and made-to-measure apparel; and the tradition — of
providing the ultimate in customer service. The store is the pursuit
and the passion of Jim and Connie Ockert, who met in high school,
later married, and combined creative and entrepreneurial talents to
raise a family and grow a business. Both continue to thrive. In
every decision, Ockert thinks of his customers.
• Best Men’s Shoe Store
Hedi’s Shoes — Ocean and Mission – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
daily – (831) 624-5580 – www.hedi.com
When Haydar Movahedi opened his shoe store more than 20 years ago,
European comfort shoes was an emerging category. “Hedi,” whose store
has always been about comfort, managed to cobble together comfort,
quality, convenience and cool, paired with customer service from
experienced staff who understand fit, form and function. Consider
brands Pikolinos, Ecco, Clarks, SAS, Børn and more. Comfort has
never looked — or felt — so good.
• Best Women’s Clothing Boutique
GBG — Mission and Seventh – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
– (831) 626-3368
Girl Boy Girl has enjoyed 26 years of styling women in fashions
considered not trendy but current. Drawing from a stable of
more than 50 contemporary designers, all “thoughtfully curated” for
the store, GBG specializes in “wearable clothing” for women of all
sizes and shapes, ages and aesthetics. Customers seek
established designers and a large selection of cashmere, and denim,
designed to fit and flatter. GBG’s long-time staff always enjoys
styling long-time clients and new guests to GBG.
• Best Women’s Accessories
Augustina’s Designer Boutique — San Carlos and Sixth –
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily – (831) 624-9901
– www.augustinasdesigner-boutique.com
Established in 1987, Augustina’s invites customers to relax in an
elegant setting, customized with clients in mind. Owner Tracy
Delaney Odle, whose mother owned the legendary Signatures stores in
Carmel, presents an exceptional roster of designers, among them
Jimmy Choo, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Giambattista Valli,
Michael Kors, Max Mara Roberto Cavalli, Lela Rose, Prabal Gurung,
Herve Leger and more. Odle is proud to introduce her niece,
Christine Sukenick, as her new store manager. Sukenick, who spent
childhood summers in Carmel, hails from New York, where she ran
David Yurmin at Saks Fifth Avenue. Augustina’s stylists offer
personalized service, featuring the finest designer fashions
and accessories from around the world.
• Best Women’s Shoe Store
Lloyd’s Shoes — Ocean and Dolores – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
daily – (831) 625-1382 – www.lloydsshoes.com
Tess Calhoon is sitting at her desk adjacent the stockroom of
Lloyd’s Shoes, among floor-to-ceiling shelving of shoeboxes, neatly
stacked. It’s raining outside, so she has on her favorite
weatherproof Aquatalia olive-suede booties. Calhoon works with her
father, Jeff Greenberg, to run the popular shoe store, which
celebrated its 37th anniversary this year. The Ocean Avenue
attraction aims to offer something for every shopper, whether it’s
the trendiest style of the season or the absolute best travel shoe,
always in the interest of the “highest style, comfort, function and
quality.”
• Best Place to Buy Designer Clothes
Debra C — 129 Crossroads Blvd. – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday – (831) 624-9400
– www.debrac.com.
Debra Couch, a woman who makes fashion look effortless,
says it is — or should be. Particularly if you shop at Debra C, her
boutique of European designer apparel for women. Couch started
with her exclusive store in Beverly Hills and then, in 2011, opened
a second store at The Crossroads, quickly garnering a loyal
clientele. What’s important, she says, whether you’re looking
at Valentino, Missoni, Bogner or her private label, is it’s all
about the way it’s put together. “We’re high end,” she said, “so the
apparel endures. You can do the same look next year, or add a new
piece and mix it up.”
• Best Leather Goods Store
Bottega Veneta — Carmel Plaza, Ocean at Mission – 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday –
(831) 622-0518 – www.carmelplaza.com/stores/bottega-veneta
Their leather workshops dwell in a restored villa in Montebello
Vicentino, in the Veneto region of Italy. Bottega Veneta’s exquisite
line of fine accessories, handbags, shoes and luggage are a tribute
to the craftspeople who work from a context of history, of
tradition, of devotion, of skill. And it shows. Some people stop
along the Ocean Avenue storefront to study the merchandise through
the windows, as if it were a museum of art. And then, they go
inside, to experience it and, quite often, to have it.
• Best Vintage Clothing Store
Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop — 26388 Carmel Rancho
Blvd. – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday – (831) 626-8480
– www.yellowbrickroadbenefitshop.org
People volunteer at Yellow Brick Road like it’s a calling, creating
a sense of community in the benefit shop. Customers shop the place
like members of a club. The store’s genesis came from Shirin Snyder,
wife of the Rev. John Snyder, pastor of Carmel Presbyterian Church,
who sought a way to extend a wider outreach in the community. Her
plan was to create a benefit shop that would give some people a
chance to give, others a chance to buy bargains, and those in need,
a chance to receive. Not everyone believed such a place would thrive
in an upscale community. But Snyder saw the affluence as an asset, a
resource for quality castoffs that would attract a large and loyal
following. She was right. There is no place like home to start
giving.
