CROWDSOURCING, SHMOWDSOURCING. Just
who are “the crowd,” and what do they know about replacing
the antiquated plumbing or the electrical system in your
1924 cottage? Are you going to ask a bunch of strangers to
help you find a lawyer when someone dents your Tesla? What
do “they” know about finding your grandmother the perfect
dinner to celebrate her 100th lap around the sun?
Enter The Pine Cone’s smart, tasteful
and good-looking readers (we’re just guessing about that,
but after all, you know some excellent dermatologists
who’ll look after your skin, not to mention dentists to
whiten your teeth, hairdressers, manicurists and places to
build a fabulous wardrobe). They’re not like your
neighbors; they are your neighbors. And there will be a
link to this year’s winners right on The Pine Cone’s home
page, so you can find them anytime.
We don’t know the exact recipe that
makes a Golden Pine Cone winner, but it seems to be a
combination of excellent customer service, high-quality
work and products, a generous ladle of empathy, a quart or
two of personal care and a few pounds of attention to
detail.
That means sharp-eyed landscapers who
spot signs of the dreaded oxalis before it takes over the
yard, medical practitioners who know you well enough to
notice something isn’t quite right, chefs who don’t remove
favorite items from the menu just to be trendy (but who
will leave the lemon off the fish if you ask) — these are
the kinds of people who make local businesses that work
and whose services become sought after.
So, here’s this year’s list, in all
its glory. After more than a thousand of you voted, the
results were carefully compiled. We know who to call to
get the stains out of your best tie, help you book that
trip to New Zealand, mix a martini that would make James
Bond proud or restack the rocks to move your stone wall to
the right side of the property line. And now, you do, too.
Once again, we proudly present The
Golden Pine Cones.
FOOD
AND WINE
Best Neighborhood Market
Best Butcher
Best Deli
Bruno’s Market & Delicatessen —
NE
Junipero and Sixth – 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily – (831)
624-3821, brunosmarket.com
Fermin and Ryan Sanchez’ Bruno’s
Market has been a downtown institution for decades and
wins praise from Pine Cone readers every year. With all
the items you might hope to find at a local market —
freshly baked bread from small bakeries, the best hot
sauces in a variety of flavors, locally made jams and
gourmet ice cream, to name a few — Bruno’s is everything a
corner store should be. Considering its convenient
downtown location and easy parking, it’s the ideal spot to
pick up necessary supplies, picnic items, local wines and
sweets, and its deli is famous for turning out freshly
made, delicious — and gigantic — sandwiches made to
order. Also voted Best Butcher, Bruno’s carries top-grade
beef, choice cuts of pork and other prime meats,
high-quality seafood and other items for the grill,
stovetop or oven, and will custom cut anything when
needed. Carmelites, as well as the city’s many visitors,
always appreciate being able to find exactly what they
need at Bruno’s.
Best Fruits and Vegetables
Farmers Markets
— oldmonterey.org, montereybayfarmers.org,
everyonesharvest.org, wcfma.org,
ci.carmel.ca.us/farmers-market
In a region where there’s a farmers
market almost every day of the week, Pine Cone readers
know where to find the best fruits and vegetables (not to
mention eggs, pasta, cheese, yogurt, nuts, meats and other
staples, pastries and bread, prepared foods and plants).
Del Monte Center hosts the popular Friday market that had
been held at Monterey Peninsula College for decades (8
a.m. to noon in a lot near California Pizza Kitchen),
where customers can expect to find the greatest number of
farmers and other producers. A market takes over Alvarado
Street in downtown Monterey on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m.
(4 to 7 p.m. in winter) and has plenty of products and
crafts for sale, too. Pacific Grove presents a Monday
afternoon market on Central Avenue from 3 to 7 p.m. Other
markets are held on Thursdays at Sixth and Mission in
downtown Carmel from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and, new this year,
from 3 to 7 p.m. in Laguna Grande Park in Seaside, and
Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 215 Reservation Road in
Marina and at Mid Valley Center in Carmel Valley. Seasonal
markets take place at the Barnyard at the mouth of the
valley on Tuesday mornings and at Del Monte Center in
Monterey on Sunday mornings May through September.
Best Seafood Market
Sea Harvest Fish Market &
Restaurant
— 100A Crossroads Blvd., Carmel, and 598 Foam St.,
Monterey – open daily, check location for hours – (831)
626-3626 and (831) 646-0547,
seaharvestfishmarketandrestaurant.com,
facebook.com/seaharvestmontereyca
Capitalizing on the abundance of the
Pacific and local waters — and a demand for
high-quality seafood — Sea Harvest opened three decades
ago and added restaurants soon after. The markets in
Monterey and at the Crossroads boast the best fresh fish
and shellfish every day, from locally famous Dungeness
crab and sand dabs, to halibut, sushi-grade tuna, locally
caught squid, and a wide range of other sustainably
harvested bounty from the sea. The market’s knowledgeable
staff will help you select the best and freshest choices,
and will offer cooking tips, too, if needed. The owners
also recently opened a fish market in Moss Landing at 7537
Sandholdt Road, bringing their services back to North
County.
Best Bakery
Rise + Roam
— NE Mission and Seventh – 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily – (831)
574-2900, riseandroamcarmel.com
Rise + Roam changed hands this year,
with founder Greg Ahn selling it to friend Xanthia Decaux
and her partner, Steve Abraham. The duo relocated here a
few years ago and purchased Revival Ice Cream on Alvarado
Street in Monterey in 2021, and are now the proud owners
of both institutions. Staying on through the switch is
executive pastry chef Jessica Haney, who can be counted on
to turn out sinfully delicious sweet and savory pastries,
as well as breads. It would be difficult to say which item
won readers’ hearts, because it could be the smoked salmon
tartine with fromage blanc, the delicate puff pastry
filled with an egg and gruyere cheese, the croissants,
cinnamon rolls, muffins, cookies or even the gluten-free
goodies, not to mention the cookies, cakes and other
treats that appear in the cases after the morning pastries
are sold out.
Best Bread
Ad Astra Bread Co.
— 479 Alvarado St., Monterey – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily – info@adastrabread.com,
adastrabread.com
Pastry chef Ron Mendoza quickly became
well known locally years ago for his creations at upscale
Aubergine in L’Auberge Carmel and went on to launch the
hugely popular Ad Astra Bread Co. — his “micro bakery
focusing on natural leavened sourdough breads.” The bakery
“is committed to using all-organic flours to create Old
World style sourdoughs over a two-day bake process,” he
says, and the sourdoughs are “mixed, hand portioned and
shaped, and allowed to slowly ferment overnight,” with
baking taking place the next day. Daily offerings include
Seaside sourdough, olive and seeded sourdoughs, French
baguettes and focaccia, but Ad Astra also turns out sweet
and savory specials each day, from cardamom rolls and
bread pudding to doughnuts and pretzels. After operating
out of Other Brother Beer on Broadway for several years,
Ad Astra relocated to the main drag in Old Monterey, and
its products can also be found at local farmers markets,
stores and restaurants.
Best Caterer
Jeffrey’s
— 112 Mid Valley Center, Carmel Valley – (831) 624-2029,
jeffreysgrillandcatering.com
A longtime presence in Carmel Valley,
Jeffrey’s can be relied on to provide the best for any
occasion, whether for a large party or a small one
— literally, two people to 500. Locals know they can
count on this mid-valley go-to for the very important task
of providing beautiful food and excellent service at any
site, including the restaurant, which can be rented for
private parties. Customers can even cater their own events
with the “secret chef” option — order an array of entrees
and desserts (including homemade ice cream) and pick them
up using your own casserole dishes. A presence in the
valley for nearly three decades, Jeffrey’s operates a
popular restaurant, sells highly addictive spiced nuts,
and is extremely capable of meeting every catering need,
with plenty of emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and
just the right dishes for any occasion, all of which
explains why it took Best Caterer again this year.
Best Wine Store
Total Wine
& More —
808 Playa Ave., Sand City – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday
through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday – (831)
920-0154, totalwine.com
Since opening its first Monterey
Peninsula location in the Sand Dollar Shopping Center in
late 2021, Total Wine & More has strived to make its
mark here, offering an ever-expanding selection at
reasonable prices, hiring informed and helpful staff, and
participating in local events. Clearly, those efforts have
paid off, at least when it comes to winning Pine Cone
readers’ hearts. The chain was started in 1991 by brothers
David and Robert Trone, who opened their inaugural store
in Delaware. Since then, they’ve added more than 225
locations focusing on “unbeatable prices and unrivaled
service from our expertly trained staff.” Their store
here, though small compared to most, carries 8,000 wines,
4,000 spirits and 2,500 beers, and contains a
climate-controlled wine room for rare offerings and a
walk-in humidor for fine cigars. Online ordering is
available, easy and convenient, too, and the stock changes
frequently, so customers should keep an eye out for their
favorites.
Best Tasting Room
Best Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon
Twisted Roots
Vineyard —
12 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley – noon to 5 p.m. Thursday
through Sunday – (831) 594-8282, twistedrootsvineyard.com
For the couple and the friends who own
Twisted Roots, which has a tasting room in Carmel Valley
Village, making wine is joyous work, and they strive to
make every visit a warm, fun and top-shelf experience.
Founded by third-generation wine growers based in Lodi,
Twisted Roots was incorporated more than a decade ago and
is owned by gregarious and affable Josh and Julie Ruiz and
their friends. In addition to its popular cabernet
sauvignon, which is soft and fruit-forward, but not heavy
like many other cabs, Twisted Roots produces chardonnay,
petite sirah, zinfandel from the family’s century-old
vines, sparkling rosé and dry hard apple cider.
Best Monterey County Chardonnay
Best Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc
Bernardus
— 5 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley – noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday
through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, reservations available at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3
p.m. for up to 12 tasters, walk-ins accommodated based on
availability – (831) 298-8021, bernardus.com
Bernardus may have changed in look and
feel after its new Dutch owners took over several years
ago at the behest of the winery’s late founder, Ben Pon,
but the wines are as reliable as ever. Longtime winemaker
Dean DeKorth retired this year, turning the reins over to
highly capable Jim McCabe, who has also been on the team
for many years. Again this year, the winery’s sauvignon
blanc and chardonnay took top honors in the Golden Pine
Cones, and it should be no surprise. The sauv blanc, made
with grapes grown by Michael Griva in Arroyo Seco, is
bright and crisp, but far less grassy than most, with
notes of citrus and white peach, while the chardonnay is
perfectly balanced with acidity, richness and depth.
Best Monterey County Rosé
Dawn’s Dream
Winery —
NW San Carlos and Seventh – 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday
through Thursday, noon to 7:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 6:30
p.m. Saturday and Sunday – (831) 659-2649,
dawnsdreamwinery.com
In Monterey County, numerous wineries
produce rosés from a wide range of varietals — though most
are made from pinot noir grapes — and once again, Dawn’s
Dream has emerged as the favorite among Pine Cone readers.
Owned by Dawn Galante, the winery produces a dry rosé that
offers bright citrus notes and juicy hints of fresh
berries — and goes with just about everything. A winner
annually for nearly a decade, the rosé is often sold out,
but this year, as luck would have it, the wine is still in
stock at $38 per bottle. The winery is socially conscious,
too, as Galante founded it with a mission of supporting
charities benefiting women and children.
Best Monterey County Pinot Noir
My Favorite Monterey County Wine
De Tierra
— NE Mission and Fifth – 1 to 6 p.m. Monday - Thursday and
1 to 7 p.m. Friday - Sunday – (831) 622-9704, detierra.com
De Tierra Vineyards changed hands
again this year, when owners Alix Bosch and Dan McDonnal,
who purchased the winery in 2018, sold to Jeffrey Meacham
and Andrew Schoenfeld, who already had an affiliation with
the enterprise. But as in the past, its portfolio is
strong and its tasting room welcoming, earning it
accolades from readers again this year. Best Monterey
County Pinot Noir is a highly competitive category,
considering the incredible wines produced here and the
fact that Monterey County has more acreage of pinot noir
vines than any other in the state. De Tierra earned top
honors for its iteration — and has three pinots on offer:
2018 Russell Vineyard for $64, 2018 SLH Tondre for $59,
and 2021 Santa Lucia Highlands for $49. It also took the
vaunted title of My Favorite Monterey County Wine.
Best Monterey County Merlot
Galante Vineyards
— Dolores between Ocean and Seventh – 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Monday - Thursday, 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday,
noon to 6:30 p.m. Sunday – (831) 624-3800,
galantevineyards.com
Galante Vineyards consistently
produces highly regarded Bordeaux varietals, earning
Golden Pine Cones year after year. While Jack Galante and
wife Dawn sold their vineyards and winery to a young
couple a few years ago, Jack Galante continues to focus on
sharing the finest possible wines from his former Cachagua
vineyards and other sources, and letting the fruit express
itself in the wines. His merlot boasts balance, body and
fruit.
Best Place for a Beer
Alvarado Street Brewery
— Carmel Plaza, Ocean and Mission, and 426 Alvarado St.,
Monterey – 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday,
11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday – (831) 293-8621
and (831) 655-2337, asb.beer
With Alvarado Street’s stellar lineup
of locally made beers, from perennial favorites Mai Tai
IPA and Monterey Beer, to seasonal, sour and other more
creative offerings — paired with delicious high-level pub
food, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating at both spots,
and a lively yet sophisticated atmosphere — it’s really no
surprise ASB won this year’s award as the Best Place for a
Beer. The father-and-son duo that brought immensely
successful Alvarado Street Brewery to the Monterey
Peninsula also operates Alvarado Street Brewery &
Bistro in Carmel Plaza, and both locations are ideal for
enjoying a beer (or several), along with some snacks. The
Monterey beer garden and the patio in the plaza both offer
great spaces for dining and drinking outdoors. ASB also
serves at its taproom in its Salinas production facility,
the pitch in Marina where Monterey Bay Football Club plays
its home games, and recently opened a restaurant in a
former bank on South Main Street in Oldtown Salinas.
Best Cocktails
Best New Restaurant
Best Place to Take Clients
Best Chef
Foray
— NE San Carlos and Fifth – 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday
through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday – (831)
250-6100, forayrestaurant.com
Since Michael Chang and Caroline
Singer, co-owners of Foray, opened their restaurant in
late 2022, they’ve been busy testing and showcasing
Chang’s impressive culinary skills as executive chef,
Singer’s hospitality and all-around knowhow — including
behind the bar, which produces creative and elegant
cocktails — and their ability to create a space that is
elegant, contemporary but not cold, and intriguing. Chang,
whose cuisine is beautiful to look at while it showcases
as many local and foraged ingredients as possible
— and whose quiet but sociable personality has him
visiting tables in the restaurant every night — is being
celebrated as this year’s Best Chef. Foray’s elegance and
spacious seating, along with its creative use of native
cypress wood throughout, make it an impressive spot for
dining with clients. And if a larger gathering is planned,
its private room in the back is equally breathtaking in
appearance.
Best Happy Hour
Vesuvio
— Sixth between Junipero and Mission – nightly from 4 p.m.
to 6 p.m. – (831) 625-1766,
chefpepe.com/restaurants/vesuvio
Vesuvio’s happy hour comes in as a
readers’ favorite again this year. Imbibers have plenty of
options to enjoy happy hour, with a spacious indoor bar
and a rooftop bar, aka The Star Bar, a lively terrace
lounge. The restaurant offers several drink and food
specials, with appetizers like sausage and peppers,
arancini with marinara, fried artichoke croquettes with
aioli, burgers from the burger bar — served with “way
good” seasoned fries — drink specials, and a full bar
capable of turning out all sorts of cocktails. Anthony
Vitacca, the brilliant mixologist tasked with running the
bar programs at all the Pepe restaurants, is always
bringing something new and fresh to the table. Be on the
lookout for seasonal cocktails. The place is popular, so
reservations are recommended.
Best Family Restaurant
Most Dog-Friendly Restaurant
Best Restaurant in Carmel Valley
Sur at the
Barnyard —
3601 Barnyard shopping center – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday
through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday –
(831) 250-7188, surcarmel.com
It’s family-friendly. It’s
dog-friendly. It’s in Carmel Valley? Far be it from us to
argue with our readers. Geography aside, Sur serves fun
along with an eclectic menu that retains much of its DNA
from veteran restaurateur Bill Lee, who opened the place
in 2016. A couple of years ago, when Lee decided to retire
for an estimated 57th time, he sold it to Dudley Ashley
and Crystal Andino, who also own Pangaea Grill
— another multiple Golden Pine Cone winner this year.
Sur is easy to get to — its Barnyard location makes
parking a cinch — and its boisterous and happy vibe
is welcoming. Have a seat and order a drink from the full
bar. Special cocktails include the Mango Tango (Partida
silver tequila, mango puree, Cointreau, simple syrup and
lemon juice) and the Johnny Cash (Maker’s Mark, St.
Germaine elderflower, sweet vermouth). The cheese bread
may be one of the most popular things on the menu, but try
not to fill up on it. Favorites like filet mignon sliders
(two for $32 with fries) and grilled steak or salmon tacos
(two for $24 with all the fixings) are shareable, while
the bacon grilled cheese with soup and fries ($24) might
make your inner child come running. The menu is
wide-ranging to suit a range of palates, which may be why
it’s the readers’ choice for family dining. Choose from
seafood, meat, chicken and vegetables used in traditional
American preparations as well as Asian fusion offerings.
This is the sort of place where you’re almost expected to
steal something off someone else’s plate (stick to your
own table, though). Casual isn’t the right word, because
Sur is special, but there’s something about it that makes
you feel right at home — even dogs love coming to
join the fun.
Finish up with a dessert served over a
fog of dry ice to make some lasting and
social-media-worthy memories.
Best French Restaurant
L’Escargot
—
Mission just south of Fourth – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5
p.m. to closing Wednesday through Sunday – (831) 620-1942,
escargot-carmel.com
Founded in 1958 by Yvan Nopert,
L’Escargot continues its more than two-decade tradition of
country French cuisine with chef-owner Kerry Loutas.
