Jones Family Guide Book
Food scene
Cella Restaurant & Bar
525 Polk StreetHands down best restaurant in Monterey County right now. Reserve ahead!
Café Rustica
10 Del Fino PlConsidered the best restaurant in Carmel Valley.
Beautiful patio. It's counter service and they always seem under staffed, but good food.
54 locals recommend
Corkscrew Cafe
55 W Carmel Valley RdBeautiful patio. It's counter service and they always seem under staffed, but good food.
Wild Goose Cafe
18 E Carmel Valley RdBest spot for breakfast and coffee. Excellent pastries.
An incredible brunch spot in downtown Carmel. Tasty, beautiful, but busy, so reserve ahead.
19 locals recommend
Stationæry
San Carlos StreetAn incredible brunch spot in downtown Carmel. Tasty, beautiful, but busy, so reserve ahead.
2nd to only Cella Bar a block away, Stokes was recently remodeled and has a great menu now and beautiful outdoor seating.
Stokes Adobe Restaurant
500 Hartnell Street2nd to only Cella Bar a block away, Stokes was recently remodeled and has a great menu now and beautiful outdoor seating.
Classic cowboy dive bar with a friendly staff and a revolving cast of characters at the bar. Weekends can bring an odd mix of bikers, wedding guests and cowboys. Most of the food is average, but the burgers are really good.
30 locals recommend
Running Iron
24 E Carmel Valley RdClassic cowboy dive bar with a friendly staff and a revolving cast of characters at the bar. Weekends can bring an odd mix of bikers, wedding guests and cowboys. Most of the food is average, but the burgers are really good.
Sightseeing
Monterey County Youth Museum
425 Washington StA fun place for kids blocks from downtown Monterey.
A HUGE playground in Monterey. Kids of all ages love it and get to blow off steam. There's a skate park nearby too.
50 locals recommend
Dennis The Menace Playground
777 Pearl StA HUGE playground in Monterey. Kids of all ages love it and get to blow off steam. There's a skate park nearby too.
A wonderful aquarium and the crown jewel of attractions in Monterey. It's been busy there, so try to go early or during the week.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowA wonderful aquarium and the crown jewel of attractions in Monterey. It's been busy there, so try to go early or during the week.
A beautiful park and playground. Plus it's directly connected to the community pool and the elementary school, which when not in session is open to public with 5 playgrounds, soccer goals, basketball hoops, etc.
6 locals recommend
Carmel Valley Community Park
25 Ford RdA beautiful park and playground. Plus it's directly connected to the community pool and the elementary school, which when not in session is open to public with 5 playgrounds, soccer goals, basketball hoops, etc.
An under appreciated museum with some fun models, taxidermy, etc. It's not big, but worth the $9-$6 for entry, 3 yr-olds and under are free. Downtown PG and Lover Point are nearby.
28 locals recommend
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest AveAn under appreciated museum with some fun models, taxidermy, etc. It's not big, but worth the $9-$6 for entry, 3 yr-olds and under are free. Downtown PG and Lover Point are nearby.
Stunning place for easy hikes in nature. Possibly the best views, flora and fauna in Monterey.
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1Stunning place for easy hikes in nature. Possibly the best views, flora and fauna in Monterey.
Bike, kayak with the whole family in Monterey. They have several locations with different rentals at each, so call ahead.
24 locals recommend
Adventures by The Sea
299 Cannery RowBike, kayak with the whole family in Monterey. They have several locations with different rentals at each, so call ahead.
The best location for hiking in Carmel Valley. You can hike along the river, through redwoods and even to the fire lookout which on a clear day has a view of the entire bay.
133 locals recommend
Garland Ranch Regional Park
700 W Carmel Valley RdThe best location for hiking in Carmel Valley. You can hike along the river, through redwoods and even to the fire lookout which on a clear day has a view of the entire bay.