• Best Jewelry Store
Fourtané Jewelers — Ocean and Lincoln – 10 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday – (831)
624-4684 – www.fourtane.com
Sandy and John Bonifas, who purchased Fourtané Jewelers in the
1980s, have maintained the intimate, friendly and personalized
atmosphere customers appreciated since its inception in 1950. Today,
one of the country’s leading providers of estate jewelry and watches
from the modern era to centuries back, Fourtané is particularly
renowned as an authorized Rolex retail store, specializing in
vintage Rolexes. “Our parameters for buying any piece are that it
has to be pretty, be well made, and offer good value,” John Bonifas
has said. “Integrity in any business is important.”
• Best Shopping Center
Carmel Plaza — Ocean & Mission– 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. (831) 624-0138 -
www.carmelplaza.com
The Monterey Peninsula’s “premier shopping and dining destination,”
Carmel Plaza has more than 35 stores and boutiques, from stores that
have been there for decades, such as the esteemed Cheese Shop, to
the new Carmel Honey Company. If you’re looking for luxury items,
visit Tiffany & Co., Kate Spade, Bottega Veneta, or Khaki’s of
Carmel. If you work up an appetite after an afternoon of shopping,
try Bistro Beaujolais, which has an outdoor patio with a full bar,
or Flying Fish Grill, which offers East/West fusion cuisine.
• Best Antique Shop
Wittpenn’s Antiques — San Carlos Ave. between Seventh and
Eighth streets - 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Wednesdays. - (831) 624-1336 -
www.wittpennsantiques.com
Just the windows at this little gem — owned by Chip and Kathy
Wittpenn, a short stroll from Ocean Avenue, and near Sunset Center —
hold enough eye-catching antiques to keep shoppers occupied for a
while. Come browse a wide selection of antiques and collectibles
including Sterling silver, Victorian furniture, books, globes,
clocks, music instruments, desks, Quimper, China, porcelain, Early
American, Renaissance Revival, Louis Phillipe items and many others.
• Best Bookstore
River House Books — 208 Crossroads Blvd. - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday - (831) 626-2665 -
www.riverhousebookscarmel.com
There’s something wonderful about holding a brand-new book and
anticipating what you’ll find as you turn its pages. Choose from an
exciting and changing selection of new works in the humanities and
sciences, bestselling fiction and nonfiction, children's classics,
youth favorites, travel, foreign and domestic magazines and
newspapers plus gift-worthy architecture, art, cooking, gardening
and many other topics.
• Best Car Dealer
BMW of Monterey — 1 Geary Plaza, Seaside - 8:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday - (888) 306-6825 - www.bmwmonterey.com
The folks at BMW of Monterey also offer top-notch customer service,
which is one of many reasons why Pine Cone readers awarded them
another Golden Pine Cone this year. BMW of Monterey thrives on
helping its customers find their next BMW, whether it’s the new i8,
electric-powered i3, X5 SUV, or a certified pre-owned vehicle.
• Best Gas Station
Lemos 76 — 544 Carmel Rancho Blvd., Carmel - 6:30 a.m. to
9:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. - (831)
624-2925 – www.lemos76.com
Lemos 76 is a trusted source for fuel and complete automotive
repairs. Family owned and operated since 1961, not only is Lemos 76
the “premier 24/7 fuel station,” it offers propane tank refills as
well as complete auto repair service and smog inspection. “We take
appropriate measures to provide a great experience with free Wi-Fi,
a dog-friendly policy, and shuttle service to the Carmel area with
shopping nearby,” according to Lemos 76.
• Best Car Wash
El Estero Car Wash — 590 Fremont St., Monterey – Winter
hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
(hours vary in winter) - (831) 373-1801 - www.elesterocarwash.com
The folks at El Estero recycle 70 percent of the water they use.
With that in mind, having your ride detailed isn’t an indulgence,
it’s an act of conservation. Drive in dusty, drive away shiny and
fresh-smelling with some greeting cards from the gift shop. Your
conscience will also be clean. El Estero offers car wash services
ranging from bronze to platinum, and a la carte services, too.
• Best Computer Store
Apple Store — 240 Del Monte Center, Monterey - 10 a.m. to 9
p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday - www.apple.com/retail/delmonte
Apple users are a different breed. They’re hip, they’re cool, and
they demand an equally hip and cool place to shop. This is it —
glossy white tables with the latest technology displayed like museum
pieces and the acolytes of Apple can’t wait to show you the Apple
Way. Try out the new iPhone 8, soon-to-be-released iPhone X, iMac
Pro or a wearable, such as the Series 3 Apple Watch.
• Best Place for Brides to Shop
Collezione Fortuna Fashion — Lincoln Ave. between Fifth and
Sixth streets in Su Vicino Courtyard - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday;
Closed Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; 11:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Sunday. - (831) 626-1287 - www.collezionefortuna.com
Brides-to-be should make a one-on-one appointment for the personal
attention that helped make this shop this year’s winner, once again.
Collezione Fortuna Fashion offers bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses,
dresses for junior bridesmaids and flower girls, and bridal
accessories by leading designers in the bridal fashion industry.
Mothers of the bride and bridesmaids of all ages will find something
to make them look almost as good as the bride. Almost.