Boasting “a welcome alternative to the tourist
experience,” L’Escargot is located just north of the
downtown hustle and bustle, where you can enjoy casual
fine dining with locally sourced ingredients in a serene
setting. In addition to the eponymous snails, you’ll find
familiar French favorites like onion soup and roasted
chicken Provençale, along with rotating daily specials.
Whether you come for lunch or dinner, our readers seem
certain you will not leave disappointed. Enjoy Californian
or French wines curated for their quality and character in
pairing with the cuisine, or enjoy a cocktail from the
bar. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, with options
like delicious chocolate torte, crème brûlée, lemon tarts
and many more — be sure to ask, because the sweet endings
change regularly.
Best Chinese Restaurant
Tommy’s Wok
— Mission between Ocean and Seventh – 11:30 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday – (831)
624-8518, tommyswokcarmel.com
There’s nothing better than picking up
Chinese takeout and watching the sunset at Carmel Beach.
Locals have been loving this little spot for years,
savoring the bright, fresh dishes as tempting aromas waft
from the kitchen. It’s been voted Best Chinese Restaurant
by Pine Cone readers every year since 2008. Tourists
manage to find it, too, giving it rave reviews on social
media and travel sites for its great food, solid value and
excellent service. Tommy’s Wok’s guests expect substantial
portions that won’t break the bank, and they get them.
You’ll find all your favorites — pot stickers, spare ribs,
egg rolls, sizzling plates and soups, chow mein and mu shu
chicken — plus a few things that might be new to you. Be a
little more daring and give one of the lamb dishes a try,
or bite into the fun texture of battered and fried prawns
served with honey-glazed walnuts. A wide variety of
Szechuan, Hunan and Mandarin dishes are all served up
piping hot and ready to go.
Best Indian Restaurant
Aabha
— 3690 The Barnyard – noon to 9 p.m. daily – (831)
250-5940, aabhaindian.com
Aabha brings the exotic flavors and
dishes of India to our own backyard. Executive chef and
proprietor Bhupender Singh’s food is as warm as he is,
from the coconut lentil soup to decadent butter chicken
and saag paneer, every dish is sure to satisfy eaters of
all tastes. The great thing about Indian food is that it
offers a variety of vegetarian dishes bursting with
flavor. Start with the samosas — crispy pastries stuffed
with potatoes, peas and spices. Make sure you get some
warm naan (Indian flat bread) to mop up the sauces, and
wash things down with a mango lassi or order a bottle of
wine. Everyone who comes to the hospitable and spacious
restaurant feels welcome, and Singh’s delicious food never
disappoints. The restaurant is now back to serving its
much-sought-after lunch buffet from noon to 3 p.m., when
you can sample a variety of dishes without having to
commit to one.
Best Italian Restaurant
La Balena
— Junipero between Fifth and Sixth – 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday
through Saturday – (831) 250-6295, labalenacarmel.com
La Balena Cucina Toscana is tucked in
one of Carmel’s charming downtown courtyards and feels
like you’re dining in the heart of Florence. Owners Anna
and Emanuele Bartolini pride themselves on their fresh
dishes, sourcing ingredients locally and from small
farmers, and changing the menu just about daily. “Our
philosophy is to support small farmers the most that we
can and translate the hard work of the farmer to the plate
in a very simple and honest way,” said Emanuele. They aim
to select high-quality ingredients and then let the food
speak for itself. The most popular antipasti are the fried
cauliflower, octopus, and meatballs. “Our salads are
something we are proud of, we source everything locally so
there is always something changing but very fresh,” said
Emanuele. Soup is made fresh daily and all the pasta is
made in house. Even though it’s not strictly Italian, the
fried chicken is a showstopper. La Balena always has some
braised meat on the menu and a dish made from freshly
delivered seafood. There’s an unusual selection of wines
from Italy. “Ninety percent are from small producers, not
using big names or commercial brands, but the price point
is very fair,” said Emanuele. “We cover everything from
sparkling, rosé, red, and have a good selection of orange
wines — made with skin contact fermentation.” It is
sophisticated simplicity. Emanuele can almost always be
found at the restaurant, waiting tables and chatting with
diners, bringing his Tuscan charm and hospitality.
Best Japanese/Sushi Restaurant
Toro Sushi
— Dolores between Fifth and Sixth – noon to 8:30 p.m.
Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday – (831) 574-3255, torosushicarmel.com
Sushi is food, but it’s also
beautiful. Of all the cuisines, it’s arguably the one
that, done well, best exemplifies the truism, “We eat with
our eyes first.” A good sushi chef’s knife is a sculptor’s
chisel, transforming pieces of fish into carved gemstones,
mosaics and miniature works of art. Following that line of
thought, Pine Cone readers chose Toro Sushi as their
gallery of choice for the tastiest sushi and Japanese food
around. Its simple two-page menu includes familiar
favorites — edamame (steamed soybean appetizer),
nigiri (pieces of fish atop slabs of rice), California
rolls with real snow crab — and then adds twists like
the Maine Squeeze, with tempura lobster and spicy tuna
topped with hamachi (yellowtail), snow crab, macadamia
nuts and other goodies. Not everything’s raw, of course —
there’s teriyaki and katsu-fried chicken coated in crispy
panko. You can also order combo plates, or, for $100,
order omakase sushi, putting yourself in the chef’s hands.
Have some sake and enjoy the show.
Best Mediterranean Restaurant
Dametra Café —
Ocean and Lincoln – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily – (831)
622-7766, dametracafe.com
Faisal Nimri and Bashar Sneeh were
united by their love for music — both play the traditional
Middle Eastern oud. Their passion for creating a welcoming
atmosphere inspired the birth of Dametra Café. A sort of
culinary (but more fun) version of the United Nations, it
offers fare from Greek, Italian, Spanish, Moroccan,
Turkish, French, Israeli and Lebanese cuisines and
consistently attracts a queue of hungry diners. “Our
kitchen is small, but with a really big heart,” says the
restaurant’s website, and diners can taste the love.
Starters, including fried calamari, pita with tzatziki
sauce or hummus, and spanakopita (the Greek specialty with
phyllo-wrapped spinach and feta), are perfect for sharing.
There are, of course, kebabs, gyros, shawarma and kofta
(seasoned ground beef wrapped in lavash bread), but you’ll
also find a salmon burger, assorted pastas, cioppino and
paella. Vegetarians can choose stuffed grape leaves, baba
ganoush, falafel or a variety of hefty salads. The
international theme continues through dessert — if you
have room — with baklava sharing the bill with tiramisu
and triple fudge cake.
Hailing from Jordan and Syria
respectively, Nimri and Sneeh continue to captivate their
clientele through exceptional hospitality at Dametra Café,
where their motto is “eat, laugh, live and love.”
Best Thai Restaurant
Pacific Thai Cuisine
— 663 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove – 11:30 a.m. to
2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to closing Monday through Friday,
noon to closing Saturday and Sunday – (831) 646-8424,
pacificthaipg.com
Pagrovians have known about this place
for 15 years, but it sometimes seems to be overshadowed by
fancy Fandango and early bird hangout First Awakenings
(both Golden Pine Cone winners in their own rights). The
service is friendly, prompt and reliable — if you come in
for lunch, they’ll get you back to work before anyone
starts wondering where you are. Each of the moderately
priced lunch specials comes with coconut milk soup — a hot
cup of savory, spicy and creamy comfort that’s not at all
heavy. From there, have classic pad Thai or one of the
delicious red, yellow or green curries. Protein choices
include chicken, beef, pork or tofu, and there are usually
plenty of vegetables. All of the ingredients shine —
salads are served with fresh greens, veggies are cooked to
a nice crisp-tender consistency, and sauces complement the
food rather than compete with it. The dinner menu is
similar, if a little more pricey. On a chilly day, ask for
the ginger tea — its nice, spicy kick that will warm
you all the way through.
Best Mexican Restaurant
Peppers
Mexicali Café —
170 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove – 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday – (831) 373-6892, peppersmexicalicafe.com
Whether you’re looking for a midday
break or a fun evening out, Peppers is a great spot to
kick back, sip a margarita or a Modelo and chow down on
fresh Mexican food. You can choose between indoor and
comfortable outdoor seating with heaters. Complimentary
thick and hearty chips stand up to spicy red and milder
green salsas. Everything comes out of the kitchen hot —
make that sizzling, for the fajitas. Ask if there are
tamales, because this casual and friendly spot does a
great job with them.
The tacos, burritos and chile rellenos
are all flavorful choices and, along with several other
menu items, can be assembled into combo plates for $13.50
to $16.95, including refried or black beans and rice. When
salmon is available — which seems to be all the time
— it comes out perfectly cooked, tender and moist. Are you
thinking outside the tortilla? You have plenty of choices,
including grilled seafood salad, chicken fajita salad, and
several versions of prawns and snapper. If you have room,
desserts vary.
Best Restaurant for Seafood
Monterey’s Fish
House —
2114 Del Monte Ave., Monterey – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily – (831) 373-4647,
montereyfishhouse.com
The DiGirolamo family has worked with
seafood in Monterey for generations as fishermen and
restaurateurs. Fish House owner David DiGirolamo grew up
in the family’s restaurant, Angelo’s on Fisherman’s Wharf,
which many old-timers remember with a smile. The place on
Del Monte Avenue (near Casa Verde Way) is so unassuming,
you might have driven by it hundreds of time without
giving it a second look. That would be sad, because our
readers say that DiGirolamo understands how to prepare and
serve fresh seafood. Tempting appetizers include calamari
and BBQ baby octopus. For the main course, choose among a
variety of fish — either oak-grilled or blackened — with
fresh vegetables and pasta for $22 to $30. Cioppino ($31)
with garlic bread is also on the menu, along with a nice
selection of pastas, meat entrées and chicken, so no one
need feel left out. Dessert options include tiramisu and
cannoli. A nicely curated beer and wine list offers plenty
of options to wash it all down.
Best Restaurant for Steak
The Whaling
Station Steakhouse —
763 Wave St., Monterey – 4:30 to 8 p.m. nightly – (831)
373-3778, thewhalingstation.com
Opened 52 years ago by local
restaurant legend John Pisto, the Whaling Station
continues today with Kevin Phillips (Beach House,
Abalonetti) as managing partner. It’s got all the
traditional dishes that make a steakhouse great. Caesar
salad tossed tableside? Yup. Creamed spinach? Sauteed
mushrooms? Of course. Appetizers like escargot or oysters
Rockefeller will have you feeling like Diamond Jim Brady
(look it up, kids), and Phillips has added the FireCracker
Shrimp beloved at the Beach House in Pacific Grove. But
you’re here for the meat, right? We’re talking aged cuts
of beef sourced from America’s heartland — Nebraska, Iowa
and Kansas — ranging from a center-cut sirloin for $44 to
a Porterhouse for two (market price) and a prime slab of
New York for $62. Almost makes you want to stand up and
sing the National Anthem. Rack of lamb, braised short
ribs, and slow-roasted prime rib with Yorkshire pudding
are also on offer, along with chicken, seafood and pasta.
There’s a full bar and more than two dozen California and
Italian wines by the glass, starting at $9.
Best Restaurant for Vegetarians
Julia’s
Vegetarian Restaurant —
1180 Forest Ave., Suite F, Pacific Grove – 9 a.m. to 9
p.m. daily – (831) 656-9533, juliasveg.com
It’s not easy being a vegetarian, let
alone vegan. It’s not that there aren’t a lot of
possibilities — it’s just that most restaurants don’t seem
to embrace them. Non-meat-eaters get tired of running
their fingers down a menu looking for salads without bacon
and pasta-anything-but-primavera. This recently remodeled
gem at the back of the Forest Hill shopping center between
Safeway and Trader Joe’s is for them, but also for
meat-eating friends who want to join them for a good meal.
Julia’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The updated
menu includes old favorites like the donut bites with
cinnamon and sugar (vegetarian doesn’t always equal
healthy) for $8, cauliflower “wings” for $16, the Iris
Salad with roasted carrots, cauliflower, squash, yams and
more in a tahini dressing for $19 and the truly satisfying
tamale pie ($24). The taco salad ($21) would be delicious
on its own with cool avocado, pickled red onions and more
in a cilantro dressing, but the chef drops two delicious
little fried tamales on the plate, making it a hearty
meal. The restaurant also features live music Thursday
through Saturday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Best Salad
Best Place to Read The Pine Cone
Carmel Belle
— San Carlos between Ocean and Seventh – 8 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. daily – (831) 624-1600, carmelbelle.com
Carmel Belle in the Doud Arcade always
seem to be hopping. Don’t worry, though — you can usually
find a place to sit indoors or on the patio, with plenty
of room to unfold a beloved hometown newspaper and catch
up on the Battle of the Pit and other local sagas. This
spot lets you have things your way, and all the things are
really tasty. The restaurant uses local organic produce
whenever possible and strives for sustainability. The
coffee is good and hot, and you can start your morning
with eggs, avocado toast or brie, fruit, walnuts and a
baguette. Lunch and dinner choices include hot and cold
sammies and “comfort classics” like mac-and-cheese,
meatloaf and roast chicken, but our readers are clamoring
for more salad. There’s the farmers salad, with greens,
cucumber, fennel, radish and carrot finished with a lemon
vinaigrette, the chicken Cobb with free-range Mary’s
chicken, the tasty autumn orchard with persimmons,
pomegranate, walnuts and goat cheese, and a blue cheese
and apple offering with candied walnuts. You can also
choose Greek, mozzarella with roasted tomato, or market
vegetable. When did eating your veggies get to be so much
fun?
Best BBQ
The Crossroads Barbeque
— 241 Crossroads Blvd. – 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (or sold
out) daily – (831) 250-7616, thecrossroadsbbq.com
The Ingram family, known in three
counties for exceptional barbecue, set up shop in the
Crossroads in 2018. You can eat in the clean and sleek
indoor space, dine outside on the patio, or place an order
to go. The Crossroads Barbeque focuses on one thing and
does it extremely well — smoked meat. Choose from tri-tip,
pulled pork, brisket, chicken, St. Louis-style pork ribs,
and burnt ends — the flavorful trimmings from smoked
brisket. Opt for regular or large orders, or get it in a
sandwich. Prices range from $13.50 for a regular chicken
meal to $46 for a full rack of ribs with two sides and
bread. Have a pulled pork or brisket sandwich to start the
day, or a breakfast taco with an egg, salsa and your
choice of meat in a flour tortilla. It’s a shame that
home-style potato salad, sweet-and-savory baked beans, mac
and cheese, and creamy coleslaw don’t get as much
attention, but what’re you gonna do? There’s beer on tap
to accompany the meal, and for dessert, the Ingram family
recipes for homemade bread pudding and berry cobbler are
not to be missed, even if you must take them to go. If the
pecan pie’s anywhere near as good, count us in for that,
too. Check the website for info about live music,
catering, fundraising and more.
Best Fish & Chips
Brophy’s —
San Carlos and Fourth – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (beverages until
10 p.m.) Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
(beverages until 10 p.m.) Sunday – (831)586-5566,
brophystavern.com
Fish and chips, like roast chicken or
beef stew, is one of the holy grails of cooking. It’s
simple, but elusive. On the face of it, c’mon, McDonald’s
can do it, right? It’s just fried fish and French fries,
for heaven’s sake. Do not say that to an aficionado unless
you want to wear the ketchup they’re not going to use
anyway. Pine Cone readers understand that the struggle to
find the best is real. The fish, in this case fresh
halibut, has to be prepared so that the entire breaded
crust doesn’t disintegrate at first bite. It should be
golden brown on the outside, but not overcooked and dry on
the inside. The chips should be crispy, then fluffy
inside. Everything must be adequately seasoned straight
out of the fryer, and the same temperature
— seriously hot — when it hits the table. We’ll leave
you to argue about whether you should add malt vinegar or
dunk the chips in tartar sauce. You should order an
ice-cold brew, too.
Best Place to Get Ice Cream
Revival Ice Cream
— 463 Alvarado St., Monterey – noon to 9 p.m. Sunday
through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday –
(831) 747-2113, revivalicecream.com
Like any food, you can approach ice
cream two ways — you can ask about how it’s made, learning
about the facilities, the chef’s techniques,
sustainability, locally sourced ingredients and so on, or
you can ask how it tastes. If you’re lucky, you find a
place that offers all the above — like Revival Ice Cream.
The first part — technique, facilities, sustainability,
etc. — includes using no artificial ingredients or
sweeteners, selling reusable containers and offering vegan
flavors. The second part, well, that’s for you to decide,
but the attention to detail in crafting (and for once,
that’s the right word) ensures a high-quality product.
It’s still made locally in smallish batches, and the
retail shop is right in the middle of Old Monterey, but
you can get it delivered and even have it shipped
nationwide. Favorite flavors include Bees Knees made with
local honey, eucalyptus mint chip, and dark chocolate made
with Theo’s brand of rich, dark cocoa love. The shop also
sells 6-inch and 9-inch ice cream cakes (three-day notice
required), ice cream sandwiches and gluten-free cookies.
Not gonna lie — at around $15 a pint, this is a splurge
for most folks, but once you’ve had it, you’ll know why
our readers keep going back for more.
Best Sandwich or Burger
Bear + Flag Roadside— 7152
Carmel Valley Road – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
- Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday – (831) 293-8608,
bearandflagroadside.com
Golden Pine Cone newcomer Bear + Flag
was one of those spots that opened during the pandemic and
not only survived, but thrived. In the space formerly
occupied by Valley Hills Deli (same driveway as Baja
Cantina) you’ll find barbecue meat sandwiches Thursday
through Sunday for as long as they last, and a diverse
assortment of other concoctions between bread, like an
Italian Paisano (mortadella, salami, prosciutto, coppa and
provolone, $18), a fried chicken sandwich ($14), a
blistered all-beef hot dog ($11) and a signature burger
with two patties on a potato roll with American cheese and
all the fixings ($14). You can also get a salad with
refreshingly eclectic dressing choices like turmeric
tahini and garlic anchovy. Early birds can pick up a
breakfast burrito, and soup, chili and cookies are on
offer for those midday snack attacks.
