Introduction to Monterey & Carmel (and Santa Cruz County) 3rd Edition

Below is part of the Introduction to our guide to Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties.  In this book we take you to every worthy restaurant and winery at every price level, art galleries, museums, surf shops, organic produce growers, public parks and gardens, breweries, and local hangouts. 

Every day Kathleen and her pal Gary went fishing. One day Kathleen made the mistake of catching the most fish, all of which she saved in her bucket. That night, exhausted and full of fresh air, she climbed into her sleeping bag, moved around to find her usual comfort zone, felt something cold, tried to move it, and yelled loud enough to wake the neighbors when it moved. Gary had put a live crawfish in Kathleen's sleeping bag.

As we grew up, we became acquainted with the more sophisticated Carmel, often staying with parents at the Normandy Inn, and enjoying a Thanksgiving or Easter feast at the Pine Inn. Carmel still nurtured an artists' colony then, but as more and more people came to love Carmel and its historical charm, some of that flavor disappeared in favor of more upscale galleries and boutiques.

Monterey, once an intense sardine-fishing village loaded with California history, has become an extremely popular destination for exploring nature at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and at the Butterfly Gardens in nearby Pacific Grove, as well as a spot for sampling fine foods and wines. Skin divers and those who just want to try the experience for the first time can be seen backing into the water (quite a sight!) with instructors nearby, at the south end of Cannery Row.