• Best Gift Shop
Carmel Bay Company — Ocean Ave. at Lincoln - 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. daily - (831) 624-3868 - www.carmelbaycompany.com
If ever there was a place to shop for that hard-to-buy-for in-law,
this is it. It’s also a great spot for browsing. Interesting, often
whimsical, and decorative items large and small can be found at
every turn. Customer service is enthusiastic and helpful, making
gift shopping fun. No wonder Carmel Bay Company won a Golden Pine
Cone award last year, too.
• Best Music Store
Do Re Mi Music & Video — 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd., Suite
B1 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Closed Sunday - (831)
625-1229.
Just as there’s nothing like holding a real newspaper, there’s
nothing like having a great collection of music that’s more
down-to-earth than housed in the cloud. Family-owned and operated,
Do Re Mi’s dedication to great service and good music sets them
apart. In addition to records and CDs, the eclectic shop carries a
full line of guitars and other instruments, record players and other
music-related gift items.
• Best Candy Shop
Lula’s Chocolates — Court of the Fountains, NW Mission Street
between Ocean and Seventh – (831) 624-5852; 244 Crossroads Blvd.,
Carmel Crossroads – (831) 626-3327. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to
Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, both locations – www.lulas.com
If you’ve never been to Lula’s Chocolates, it’s likely you’ve heard
about their famed — and scrumptious — Sea Salt Caramels, which
seriously test the self-control of everyone who tries them. The
locally-owned company, founded by chocolatier Scott Lund (who
learned the craft from his grandmother), offers a wide variety of
assorted chocolates, nut clusters, toffees, butter crèmes, truffles
and other sweets, include the Baja Toffee spiked with chili. But
seriously, try the Sea Salt Caramels!
• Best Carpet and Flooring Store
Bereman Carpets — 1070 Del Monte Ave., Monterey - 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday - (831)
373-7759 - www.beremancarpets.com
If you want to compare hardwood to cork or carpeting, look no
further than Bereman’s well-organized website, or go into the store
to take advantage of their staff’s extensive experience. They’ll
guide you through the wiles of the tiles, the lay of the laminates
and the piles of carpets. Either way, Bereman — a previous Golden
Pine Cone winner — is there from your selection through installation
and beyond.
SERVICES and HEALTH CARE
• Best Place to Get Married
Carmel Mission — 3080 Rio Road, Carmel - 9:30 a.m. to 5
p.m., Monday to Friday - (831) 624-1271
In diminutive Carmel lies arguably the most iconic mission in the
state — San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission — known more commonly
as the Carmel Mission. Its well-worn walls and air of history,
combined with a recent remodeling and restoration, make it a
beautiful piece of living history. So, it’s no surprise that readers
of The Pine Cone, again, voted the Carmel Mission the Best Place to
Get Married. “The church seeks to help you prepare yourselves for
the great day of your wedding as well as helping you with spiritual,
psychological and practical things that will make your wedding day a
Sacrament that will last a lifetime!” according to the Mission’s
website.
• Best Place to Get Married (non-church)
Gardener Ranch — 114 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley -
call for hours - (831) 298-7360 – www.gardenerranch.com
Tucked along the banks of the Carmel River is Gardener Ranch, a
24-acre property with a rich history of hosting U.S. presidents,
dignitaries and movie stars seeking exclusive, private and rustic
charm. The idyllic property features majestic oaks and lush meadows
that can host myriad events, including weddings. Outfitted with
well-appointed changing rooms for the bride and groom, as well as
places to burn off nervous energy and luxurious cabins to house the
wedding party, Gardener Ranch says it combines the rustic charm of
Carmel Valley and the simple elegance of its natural setting to
offer the “wedding of your dreams.” We don’t doubt it.
• Best Retirement Community
Del Mesa Carmel — 500 Del Mesa, Carmel – (831) 624-1853 –
Office hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Sunday –
www.delmesacarmel.org
Located just a mile east of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Mesa Carmel is
“perched high on a plateau graced by stunning views of Point Lobos,
the Carmel River Valley and surrounding Santa Lucia mountains.” The
adult active community, as it describes itself, offers independent
living in 289 condominium homes nestled among trees and gardens. A
24-hour security gate offers privacy and security for its residents.
It also features a fitness center with indoor swimming pool and spa,
exercise classes, a workshop for arts and crafts, garden plots and a
lawn bowling club.
• Best Electrician
Cate Electric Co. — Dolores and Seventh - 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday, (831) 624-5361
Founded in 1961, this family-owned business owned by Michael Cate
and Janine Cate Boone, has been committed to the local community.
Cate Electric, which is a multiple Golden Pine Cone winner,
specializes in customer service from service calls to home remodels
to landscape lighting and more. “We have a qualified crew with
certified electricians,” Cate says. The company’s Facebook page is
studded with pictures of “don’ts,” gorgeous coastal photos, and
pictures of that qualified crew occasionally mugging for the camera.
• Best Plumber
A and R Plumbing — 1720 Contra Costa St., Sand City - 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 24-hour emergency service - (831)
394-7221 - www.aandrplumbinginc.com
Need a new hot water heater or your toilet replaced? The kind folks
at A and R Plumbing in Sand City will gladly oblige. While other
plumbing companies have changed to "flat rate" pricing, A and R
feels “the traditional method is a more honest and fair way to
charge customers,” according to Sand City-based business. “With a
team of 20 employees, A and R Plumbing can accommodate most any
plumbing need,” the company proclaims confidently.