Best Breakfast
Stationaery
— San Carlos between Fifth and Sixth – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
daily for brunch, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through
Saturday – (831) 250-7183, thestationaery.com
This cozy establishment offers a
dining experience focused on fresh and locally sourced
ingredients. The menu boasts a range of dishes that cater
to various palates. A creative brunch menu includes a
potato pancake with smoked trout, crème fraiche and
gribiche, an egg-based sauce with herbs ($30), a decadent
croque madame with ham, gruyere and fig ($26) and a
gussied-up Maine Lobster Roll ($44) served with fingerling
potato salad. Of course, it’s a challenge for the rest of
the day to live up to the joy of a lobster breakfast, but
that’s just how we roll in here paradise. Diners with
lighter appetites are especially appreciative when every
bite is filled with flavor, like the avocado toast with
Meyer lemon, radish and Monterey Bay seaweed ($19) or a
Schoch’s Dairy yogurt bowl with fruit, crunchy
pumpkin-seed granola and honey ($17). If you want to come
back later, dinner selections include halibut with
broccoli, coconut milk and lemongrass, tuna crudo, and
spaghetti amatriciana. There’s a bar, six wines by the
bottle or glass, and a choice of beers and hard cider.
Best Coffee
Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co.
— Ocean between Lincoln and Monte Verde, 3720 The Barnyard
and 246 Crossroads Blvd. – Ocean Avenue from 6:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. daily, Barnyard from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
daily, and the Crossroads from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily –
(831) 626-2913, (831) 620-0844 and (831) 626-8784, carmelcoffeeroasters.com
For more than a quarter century, CVCRC
has been supplying retail and wholesale customers with
outstanding coffee roasted by Vincenzo, aka Big Vinney, a
1940s-vintage Farina Italian machine. It would be more
accurate to say it’s roasted in Big Vinney, by people who
know when it’s ready by the color. “We bring the heat to
the point of perfection and gently nuance the myriad of
flavors inherent in the beans to the forefront, and then
let them shine,” says the company’s web page. A
little farther down it adds, “We roast and ship within
hours and days, not weeks. The difference between
fresh-roasted and less than fresh coffee is staggering,”
which is not an overstatement to true coffee lovers.
Best Coffeehouse
Carmel Coffee House —
Ocean btw. San Carlos and Dolores – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
– (831) 626-2095, carmelcoffee.com
Originally called the Caffe Cardinale
and Roasting Co., Carmel Coffee House roasts small batches
of beans — organic only — to help neighbors and
out-of-towners kick start their days. It seems a little
unfair that you have to find this little hideaway before
you’ve had your first cup, but just look for the little
alleyway between the Club stores, or for the shop’s
mascot, Gus the sea otter (specially created for the shop
by late cartoonist Gus Arriola of “Gordo” fame). You’ll
find a happy, energetic caffeine-fueled vibe in the
pet-friendly courtyard, even on grey and foggy days. In
addition to coffee, there’s a nice selection of breakfast
and snack foods, as well as tea, along with a refreshing
conviviality and spirit of community. Online rave reviews
attest to the quality of the coffee, food and service.
Extend the experience by buying a bag of beans to take
home.
Best Desserts
Best Special Occasion Cake
Ruby’s Sweet Sicily — (831)
233-0937, rubycakesofmonterey.com
Ruby’s Sweet Sicily is a purveyor of
treats like apple butter cobbler, mini birthday cakes,
cannoli cake cups, mini Oreo cakes, traditional sugar
cookies, rocky road brownies and pumpkin spice sugar
cookies and ice cream seen at farmers markets all over the
Peninsula. The business also offers gourmet pasta to cook
at home and everything you need for a great antipasto — or
they can cater a whole party, but the readers went
straight for the sweet stuff. Chef Ruby makes beautiful
custom cakes for all sorts of occasions. Past triumphs
include confections shaped like Star Trek’s Enterprise, an
electric guitar, a slumbering dragon and a race car, to
name a few. Some customers have even ordered cakes with
surprises inside — car keys, an anniversary present, and
an engagement ring. Although the company’s Marina facility
is closed to the public, tastings for wedding and other
special cakes can be arranged. “We have a very nice
tasting set up, with a beautiful table, fresh flowers,
background music...we make the tasting fun,” said the
owners.
Best Pizza
Gianni’s
— 725 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey – 4 to 9 p.m. Monday
through Thursday,
Talk about your oldies-but-goodies!
Even if you’ve never come as a restaurant customer, you
might have attended one of the 500 gatherings this place
hosts in its banquet room annually — birthday parties,
sports teams’ celebrations and wedding rehearsals among
them. Now run by the original owners’ grandchildren, the
little pizza shop that opened in 1974 has survived
recessions, earthquakes and a pandemic. and remains a
perennial favorite. It’s a no-nonsense operation with
friendly service — people there work hard and seem
genuinely happy you’ve decided to share your evening with
them. Gianni’s has found the secret sauce of changing with
the times without alienating longtime customers who’ve
come to rely on favorites like thin-crust pies in sizes
ranging from personal to extra large (18 inches) topped
with combinations drawn from more than 20 toppings. Prices
start around $15 for an 8-inch mini pizza. Also offered
are antipasti, pasta, lasagna, calzones, ravioli, meatball
sandwiches, and, if you feel you should, salads. And you
can wash it all down with a selection from the full bar or
a cold brew on tap, and choose from cannoli, gelato or a
tiramisu cup for dessert.
Best Wine List
The Sardine
Factory —
701 Wave St., Monterey – 5 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through
Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday – (831)
373-3775, sardinefactory.com
You can eat in the Wine Cellar at this
famous spot, or you can order one of its thousands of
bottles at your table upstairs or in the lounge.
Fifty-four years after its founding — famously on the
“wrong side of the tracks” near Cannery Row — Bert Cutino
and Ted Balestreri’s Old World-style restaurant is a go-to
for locals and tourists alike. In addition to a menu
designed for splurgeworthy events like birthdays,
graduations and winning a Nobel Prize, there’s an
encyclopedic wine list. It eventually ends, or we’d say
reading it online was like scrolling through Facebook. You
know you’re in deep when you’re perusing the Cellar
Master’s Selections (house recommendations) and it says,
“Please see pages 15-19 for complete chardonnay
selection.” There are more than three dozen domestic and
international wines by the glass starting at $11, and the
list itself boasts, “Currently we have over 2,000
selections on our wine list. This does not include any of
the wines that we pour by the glass or hundreds more that
are aging in our catacombs.” Fear not, the staff is well
informed and will cheerfully assist you in making just the
right selection, whether you want to spend $40 or $400 …
or more.
Best Brunch
First Awakenings
— 300 David Ave., Monterey – 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily –
(831) 372-1125, firstawakenings.net
This area has an abundance of great
breakfast spots, as evidenced by the fact that you often
have to wait in line to get a table at any of them. What
else can you expect when brunch is one of the last great
unhurried meals of the week? At least First Awakening’s
move to Lighthouse and David means it has a bit more
space, including a patio and old-school counter. The
restaurant has been around for 29 years and if you
remember it from the days when it was called First Watch,
you’re officially an old-timer. Its simple mission is,
“Use fresh, quality ingredients. Treat customers like
family. Hire kind & happy staff.” They might have
added “serve portions that will fill up a longshoreman,”
since the breakfast skillets are enough for at least two
people. Start with a frying pan full of home-style
potatoes, pile on a couple of eggs and some cheese, and
then add ham, bacon and sausage for a meat lovers’
fast-breaker. The pancakes are fluffy, French toast is
thick and eggy, the OJ is fresh — and prices top out
at $18.29 for a full order of eggs Benedict. It’s enough
to get anyone out of bed. Did we mention they serve the
coffee by the thermos pot?
Best Outdoor Dining
Mission Ranch Hotel and
Restaurant
— 26270 Dolores – breakfast 7 to 10:30 a.m. Monday through
Friday, “early grazing” and cocktails from 3 to 5 p.m.
daily, dinner 5 to 9 p.m. nightly, brunch 10 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. Sunday – (831) 624-6436, missionranchcarmel.com
Whether you’re gazing at the turquoise
jewel of the lagoon and brilliant sand, watching wooly
sheep munching on grass, or peering farther into the
distance at the Santa Lucia mountains or the coast at
Point Lobos, there are no bad views from Mission Ranch.
Even though dining al fresco was forced upon everyone for
more than a year, it was something this restaurant has
always done well. Mission Ranch doesn’t take reservations
and asks you to limit your party to eight people, all in
the interest of good service. The restaurant’s Sunday
brunch buffet has returned, much to locals’ delight, but
it’s not the only meal you can have outside. The cold
“early grazing menu” is meant to be enjoyed with
cocktails. If the sunset and ocean breezes whet your
appetite for dinner, the menu will take you to sea with
jumbo scallops with exotic mushroom and spinach risotto,
or coriander-seasoned salmon. You can recall the rich
local agricultural and ranching heritage with
whiskey-marinated beef brochette or slow-roasted prime
rib. Pasta choices like scampi linguine are similarly
tempting. Mission Ranch is also a wonderful place to hear
live jazz, but you do have to go inside. Check The Pine
Cone’s weekly music listings to find out who’s at the
piano.
Most Romantic Restaurant
Casanova —
Fifth Street between Mission and San Carlos – 4:30 to 9:30
p.m. Tuesday through Sunday – (831) 216-3811,
casanovacarmel.com
For more than 20 years, this spot has
been living up to the romance evoked by its namesake,
18th-century Venetian Giacomo Casanova, a colorful fellow
whose romantic exploits were the stuff of legend. It’s
situated in a house once occupied by Aunt Fairy Bird, a
soft-spoken woman who was Charlie Chaplin’s cook. The
Georis family renovated it in 1977 with what they describe
as traditional Belgian architectural influences. Once
you’re done swooning over the charming history (ask about
Van Gogh’s table — yes, that Van Gogh), it’s time to
check out the food. Casanova looks to small, organic farms
and local fisheries when gathering ingredients and seems
to make all that attention to detail appear effortless.
The menu, which is a nothing less than a love letter from
the kitchen, woos you with the promise of French onion
soup, escargot and crab and lures you in deeper with duck
confit or the sort of sole Meunière that memorably
launched Julia Child’s lifelong love affair with French
food. An excellent wine list and optional
oyster-and-caviar service can make dinner highly
memorable. Giacomo Casanova wrote in “History of my Life,”
“Cultivating whatever gave pleasure to my senses was
always the chief business of my life; I never found any
occupation more important.” The namesake restaurant in
this magical village seems to have taken that sentiment to
heart.
Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion
Best Restaurant in Carmel
Pangaea Grill
— Ocean Avenue, 5 NE of Lincoln – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily –
(831) 624-2569, pangaeagrillcarmel.com
Our readers picked this easy-to-find
spot on Ocean Avenue as the best place in town and the
best restaurant for a special occasion. That’s
understandable — the colorful dishes with clever plating
always look like a party’s in progress. Pangaea is the
name of the supercontinent believed to have existed 200
million years ago that broke up into the continents we
know today (possibly because the historic resources board
wasn’t around yet to declare the original land mass
untouchable). In that spirit of global dining, the playful
menu features appetizers like caprese (fresh mozzarella
with basil and tomato) sharing the space with Asian BBQ
chicken wings and coconut Thai curry. You can get fried
kimchee beef dumplings or an eggplant Napoleon with goat
cheese, caramelized onions and portabella mushroom.
Breakfast includes papaya parfait and Asian specialties
alongside steak and eggs, and Benedicts. So, whether
you’re celebrating an anniversary or just Tuesday night,
this is a place that has you covered.
Best Bartender
Brent Carlson/The Running Iron
— 24 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley – 11 a.m.
to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday
– (831) 659-4633
He might not have predicted he’d end
up being the main man behind the bar at the Running Iron
in Carmel Valley Village following his years as a server
in well-loved restaurants — including the long-missed
Cachagua General Store —
but he’s now an institution there. Considering his
extensive experience and how well he takes care of
everyone who steps up to the bar, it’s no surprise Pine
Cone readers chose him as Best Bartender — and not for the
first time. Not only can he mix a mean drink, but he’s
friendly, knowledgeable, a good conversationalist, and
kindhearted. He and wife Danielle and their daughter are a
frequent sight in the Village, often helping to make their
community even better, and locals know he’d go to any
length to lend a hand to anyone in need. He can also tell
you pretty much anything you want to know about the
valley, so if you want to go to a bar and feel immediately
at home, look for Brent. His ginger hair and ready smile
are giveaways, if you don’t know him already.
Best Restaurant Service
Aubergine
Carmel —
Monte Verde & Seventh – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday
through Sunday – (831) 624-8578, auberginecarmel.com
Carmel’s first Michelin-starred
restaurant, little Aubergine is tucked inside L’Auberge
Carmel. The kitchen is helmed by Justin Cogley, a renowned
chef who was honored as Food and Wine magazine’s best new
chef in 2013 and has an array of awards to his name. As
you’d expect for someone of his talents (not to mention
those of exceptional pastry chef Yulanda Santos) food is
reliably superb. Excited foodies cheerfully plunk down
$265 for Cogley’s eight-course tasting menu whilst sipping
on selections from among 3,500 bottles in the wine cellar.
However, great food brought to the table by a surly or
inattentive server makes for a nerve-wracking purgatory
where diners simultaneously fear and look forward to each
course’s arrival. Thankfully, Pine Cone readers know good
service when they see it — available, but not hovering;
helpful but not obsequious, and knowledgeable without
being patronizing. If you decide to enjoy this small
treasure, you can relax — you’re in great hands.
Best Restaurant in Big Sur
Nepenthe —
48510 Highway 1 – 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.
daily – (831) 667-2345, nepenthe.com
More than 800 feet above the ocean,
Nepenthe is an impressive alchemy of coastal views and
great food that makes for a dining experience worthy of
the drive. The family-owned and operated spot has long
been a place where locals gather in good times and bad.
Its name is derived from Greek, and means “no sorrow,” and
is also the name of a mythical Egyptian drug that caused
forgetfulness and relieved sadness. That may be related to
the lack of wifi and the spotty cell reception. (“What’s
that? You need me in the office right away? I’m
sorry…you’re breaking up.”) This place feeds everyone on a
first-come, first-served basis — no reservations. The
menu offers simple fare done well, like diver scallops,
roast chicken and steak frites. Of course, you can always
fall back on the Ambrosia Burger, a favorite for decades.
Spend a few minutes perusing the impressively curated wine
list with good bottles for most price ranges, or enjoy a
cocktail from the full bar. Café Kevah — one level down
from Nepenthe — opens at 9 a.m. and offers a nice
selection of breakfasts and coffee. Once your belly’s
full, stop in at the Phoenix Shop (open 10:30 a.m. to 6
p.m. daily) and get lost among the works of local artists
and craftsmen.
Best Restaurant in Pebble Beach
Roy’s —
2700 17 Mile Drive (in the Inn at Spanish Bay) – breakfast
6 to 11 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., “light fare”
from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and dinner 5 to 10 p.m. daily – (800)
877-0597, pebblebeach.com
Roy’s setting at Spanish Bay is a gift
— and a burden. The verdant golf course, the azure
Pacific beyond, the outdoor fire pits where a bagpiper
seems to singlehandedly conjure the sunset and the evening
fog ... and somehow, you’re expected to turn your
attention to a menu. Fortunately, Chef Roy Yamaguchi and
chef de cuisine Pablo Mellin have made sure that the food
matches the view. Although Yamaguchi’s roots are in Tokyo,
he’s known as a major innovator in Hawaiian fusion
cuisine. Sounds high-falutin’, but it translates to
beautiful and deceptively simple-looking plates that
promise big flavors in unexpected combinations. Breakfast
is traditional — why would anyone mess with waffles
or steak and eggs, anyway? Lunch, however, takes a hard
western turn toward Hawaii and Japan with tiger shrimp and
beef spring rolls and Kona coconut shrimp. Bento boxes,
island-themed salads and a selection of entrees make for a
satisfying meal. Dinner continues in the same vein, with
entrees like Huli Huli Hamachi (yellowtail) and yuzu
chimichurri local halibut with heirloom tomato confit.
Meat lovers can choose from roast chicken, beef short
ribs, rack of lamb or pork, among others. Signature
cocktails include a spicy mango margarita and Roy’s mai
tai, and the wine list is excellent.
Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove
Fandango —
223 17th St., Pacific Grove – 5 p.m. to closing nightly –
(831) 372-3456, fandangorestaurant.com
You know you’re a hometown fixture
when your original diners bring their grandkids in for
special occasions — and that’s Fandango. It’s one of
those rare gems that manages to make guests feel like VIPs
without making anyone uncomfortable. Follow the host
through the restaurant’s various French country-style
dining areas with cozy fireside seats just made for a
foggy winter (or summer) evening. Spend a few minutes with
the impressive wine list, where you’ll find bottles from
all over Europe. Vintages for a few reds date to the
1990s, with some Penfolds gems from Down Under. The
Eurocentric menu includes many of the things Americans
think of as classic continental cuisine, like onion soup,
escargot, duck a l’orange, and house paella. The seasoned
wait staff can help you select the right bottle of wine to
accompany the veal piccata or double lamb chops. You can
also get long-cooking favorites like osso buco or a North
African lamb shank served with couscous and harissa
— things you just don’t have time to make at home.
Save room for the profiteroles or the Grand Marnier
soufflé — either is a perfect end to a perfect meal.
Best Restaurant in Monterey
Stokes Adobe — 500
Hartnell St., Monterey – 5 to 9 p.m. nightly except
Wednesdays – (831) 264-8775, stokesadobe.com
Built in 1833 and purchased by James
Stokes, a fraudulent “doctor” whose patients died with
alarming regularity — though not alarming enough to
stop them from coming — Stokes Adobe is said to be haunted
by ghosts of former occupants and malpractice victims.
