Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) exists in our collective presence like a life-long, reliable old friend. Some days, it unleashes passionate opinions with raging waves. Others, it soothes our souls, lapping at the shore with gentle undulations. It can appear quirky with stories-high whale "blows" mingling in sea breezes, and magical, clawed mini-creatures dancing … [Read more...] about Under the Sea
Travel
Big Sur’s Lasting Legacy
The River Inn Celebrates 90 Years
The big green road sign on Highway 1 just south of Carmel reads "Big Sur—26 miles." But in popular parlance, this entire stretch of craggy California coastline south to San Simeon is collectively known by that moniker. Nearly everyone who experiences the region's breathtaking beauty comes away enthralled, and a piece of Big Sur remains with them. The people here are renowned … [Read more...] about Big Sur’s Lasting Legacy
The Opulence of an Earlier Era
The Sardine Factory Celebrates 55 Years of Distinctive Dining in Monterey
Certain places demand a certain level of formality, nothing pretentious or unattainable, just an expectation to put your best foot forward. In times past, there were more places in society that required such a heightened level of formality—be it a weekly trip to a place of worship or just working as a sales girl at Saks 5th Avenue in the Carmel Plaza, where a strict dress code … [Read more...] about The Opulence of an Earlier Era
An Appellation Like No Other
The Bounty of Carmel Valley's Unique Terroir
The provenance of the name "Cachagua" (pronounced Ka SHOU wa) is lost to the sands of time. "However," according to the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, "its use goes back to the 1850s with the spelling ‘Jassagua,' which likely has native Esselen or Spanish influences." Today, the region is known as a tightly knit and somewhat insular community. It's also the nexus of … [Read more...] about An Appellation Like No Other
Life on the Road
Photographer Marc Howard is Turning Pandemic Restrictions into Exceptional Adventures
In February, as the COVID-19 crisis restricted in-person activities and kept classrooms remote, Marc Howard spent time exploring Yosemite National Park. The Monterey photographer and his family were there for the annual Firefall event, when, in the right conditions, a cascading waterfall shimmers like molten lava. "If there's enough snowpack, and the water's melting, and … [Read more...] about Life on the Road