• Best Architect
Adam Jeselnick — Lincoln between Fifth and Sixth - (831)
620-5164 - www.adamjeselnick.com
Adam Jeselnick has worked on several high-profile projects,
including Affina Food and Wine, the building at Seventh and Dolores
and The Dance Center in the Carmel Rancho, which was completed in
2015. He thinks of himself as a “community-minded architect” who
supports sustainable designs that fit into their environments.
• Best General Contractor
Stocker & Allaire — 21 Mandeville Court, Monterey – Call
for hours - (831) 375-1890 - www.stockerallaire.com
From their beautiful eco-friendly homes in the Santa Lucia Preserve
to the cutting-edge rammed earth house in San Benito County, Stocker
& Allaire refuses to be defined by one single style of home. And
that’s just the way each of their unique clients likes it! In
addition to the private homes for which they’re known, the company’s
been responsible for building exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
for more than 20 years, so if you’ve ever spent a peaceful moment
lingering in front of the jellyfish display, or checking out the
penguins, you’ve been a beneficiary of its work.
• Best Landscaper-Gardening Service
Mission Landscaping — Pacific Grove -
www.missionlandscaping.com – (831) 373-8293
For about four decades, Mission Landscaping has brought its
expertise to countless projects. Whether you need stone work, new
driveway, water features, outdoor railings or a fire pit, the
company’s talented construction staff of carpenters, masons,
irrigation specialists and gardeners are there to help. “Our
landscape and building design staff bring a mosaic of expertise to
your project. Our construction staff includes talented carpenters,
masons, irrigation specialists and gardeners.” Mission says.
• Best Insurance Agent
Matt Little Jr., Carmel Insurance — San Carlos and Eighth -
Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 p.m. - (831) 624-1234
The family legacy of Matt Little dates back three generations in
Carmel. Robert Little opened Carmel Insurance Agency, Inc. way back
in 1948, when he began delivering quality solutions in the areas of
commercial, personal health and life insurance. In 1968 the agency
became a corporation, with son Matt Little taking the reins as
president. Today Matt works alongside his daughter, Amy, and son
Matt Jr., serving markets in California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona,
Texas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Hawaii. They take
pride in providing outstanding personalized customer service, which,
no doubt, is the reason this iconic family business has won the
Golden Pine Cone award for the sixth time
• Best Real Estate Company
• Best Place to Work
Carmel Realty — Dolores, south of Seventh, and three other
locations – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. to Fri. - (831) 622-1000 -
www.carmelrealtycompany.com
Pine Cone voters also voted Carmel Realty the best local real estate
company. Older than the village that it calls home, Carmel Realty is
family owned, just as it was a century ago. Employees have referred
to the leadership of the Mitchell family as “inspirational.” Their
loyal customers respect their integrity and the fact that they give
back to their community. In addition to a long history of great
service handling high-end properties in the Monterey Peninsula’s
best neighborhoods, the company gives amply to the community,
supporting a wide and diverse group of charities.
• Best Real Estate Lender
RPM Mortgage — 3 SW Corner of Fifth and San Carlos – 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday - (831) 574-4500 -
www.rpm-mtg.com/branch/carmel
Also a Golden Pine Cone winner in 2015, RPM Mortgage triumphs again
this year! RPM’s clients celebrate the way the company guides them
through the lending process by the “most experienced, ethical and
professional mortgage lending teams in town.”
• Best Title Company
Chicago Title Company — 26609 Carmel Center Place – Monday
through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - (831) 625-5676 -
www.chicagotitlerene.com
Chicago Title is a repeat winner of the Golden Pine Cone thanks to a
tradition of customer service resulting in a full page of
testimonials applauding the company, and its vice president of sales
and marketing, Rene Ayers, for qualities that include patience,
helpfulness, knowledge, positive attitude, availability, and making
use of the latest technology. Chicago Title has a history of more
than 170 years of outstanding customer service, with special
attention to making the escrow process smooth and complete. The
company's stated goal is to help ensure growth and success for
lenders, builders, developers, attorneys and real estate
professionals.
• Best Personal Bank
Monterey County Bank — Multiple locations, including 3785 Via
Nona Marie, Suite 100, Carmel - (831) 625-2345 -
www.montereycountybank.com
Monterey County Bank is the oldest locally owned, locally managed
bank in the county, opening its doors in May 1977. This institution
specializes in all aspects of business banking, including being the
No. 1 Small Business Administration lender in Monterey County. In
addition, the bank offers very competitive commercial lending
products, outstanding merchant credit card services, and personal
attention to its clients. And, there's also a convenience factor:
Monterey County Bank has branches in Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel
and Salinas. The company motto might help explain why Monterey
County Bank is beloved by readers: "We don't open accounts — we
start relationships."