Stokes sold it to baker and potter Honore Escolle and it
subsequently housed a variety of inhabitants and
businesses until 1950, when it became a restaurant. While
some locals might think of it as the poster child for
restaurant reincarnation (Gallatin’s, Stokes, Restaurant
1833), Pine Cone readers say it’s back to being the best
in town. One of the charming things about this place is
the variety of dining room settings and plentiful,
comfortable outdoor seating. The tables in the balcony
above the bar are especially fun for people watching. Food
is elegant and straightforward. Starters include caviar
tater tots, duck liver mousse, and burrata with cured
meats. Entrees start at $28 for cavatelli cacio e pepe, an
Italian preparation that is damned near magical
— black pepper and parmesan cheese are tossed with
the pasta and a little cooking liquid to make a rich,
delicious sauce. Fish, chicken and pork are all on offer,
and you can get a 7-ounce Australian wagyu steak or
wood-fired prime rib, too. But please, don’t feed the
ghosts.
Best Restaurant in Seaside
Maligne
— 600 Broadway, Seaside – noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday – (831) 601-1302,
restaurantmaligne.com
Named in honor of a nickname owner
Klaus Georis had as a child, Maligne means a troublemaker
or mischievous child. Georis — a member of the family that
has brought much fine food and good wine to the Peninsula
over the decades — seems to enjoy playing with people’s
expectations. The building and its interior are industrial
chic, yet you look down and the table is set with pretty
china with a petite flower pattern. You’re sitting in a
neighborhood that’s more Home Depot than House Beautiful,
but the menu is straight out of a French country cookbook.
All of it seems to say, “Don’t take
yourself so seriously.” That does not, however, apply to
the food. It’s cooked to perfection and presented in a way
that’s both beautiful and accessible — after all, eating
shouldn’t be like a round of Jenga. Service is excellent
and even simple things like focaccia with olive oil become
sublime. Morel mushrooms make an appearance in season,
served simply with peas and spinach or with pasta, and
everything is made with care. A three-course meal runs
from $40 up, parking is easy and the neighborhood’s been
gussied up quite a bit in recent years. Definitely worth
the trip.
RECREATION
AND THE ARTS
Best Local Artist
Will Bullas —
Carmel Art Association Gallery, Dolores between Fifth and
Sixth, and the Carmel Valley Art Association, 8 Del Fino
Place, Carmel Valley – willbullas.com
Proving that art doesn’t have to
always be serious, the lighthearted Will Bullas was again
named Best Local Artist by Pine Cone readers. A gifted
illustrator with keen sense of humor, Bullas has a
particular talent for portraying animals in human roles.
His latest work veers into other subjects, including
clever portraits of the Egyptian god Anubis, Captain Hook
and Peter Pan, along with a spoof on the “Almond
Brothers.”
Best Local Photographer
Randy Tunnell
— (831) 595-0394, randytunnell.com
A Monterey resident with a gift for
taking portraits, Randy Tunnell beautifully captured
images of more than two dozen downtown artists in his 2022
show, “Their Own Likeness: Carmel Bohemian Painters,” at
the Cherry Center for the Arts. A year earlier, his
exhibit at Sunset Center’s Marjorie Evans Gallery, “A
Photographic Study of Faith Leaders from our Community,”
included portraits of 19 local religious leaders. You’ll
also find him behind the camera at numerous local events,
including the Carmel Bach Festival, graduation ceremonies
and more.
Best Photo Gallery
Center for Photographic Art —
Sunset Center at San Carlos and Ninth - noon to 4 p.m.
Wednesday through Sunday, and by appointment - (821)
625-5181, photography.org
Since Ann Jastrab took over as
executive director of the Center for Photographic Art four
years ago, the group’s membership has tripled. The
center’s many group exhibits, contests and lectures have
drawn photographers from near and far. Some shows delve
deep into long-forgotten printing processes that were
employed by photographers in the 19th century, while
others push boundaries and point toward the future of the
medium. “We strive to show a diverse array of exhibitions
at the gallery, which has been located in the Sunset
Center for decades,” Jastrab said. “We’re a little bit off
the beaten path of Ocean Avenue, but it’s well worth the
detour to stop by our space to see the work on the walls
or perhaps sign up for an artist talk or lecture. Please
come by soon to be inspired.”
Best Sculpture Gallery
Bennett
Sculpture Carmel —
Dolores between Fifth and Sixth – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
— (831) 626-3054, bennettsculpturecarmel.com
A perennial Golden Pine Cone winner,
Bennett Sculpture Carmel is owned by the mother-daughter
team of Debi Bennett and painter and jeweler Ashley
Bennett-Stoddard. The two carry on a legacy that was
started decades ago by Debi’s late husband and sculptor,
Bob Bennett, and his brother Tom. The gallery is also home
to the creations of Tom’s daughter, sculptor Terrie
Bennett. “Our mission is to maintain the integrity of the
Bennett Bronze Classics while continuing to add innovative
and creative new art to our gallery collection,” its
owners say.
Best Art Gallery
Carmel Art Association
— Dolores between Fifth and Sixth - open by appointment -
(831) 624-6176, carmelart.org
In a town with a rich artistic
history, the Carmel Art Association has no peer in the
contest for the town’s creative heartbeat. Founded in
1927, its early members included some of the era’s
greatest artists, and today, it represents nearly 100 of
the region’s finest painters, printmakers and sculptors.
Artists are juried in and represent a wide range of art
forms — historic members include Wah Ming Chang, who
worked for Disney studios and on Hollywood movies before
becoming a successful sculptor; painter, muralist and
lithographer Maxine Albro, whose work can be seen in Coit
Tower in San Francisco, and cartoonists including Eldon
Dedini, whose drawings have been seen in posters for the
Concours d’Elegance, Gus Arriola of “Gordo” fame, and The
Pine Cone’s own Bill Bates. The downtown gallery hosts
monthly shows, meet-the-artist receptions, films, lectures
and concerts.
Best Performing Arts Company or Group
Pacific Repertory Theatre
— Monte Verde between Eighth and Ninth – (831) 622-0100,
pacrep.org
Founded in 1982 by longtime creative
director Stephen Moorer, PacRep is Monterey Peninsula’s
premier theater group, producing an array of plays,
musicals and concerts. The theater company celebrates the
genius of William Shakespeare each year with a festival in
his name, kicks off the New Year with a rock ’n’ roll
tribute concert and mentors the next generation of actors
through its School of Dramatic Arts. PacRep’s latest
offering is a musical version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer,” which opens at the Forest Theater Nov. 25.
Best Concert Venue
Sunset Center
—
San Carlos btw. Eighth and 10th – (831) 620-2048,
sunsetcenter.org
Owned by the city, Sunset Center
attracts world-class talent to its main stage. Once the
historic Sunset School, it has been transformed into a
state-of-the-art facility with soaring ceilings and
excellent acoustics. Sunset’s 2023-24 lineup includes
performances by Los Lobos, the Righteous Brothers, Bela
Fleck, Mannheim Steamroller, and Bruce Hornsby, as well as
classical music concerts presented by local groups like
Monterey Symphony, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, Carmel
Music Society and Youth Music Monterey County. Sunset
Center is also home to the Carmel Bach Festival, one of
the longest-running musical events in the country, and the
Marjorie Evans Gallery, which hosts art exhibits.
Best Place to Relax and Listen to Music
Folktale Winery
—
8940 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley – (831)
293-7500, folktalewinery.com
The perfect place to sip wine and
enjoy live music in a garden setting, Folktale Winery in
Carmel Valley is a sought-after venue for local acoustic
musicians, mostly solo artists or duos. It also provides a
stage for out-of-town acts and has hosted shows by several
up-and-coming country music stars. Located in Carmel
Valley with stunning views of the nearby mountains, the
former Chateau Julien was bought in 2015 by local
winemaker, Gregory Ahn, and renamed Folktale Winery &
Vineyards. “The name is inspired by the thrill of
discovery, the joy of gathering, and the idea that every
great bottle of wine holds a story,” according to its
website.
Best Local Music Group (classical)
Monterey Symphony
— (831) 646-8511, montereysymphony.org
Seventy-six years after playing its
first concert, the Monterey Symphony kicked off its
2023-24 season Oct. 7 with the first of six performances
scheduled at Sunset Center. Led by music director Jayce
Ogren, who took over last year, the symphony is committed
to fulfilling its goal to “engage, educate and excite our
community through the performance and continual discovery
of symphonic music.” In addition to performing the
classics, the symphony’s repertoires have included music
from films like “Fantasia” and this year’s “Love Letter
from Hollywood,” featuring themes and music from “Moon
River” to Disney’s “Coco.”
Best Local Music Group (rock, jazz and pop)
The Bubba Pickens Band —
instagram.com/bubbapickens
The Bubba Pickens Band continues to
win over readers of The Pine Cone, earning the somewhat
elusive group another Golden Pine Cone. With four Carmel
High School teachers in the lineup, the band serves up a
lively mix of bluegrass and folk. If you want to see them
play, follow their Instagram page. “Come out and let loose
at one of our upcoming concerts,” the band suggests.
“We’ll bring the music, and you can bring the moves.”
Best Place to Take Visitors
Point Lobos State Reserve
— Highway 1 south of Carmel – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. -
pointlobos.org
Called the “greatest meeting of land
and water in the world” by the late local painter Francis
McComas, Point Lobos State Reserve is a magnet not only
for painters and photographers, but for just about anyone
who loves the outdoors. Famous for its rugged coastline,
windswept cypress groves and ancient forest of Monterey
pines, it’s remarkably accessible, and some of its trails
than can even accommodate wheelchairs. It’s also home to
one of the richest marine environments anywhere — every
weekend, scores of scuba divers explore the mysterious
world beneath the waves. If you want to show off the best
of where we live, Pine Cone readers agree that Point Lobos
is the place to do it.
Best Local Festival
Monterey Jazz Festival
— montereyjazzfestival.org
One of the world’s premier jazz
bashes, the Monterey Jazz Festival has attracted
world-class talent to the Monterey Fairgrounds since 1958.
The three-day festival showcases more than 500 musicians
on eight stages. The list of those who have played there
reads like a Who’s Who of jazz greats. This year’s
gathering included performances by Herbie Hancock, Diane
Reeves, Christian McBride, John Scofield, Charles Lloyd,
Samara Joy, Snarky Puppy and many others. Through its Next
Generation Jazz Band and educational programs, the
festival mentors the jazz musicians of tomorrow.
Best Church-Sponsored Event
Jewish Food
Festival —
carmelbethisrael.org
Hosted annually by Congregation Beth
Israel in Carmel Valley, the Jewish Food Festival brings
together people and great food. This year’s edition, which
happened Aug. 27, celebrated the many charms of “Jewish
Soul Food,” including favorites like hot pastrami,
brisket, latkes, blintzes, matzo ball soup and egg creams
— and so much more. After the pandemic turned the
gathering into a drive-through event for the past few
years, the in-person festival returned this past summer to
Congregation Beth Israel.
Best Place to Watch the Sunset
Best Place to Walk Your Dog
Best Beach
Carmel Beach —
Ocean and Scenic – free parking along Scenic is permitted
from 6 a.m. to midnight – ci.carmel.ca.us
Carmel Beach is such a part of the
fabric of Carmel, it’s no wonder it’s always teeming with
people — locals and tourists, alike — especially on a nice
day. It’s also no surprise that Carmel is rated one of
America’s top beach towns by Travel + Leisure, Thrillist,
Trip Advisor and by Pine Cone readers who have
consistently made it their choice for Best Beach. Whether
you take your dog for a walk, listen to The Valley Piper —
local winemaker and bagpiper Greg Freeman — at sunset or
simply have a picnic, you are bound to leave with a
greater sense of calm and serenity. Carmel Beach is also
one of the most dog-friendly beaches you will ever visit —
at sunrise and sunset, canines of every imaginable shape
and size can be seen dashing and splashing along the
shoreline.
Best Hiking Trail
Palo Corona Regional Park
— 4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley –
mprpd.org/palo-corona-regional-park
Once more, readers have voted Palo
Corona the best place to take a hike and, since it’s just
a few minutes from Highway 1, it’s practically in their
backyard. Sparkling new restrooms at the trailhead are a
welcome improvement, too. Starting in the parking lot, you
can wander the newly installed, flatter trails near the
river or take a moderate-to-strenuous hike of 2 miles each
way to Inspiration Point, with a steady climb through an
elevation gain of about 850 feet before arriving at a
hard-earned bench. The trail extends farther, with another
section recently opened, but for many people, just getting
that birds-eye view of Carmel Point, Carmel River Beach,
Point Lobos and Carmel Valley is enough. Along the way,
you will pass through an oak forest and maybe see some
cows and bunnies. So, pull on your hiking boots, pack a
picnic — don’t forget water — and enjoy the beauty in our
very own backyard.
My Favorite Park
Garland Ranch Regional Park —
700 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley – dawn to dusk
daily – mprpd.org
According to its website, Garland
Ranch Regional Park is the granddaddy of the Monterey
Peninsula Regional Park District — the first of the
district’s park acquisitions. Garland Ranch Regional Park
was purchased in 1975 from William Garland II, who the
district said “generously gifted a portion of the cost by
reducing the purchase price to below fair market value.”
From the tree-lined banks of the Carmel River, through the
open, flat area of the old floodplain, Garland is home to
a variety of landscapes at elevations from 200 to 2,000
feet above sea level and a labyrinth of trails you’ll
delight in discovering. “Along the way, you will travel
through maple-filled canyons, dense oak woodlands, and
thick stands of chaparral. Garzas Creek gently bisects the
park and provides a peaceful, shaded trail that reaches a
secluded side canyon of redwoods,” the park district says.
It’s a beautiful place to watch the subtle change of the
seasons — who says we don’t have seasons here? And if you
pay attention, you’ll even see wildlife trotting about.
Best Fitness/Health Center
Carmel Valley
Athletic Club —
27300 Rancho San Carlos Road, Carmel Valley – 5:30 a.m. to
10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday – (831) 624-2737, cvaconline.com
Established 54 years ago, the Carmel
Valley Athletic Club — “the local’s resort” — gives
members just about everything they need for their health
and fitness goals, while providing a sense of community.
CVAC offers state-of-the-art fitness equipment to help you
stay in shape, as well as group exercise classes, personal
training services and social events, including weekend
drop-in tennis. A two-story fitness center, 50-plus weekly
group exercise classes, a heated 25-yard lap and
recreation pool, family and adult hot tubs, social
activities for adults and kids, childcare for youngsters
ages 6 weeks to 12 years, and a bocce ball court are among
the CVAC’s offerings. The cafe serves fresh and healthy
options for gym goers, from veggie wraps, to smoothies,
the best sweet potato fries with aioli (all right, not the
most virtuous snack, but hey, you just worked out), and
much more, including daily specials. Members have access
to the newly renovated — and Golden Pine Cone-winning —
Refuge, “America’s first co-ed outdoor relaxation spa.”
Best Yoga Studio
Seaside Yoga Sanctuary
— Carmel Plaza, Ocean and Mission – 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday,
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday – (831) 899-9642, seasideyogasanctuary.com
Seaside Yoga Sanctuary in Carmel Plaza
has been building community since 2007. Its mission,
stated on its website, “is to serve our community by
creating a sanctuary to promote health and wellness
through the practice and education of yoga.” Seaside Yoga
Sanctuary believes that yoga is for everyone — all ages
and physical abilities — and their class offerings reflect
that philosophy, from prenatal yoga to therapeutic yoga to
hatha flow, which focuses on continuous movement, rather
than getting into individual poses and holding them. The
class schedule also reflects the rhythm of the year, with
seasonal classes like Autumn Moon Salutation. They offer
outdoor classes (at Folktale Winery, for example) and
online versions via livestream, although the studio hosts
several classes daily. In addition to group glasses, the
studio offers private, individual instruction, corporate
events, workshops and special events.
Best
Golf
Course
Pebble
Beach
Golf Links — 1700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach –
hours vary by season – (831) 574-5609, pebblebeach.com
Pebble
Beach
Golf Links is voted in again as a readers’ favorite, which
is not a surprise considering it’s a universal favorite
among golfers. Boasting over a century of top-notch golf
with breathtaking views, the links opened for play in
1919. Who wouldn’t want to walk in the footsteps of Jack
Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and a host of legendary players,
not to mention the celebrities who’ve appeared during the
Crosby Clambake, now known as the AT&T Pebble Beach
Pro-Am. Since the pro-am arrived here in 1947, it’s been
played by presidents, show business A-listers,
professional athletes from other sports and corporate
bigwigs. Rated the No. 1 public course in the United
States by pretty much everyone, and steeped in history
like no other American course, Pebble Beach hosted its
sixth U.S. Open in 2019 — more than any other location
over the last five decades. Four more U.S. Opens are
already on the books for 2027, 2032, 2037 and 2044. This
year saw the course’s first U.S. Women’s Open, with plans
for three more in 2035, 2040 and 2048.
Best
Museum
Monterey
Museum
of Art — 559 Pacific St., Monterey - 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. Sunday through Thursday - (831) 372-5477,
montereyart.org
The
Monterey
Museum of Art was founded in 1959, and, according to its
website, its collections “reflect and support the museum’s
mission to celebrate and promote the art of California and
cover the period from about 1875 to the present.” The
museum’s vision is “a collaborative center where art and
community engage” — and engage it does. In addition to
offering 15-20 exhibits annually, the museum regularly
hosts community events for the whole family to enjoy, from
La Mirada Halloween Bash, to a Winter Art Market in
December. Year-round First Fridays offer after-hours
access to the museum with music and socializing. Even
after the museum closes for the day, art lovers can sit in
the mural garden, where a welcoming bench awaits, and
enjoy a book or simply revel in the presence of nature and
beauty.
Best
Library
Harrison
Memorial
Library — Mission and Sixth – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday through Friday – (831) 624-4629,
ci.carmel.ca.us/library
“If
you
have a garden and a library, you have everything you
need,” Cicero said, long before Carmel was founded. Since
the Harrison Memorial Library also has a garden, it checks
both boxes for the city. Opened in 1928, Harrison Memorial
Library was designed by renowned California architect
Bernard Maybeck and financed by a bequest from Ella Reid
Harrison as a memorial to her husband, California Supreme
Court Justice Ralph Chandler Harrison. In 1992, the
library began to rely solely on private gifts for books,
supplies, electronic resources and computer equipment.
