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.
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