• Best Business Bank
Wells Fargo Bank — Multiple locations, including San Carlos
St. and Ocean Avenue in Carmel – Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7
p.m. - (831) 624-5302 - www.wellsfargo.com
Over a span of more than 20 years, Wells Fargo has become one of the
nation's largest financial institutions, serving one in three U.S.
households and employing one in 600 working Americans, and serving
70 million customers in more than 130 countries. The winner of this
year's award for Best Business Bank prides itself in providing
industry expertise, commercial financing, insurance, and real
estate, corporate trust services, institutional investing, market
risk management, retirement and employee benefits, and numerous
other services invaluable to business owners, large and small. "We
take the time to understand your business, from your operations to
your long-term vision and goals," states the company website. "And
we support you with local relationship managers and bankers, who
work alongside your team to help keep your business on track and
moving forward."
• Best Investment House/Advisor
Monterey Private Wealth Management — 2340 Garden Road, #202,
Monterey – Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - (831) 372-3426
- www.montereyprivatewealth.com
Monterey Private Wealth Management can boast of more than 70 years
of combined experience between partners Steve Merrell, Ken Petersen,
Gary Alt and Cristofer Cabanillas, who have established an
exceptional reputation for helping clients gauge risk, stay ahead of
inflation, and protect their assets for the next generation. They
take pride in providing straightforward answers, without confusing
jargon, to questions such as these: Will you have enough? Are your
tax strategies sound? How do you stay ahead of inflation? Are your
children prepared for handling wealth? Are your finances organized
efficiently? The stated mission of this company includes operating
with complete transparency, avoiding conflicts of interest, and
disclosing all details, fees and expenses. Clients’ interests always
come first.
• Best Veterinarian
Monterey Animal Hospital — 725 Foam St., Monterey - Daily
8-5:30 p.m., with 24-hour emergency services -(831) 373-0711 -
montereyanimalhospital.com
Monterey Animal Hospital won the affection of readers by providing
the highest-quality personalized medical care to dogs and cats of
the Monterey Peninsula since 1966. This dynamic veterinary hospital
offers comprehensive services and boarding in an atmosphere where
two-legged clients and four-legged patients are treated with genuine
compassion. Services include boarding, grooming, micro-chipping,
dental care, laboratory, anesthesia, hospice and euthanasia, and
more.
• Best Pet Boarding
Casa de Amigos Animal Hotel — 715 Foam, Monterey - Daily 7-7
p.m. - (831) 373-0482 - www.casadeamigosanimalhotel.com
Casa de Amigos Animal Hotel, a repeat winner, has established a
solid reputation for providing quality lodging for dogs and cats on
the Monterey Peninsula since 1970, a reputation enhanced by recent
upgrades in services, extended hours, and increased staff since Dr.
Ben Wilson took the helm several years ago. The stated mission of
Casa de Amigos is to make every animal’s stay as comfortable and fun
as possible. Services include overnight boarding, doggie daycare,
and full-service grooming. “The staff treats my little dogs like
royalty,” raves one client, praise typical of several testimonials
on the hotel’s website.
• Best Pet Care
Suds 'N Scissors — 223 Crossroads Blvd. - Daily 9-5 p.m. -
(831) 624-4697 - sudsandscissorscarmel.com
Owned and operated by Todd Harris, Suds 'N Scissors, has been a
Carmel tradition for 45 years and serves as the area's most elegant
grooming retreat. No stranger to pet care, Harris is the previous
owner of Country Club Kennels, Santa Cruz Animal Care, and Tatoha
Trainers, and has been a member of the Del Monte Kennel Club for 20
years, and treasurer for the past 11 years. "We are in full view of
the public eye, all grooming is done right up front in plain view,"
Harris states on his website. "Please, feel free to ask to see any
parts of the shop, or bathing area, it’s always open for inspection.
It’s our pleasure to make you as comfortable with the grooming
process as possible." That philosophy no doubt is a major reason
readers chose Suds 'N Scissors as winner of this year's award.
• Best Car Repair Shop
Nystrom Automotive — San Carlos and Fifth – Monday through
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - (831) 626-4407
Eric Nystrom’s reputation for integrity and quality work dates back
to 2004, when he opened his business as a Shell station and began
establishing its current five-star rating on Yelp, which features
multiple rave reviews from satisfied customers, including this one:
“Great shop! Eric is the nicest fairest mechanic you can find. Very
talented on all makes and models from vintage Jags, to late model
Beemers. Good work at a fair price along with respectful customer
service. It doesn't get any better than that.”
• Best Auto Body Shop
Gene's Import Auto Body — 531 Shasta St., Sand City – Monday
through Friday, 8a.m. to 5 p.m. - (831) 899-0343 -
www.facebook.com/GenesIm-portAutoBody
This well-established Monterey Peninsula business specializes in
both foreign and domestic vehicles, with special certification for
both Mercedes and Tesla. Customer reviews give Gene's high ratings
for outstanding work at fair prices, expertise, honesty, attention
to detail, and top-notch customer service. Gene Lantomo's company
was founded in 1973 and maintains a strong reputation for quality
service.
• Best Dry Cleaners
Carmel Cleaners — Junipero and Third – Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - (831) 624-3616
Locally famous for courteous and friendly service, the exceptional
staff at Carmel Cleaners handles all types of dry-cleaning requests,
large or small. They specialize in the preservation of wedding
gowns, prom dresses, and other treasured garments. Technicians there
are skilled at alterations and garment repairs, making Carmel
Cleaners a one-stop shop. Owner Deok Chong’s mantra for more than 30
years of exquisite service has been “Good clothes deserve good
care.”