Today, it says private support “has become the foundation
of the library’s free public services.” In addition to
books and a beautifully manicured garden, the library
offers many community resources and lectures, such as
writing workshops and a free, community-wide puzzle
exchange. (If you can’t get enough of the online archives
on The Pine Cone’s website, you can find the rest of the
newpaper’s 100-plus years through Harrison Memorial
Library’s website, too.)
Best
Inn/B&B
Carmel
Garden
Inn — Fourth and Torres – (831) 624-6926,
carmelgardeninn.com
Carmel
Garden
Inn has once been voted by Pine Cone readers as the Best
Inn/B&B around. Everything about this place is quaint
and screams — or delicately whispers —
“Carmel-by-the-Sea.” With 10 cozy guest rooms with
wood-burning fireplaces in a charming garden setting,
what’s not to love? Guests enjoy the breakfasts,
especially the homemade granola and summer vegetable
frittatas. The Inn offers complimentary wine and cheese in
the afternoon to complete a stress-free vacation or
staycation. Just three blocks from Ocean Avenue, Carmel
Garden Inn is walking distance from everything, including
Carmel Beach where you can watch the sunset or enjoy a
stroll with your pooch, who is welcome at the Inn. “Many
of the rooms are designated pet friendly. Sheeted dog
beds, food and water bowls, treats — we understand. We are
dog people, too,” says the inn’s management.
Best
Hotel
La
Playa
Hotel — Camino Real and Eighth - (800) 582-8900,
laplayahotel.com
Set
in
a mansion built in 1905, La Playa Hotel offers a modern
luxury experience in charming downtown. A short walk from
Carmel Beach — your Favorite Beach — La Playa is perfectly
located for guests to enjoy everything Carmel has to
offer. Not only that, they can splurge with plush platform
beds, a complimentary Champagne brunch and a spacious
garden with a heated pool. All 75 rooms offer boutique
charm and the promise of pampering.
Most
Dog-Friendly
Hotel
Cypress
Inn/Terry’s
Restaurant & Lounge — Lincoln and Seventh –
11:30 a.m. 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, brunch 11
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday – (831) 624-3871,
cypress-inn.com; (831) 620-7454, carmelterrys.com
Once
again
voted by readers as Carmel’s most dog-friendly hotel,
Cypress Inn has charmed visitors since its opening in
1929. The décor feels so Golden-Age-of-Hollywood
sophisticated, you’re bound to be enchanted. Continuing
the legacy of late co-owner, legendary singer, actress and
animal lover Doris Day, the hotel’s philosophy takes pet
friendliness to the next level. “By combining
Mediterranean grace and charm with warm hospitality and
exemplary service, Cypress Inn has drawn everyone from
kings, queens and Hollywood royalty, to the everyday
traveler, and especially all those who like to travel with
their pets,” the inn says. Doggie pick-up bags and a wash
station are available in the hotel’s courtyard, and the
staff keeps a list of pet sitters on hand for when Mom and
Dad are ready for a break. Pets of all shapes and sizes
are welcome to enjoy the same hospitality as their owners,
so bring your furry family members for a real treat.
Speaking of treats, there are always little snacks for
your pooch in the lobby. If you’re hungry, Terry’s
Restaurant and Lounge loves feeding people, using fresh
organic produce from local farms whenever possible, and
sustainable wild-caught seafood and grass-fed meats. But,
getting back to the dogs, bring your buddy to “Yappy hour”
Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the patio
to meet other canines-about-town. Weekly live music is one
of Carmel’s not-so-best-kept secrets, featuring local
musicians from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays
and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
RETAIL
Best
Florist
Fleurs
du
Soleil — 598 Fremont St.,
Monterey – 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday
through Saturday – (831)
656-0455, fleursdusoleil.com
Customers
come
into Fleurs du Soleil, not just to order a fresh, natural,
picked-from-the-garden arrangement, but also for the
experience. Walking into the floral design studio and
retail boutique across from El Estero Park is like getting
a glimpse of Filoli or other historic gardens. With
influences from the south of France and the
Monterey Peninsula, Fleurs du
Soleil designers curate bouquets to create an
alchemy of natural beauty with the substance and form,
color and design inherent in fine art.
Although
floral designer and
owner Kim England locally sources most of her flowers, she
also introduces blooms from all over the world, which she
finds at the San Francisco Flower Market.
Best
Furniture
Store
Mum’s
Place — 246 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove – 10
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday – (831)
372-6250, mumsfurniture.com
Step
into
Mum’s and you’ll find a showroom filled with a full range
of furniture styles, plus accessories and objets d’art.
For nearly 40 years, Mum’s has been dedicated to
bringing in a wide variety of designs to satisfy locals’
needs, tastes and budgets. “Design and quality are
important, but so is value,” said owners Mugo and Talin
Tersakyan. “Our vision is to bring in the latest
and enduring designs at accessible prices.”
Among classic,
traditional,
transitional, country French and contemporary collections
at Mum’s Place, clients can customize their choices with
more than 80 furniture lines and some 5,000 fabrics.
Best
Golf Shop
Pebble
Beach
Pro Shop — 1700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach –
6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily – (831)
622-8723, pebblebeach.com
Pebble
Beach
Golf Links is known the world over for its championship
pedigree and breathtaking views, and while these
attributes draw guests to the resort from around the
globe, it is the friendly staff of the Pebble Beach pro
shop who are there to welcome first-timers and returning
guests alike.
Each
round
played on the famed course is unique to the player, but
one thing all of them enjoy is a warm greeting and welcome
back after they hole out on the iconic par-5 18th. Each
morning, the team is up with the sun and there until well
after the final group has teed off. Whether someone needs
more golf balls, an extra layer of clothing or a few
calming words of encouragement before they approach the
First Tee, the Pebble Beach pro shop staff lives up to the
same world-class standard as the course itself.
Best
Hardware Store
Ace
Hardware — 290 Crossroads Blvd., (831)
293-8050; 401 Mid Valley Center, Carmel Valley, (831)
250-5666; 229 Forest Ave., (831) 372-3284 and 1136 Forest
Ave., Pacific Grove, (831) 646-9144 – hours vary by
location – acehardware.com
Imagine
a
beautiful Saturday afternoon when you’ve brought home a
special piece of art from one of the local galleries and
you want to hang it immediately — but you don’t have
the right hook. Or, less aesthetically, you’ve discovered
a plumbing problem that you know would be an easy fix if
you just had the right stuff. Whether it’s duct tape, WD40
or some other antidote, Ace Hardware has you covered.
Although each shop is a member of the largest
retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the business, these
stores, locally owned and managed, give customers a
sense of shopping where everybody knows your name — with
the benefit of a big business. In an era when it’s hard to
find specialized service or even someone to work the
register, a company that says, “Ace is the place with the
helpful hardware folks” invites confidence.
Best
Housewares Store
Shoshin —
San
Carlos between Fifth and Sixth – 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and
Sunday – (831) 877-6300, shopshoshin.com
Best
Pet Store
Diggidy
Dog — NE Corner of Ocean at Monte
Verde – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through
Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and
Saturday – (831) 625-1585, diggidydog.com
It
only
makes sense for a dog-loving community to have a dedicated
dog boutique. Since 2003, this shop has catered to
canines but also focuses on felines,
providing unique, functional, and healthy products
for dogs and cats. While its primary focus is on the
animals, a lot of what the shop sells delights people as
much as — if not more than — it does their
pets. Diggidy Dog’s wide array of quality treats,
toys, apparel, collars and leashes is sure to satisfy the
most discerning dog or finicky feline — and their
person. Yet surely the biggest attractions are the
Westies who hang out there daily, and a new addition,
Danny Boy. He’s an English cream golden retriever. The
trio might make this the happiest store in town.
Best
Garden Shop
Griggs
Nursery — 9220 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel
Valley – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday – (831)
626-0680, griggsnursery.com
Gardeners
have
long known that digging your hands into the soil has a
centering, nurturing effect. Locals count on Griggs
Nursery for houseplants and succulents, seasonal annuals,
perennials, trees and shrubs, to upgrade the places where
they enjoy spending their days. For 20 years, Griggs has
been thriving in its Carmel Valley location, helping to
improve the local landscape one plant at a time. “We know
what works here, so we can grow the variety and quality we
want for our customers,” the Griggs family said. “A
garden shop is evergreen, and there’s always something in
bloom.
Best Camping/Skiing/Surfing Store
On
The
Beach Surf Shop —
693 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove – 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and
Saturday – (831) 646-9283, onthebeachsurfshop.com
Kelly
Sorenson
was just 20 years old in 1986 when he and Mike Locatelli
founded On The Beach Surf Shop on Ocean and Mission. Three
years later, he became the sole owner of the company and,
in 1993, opened a second store on Lighthouse Avenue in
Monterey. Six years later, he closed the Carmel Store.
Today, On The Beach sprawls across nearly 6,000 square
feet of tropical-themed retail space designed by Sorenson
and created by contractor Chris Murren. With bamboo and
beach sand throughout, tiki huts filled with clothing, and
classic surfboards from the Pete and Cathy Noble
collection, On The Beach, said Sorenson, feels like a
surfer’s paradise, with gear from all the coolest surf and
skate companies. “What means the most is seeing the
California surf community make On The Beach their hangout
and source to live the lifestyle,” he said.
Best
Place
to Buy Athletic Wear
The
Treadmill
— 111 Crossroads Blvd. – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily –
(831) 624-4112, thetreadmill.com
For
more
than 40 years, The Treadmill in the Crossroads shopping
center has endeavored to be the embodiment of a friendly,
community-driven, trustworthy local business that supports
and anchors the active community in and around Carmel,
Carmel Valley, Big Sur and Monterey. Since 1983, the
family-owned and operated store has been known to locals
as an outstanding place to find premier clothing and
footwear brands. After visiting and talking with the
shop’s experienced and knowledgeable staff, it becomes
clear why Carmel Pine Cone readers have voted The
Treadmill the go-to place for everything you need to
support your healthy lifestyle, year after year.
Best
Pharmacy
Carmel
Drug
Store — Ocean between Dolores and San
Carlos – pharmacy 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Friday, store
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily – (831) 624-3819,
carmeldrugstore.com
Independently
owned
and serving the community since 1910, Carmel’s classic
drug store and family pharmacy invites you to “shop back
in time.” Known for quality products and service, this
drugstore might just be the most convenient stop in town
and is chock-full of everything folks might need or maybe
forgot on their way into town. The back of the shop looks
like the old-fashioned pharmacy it is, yet it provides
state-of-the-art products, including veterinary medicines
for pets. The front of the store offers greeting cards,
postcards and books by local authors, and you can find
high-end bath and body products, including Bonny Doon
Farm’s soaps, salves and lotions. If only the place had a
soda fountain, it would complete the hometown experience.
Best
Children’s
Clothing Store/Boutique
Heaven
A
Child’s Boutique — Lincoln between Ocean
and Seventh – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through
Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11
a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday – (831) 624-6550
Ash
and
Monique Vasanji, who hosted the grand opening of Heaven in
2001, are celebrating the 23rd anniversary of their
European-style children’s boutique, designed for the
customer who has exquisite taste and seeks quality and
style for their little ones. “Throughout the years,”
Monique said, “our family has remained committed to
bringing in really special clothing, shoes, and gifts for
the children of our community and beyond. We are so
grateful for the support and recognition.” Located on
Lincoln in the site of the legendary Village Straw Shop,
Heaven beckons customers through double doors into a
gracious, well-lit salon appointed with very select
children’s apparel. It’s as if you’ve wandered into the
custom wardrobe of a favored child. Perhaps yours.
Best
Men’s Clothing Store
Khakis
of
Carmel — Carmel Plaza – 9:30 a.m. to 6
p.m. Monday - Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday –
(831) 625-8106, khakisofcarmel.com
Gentlemen
who
shop at Khakis stand out in a crowd — but only if they
want to. The shop’s timeless sense of good taste means you
can make a quiet statement or don something more
fashion-forward for an evening in town. Customers out for
an afternoon walk often shop the classic display windows
at Khaki’s as if it were an art exhibit, and then head
inside to collect quality classic and couture menswear.
Yet this shop’s success seems to be rooted in providing
the ultimate in customer service. Khakis of Carmel is the
award-winning pursuit and passion of Jim and Connie
Ockert, whose combined creative and entrepreneurial
talents have created a sartorial salon that’s stood the
test of time. “We have worked tirelessly to be innovative
in these ever-changing times, and to curate a really
different, interesting product selection that suits
today’s customer,” said Jim. And, he said, they are
honored to be chosen as Golden Pine Cone winners.
Best
Men’s
Shoe Store
Hedi’s
Shoes — Ocean and Mission (additional
locations at 3630 The Barnyard, and 330 Alvarado St. and
Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey) – 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. daily – (831) 624-5580, hedi.com
Haydar
“Hedi”
Movahedi opened his first Carmel shoe store more than 30
years ago. Since then, he’s cobbled together comfort,
quality, convenience and cool, paired with customer
service from experienced staff who understand fit, form
and function. Their goal is to make sure customers feel
just as good as they look as they stroll along Scenic Road
or enjoy brunch at the Mission Ranch. Featured among
various brands offering dressy, casual, or rough-wear
shoes, are Ecco, Pikolinos, Mephisto, Paul Greene,
HOKA, Birkenstock, NAOT, Ara, Dansko, Joseph Seibel,
Rieker, Remonte, Olukei, and Finn Comfort, plus a
complement of Kühl clothing and accessories.
Best
Women’s
Clothing Boutique
Debra
C — 129 Crossroads Blvd. – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday – (831) 624-9400 –
debrac.com
Debra
Couch,
clad in a cashmere twinset over a slim pant, pulled
together with a fabulous alligator belt, makes it look
easy. “It is,” she says, particularly if you shop at Debra
C, her eponymous boutique of European designer apparel for
women. She started with a store in Beverly Hills in 1997.
Then, in 2012, she opened a second store at the
Crossroads. She said that the important thing, whether you
are looking at the many French and Italian collections
exclusive to Debra C, or even its own private label, is
that you don’t have to look any further to find what you
want. “It’s all about the way it’s put together, to give
the total chic, elegant look. And we pride ourselves on
great customer service, thanks to our wonderful, talented
staff.”
Best
Resale/Consignment
Shop
Yellow
Brick
Road Benefit Shop — 26388 Carmel Rancho Blvd. –
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday – (831)
626-8480, yellowbrickroadbenefitshop.org
Circa
1989,
Shirin Snyder, wife of Rev. John Snyder, then pastor of
Carmel Presbyterian Church, had a dream. She wanted her
church to become more closely connected to the people of
Monterey County. By establishing Yellow Brick Road Benefit
Shop, she found meaningful and productive ways to offer
some people a chance to give back while providing an
opportunity for others to score bargains and raise funds
to support locals in need. Thrift shoppers love
coming here because they know they can find designer
clothing (occasionally with the original tags still
attached), interesting accessories and all sorts of
household goods, all in a clean, well-organized
environment. Yellow Brick Road has grown into three
locations: the main store (clothing, household items and
collectibles), a bookstore and a furniture and art store.
It’s generated more than $7 million, which has been given
back to Monterey County through grants to nonprofit
organizations and student scholarships.
Best
Women’s
Accessories
Best
Place
to Buy Designer Clothes
Best
Vintage
Clothing Store
Foxy
Couture
Carmel — San Carlos 2SW of Fifth – 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. Thursday through Monday – (831) 625-9995,
foxycouturecarmel.com
Since
1991,
Susan Galvin has recycled vintage and contemporary
designer clothing into a business which,
more than 10 years ago, became Foxy
Couture Carmel, a sustainable luxury designer
vintage consignment store. “We are sustainable
because everything in our store is pre-owned,” she said.
“We recycle and repurpose timeless products from
design houses whose allure typically doesn’t change that
much. These luxury fabrics and designs have been gently
worn or not at all.” Galvin takes pride in the special
things she sleuths out all over the world. “We are honored
to receive this award from The Carmel Pine Cone, the
cornerstone, along with the Carmel library, of our
community,” she said.
Best
Women’s
Shoe Store
Lloyd’s
Shoes — Ocean and Dolores – 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. daily – (831) 625-1382, lloydsshoes.com
For
43
years, Lloyd’s shoes has been a great place to find
stylish footwear. In fact, if you want to know what’s “in”
this season, just check out what owner Tess Calhoon is
sporting. Perhaps the Chie Mihara super-cool platform
bootie in black patent leather. Crafted in Elda, Spain,
the brand’s bestseller in Europe feels very
fashion-forward and edgy. Calhoon prefers to pair them
with her kick-flair or straight-leg jeans. On other days,
Calhoon and quite a few of her customers slip on slides
with little heels or maybe booties in calf hair and
leather by Cydwoq (a play on “sidewalk”), whose
vegetable-dyed leather handmade works of art look like
Spain meets Lebanon, but they’re made in the United
States. Honestly, by the time Tess Calhoon gets home to
her young family, she’s already slipped on her Uggs, the
legendary feel-good sheepskin boot with soft fleece lining
and a comfortable “your feet will thank you” fit. Everyone
must agree, since Calhoon can’t remember when she’s
carried or sold more of the casual footwear that has
become an all-occasion boot.
Best
Jewelry
Store
Kocek
Jeweler — San Carlos between Seventh and Ocean
– 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday – (831)
624-8485, kocekjeweler.com
This
month,
Kocek Jeweler, Inc. is celebrating its 50th anniversary in
the heart of Carmel. More than 60 years ago, the
owner and acclaimed designer, Armenian native Kirkor
Kocek, began his apprenticeship at a jewelry store in the
Covered Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. Decades later,
his clients have included Clint Eastwood, Ronald Reagan,
Bette Davis, Bob Hope and former Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger. He gave his most cherished design to
the late Pope John Paul II, a cross modeled after the one
buried with Father Junipero Serra at the Carmel Mission.
You can see a photograph of it in the store. Kocek
has become an icon of Carmel, winning numerous business
awards and supporting local nonprofits.
