Those of us who do get to frequent Monterey’s streets on a day-to-day basis, however, get an advantage not given to the transient population: Local’s Discounts.
If your paychecks support your lifestyle out here on the Central Coast, the following locations honor your hard work with discounts tailor-made for those of us who call this place home.
Read MoreMonterey Bay has a rich history with our military. From the use of Fort Ord as an Army base from World War II to the mid 90s, to the Naval Postgraduate School located on the historic Hotel Del Monte property, and the Defense Language Institute on the Presidio overlooking the bay, it’s only fitting that local businesses offer discounts to our active duty service members. Here’s a few of our favorite choices.
Read MoreThe happiest of hours in the Monterey Bay tend to fall between 3pm-7pm, and happy hour hunters are always on the lookout for the best hangouts to celebrate. Fortunately, the staff of the Monterey Bay Food Tours (and our friends) are part of that squad, so let’s kick back with a drink and have a chat over some appetizers for a minute. If you’re on the lookout for a great spot to hang at the end of a long day (or the beginning of a long night,) here are six dynamite locations that prove why the food scene in Monterey is so unforgettable.
Read MoreThose who own and take care of man’s best four-legged friend can usually agree on one thing: Sometimes it’s hard to find dog-friendly places to hang out! Fortunately, for those living in or visiting the Monterey Bay, we’re a pretty dog-friendly community with almost too many options to choose from! If you’re on the hunt for food, wine, beer, or even ice cream, here’s a few notable dog-friendly locations you should totally check out!
Read MoreEveryone knows Monterey, California, thrives on the hospitality industry. With the majority of our business coming from tourism, visitors and locals alike will find restaurant after restaurant down basically any street. You could always join us on our Old Monterey Food Tour to check out some great spots downtown, but some people are more into breakfast than lunch. Outside some of the great restaurants we feature on all of our tours, we wanted to take a moment and shout out a couple of other great spots you can find in the surroundings areas.
Read MoreLooking for healthy diet options? Well, even we over here at the Monterey Bay Food Tours are always on the hunt for healthy, locally sourced foods. While we show you some great options and have you taste some farm-to-table favorites on our Old Monterey Food Tour, we also wanted to share some ideas about things you could buy for yourself if you’re looking to make your diet a little healthier.
Read MoreGood cheese, like good wine, comes from years of practice and perfecting the craft, and Schoch Family Farmstead is no exception.
We here at the Monterey Bay Food Tours can’t get enough of the cheese from Schoch Family Farmstead — especially the ones we include on our Old Monterey Food Tour! We’ve learned so much from our partners about the behind-the-scenes production of their wholesale products — like the process of making wine from Comanche Cellars — and we wanted to highlight some of the products and back-of-the-house work from another of our favorite partners.
Read MoreA great olive oil or vinegar can turn a boring meal into a gourmet one, and Monterey’s Tasty Olive Bar gives us a wide and unique selection to choose from. If you’re looking to impress guests at your next house party — if you don’t want to try some out on our Old Monterey Food Tour, of course — consider some of the following extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and vinegar pairings to make your meal pop.
Read MoreIf you’ve been on our Old Monterey Food Tour, you’ll know we try to do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences. We know it can be difficult to pin down good food for those following a gluten sensitive, vegetarian, or vegan diet, so we thought we’d share some of our favorite spots around town to grub down on food that fits those dietary needs.
Read MoreIf you’ve been on our Old Monterey Food Tour, you’ll know we try out a lot of local products at our first stop, the Joseph Boston Store. We know it can be overwhelming to remember everything you’ve tried, so we’ve compiled a list of the best products from our partner, Gil’s Gourmet.
If you haven’t been on the tour, these options are still available in the Joseph Boston Store, or at the Gil’s Gourmet shop in Sand City. Regardless, any of the following products are sure to be a hit at your next hosted party.
Read MoreCannery Row is a staple to the Monterey area. From Steinbeck writing about the area to the aquarium attracting millions of visitors throughout the years, Cannery Row has come a long way since its original days as a tin cannery.
There’s no shortage of restaurants, quick bites, shops, and things to do here, but we recommend checking out any of the following five stops to get the most of your Cannery Row experience.
Read MoreA blue and white awning labeled “Epsilon” draws my attention, and as I enter the restaurant, I’m immediately transported into Greece. The high-beamed ceilings — which I learn have recently been part of a remodel —, Greek art, and color scheme feels like the building has been cut out of Athens and placed ever so gently in downtown Monterey.
On the other side of the door I find the owner, Christos Hix, busy preparing for the restaurant’s opening in just under an hour. Fortunately, I was able to grab a few minutes of his time to get the scoop on the creation of Epsilon Fine Greek Restaurant — a spot you can always enjoy on our Old Monterey Tour.
Read MoreSummer is here once again, which means it’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the salted air of the Monterey Bay. There’s plenty of places to eat, and being in wine country also provides a plethora of options there, but what about specialty drinks in the area?
We love wine, but we also love whiskey, and if you are, too, we’re certain you won’t be disappointed by any of these drinks!
Read MoreMonterey Bay Food Tours and Monterey Bay Meditation Studio have something wild in store for you…
Experience… all of your senses.
Reflect… on your surroundings.
Grow… your inner knowledge.
When it comes to eating, most of us don’t spend time in a period of meditation beforehand — in fact, the idea is wild to some.
Read MoreWe don’t know about you, but here at the Monterey Bay Food Tours, we’re super excited about season 2 of Big Little Lies! The show has done a lot for the community in general, and a lot of our local businesses were either featured in season 2 or supplied products for the cast!
On top of that, we’re honored to partner with a few of them!
Read MoreWaves slosh underneath the patio outside of Paluca Trattoria on a calm and cloudy morning. A statue of a fisherman stares back at me as I meander the outside seating area — an area that I’m more familiar with from a TV show than from personal experience. As my eyes glance over a picture of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley sitting on the very table I’m standing at, I’m reminded that I’m in one of the most popular attractions from HBO’s hit show, Big Little Lies.
Read MoreIt’s no secret that a show about some pretty Big Little Lies has taken the world by storm — and put Monterey Bay back on the map as a go-to vacation spot. Filming from the first season brought in an estimated $2.5 million in revenue to the Monterey County, roughly $3.7 million from the second, and tourism has also seen an increase from travelers wanting to see the town for themselves.
Season one may have been full of twists and turns, but season two looks even bigger, better, and far more scandalous:
Read MoreIce cream is something you can find in any country, unlike specific foods that can only be enjoyed in certain regions. Making ice cream is simple and something that can be done easily at home, but nowadays has been commercialized and filled with so many additives and artificial flavors that we don’t even know what proper ice cream tastes like anymore.
by Andrew J. Stillman
Looking for something to do in Monterey Bay? How about a food tour?
Trudging through the lists of Monterey Bay eateries is a job within itself, and picking the right food options can make or break a vacation or night out.
Most people stick to review sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp to make their assumptions based on customer reviews. However, a mix-and-match of customer voices can make the right choices harder to come by. Thankfully, people out there like Casey Aguilar of Monterey Bay Food Tours take it upon themselves to show you your options.
Read MoreDid you know that you can attend a farmer's market everyday of the week on the Monterey Peninsula?
Monday
Pacific Grove Certified Farmers Market• 3-7pm, 3-6pm winter • Central and Grand
Tuesday
Old Monterey Marketplace• 4-8pm summer, 4-7pm winter • Alvarado Street
Carmel Farmers Market • 9am-1pm (May-September) • Barnyard Shopping Center
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