• Best Travel Agent
Pacific Grove Travel — 593 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove –
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- (831) 373-0631 or (800) 648-1808 - pgtravel.com
For a romantic getaway, a family vacation, a business trip, or any
other get-out-of-town occasion, Pacific Grove Travel has been one of
the Peninsula's go-to services since 1979. Readers love this company
for its professionalism, diligence, knowledge, and friendly customer
relations. Pacific Grove Travel is famous for arranging seamless,
worry-free excursions to exotic locales such as Alaska and Peru,
including cruises and group tours. They take pride in handling all
of the details with airlines, rent-a-cars, and lodging. The stated
philosophy on their website says it all: "We consider our travelers
to be part of the Pacific Grove Travel family, and our agents are
here to help you create vacation experiences to match your style and
exceed your expectations."
• Best Hair Salon
Oya Salon — 200 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey – Monday, 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. - (831) 656-0570 - www.oyasalon.com
Founded in 1997, Oya advertises itself as the Central Coast's
premiere center for haircutting, styling, color and makeup, as well
as "a hub for cultivating creativity in hair artists, makeup
artists, models and photographers." The salon's professional hair
designers take pride in offering the highest level of customer
service, and staying in tune with the latest industry trends and
styles. Oya also is known for its philanthropy in the local
community, donating to countless local charities, schools, and
nonprofits, in addition to participating in fundraising fashion
shows and sponsoring local events. No wonder Pine Cone readers chose
Oya to receive this year's award.
• Best Skin Care
Coastal Valley Dermatology — 26366 Carmel Rancho Lane, Suite
H – Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. - (831) 293-8458 - coastalvalleydermatology.com
This marks the fifth time in six years that Coast Valley Dermatology
has been the readers' choice to receive the Golden Pine Cone for
"Best Skin Care," a tribute to Dr. Roya Javid's expertise in medical
dermatology and skin rejuvenation, and her dedication to providing
patients with full attention to patient comfort. A leading
dermatologist, Dr. Javid performs all procedures and administers all
patient services personally, using the latest, state-of-the-art
lasers and treatment technologies, all in an elegant and comfortable
environment. All of her medical assistants are fully trained, and
her medical aestheticians are trained in dermatology, with extensive
knowledge about the procedures in which they assist. She originally
hung her shingle in Carmel in 2011.
• Best Nail Salon
Nails Spa by the Sea — Seventh and Monte Verde - Call for
appointment - (831) 625-2623 - www.nailsspabythesea.com
A Golden Pine Cone winner once again this year,, Nails Spa by the
Sea is celebrated by readers for its affection for clients, who are
pampered with the highest-quality nail treatments in a nurturing
atmosphere. Specialties of the house include a spa manicure using
warm citrus oils, an ocean-fresh foot soak, with hot towels, an
hour-long Swedish massage, Shiatsu, a deep-tissue rub, hot stone
therapy, or aromatherapy. Discover how enjoyable an hour of your day
can be at Nails by the Sea, a traditional destination in Carmel.
• Best Spa
Refuge Day Spa — 27300 Rancho San Carlos Road, Carmel -
Daily 10 a.m. to10 p.m. - (831) 620-7360 - www.refuge.com
The mission at Refuge is to provide an affordable, yet unrivaled
relaxation experience in a beautiful, natural setting that includes
six hot and warm pools (with cascading waterfalls), four Nordic
cool/cold plunge pools, America's largest co-ed cedar sauna
overlooking the waterfalls, and a eucalyptus-infused steam bath. The
setting is two acres of serene, indoor solariums and outdoor
relaxation areas overlooking the Santa Lucia Preserve. This
worldwide destination is the ideal place to unwind and recharge. One
price includes a robe and access to spotless locker rooms, and
allows you to stay as long as you like. Sit around a fire pit and
enjoy the sounds of nature in what truly is a quiet place of refuge.
• Best Dentist
Dr. Bradford Carl — 26485 Carmel Rancho Lane –
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- (831) 624-2111 - www.bradfordcarl.com
Dr. Carl, a repeat winner of the Golden Pine Cone, has treated
patients in Carmel for more than three decades with a team that
takes pride in providing patients with the information they need to
make decisions about their oral health needs. His office offers
cleanings and prevention, cosmetic dentistry, treatment of
periodontal diseases, and restorations. “When you visit our office,
your smile is our top priority,” the doctor says. "Our entire team
is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care
that you deserve."
• Best Dermatologist
Dr. Joseph Rheim — 757 Pacific St., Suite A-1, Monterey
– Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - (831) 373-4404 (general
dermatology) or (831) 373-0441 (Cosmetic Laser Center) -
www.rheimderm.com
Dedication to skin care is a family thing for Dr. Rheim, who, after
earning his medical degree and doing his residency at Tulane,
returned home to Monterey to join his father's practice in 2004. An
active staff member at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula,
Dr. Rheim has extensive experience and expertise in cosmetic
treatments, using the latest, leading-edge techniques and
methodologies in both the dermatological and cosmetic arenas. "Dr.