Best
Shopping
Center
The
Crossroads
Carmel — Highway 1 at Rio Road – open daily – (831)
625-4106, thecrossroadscarmel.com
Where
can
you grab a cup of coffee and a pastry before perusing the
best books, then shop for groceries, gifts, gadgets,
athleisure wear and designer apparel — all without having
to move your car? The Crossroads Carmel, the wonderfully
eclectic collection of boutique stores, restaurants and
services, has served Monterey Peninsula residents and
visitors for about five decades. Nearly all the businesses
in the Crossroads are locally owned and/or operated, so
you can count on unique stores and dining experiences. Our
readers believe it truly is the perfect place for one-stop
shopping.
Best
Antique
Shop
Wittpenn’s
Antiques — San Carlos between Seventh and
Eighth – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, closed Wednesdays –
(831) 624-1336, wittpennsantiques.com
This
place
definitely warrants wandering with patience and attention
to detail. At Wittpenn’s Antiques, there is so much to see
and something for everyone to discover. Owned by Chip and
Kathy Wittpenn, this treasure trove is a short stroll from
Ocean Avenue, near Sunset Center. Just the windows of this
little gem feature enough eye-catching collectibles to
keep shoppers occupied for a while. Browse a wide
selection of antiques and specialty items, including
sterling silver, furniture, books, vintage musical
instruments and more. With 18 years in Carmel and still
going strong, the owners wanted to thank the city and all
the customers who make the shop a fun, special place to
be.
Best
Bookstore
River
House
Books — 208 Crossroads Blvd. – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday – (831)
626-2665, riverhousebookscarmel.com
A
repeat Golden Pine Cone winner for good reason, River
House Books offers its customers what massive online
retailers will never be able to — the chance to hold and
leaf through a brand new book before purchasing it. A
family-owned, independent bookseller, River House offers
an excellent selection of works, from the classics to
architecture to youth favorites and gardening. Its
employees are highly knowledgeable and friendly and happy
to help. From River House Books itself: “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,
interior design, photography, sports and recreation and
wine books.”
Best
Bike
Shop
Carmel
Bicycle
— 26543 Carmel Rancho Blvd. – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday – (831)
625-2211, carmelbicycle.net
Established
in
1988, Carmel Bicycle began with a motivation to share a
passion for cycling, according to the business.
Conveniently located in Carmel Rancho, Carmel Bicycle
offers a great selection of bicycles, clothing and
accessories, from manufacturers including Trek, Giant,
Saris, Kuat, Bontrager, Feedback Sports, Endura and more.
Owners Netty and Rob have been recognized industry leaders
with integrated thinking and open minds — all the
while maintaining their belief in what they do. “Cycling
is good for you,” the shop explains. “So come let us share
with you what we have to offer. We are what you see, and
we love what we do.” With enthusiasm like that, you
can guess that Carmel Bicycle is perfectly positioned to
help you find just what you’re looking for. The shop also
offers professional bike service. “So, whether it’s a
minor tune-up or a major overhaul, where we go completely
through your bicycle and get it running like new, you can
count on us to do the job right the first time, every
time,” Carmel Bicycle says, adding that walk-ins for bike
services are welcome but appointments are helpful.
Best
Car
Dealer
Porsche
Monterey — 1781 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside – 9 a.m. to
6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday –
(831) 920-0744, porschemonterey.com
If you’d like to own one of the automobile industry’s most
prestigious marques, Porsche Monterey’s got it. From the
twin-turbo eight-speed 2024 Porsche 911 (starting at
$114,400), which produces nearly 380 horsepower, to the
2024 Porsche Cayenne SUV (starting at $79,200), Porsche
Monterey offers the German manufacturer’s most popular
models. The shop also has a selection of certified
preowned cars — some almost new — on hand. “Porsche
Monterey offers an exceptional selection of hard to find,
eclectic, and bespoke automobiles,” the business says on
its website. It goes on to say that “having such a
selection” makes it “even easier to get your dream car,
regardless of where you live.”
Best
Auto
Repair Shop
Best
Gas
Station
Lemos
76
— 544 Carmel Rancho Blvd. – 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday
through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday – (831)
624-2925, lemos76.com
Whether
you
need to fill up your car before heading to Carmel Valley
or are in need of a repair, Lemos 76 — a repeat Golden
Pine Cones winner in both categories — has it all. The
family-owned/operated station is a local fixture. “For 61
years, our five-star station has been serving the
community with our full-service garage/smog testing,
24-hour pay at the pump and full- and self-serve at the
pumps,” Lemos says on its website. The gas station is well
known for its great customer service. Lemos also has a
stocked snack shop serving yummy sandwiches from Bruno’s
Market in Carmel and irresistible donuts from Red’s Donuts
in Seaside. How can you go wrong?
Best
Car
Wash
El
Estero
Car Wash — 590 Fremont St., Monterey – 8 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
– (831) 373-1801, elesterocarwash.com
El
Estero
Car Wash has been repeatedly voted Best Car Wash over
three decades, so it’s obvious the folks there are doing
it right. When it comes to the wash itself, El Estero uses
a soap called Envirosoft Foam,” which the business says is
made from a “high quality microcellular closed-cell foam,”
which it maintains is a “significant development” for
cleaning vehicles because it’s gentle on their finishes.
“It does not absorb water, chemicals or dirt, providing
the highest level of safety, cleaning and shine” and has
been used on more than 750,000 cars that have gone through
El Estero, according to the business. El Estero also
offers numerous interior and exterior detailing services,
such as waxing with clay treatment, headlight renewal to
make those dull and cloudy headlights bright again, and
carpet shampoo and leather and vinyl seat conditioning.
Best
Place
for Brides to Shop
Epiphany
Bridal
Boutique — Mission between Fifth and Sixth – 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. – (831) 626-7200, epiphany-boutique.com
Calling
itself
the California central coast’s “premier bridal” shop,
Epiphany Bridal Boutique offers bridal gowns, bridesmaids’
dresses, dresses for mothers in the wedding party, and
rental suits and tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen. In
its own words, Epiphany loves what it does and that’s
apparent on its website. “As we enter our 15th year in
business, our goal is and always has been, to make the
bride, our bridesmaids, moms, prom girls and all the
lovely ladies who enter our doors have the most wonderful
shopping experience,” Epiphany says. The Carmel business —
which also has a store in San Luis Obispo — knows very
well that what one wears makes a difference in how one
feels. A dress, it explains, isn’t just a dress. “It’s an
expression of who you are and how you present yourself to
the world. These are dresses that you will wear to the
most important events in your life.”
Best
Gift
Shop
Ami
Carmel — Dolores between Fifth and Sixth – 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. daily – (831) 620-1600, amicarmel.com
Ami
Carmel
is on a roll. Not only did the gift shop win a Golden Pine
Cone in 2021 for Best New Business, it won Best Gift Shop
in 2022 and has secured the same title in 2023. Ami
Carmel, owned by Annee Martin, offers jewelry, artwork,
gift cards, accessories, home décor and even clothing.
“We
come
to this business with a deep, personal connection to one
another, and we want to share our vision with the people,
not only in our brick and mortar store in
Carmel-by-the-Sea, but online as well,” the shop explains.
Best
Candy
Shop
Cottage
of
Sweets — Ocean between Monte Verde and Lincoln – 10
a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10
p.m., Friday and Saturday – (831) 624-5170,
cottageofsweets.com
Many
residents
and frequent tourists find visiting the Cottage of Sweet
as irresistible as its homemade chocolate fudge. “I’ve
taken trips to Carmel with my family starting when I was a
little girl back in the early 70s,” Jennifer said on
social media. “We’ve always had to stop by my favorite,
Cottage of Sweets.” Besides plenty of shop-made candy,
Cottage of Sweets also offers a large selection of
prepackaged British candy, such as Mars bars, and a
selection of other chocolate, such as Flake, Wispa and
Crunchie. While a candy shop seems the perfect use for the
quaint and oh-so-Carmel cottage that’s home to Cottage of
Sweets, the diminutive structure has a lengthy history
dating to 1922, when it was a weaving shop. A side window
was used to sell tickets to the Court of the Golden Bough
Theatre until it burned down in 1938, Cottage of Sweets
explains on its website. A Canadian man, Wally Cullomore,
decided that the town needed a candy shop, so he set about
creating just that, history tells us. “So, in 1959 the
curtain was raised on a much-loved performance,” the store
says. We are now the award-winning [best-smelling and
best-tasting] shop in Carmel,” Cottage of Sweets proudly
proclaims.
Best
Carpet
and Flooring Store
Carpets
&
Floors — 471 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey – 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, by appointment Saturday,
closed Sunday – (831) 372-2300,
carpetsandfloorsmonterey.com
With
a
large selection of flooring from carpet to hardwood to
luxury vinyl tile, Carpets & Floors in Monterey means
there’s no need to go to a big box home improvement store
seeking those things. “We are pleased to present an
extensive collection of the finest floor coverings made,”
Carpets & Floors says. “And we are dedicated to
helping you find a solution to your flooring needs. Our
collection is based on what we believe are some of the
most important things to consider when dressing floors —
quality, durability and sustainability.” As the business
touts, the staff at Carpets & Floors is topnotch and
more than willing to help. It’s also a no-pressure kind of
place. “May we invite you to visit our showroom to see,
touch and learn about our wonderful flooring options. The
collection is large — feel free to take your time, browse,
ask questions, take home samples, ask for a floor design
consultation and/or an expert measure,” Carpets &
Floors says. “Most of all, please enjoy.”
Best
New
Business
Olivia
&
Daisy Books — 13766 Center Street, Carmel Valley –
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.,
Sunday – (831) 620-9290, Oliviaanddaisy.com
The
owner
of Olivia & Daisy Books, Kelsey Boyte, calls the shop
a “bespoke bookstore for all ages in the heart of Carmel
Valley.”
Not
only
will you find that Olivia & Daisy Books highlights
staff picks and children’s favorites, it carries a
selection of “Carmel Valley Local Favorites,” including
“The Fraud,” by Zadie Smith, and “A Thousand Acres,” by
Carmel Valley’s Jane Smiley. “We carry literary fiction,
nonfiction, memoir, mystery, nature writing, cookbooks,
children’s books and so much more,” the shop says.
“Bestsellers and new releases are prominently featured
alongside hidden gems and sleeper hits that are sure to
inspire, challenge and delight.” And if a book you’re
looking for isn’t in stock, Olivia & Daisy will order
it and you can pick it up within a few days.
Services
and
Health Care
Best
Place
to Work
Carmel
Realty
Company — Dolores south of Seventh – 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday – (831) 622-1000,
carmelrealtycompany.com
Established
a
whopping 113 years ago, Carmel Realty Company — the oldest
real estate business in town — is a consistent Golden Pine
Cone winner, having received the award many times in
multiple categories. With a rich history and family
heritage and a reputation for integrity, Carmel Realty
said it “operates upon the principles of integrity, work
ethic, teamwork, collaboration, communication and customer
service.” The business adds that it’s “very excited and
proud of the company, the vision and our team of
professionals who have been handpicked, proven and
benchmarked as the best in the business.” In the
century-plus it’s been in business, Carmel Realty has
established solid relationships with homeowners, visitors,
buyers, sellers and tenants. “We leverage our experience
and network to make connections between buyers and sellers
that no other company on the Peninsula can match,” the
company says.
Best
Place
to Volunteer
Best
Family-Friendly
Activity
Monterey
Bay
Aquarium — 886 Cannery Row, Monterey – 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. daily – (831) 648-4100, montereybayaquarium.com
Ask
most
tourists about their trip to the Monterey Peninsula, and
it’s a good bet they’ll say that one of their destinations
is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. One of the world’s best
places to see marine life up close and personal that’s not
actually underwater, the aquarium offers so much to take
that it can be overwhelming — in a good way. Located at
the site of a former sardine cannery that John Steinbeck
wrote about, the aquarium is a magnet for those who are
fascinated by what lies beneath the waves. More than 2
million people each year visit the world-famous
destination, which was the first in the world to host a
kelp forest. From “playful sea otters, flashy fishes,
mesmerizing jellies and swirling sardines,” the Monterey
Bay Aquarium offers a lot to take in. There’s plenty of
educational information. Some exhibits are interactive,
and all are entertaining — making it a perfect spot
to take the whole family. You might want to check out
“Into the Deep,” a new exhibit which takes visitors on a
descent into the dark abyss that’s “mostly out of sight,
but thriving with life.” You should also venture to the
aquarium’s Open Sea exhibit to see passing tuna, schools
of shiny sardines, and “sea turtles swim lazily across the
90-foot window.” Can’t make it to the aquarium just yet?
Check out its website for its many live cams, including
the famous sea otter cam, which makes it easy to watch the
“sea dogs” frolic in their enclosure, or take in the shark
and jelly cams. Fun stuff.
Best
Place
to Get Married
Carmel
Mission
Basilica — 3080 Rio Road – 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday
and Tuesday – (831) 624-1271, carmelmission.org
The
Carmel
Mission Basilica is repeatedly voted Best Place to Get
Married, and it’s not hard to understand why, considering
its rich history and beautiful setting. The Basilica is
the second of the upper California Spanish missions,
founded in Monterey in 1770. But only a year later, it was
moved by Father Junipero Serra to its current location.
“Here at the Mission, we know that this is both a
wonderful time in your lives as well a stressful time,”
the Carmel Mission says about tying the knot there. “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!” There
are restrictions, though, Only Catholics may wed there,
and couples must obtain permission from their local
Catholic pastors to get married outside of their parishes
at the Basilica. And because it’s an active parish, the
Basilica’s schedule only allows weddings to occur on most
Fridays and Saturdays.
Best
Place to Get Married (non-church)
Mission
Ranch
Hotel and Restaurant — 26270 Dolores – (831)
624-6436, missionranchcarmel.com
Why
do
Pine Cone readers think the Mission Ranch is a great place
to get married? Well, for starters, it’s pretty
photogenic. Just imagine the possibilities with Point
Lobos, Carmel River Beach and the Pacific Ocean as natural
backdrops. And that’s not even including the potential for
adorable, photo-bombing sheep. In its tranquil setting a
few steps from Carmel Mission, Mission Ranch and its
experienced and professional staff offer myriad
possibilities for the big day. “Ceremonies can take place
on a lush green lawn, with a dramatic entrance for the
bride as she crosses over the picturesque bridge and pond,
or on our more intimate brick patio,” says the Ranch. “The
wedding reception and meal service are held inside the
historic barns, creating an out-of-the-ordinary place to
celebrate.” The Ranch also reminds couples that it’s a
special place for a rehearsal dinner — “idyllic, truly
distinctive and a great prelude to any wedding.”
Best
Retirement
Community
Del
Mesa
Carmel — 500 Del Mesa Drive – (831) 624-1853,
delmesacarmel.org
Secluded
in
the quiet hills above Carmel Valley Road, Del Mesa Carmel
has been among California’s most impressive active adult
retirement communities since 1967. The campus offers 289
condominium units amid specimen trees, shrubs and
perennial gardens, stunning views of the Santa Lucia
Mountains, Carmel Valley and Point Lobos, 24-hour
security, and a wide range of fun, educational and healthy
activities for its residents — all of which make this
local treasure a multiple Golden Pine Cone recipient.
Best
Electrician
Cate
Electrical — Dolores at Seventh – 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Monday - Friday – (831) 624-5361, cateelectrical.com
This
family-owned
and -operated business, founded 63 years ago, is a
multi-time Golden Pine Cone winner thanks to its friendly,
efficient, honest and trusted service to the community.
Cate Electrical can handle everything from service calls,
to home remodels and landscape lighting, among other
services. Customers frequently comment on the genial
attitude, professionalism, promptness and fairness of
Cate’s electricians.
Best
Plumber
After
Hour
Plumbing & Drain — 5 Harris Court, Bldg.
N-6, Monterey – Open 24/7 – (831) 204-4450,
afterhourplumbingmontereyca.com
There
are
few things more annoying than that drip-drip-drip sound in
the middle of the night, or coming home from a few days
away only to find your toilet’s been running the whole
time. In an area where running water is like liquid gold
(or seems to cost that much), customers of After Hour
Plumbing & Drain have lauded this local company with a
sky-high 4.8-star online rating, calling its staff and
services “professional and fast, tidy, accommodating and
effective.” After Hour accommodates virtually every type
of plumbing and drain issue with 24/7 service.
Best
Architect
Samuel
Pitnick Architects — 1357 Ord Grove Ave.,
Seaside – (831) 241-1985, samuelpitnick.com
After
earning
a bachelor’s degree in architecture at USC and graduating
with honors, Peninsula native Samuel Pitnick has worked on
a diverse range of award-winning projects, including
single- and multi-family residences, retail, commercial,
educational, recreational and healthcare. These projects
spread from California to Hawaii, New York, Europe and
Asia. Pitnick is a LEED-accredited professional and an
advocate for sustainable and environmentally responsible
design, striving for a harmonious balance between nature
and architecture. He moved back to his hometown of Carmel
in 2014, and his primary focus is doing custom residential
design throughout the Monterey Peninsula.
Best
Interior
Design Business
Sea
Blush
Staging — Junipero, 2SW of Fourth – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday – (530) 574-8774,
heatherpalmerdesign.com
How
is
it possible that you have the same collection of furniture
as that tasteful, elegant house on HGTV, but in your
living room it resembles the back end of a second-hand
store? The secrets are known mostly to interior designers.
Heather Palmer launched Sea Blush Staging in
Carmel-by-the-Sea in April 2022, offering a wide range of
luxury and concierge services that include home staging,
color consulting, decluttering, downsizing, furniture
selection, holiday decorating and space
planning. Palmer earned a business administration and
management degree from the University of San Diego, and
has been self-employed as a lead interior designer since
2019. Sea Blush Staging is a repeat winner of the Golden
Pine Cone award in this category.
Best
Home
Technology
House
Wires
— “Serving the greater Monterey Peninsula” – (831)
659-8324, housewires.com
You
know
those times when your router won’t talk to your modem or
you can’t get the internet in your spare bedroom? Thank
goodness for the techies. Award-winning House Wires has
provided thoughtful and targeted technology for more than
20 years to Carmel, Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach, Big Sur,
Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Sand City, Marina,
Castroville and Salinas. Their specialties include cable
installation, home audio systems, home automation, home
theater design, smart homes, smart lighting, installation
of surround sound, TVs, and total system designs. That
means you can warm up the living room while you’re sitting
in traffic on Carmel Hill, and then hear the crashes of
players colliding in the Niners game from your comfy
recliner. House Wires’ motto is, “Integrity is core to
everything we do.”
