Monterey Bay Parent Family Favorites 2024

With almost nine thousand votes cast, our readers have chosen their favorites for 2024.
Congratulations to all of the finalists and especially to this year’s deserving winners.

Fam Fave logo 24

CAMPS, LESSONS & ACTIVITIES

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM: Central Coast YMCA

ART CLASSES: Art Abilities

DANCE STUDIO:  Dance Center

GYMNASTICS: Rising Star Gymnastics

MUSIC STUDIO/LESSONS: Youth Orchestra Salinas

SPORTS LESSONS/LEAGUE: Monterey Sports Center

GENERAL SUMMER CAMP:  City of Monterey Recreation

SPECIALTY SUMMER CAMP: Ariel Theatrical

SPORTS SUMMER CAMP: Monterey Sports Center

SWIM LESSONS:  ISR Monterey Bay

THEATRE CLASSES: Ariel Theatrical

COMMUNITY

BANK/CREDIT UNION: Monterey Federal Credit Union

CHURCH/SYNAGOGUE: Shoreline Church

NONPROFIT SERVING FAMILIES:  Monterey Zoo

PARENT SUPPORT/EDUCATION: Ohana

EDUCATION

CHARTER SCHOOL: Monterey Bay Charter

DAYCARE: Pacific Grove Adult Education

PARENT/CHILD ACTIVITY: Monterey Bay Aquarium

PRESCHOOL: Church of the Good Shepherd

PRIVATE SCHOOL LOWER GRADES:  Santa Catalina

PRIVATE SCHOOL UPPER GRADES:  Palma

PUBLIC SCHOOL LOWER GRADES:  Robert Down

PUBLIC SCHOOL UPPER GRADES: Salinas High School

TUTORING: Mathnasium

FAMILY FUN

ANNUAL EVENT/FESTIVAL:  Good Old Days

ATTRACTION FOR FAMILIES:  Monterey Bay Aquarium

INDOOR FUN:  Monterey Bay Aquarium

LOW-COST OR FREE FAMILY FUN: Dennis the Menace Playground

PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS: Point Lobos

MUSEUM:  Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

PARK:  Dennis the Menace Playground

PLACE TO SWIM:  Monterey Sports Center

FOOD

BAKERY/DESSERTS:  Alta Bakery

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH:  First Awakenings

BURGER:  In ‘n Out

COFFEE HOUSE: The Bookworks

DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT: Old Fisherma’s Grotto

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING: Rosine’s

PIZZA: Gianni’s

ICE CREAM/YOGURT: Revival

HEALTH & WELLNESS

CHIROPRACTOR: Dr. Kristina Montellese, Dr. Brian Rector  (tie)

DOULA: Mum’s the Word

EYE DOCTOR: Vantage Eye

FAMILY DENTIST: Eric Brown DDS

FAMILY PHYSICIAN:  Kirk Mulgrew, MD

HOSPITAL:  CHOMP

MIDWIFE/BIRTH SUPPORT: Monterey Birth & Wellness

OBSTETRICIAN: Jennifer Zeidberg, MD

ORTHODONTIST: Cassady Ortho; Wow Smiles (tie)

PEDIATRIC DENTAL PRACTICE:  Monterey Pediatric Dentistry/Dr. Bayless

PEDIATRIC DENTIST:  Matthew Miller

PEDIATRICIAN:  James Bennett, MD

PEDIATRIC MEDICAL PRACTICE:  Stanford Medicine Children’s Health

SPEECH THERAPIST: Erin Saldivar

URGENT CARE: MoGo

PARTIES

DECORATIONS/BALLOONS & YARD SIGNS:  Poptopia

INDOOR PARTY VENUE:  MY Museum

SERVICES

ATTORNEY:  Ryan O’Connell

CAR REPAIR: Valley Center Car Care

FINANCIAL SERVICES/INSURANCE:  Jessica Connell (Farmers Insurance)

GYM/TRAINER : Monterey Sports Center

PHOTOGRAPHER:  Rachel Zee

REALTOR: Alecia Hull

MASSAGE/DAY SPA:  The Refuge

VETERINARIAN: Monterey Vet Hospital

YOGA STUDIO/CLASSES: Moja Yoga