Joe" also is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the
American Medical Association. Services at Rheim Dermatology include
the treatment of acne, actinic keratosis, eczema, hyperhidrosis,
psoriasis, rashes, skin cancer and sun damage.
• Best Ophthalmologist
Dr. Leland Rosenblum, Monterey Bay Eye Center — 21 Upper
Ragsdale Drive, Suite 200, Monterey - Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. - (831) 375-2020 - www.montereybayeyecenter.com
An eight-time winner of the Golden Pine Cone, Dr. Rosenblum has been
in private practice at Monterey Bay Eye Center since 1994. He has
clinical interests in cataract surgery, glaucoma and diabetic
retinopathy treatment and a variety of other procedures. This
third-generation physician was the first ophthalmologist in Monterey
County to implant the ReSTOR® intraocular lens. Dr. Rosenblum is a
Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a fellow of the
American Academy of Ophthalmology and serves on the Board of
Directors for the California Academy of Ophthalmology. He’s an avid
cyclist, and although his dreams of winning the Tour de France have
long since faded, he is a proud sponsor of the Monterey Bay Racing
Team.
• Best Orthopedist
Dr. Christopher E. Clevenger — 980 Cass St., Monterey –
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. - (831) 648-3361
In 1998, the same year he graduated from Texas Tech University
Health and Science Center School of Medicine, Dr. Clevenger became a
member of the medical staff at Community Hospital of the Monterey
Peninsula. The veteran physician also holds a 1993 degree from
Dartmouth Medical School. This multi-time winner of the Golden Pine
Cone award says he takes pride in giving his complete attention to
every patient who comes through his office. “I’m not trying to see
somebody every five minutes,” he said “I listen to them and give
them more time.”
• Best Pediatrician
Pierre LaMothe, Monterey Peninsula Pediatric Medical Group —
Upper Ragsdale Drive, #210, Monterey - Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon - (831) 333-0999 - www.mppmg.com
A physician doesn't get any more local than Dr. LaMothe. This
multi-time winner of the Golden Pine Cone was born at the old Carmel
Hospital and graduated from Stevenson School (Class of ’75) before
obtaining his advanced education at UCLA, Wayne State, and UC San
Francisco. This board-certified pediatrician was recognized in 2011
with a “Patients Choice Award” and “Compassionate Doctor Recognition
Award” from Vitals.com. Dr. LaMothe, in his 30th year at Monterey
Peninsula Pediatric Medical Group, says he loves his job because
“helping kids is fun.”
His passions include food, gardening, hiking and golf, a sport in
which he carries a 2 handicap.
• Best Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Douglas Sunde — 856 Munras Ave., Monterey – Monday
through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - (831) 372-0200 - www.drsunde.com
Dr. Sunde is the readers’ choice for The Golden Pine Cone once again
thanks to a passion for his profession and a zeal for maintaining
up-to-date techniques. The doctor specializes in plastic surgery and
provides individualized, state-of-the-art cosmetic and
reconstructive treatments, with personal attention to the needs of
each patient. A native of suburban Chicago, Dr. Sunde was an Eagle
Scout, a National Merit Scholar, and valedictorian of his high
school class before pursuing higher education at Stanford, where he
graduated with distinction, and UC San Francisco Medical School,
where he was part of the medical honor society for leadership and
academic excellence in medical scholarship. He’s been practicing in
Monterey since 1994.
• Best Chiropractor
Dr. Aaron Gaily — 1299 Pacific, Monterey - Monday,
Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- (831) 657-0191 - www.chiropractormontereyca.com
Born on the Monterey Peninsula and raised in Carmel Valley, Dr.
Gaily was a 1995 graduate of Carmel High, where he was a standout in
water sports. He launched his chiropractic practice in Monterey in
2003, the same year he became head coach of the Carmel High water
polo team, a post he held through the 2016 season. “Being a
chiropractor is one of the most rewarding things,” he says. “We get
to watch people reduce or eliminate their pain, and get back to
healthy living, day in and day out. It’s a lot of fun coming to work
every day and watching people’s lives change.”
• Best Estate Planning Attorney
Kyle Krasa — 704-D Forest Ave., Pacific Grove - Call for an
appointment - (831) 920-0205 - krasalaw.com
Talk about local roots! Kyle Krasa’s grandfather, Karel A. Krasa,
taught Czech at the Defense Language Institute while his
grandmother, Zdena, worked at a Monterey cannery. His mother, Joan,
taught for nearly 30 years at Bay View Elementary in Monterey, and
his father, Peter, was an elementary school administrator and
principal. As a student at UC Davis School of Law, Kyle already had
his heart set on a career in estate planning, elder law/Medicaid
planning, probate/estate administration, and asset protection. He
brings a passion for those specialties to a practice that clearly is
appreciated by his clientele. Outside the office, Krasa leads an
active life that includes playing ice hockey, hiking, cycling,
swimming, golf, classic cars, and rooting for the Green Bay Packers,
of whom he is a proud shareholder.