Best
General
Contractor
McNickle
Construction — 26425 Laureles Grade Road,
Carmel Valley – (831) 915-3393, mcnickleconstruction.com
Owner
Ryan
McNickle’s stated goal is to carry his customers through
the process of building a new home, making their dreams
become reality. High-end carpentry projects are a personal
passion, he said, along with helping design and build his
client’s perfect home or remodel project. A product is
only as good as its design and assembly, said McNickle,
who utilizes talented artisan tradesmen, designers and
architects from all over the United States.
Best
Painting
Company
Cypress
Design
& Build — 1664 Contra Costa St., Sand City – 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. Saturday – (831) 867-6459, cypresscab.com/painting
Is
there
anything that freshens up a room faster than a new coat of
paint? And good fences make good neighbors, but not if
they’re ugly (the fences, not the neighbors). Never fear,
because Cypress takes pride in fast, clean, experienced
interior or exterior painting, deck stains, fence
waterproofing, and graffiti removal throughout Monterey
County. This Sand City-based business was the readers’
choice for Best Painting Company, but Cypress Design &
Build also takes on and assists with remodeling ideas,
unique kitchen islands, ADA-accessible conversions like
door widening, wheelchair ramps and lifts, hallway
remodels and bedroom expansions, and other projects. Go to
the website to request a quote for any job.
Best
Landscaper-Gardening
Service
Grassroots
Landscaping — 1594 Costa St., Seaside – 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday – (831) 899-3568
When
people
notice your house from the street, you want it to be for
all the right reasons. This highly rated Peninsula
business specializes in full yard service, landscaping,
pressure washing, move-out services for realtors, and
hauling. Owner Charles Smith, in his 17th year as a local
landscaper, has built a stellar reputation as a
hardworking, self-motivated, and fair businessman who
takes an “Old-World approach” to his clients. “My word is
my bond, and a handshake is a contract,” Smith said.
Best
Real
Estate Company
Sotheby’s
International
Realty — 3775 Via Nona Marie, Ste. 100, (831)
624-1566; Ocean between Dolores and San Carlos, (831)
624-9700; 312 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley,
(831) 659-2267; 574 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, (831)
372-7700 – sothebysrealty.com
That
real
estate is big business here is news to nobody. Even the
tourists figure it out as soon as they pass a real estate
office’s window display of photos. That means you don’t
need a good company, you need a great one — and this year,
Pine Cone readers chose Sotheby’s. Established in 1976, it
has 1,075 offices in 81 countries with 26,000 sales
associates who generate $167 billion in annual sales.
Sotheby’s sterling reputation is built on a tradition
dedicated to innovating the luxury real estate industry.
With 119 sales associates at three Peninsula offices, the
agency has plenty of lavish properties available. If your
homesteading ambitions include places to stay in Tahiti or
Fiji, search the website for international listings and
view Sotheby’s large inventory of houses, condos,
townhomes, villas and more.
Best
Real
Estate Rental Company
Carmel
Realty
— Dolores St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues – 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday – (831) 622-1000,
carmelrealtycompany.com
As
any
landlord or tenant can tell you, renting is a tricky
business that involves two of the most intimate things
people deal with — money and living spaces. With 110 years
of local history, Carmel Realty actually predates the
incorporation of the City of Carmel. Since then, it’s been
establishing relationships with homeowners, visitors,
buyers, sellers and tenants by building an unmatched
reputation for excellence in its field. This multi-time
Golden Pine Cone honoree is celebrated in 2023 for its
rental services. The company boasts an extensive selection
of long-term rentals in Pebble Beach, Carmel, Carmel
Valley and the greater Monterey area and offers an
exceptional selection of luxury vacation rentals, too.
Best
Real
Estate Lender
Chad
Hawker
at Synergy One Lending — Dolores 2 SW of Seventh,
Unit D – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday – (831)
521-9378, S1L.com/branch/carmel
A
senior loan officer and area manager of the Carmel branch
of Synergy One, Chad Hawker is a Carmel native who brings
the unrivaled work ethic and dedication he built as a
world-class Ironman triathlete to the lending business.
Hawker and his well-trained team help clients navigate
quickly and seamlessly through the process of securing a
loan to purchase or refinance a home, utilizing the
company’s trademarked Modern Mortgage Experience, along
with cutting-edge technology and a friendly,
accommodating, expert staff. Hawker and Synergy One
Lending are repeat winners of the Golden Pine Cone.
Best
Title
Company
Chicago
Title
— 26609 Carmel Center Place – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday – (831) 277-9081–
chicagotitlemonterey.com
Chicago
Title
Company, a local residential and commercial services firm,
says it provides customers with access to highly qualified
attorneys, builders, lenders, buyers, commercial services
and sellers in the real estate industry. Founded in 1874,
it has built a national reputation for excellence and
serves customers from five offices located in Carmel,
Monterey and Salinas. Our readers likely recognized the
company’s expertise and reliability when they made it
their top choice for title insurance and real estate
transactions, supporting customers through personalized
services and more than a century of underwriting
experience.
Best
Personal
Bank
Chase
Bank
— 26378 Carmel Rancho Lane and 27845 Berwick Drive – 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday – (831) 624- 8224, (831) 625-2400, chase.com
Chase
Bank
has multiple convenient locations in the area, including
offices in Monterey, Seaside and Pacific Grove, and
according to its website, provides financial services to
millions of Americans. Its products and services include
personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing,
small business loans, investment advice, and payment
processing. Known for its exceptional customer service,
Chase Bank accommodates customers’ diverse financial needs
and goals as it strives to ensure a personalized banking
experience.
Best
Business
Bank
Monterey
County
Bank — four locations, including 3785 Via Nona
Marie – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Friday – (831) 625-4300,
montereycountybank.com
Serving
the
local community since 1977, Monterey County Bank is the
oldest locally owned and managed business bank in the
county. Its longevity is due in no small part to longtime
President and CEO Charles Chrietzberg’s personal knowledge
of the Monterey Peninsula and his passion for serving
local businesses. During the pandemic, Monterey County
Bank was dedicated to helping businesses secure government
loans and grants, forging partnerships, and allowing the
Monterey County economy to continue to
thrive. Offering a wide range of services including
business checking, savings accounts and credit options,
Monterey County Bank is committed to providing all its
clients with a comprehensive selection of services, with
branches in Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Rancho, and
Salinas, and it promises to continue its high level of
service after its upcoming merger with PCB Financial Inc.
Best
Investment
House/Advisor
Monterey
Private
Wealth Management — 2340 Garden Road, Suite 202,
Monterey – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday – (831)
372- 3426, montereyprivateweath.com
The
Pine
Cone readers’ choice for the leading private wealth
management company in the community, Monterey Private
Wealth Management’s team of financial advisors takes pride
in its expertise in the financial industry. Services like
investment strategies and management, financial planning,
and business retirement plans are entirely transparent,
with no hidden fees or costs. Using a comprehensive
planning process, Monterey Private Wealth assists local
clientele with cultivating diverse portfolios and
strategic investments to ensure satisfaction, affirming
“our loyalty is to our clients.’’
Best
Accountant
Finn
&
Cohen CPAs — 425 Pacific St., No. 302, Monterey – 8
a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday – (831) 375- 5166,
fc-cpa.com
Finn
&
Cohen, a professional tax and accounting firm, says it has
served clients throughout Monterey and the broader
California area with a team of highly qualified
accountants for nearly three decades.
The
firm’s
services include tax management, accounting, advisory
services, trust planning, and tax preparation. Its mission
statement says in part, “Our mission is to help clients
maintain financial viability in the present while taking a
proactive approach to achieve future goals.”
Best
Veterinarian
Carmel
Valley
Veterinary Hospital — 13738 Center St., Carmel
Valley – 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8
a.m. to noon Saturday – (831) 659- 2286,
carmelvalleyvet.com
The
picturesque
views of Scenic Drive simply would not be complete without
the sight of dogs frolicking along Carmel Beach,
accompanied by pet owners who care a great deal about
their furry companions. For owners who want to ensure
quality care for their pets, Caramel Valley Veterinary has
been serving the community since 1975 with services
ranging from dental care, diagnostics, surgical services
and boarding, to grooming. The practice boasts a talented
staff — including veterinarians, veterinary technicians,
and licensed veterinary assistants — to cater to all pet
ailments and keep your best buddy in the best of health.
Best
Pet
Boarding
Casa
de
Amigos Animal Hotel — 715 Foam St., Monterey – 7
a.m. to 7 p.m. daily – (831) 373- 0482,
With
a
unique lodging experience designed to suit pets’ needs and
comfort, Casa de Amigos allows your best friends to
experience a retreat of their own while you’re away,
including a stay in a state-of-the-art facility and access
to thoroughly trained staff. A recent change in management
has brought about various renovations and upgrades that
will ensure your pet’s stay is accommodating and plush.
Our dog-loving readers know that the boarding, doggie
daycare, and full grooming services will not disappoint,
as the people at Casa de Amigos are dedicated to
facilitating a fun-filled, safe and interactive haven for
your pets to enjoy.
Best
Pet
Care
Home
Away
from Home — 1231 10th St., Monterey – 7 a.m. to 6
p.m Monday through Friday – (831) 392- 6296,
montereypetspa.com
Pet
care
is no joke around here, as it is seems that everyone
strolling the streets of Carmel has a furry friend. The
Carmel Pine Cone readership has named Home Away from Home
the paws-down best pet care spa, as it provides a
nurturing and quality experience to every pet under its
care. An all-encompassing menu of services, including
escort transportation services, flea treatment, pet
boarding, grooming, bathing and dog walking, allows pet
owners to choose from a premium selection of amenities to
pamper their pets. Home Away from Home ensures VIP
treatment for you and your four-legged friend, as the
dedicated staff fosters a loving environment that every
pet deserves.
Best
Auto
Body Shop
Gene’s
Import
Auto Body — 531 Shasta St., Sand City – 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday – (831) 899-0343,
genesimportautobody.com
A
perennial favorite of Golden Pine Cone voters, Gene’s
Import Auto Body remains the preferred auto-body repair
facility for Monterey Peninsula car owners, as it has been
since 1979. It’s the only business in the area with direct
referrals from Tesla, and specializes in European brands
as well, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. But the
fine folks there will service any car, including brands
such as Ford and Toyota. Known for friendly service to car
owners experiencing stressful circumstances, this
family-owned business is prepared for all situations, from
bumper and windshield repairs to major body damage. Gene’s
advertises that its ultimate mission is to provide
customers with “the highest level of professional service
and quality repairs at a reasonable price,” with numerous
five-star online reviews and compliments from satisfied
customers.
Best
Dry
Cleaners
Vapor
Sudden
Service Cleaners — 1193 10th St., Monterey – 7:30
a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday – (831) 375-5221, vaporcleanersmonterey.com
A
repeat Golden Pine Cone winner, Vapor Sudden Service
Cleaners is one of the oldest continually operating
cleaning services on the Monterey Peninsula, cleaning up
for more than 100 years. Since the business opened in
1921, it’s offered a range of services, from cleaning and
alterations to laundering shirts and cleaning and
restoring leather. Today, the business takes a sustainable
and environmentally friendly approach, avoiding the use of
harmful petrochemical solvents on clothes. Instead, this
business uses pure liquid silicone, setting it apart with
its odor-free GreenEarth dry-cleaning process. With this
method, Vapor Sudden Service Cleaners assures potential
customers that “your fine silks, cashmere, wool, lace,
beads, sequins and even garments labeled ‘Do not dry
clean’ are safe with us.” With rapid service and free
pickup and delivery throughout the Monterey Peninsula,
clients are bound to receive ready-on-time and
ready-to-wear results. Vapor Sudden Service Cleaners is
committed to sustainability every step of the way — even
its website provides a sustainable “tip of the day.”
Best
Travel
Agent
Paula
Arnold
— Carmel Monterey Travel, 601 Abrego St., Monterey –
(831) 649-4292, carmelmontereytravel.com
Paula
Arnold
is a beloved and trusted travel advisor with the Carmel
Monterey Travel group of advisors, an independent,
family-owned business that has been guiding the Monterey
Peninsula community for 40 years. Known for her
personalized service in the business and leisure travel
sectors, Arnold is a “go-to” for her extensive knowledge
of the best locations for every occasion — from honeymoons
to business retreats to family reunions. Her knowledge of
special, off-the-beaten track locations is valued by
customers, as is her persistence in finding the most
cost-effective way to go. She remains calm in the heat of
a crisis — if a flight is canceled or something else
happens to go awry — customers rave about having her to
troubleshoot.
Best
Hair
Salon
March
Hare — SE corner Mission and Fifth – 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Tuesday through Saturday – (831) 624-3024
Customers
say
that March Hare is the place for consistently excellent
haircuts and hair color. The salon specializes in
natural-ingredient Aveda products, which avoid the use of
harsh chemicals. The stylists at March Hare are trained to
work with all hair types — thick, fine, curly or unruly.
This cozy salon in the heart of Carmel is beloved as a
welcoming space, and is often the first one recommended to
someone from out-of-town. Stylists stay up with trends and
are known for their ability to please seemingly everyone,
from tough-to-satisfy teens to busy professionals.
Customer reviews praise March Hare’s staff for their
“knowledge of great products, passion for styling, love of
aromatherapy and the gracious space” of the salon. They
are a local go-to for special-occasion hair styling,
whether for a prom princess, bride or mother-of-the-bride.
Men are most welcome and appreciate their services too.
Best
Skin
Care
Carmel
Laser
Aesthetics & Spa — 3602 The Barnyard, Suite
A-11 – 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday – (831)
626-6228, carmellaser.com
A
wide array of the latest laser technology is available at
Carmel Laser Aesthetics & Spa, a full-service medical
spa that offers a wide array of treatments. The staff
there offers a full complement of services to restore skin
to a youthful appearance, including photo rejuvenation,
laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, skin tightening,
laser hair removal, leg vein treatments, cellulite
reduction, Botox and dermal fillers. Christina Joyce, RN,
performs all of the treatments and has decades of
experience and training in facial aesthetic procedures.
The spa’s website describes her approach to aesthetics as
“less is more.” She is certified for the Palomar Icon
Laser and has completed complex skin treatment
certifications. Customer reviews praise Joyce for being
gentle, minimizing pain, and making “you look like a movie
star.” She and co-owner Dr. Dana Welle are partners in the
business that customers say leaves them feeling confident
and glowing.
Best
Nail
Salon
Top
Nails
— 26344 Carmel Rancho Lane, No. 2 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday through Saturday – (831) 625-8609
Whether
you
want to treat yourself to a pampering sea-salt leg scrub
or are seeking dazzling fingertips displaying true works
of art, Carmel’s Top Nails is the spot on the Peninsula
for all your mani-pedi desires. Praised by customers for
being clean and friendly, Top Nails is a family-run
business that offers a range of nail and spa treatments,
including manicures, pedicures and foot and hand massages.
Customers praise the fashion-forward nail colors and
styles, and the manicurists’ ability to create intricate
nail polish designs — everything from American flags to
snowflakes, flowers, candy stripes, and the ever-popular
ombre fades of multiple colors. Reviewers hail them as
“clean, professional and reasonable” with sleep-inducing
foot massages. Conveniently located on Carmel Rancho Lane
near the Barnyard with ample parking, Top Nails offers a
menu of services for all budgets, from acrylic and gel
nails to paraffin wax treatments. Need a last-minute nail
refresh? Top Nails happily accepts walk-in clients. Pine
Cone readers say Top Nails is the local place to go to
help your feet and hands look and feel their best.
Best
Spa
Refuge
— 27300 Rancho San Carlos Road, Carmel Valley – 10
a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday – (831) 620-7360, refuge.com
Guests
flock
to the Refuge to zone out day or night in its array of
thermal pools, sauna and steam rooms, where dramatic
temperature changes relax and rejuvenate tight muscles and
restore calm. Once guests are physically loosened and
softened, there is an array of clean, cozy spaces to nap
or practice mindfulness. Try the outdoor fire pits and
hammocks or the indoor zero-gravity chair sanctuaries.
Take part in the Refuge’s recommended thermal cycle, which
guides guests through a thermal pool circuit of warm and
hot, to cool and cold, all to achieve a Scandinavian-style
theraputic effect. Refuge urges clients to begin the
process by heating up in its cedar sauna with Himalayan
salt wall, one of two co-ed, eucalyptus-infused steam
rooms or one of its hot pools. Let one of the numerous
warm waterfalls cascade onto your shoulders before taking
a quick dip in one of four plunge pools, which range from
chilly to icy. There is a strict no-talking policy and the
entire space is electronics-free, leaving only the
soothing sounds of waterfalls and birds. Refuge offers an
enhanced experience with a Swedish or deep tissue massage.
If you’d like to find refuge in this relaxing oasis,
reservations are highly recommended.
Best
Dentist
Eric
Brown
— 2 Via Joaquin, Monterey, (831) 375-2322 and 108 Mid
Valley Center, Carmel Valley, (831) 574-8252,
ericbrowndds.com
Gentle,
friendly,
kind, comfortable and welcoming. Those words that aren’t
always used to describe dental offices are descriptions
offered by patients reviewing their experience at the
offices of Dr. Eric Brown. With two area locations to
serve Peninsula residents, this general and family
dentistry practice offers a complete range of services
including cleaning and prevention, tooth restorations,
oral and maxillofacial surgery, and orthodontics.
Struggling with sleep apnea or painful TMJ? Brown and his
staff can assist. Chip or break a tooth, or lose a filling
or crown? The practice provides complete service for
dental emergencies and has online instructions for exactly
what to do — and what not to do. Want an even-toothed
smile good enough for the cameras, or to brighten your
smile after too much coffee or red wine? There’s a full
array of cosmetic dentistry services, from porcelain
veneers, bridges and inlays, to teeth whitening. The
office uses the most modern technology, including digital
tooth scanning. The overall objective of the team, which
includes dentists Brown and Dr. Nate Ward, is to reduce
the anxiety that often accompanies visits to the dentist.