• Best Lawyer if You Need to Sue
Somebody
Andrew Swartz — 550 Hartnell, Suite A-1, Monterey - Call for
an appointment - (831) 373-3235 or (800) 624-9911 - www.ssklaw.com
If there's a wrong that needs to be righted in the legal arena, the
man to call, according to readers, is Andrew Swartz, a repeat winner
of the Golden Pine Cone. Swartz is a member of The Million Dollar
Advocates Forum, The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and an
honoree among The Top Trial Lawyers in America. He has practiced law
in Monterey since 1973, specializing in a broad spectrum of civil
litigation for plaintiffs and defendants, ranging from personal
injury to defamation, and has won multiple high-profile cases.
Swartz holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, the Santa
Clara Law Review (magna cum laude), and the University of Santa
Clara School of Law. Besides law, his other passions include
swimming, cycling and running. He has competed in the New York,
Boston, San Francisco and Big Sur marathons.
• Best Defense Attorney
Larry Biegel — 2801 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Suite A,
Monterey - Call for an appointment or free consultation - (831)
373-3700 - www.biegellaw.com
Biegel, a multi-time honoree by readers as winner of the Golden Pine
Cone, has successfully tried criminal cases involving major felonies
(including a death penalty case), civil actions involving complex
business issues, and personal injury cases. He’s a past president of
the Monterey County Bar Association, and was the 2006 winner of the
Lewis L. Fenton Award, which recognized his outstanding jury trial
skills. His wife, Cristina, is a partner in the firm. If you're in a
legal mess, our readers recommend Biegel as the attorney to call.
• Best Shoe Repair
Federico’s Drive-In Shoe Service — 542 Abrego St., Monterey –
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - (831) 649-3322 -
federicoshoes.com
Since 1939, Federico's Drive-In Shoe Service in Old Monterey has
brought old world craftsmanship and the art of shoe repair to the
Monterey Peninsula, instilling new life into all kinds of footwear
with repairs, polishes, shining, dyeing and more. You just don’t
find businesses like this one anymore, but, thankfully, Federico’s
continues to thrive. This outstanding, family run operation takes
great pride in its quality work and customer service, earning and
maintaining the affection of a community that has made Federico's a
multi-time winner of the Golden Pine Cone.
• Best School
Stevenson School — 3152 Forest Lake Road, Pebble Beach -
(831) 625-8300 - www.stevensonschool.org
Of course, we send our children to school to learn reading, writing,
and arithmetic, but at Stevenson School, which serves
pre-kindergarten through high school, the philosophy is a bit
broader: "As a California school with a global sensibility,
Stevenson is premised on a vision of education as the means by which
we discover the world and contribute to its transformation," the
website declares. The Lower School (pre-kindergarten through grade
four) strives to support a child's innate nature to learn through
play, and develop independence, self regulation, sense of belonging,
and a lifetime love of learning. The Middle School (grades five
through eight) strives to help students build confidence and strong
bonds with their peers, trust in their teachers, and explore new
interests. The Upper School challenges students, inspires growth,
and rewards curiosity — all on a 50-acre campus just minutes from
the Pacific Ocean.
n Best Teacher
Mary Carl, All Saints' Episcopal Day School — 8060 Carmel
Valley Road - (831) 624-9171 - www.aseschool.org
Mary Carl, the daughter of a school teacher, sees teaching as "a
calling" as opposed to a career, which explains in part why she's
been teaching math to middle-schoolers (grades six through eight) at
All Saints' for more than 25 years. This year's Golden Pine Cone
recipient says she considers it an honor to be around kids every
day. "I feel like I learn so much from them. Every day is something
new. They inspire me," she said. Likewise, she considers All Saints’
to be "an amazing school, a great place for kids to grow and learn,
and become the best they can be. We're challenging, we're nurturing,
and we're small enough where we can do that." Ms. Carl, a Southern
California native, is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University. She
taught previously at Stevenson School.
• Best Principal
Jay Marden, Carmel River School — 15th Ave. and
Monte Verde Sr., Carmel - 624-4609 - www.carmelunified.org/river
Before he became a teacher and a principal, Jay Marden was a
world-class track athlete, ranked No. 2 in the U.S. in the 10,000
meters going into the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials. His Olympic dream
ended with heat stroke in the 10K, and a sixth-place finish in the
5K (three runners made the team), a hard lesson he sometimes shares
with students today: What do you do when you fall short of a goal?
"I love working with this age group because they're so
impressionable and they have such a hunger for learning," said
Marden, a 21-year educator in the Carmel Union School District, the
past 13 as principal at River School. "If we're careful and
respectful of that curiosity that kids have, I think we can easily
produce lifelong learners. Marden also feels blessed with an
outstanding faculty and support staff at River School, as well as
supportive parents.
• Best Place to Volunteer
• My Favorite Nonprofit
SPCA for Monterey County — 1002 Monterey Salinas Hwy. –
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (office); Monday through
Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
for adoptions - (831) 373-2631 - www.spcamc.org
The SPCA for Monterey County has served, protected, and loved local
animals and people since 1905, sheltering homeless, neglected and
abused pets and livestock, and providing humane education and
numerous other services. Today’s SPCA offers low-cost spay and
neutering, vaccination and microchips, engraved pet tags,
pet-friendly listings, puppy and dog training, humane trap rentals,
wildlife rescue and free expert advice. No wonder this outstanding
nonprofit organization is a multi-time recipient is a longtime
readers’ favorite.