When patients leave this practice smiling, Pine Cone
readers are sure it’s sincere.
Best
Dermatologist
Mary
Dahl — 977 Pacific Street, Suite A, Monterey – 8
a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday – (831) 644-9740,
marydahlmd.com
For
two
decades, Dr. Mary Dahl has been treating the skin of the
sun-loving, outdoor-oriented population of the Monterey
Peninsula. Serving a coastal community of people who can
be hard on their skin, she is trusted to provide thorough
exams and treatment for a wide array of conditions.
Specializing in dermatopathology, Dahl is the equivalent
of a skin detective, seeking out the cause of and
recommending treatments for rashes, nail infections and
inflamed seborrheic keratosis — a benign type of skin
tumor akin to a wart. Have a worrisome mole? She
specializes in examining skin for signs of skin cancer.
Teens and adults experiencing acne are also welcome at
Dahl’s practice. Patients praise her for taking the time
to answer their questions and for her patient and caring
explanations. Dahl’s practice provides preventive health
care and medical treatments and offers skin-rejuvenating
clinical facials, teen and acne facials, and dermal
infusion exfoliation treatments.
Best
Ophthalmologist
Leland
Rosenblum — 21 Upper Ragsdale Dr., Suite 200,
Monterey – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, (831)
372-1500, montereyeye.com
Serving
the
Monterey Peninsula for almost three decades, Dr. Leland
Rosenblum and the Monterey County Eye Associates are a
repeat Golden Pine Cone favorite. In private practice on
the Monterey Peninsula since 1994, Rosenblum specializes
in cataract, glaucoma and oculoplastic surgery (employed
to improve drooping eyelids, blocked tear ducts, or other
eye reconstruction). Rosenblum has extensive credentials,
including as previous chairman of the department of
ophthalmology at Community Hospital of the Monterey
Peninsula, and a UCSF assistant clinical professor at
Natividad Medical Center in Salinas. Patients praise him
for providing thorough explanations of ocular surgical
procedures and for reducing the nervousness that often
accompanies eye treatments. With practices in Monterey,
Salinas and King City, people throughout the county can
benefit from the deep expertise of Monterey County Eye
Associates. Have a question about your changes in your
close-up vision (it’s called presbyopia), cataracts or
glaucoma? Rosenblum addresses some of the most common
questions — and, yes, fears — in a helpful blog on the
practice’s website. Rosenblum leads a large team that can
support every eye need, from general examinations to Botox
to create a more youthful wink.
Best
Optometrist
Blink
Optometry — 217 Crossroads Blvd. – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday – (831) 250-6999, blinkcarmel.com
With
the
grand beauty of the Monterey Peninsula, it’s important to
have the correct eyewear to take it all in and protect
your eyes from that bright sunshine and ocean reflection.
Blink Optometry is a full-service vision care center and
optical boutique carrying a wide variety of contact lenses
and eyeglass frames. Optometrists Telma Barseghian and
Trevor Fogg have practiced optometry on the Peninsula for
decades, treating patients from infancy to — ahem —
maturity. They provide a variety of services, including
fitting glasses and contact lenses, treating eye
infections and diseases, removing foreign bodies, and
helping with diabetic eye disease. Fogg, a lifelong
contact lens wearer, has experience fitting all kinds of
contacts, including bifocal and astigmatic lenses, and is
certified in corneal refractive therapy. When she’s not in
the office at Blink, you might find Barseghian co-managing
cataract and laser surgeries with local surgeons. Located
in Carmel’s Crossroads shopping center, Blink accepts a
wide array of health insurance and is known for attentive
service — the nice people there even refill your Blink
eyeglass cleaner bottle for free. With this team at your
side, our readers say you’ll have no problem identifying
the issue at hand and finding eyewear that best fits your
style, activities, and budget.
Best
Orthopedist
Chris
Meckel — 12 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite A,
Monterey – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday – (831)
648-7200, msjhealth.com
Creaky
knees
and stiff hips holding you back from the activities you
love? Dr. Chris Meckel can help you return to our local
trails and golf courses. A reputation as a trusted
physician who takes the time to listen and answer
patients’ questions has earned orthopedic surgeon Meckel
another Golden Pine Cone for his work as a hip and knee
replacement specialist. He is the co-founder of Monterey
Spine & Joint and has nearly 20 years of experience in
joint replacement surgery and solutions to osteoarthritis.
Having grown up on the Peninsula, graduating from Carmel
High School in 1984, Meckel is happy to serve the
community where he was raised. He is known and appreciated
for his expertise in arthroscopic surgery (the type that
employs buttonhole-sized incisions) and minimally
invasive, computer-assisted knee replacements. He earns
high praise — and regular five-star ratings — in online
reviews. As to comments from patients, the words “great,”
“excellent” and “very pleased” stand out. One patient
described their experience this way: “Dr. Meckel is
friendly, professional and kind. Answered all my questions
thoroughly and promptly. The office staff is efficient and
helpful.” Similarly, another wrote: “He and his staff
provided excellent guidance and support throughout the
planning, surgery and recovery.”
Best
Pediatrician
Jill
Airola — 2 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite B210,
Monterey – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.
to 12 p.m. Saturday, Sunday by arrangement – (831)
333-0999, mppmg.com/dr-jill-airola
Most
kids
might not find a trip to the doctor to be fun, but we hear
they love seeing “Dr. Jill,” as Jill Johnson Airola is
widely known. She’s been in practice in Monterey County
for 22 years, and a visit to Airola’s office often begins
with an upbeat, cheerful greeting and sense of humor. One
of seven physicians who are part of the Monterey Peninsula
Pediatric Medical Group, Airola is praised by parents as
“fun and joyous to be around.” One mom lauded the clinic’s
responsiveness with urgent appointments, and specifically
Airola, for making “my daughter comfortable and excited to
be at the doctor’s office.” Another mother of a newborn
praised Airola’s support for new, anxious parents. The
practice is colorful and lively, with physicians taking
part in dress-up days. The website shows each physician in
a photo as a child themselves, making it clear that
they’ve been there and they can relate. Parents say that
the warm, welcoming atmosphere is accompanied by deep
expertise and attention to detail. Prior to moving to the
Monterey Peninsula, Airola was an assistant clinical
professor of pediatrics, specializing in emergency
medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. Airola
is known for her thorough explanations of each stage of a
child’s development. And for parents wanting to know even
more, the practice recommends an array of helpful
resources on its website.
Best
Primary
Care Physician
Peter
Franklin — 550 Camino El Estero , No. 204,
Monterey – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and
Thursday, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Friday – (831) 375-5151, montereybaydoctors.com
You
know
you have found a truly local Monterey Peninsula family
physician when he specializes in scuba diving medicine and
is a diving-certified physician. Peter Franklin has been
practicing dive medicine for more than 20 years and works
with the divers of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. He conducts
pre-dive physicals to assure that scuba recreation lovers
are in the best possible condition to handle the stress of
deep-water immersion. Franklin specializes in identifying
the underlying issues that may arise during diving to help
his patients return to the water safely. However, dive
medicine is just one of dozens of specialties of this
full-service medical clinic. Others include preventive
medicine, men’s health issues, pediatrics for children
over the age of 5, and management of a host of chronic
health conditions including hypertension, diabetes and
osteoarthritis. Franklin also offers an optional concierge
program for a limited number of patients who want a more
personalized approach to health management. Franklin’s
website has resources specific to Peninsula issues — like
advice for dealing with poison oak and ticks. If you are
seeking a truly local physician, Peter Franklin, with
offices across from Lake El Estero and the Monterey YMCA,
is The Pine Cone readers’ choice.
Best
Plastic
Surgeon
Douglas
Sunde — 856 Munras Ave., Monterey – 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday - Friday – (831) 372-0200, drsunde.com
Dr.
Sunde
has been The Pine Cone readers’ choice for more than a
decade, a fact he will tell you brings him some pride. The
Chicago-area native graduated with distinction from
Stanford University, after which he attended medical
school at UC San Francisco, where he was part of the
medical honor society. Sunde performs cosmetic and
reconstructive surgery using the most current treatments
and techniques. In 2020, he was recognized by Montage
Health Foundation with a Physician Scholar grant to
“provide training in plastic surgery, particularly hand
surgery, to Stanford University Medical School residents
and fellows.” Montage noted that Sunde “conducts the
training at the Palo Alto Veterans Administration
Hospital, operating on veterans during day-long teaching
sessions 10 times each year.”
Best
Physical
Therapist
Balance
Physical
Therapy & Human Performance Center — 2260 N.
Fremont St., Monterey and 21 Upper Ragsdale Road in Ryan
Ranch, with additional locations in Prunedale, Watsonville
and Salinas – call for hours and appointments – (831)
372-4782, balancept.com
Balance
Physical
Therapy — a multiyear winner of the Golden Pine Cone — has
for more than 20 years been providing locals with
services, ranging from treating and managing chronic joint
or back pain, to improving their golf game. Among other
services, sports injury and concussion rehab are
available, as well as custom orthotic shoe inserts.
Balance PT offers specialized services for recovery from
sports injuries, plus an evaluation, treatment and fitness
program by and for golfers that specifically targets
performance on the links. Its many qualified therapists
are patient and encouraging, emphasizing that a lot of
people’s problems can be solved without further medical
intervention.
Best
Chiropractor
Aaron
Gaily
of The Back and Neck Pain
Now
a
seven-time Golden Pine Cone winner, Aaron Gaily opened The
Back and Neck Pain Center of Monterey in 2003, aided by
his wife (office manager) and mother (general assistant),
who both still work at the practice along with fellow
chiropractor Ryan Wong, massage therapists and various
assistants. Gaily, who grew up in Carmel Valley, is proud
of growing the practice “from scratch,” but says
“relieving pain is my No. 1 goal.” He’s a graduate of
Northern Arizona University and received his doctorate in
chiropractic (with honors) at Southern California
University of Health Sciences.
Best
Divorce
Lawyer
Sarah
Cavassa — 50 Ragsdale Drive, Suite 201, Monterey –
(831) 655-6868, cavassaoconnell.com
Sarah
Cavassa
of Cavassa O’Connell is certified by the State Bar as a
specialist in family law, including divorce, custody and
support. She also prepares and reviews pre- and
post-marital agreements. Cavassa favors securing
settlements for her clients when reasonable ones can be
attained, but she takes cases to trial when necessary. She
represents clients in Monterey and the neighboring
counties of Santa Cruz and San Benito, as well as
occasionally Santa Clara and Alameda counties. Cavassa
graduated from the University of Washington and Monterey
College of Law, where she is now a professor, teaching
community property and working with the Heisler Moot Court
program. She has served on the Board of Trustees of the
Monterey County Bar Association and is part of the
Monterey County Women Lawyers Association.
Best
Estate
Planning Attorney
Jeannette
Witten
at Hudson-Martin PC — 26515 Carmel Rancho Blvd.,
Ste. 200 – 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday –
(831) 480-6608, Hudsonmartin.com
Witten,
managing
partner of Hudson-Martin, views estate planning as a
“positive area of the law” and a “neat opportunity to get
to know people.” Whether clients have a goal of
establishing a trust to take care of a disabled child or
more generally figuring out how to distribute assets to
the next generation, Witten views her role as listening
and gently guiding them to reach their goals. She also
does her best to explain trust provisions in layman’s
terms, so that her clients feel sure of what they’re
signing. She has been practicing law since 1998 and is
licensed in California and Pennsylvania.
Witten
is
an avid hiker and runner and has run several marathons,
including the Big Sur International four times. A mother
of twins, she volunteers with and serves on the board of
Pacific Repertory Theatre. She and her family live in
Carmel.
Best
Lawyer
If You Need to Sue Somebody
Best
Defense
Attorney
Andy
Swartz — 550 Hartnell St., Suite A-1, Monterey –
(831) 373-3235 or (800) 624-9911, swartzkennedylaw.com
Andy
Swartz
of Swartz & Kennedy has won the Golden Pine Cone many
times, showing that readers trust him with bothersome and
potentially costly legal matters. He’s done defense work
all along, too. “I’m probably a better defense attorney,”
Swartz said. But at age 75, he’s gently phasing out his
practice, noting, “I’m pretty sure I’ve tried my final
case.” During his half-century in Monterey (since 1973),
Swartz has won multiple high-profile and multimillion
dollar cases. He has conducted a wide range of civil
litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants, including
personal injury, defamation, and business and real estate
disputes. He has also been active in ensuring law is
practiced ethically, having served on the State of
California Committee on Professional Conduct and
Responsibility, also known as “the ethics committee.” He
waxes elegiac when considering his Monterey County legal
peers and sometime-opponents, as well as local judges,
complimenting them as “prepared” and “plain-speaking…
actually respond[ing] to questions.” The Swartz &
Kennedy law firm enjoys the highest peer ratings and holds
membership in several elite forums. Swartz earned degrees
from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of
Santa Clara School of Law (graduating magna cum laude),
where he was on the staff of the law review.
Best
Public
Relations Company
Armanasco
Public
Relations — 585 Abrego St., Monterey – (831)
372-2259, armanasco.com
David
Armanasco
established Armanasco Public Relations in 1985. In 2013,
Armanasco became a partner of California Strategies, a
public strategy firm that serves organizations around the
state, nation and globe as they intersect with all levels
of government. Armanasco and California Strategies work on
public affairs issues in the areas of finance, energy,
environmental regulations, green technology,
infrastructure, transportation, land use, water, health
care and communications. According to its website, the
firm has “grown to become the largest, most effective, and
well-known PR firm in Monterey County.” Its local client
list includes businesses and agencies such as the
Barnyard, Safeway, Tanimura & Antle, CSUMB, Stevenson
and Santa Catalina schools, Cal Am, the cities of Seaside,
Marina, Gonzales and San Jose, Quail Lodge, the Cypress
Inn and dozens of others. The agency also gives back — its
pro-bono client list includes plenty of familiar names,
like the Alliance on Aging, the Boys & Girls Club of
Monterey County, the Carmel Foundation, the Diocese of
Monterey and the Point Lobos Natural History Association.
Best
Insurance
Agent
Connally
Farmers
Insurance — 404 W Franklin St., Ste. 102,
Monterey – (831) 424-0829,
Agents.farmers.com/ca/monterey/jessica-connally
Insurance
agent
Jessica Connally has been with Farmers Insurance for 10
years, and purchased and consolidated two local agencies
about 18 months ago when their former owners retired. The
agency manager is her husband, Jeremy Connally, who cites
“exceptional” and experienced staff members as the reason
Connally has won the Golden Pine Cone. In what can be an
increasingly difficult climate and area to obtain
insurance, the Connally agents look for ways to help
clients get the coverage they need, using their local
knowledge and insurance savvy.
Best
Shoe
Repair
Federico’s
Drive-In
Shoe Service — 542 Abrego St., Monterey – 8 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday – (831) 649-3322,
federicoshoes.com
Is
your
favorite pair of party shoes looking a little worse for
wear? Are your cowboy boots so down at the heel your spurs
drag? Did you step in a puddle and stain your most
comfortable suede pumps? Repeat winner Federico’s Drive-in
Shoe Service, in business since 1939, can probably restore
your footwear to glory.
Best
School
Best
Principal
Best
Teacher
All
Saints
Day School — 8060 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel
Valley – (831) 624-9171, asds.org
The
Episcopal
K-8 school has won this trifecta more than once, with some
logic: While nearly all schools have buildings and
campuses, it’s their staffs that make them special. All
Saints offers low student-teacher ratios and can boast of
students who’ve won state and national honors in history,
as well as prizes in science and engineering. The school’s
10 core values, listed on its website, are: Nurturing the
growth of the whole child, inspiring lives of gratitude
and grace, pursuing academic excellence, fostering freedom
of inquiry and ethical expression, encouraging independent
thinking, challenging students to live courageously,
respecting the importance of family and community,
building a community of service, honoring the sacred
dignity of all life, and igniting a life of learning.
Speaking of buildings and campuses, one of principal Scott
Fujita’s recent accomplishments has been the success of a
fundraising campaign that has allowed All Saints to build
or improve a turf field, outdoor amphitheater,
tennis/pickleball courts, a running track, a Carmel River
observation center (taking advantage of the campus’
bankside location), a revamped organic garden and a new
preschool and pre-kindergarten playground. On a less
glamorous but practical note, the funds raised have also
been used to connect underground to the new sewer line
being installed along Carmel Valley Road. Fujita, a former
pro football player, apparently knows how to take the ball
and run with it. The Imagine Campaign is in its final
phase, raising funds to build a new fieldhouse and
classroom facility. Kindergarten and first-grade teacher
Sydney McKechnie is known for her high academic
expectations of students, tempered with affection. Her
pupils are well-versed in the relationship between cause
and effect, but also what McKechnie calls “funzies.” She
dresses up for every holiday and is reportedly “obsessed
with glitter.” She’s the school’s resident tooth-puller
and keeps a running tally on her blackboard; she’s also
usually the first teacher to sign up for the dunk tank at
the school’s fall festival. At the same time, she
structures lessons so as to reach all types of learners —
visual, aural and kinetic. Her students are known for
moving on to higher grades with a strong educational
foundation.
My
Favorite
Nonprofit
The
Carmel
Foundation — SE Corner of Eighth and Lincoln – 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday – (831) 624-1588,
carmelfoundation.org
Whether you’re looking for a fun recreational activity or need some help obtaining vital services, The Carmel Foundation is a good place to start for those 55 and older — and you don’t even have to live in town. The friendly volunteers will guide you as you choose from a long list of activities and services. The Foundation offers a host of companionable pastimes, including book groups, games—such as bridge, chess, Scrabble and poker—walks on local trails, yoga, and more. It also offers bus tours to San Francisco Bay area locations, so you can enjoy shopping and cultural activities without the hassle of driving and parking. But the Foundation isn’t just about recreation — there are support services for housing, homebound meals, weekday lunches, blood pressure checks, legal services, health insurance counseling and more. You already knew this was a great place to retire — now you know one of the big reasons why.
.
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