Headline Story Archives - Monterey Bay Parent

Monterey County Museums

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | February 13, 2017

We have a wealth of artistic beauty and historical information to share with our children here in Monterey County. The next time your family is looking for a cultural fix, pick one of these museums for an afternoon of fun.

Colton Hall • Pacific Street between Madison and Jefferson Streets, Monterey, CA 93940 • 831-646-5648

Built to serve as a public school and town meeting hall, Colton Hall now offers visitors a re-creation of the meeting room where California’s first Constitution was drafted in October 1849. Colton Hall is small but interesting and a must for history buffs as well as children in grade school as they begin to learn the history of the state.

Dali 17 Museum • 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey State Historic Park, Monterey, CA • 831-372-2608 • www.dali17.com

The Museum of Monterey underwent a complete change as the artwork originally housed in the museum was replaced with over 300 original works of Salvador Dali. The majority of the original collection went to San Francisco’s Maritime Museum.

Monterey was the only place in the US where Dali lived and painted. He spent summers in Carmel and had close ties to Monterey County as a result. Dali17 is a permanent exhibition of original etchings, mixed media, lithographs, and rare sculptures by one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated artists.

Monterey County Youth Museum • 425 Washington Street, Monterey, CA 93940 • 831-649-6444 • www.mymuseum.org/us/

The museum was developed in 1997 to provide an environment where both children and adults learn together through experience. The facility is surrounded by the Monterey Sports Center and Dennis the Menace Park. MY Museum is an 8,500 square foot museum with a variety of hands-on exhibits. A variety of special classes and activities are included with admission including Make-n-Take, Baby Jam, My Music Series, and more. $2 Tuesday offers reduced admission days on the first Tuesday of every month to all Monterey County residents.

Monterey Museum of Art • 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA 93940 • 831-372-5477 • http://www.montereyart.org

The Monterey Museum of Art is a small museum with a helpful staff and a good collection of California artists. Keep an eye out for Family Days when the Museum offers free admission and activities that support current exhibits. Two-hour free street parking is available on Pacific Street.

Monterey Museum of Art–La Mirada • 720 Via Mirada, Monterey, CA 93940 • 831-372-3689 • http://www.montereyart.org

This historic estate features contemporary galleries and a beautiful rose garden. Located in one of Monterey’s oldest neighborhoods, MMA La Mirada is open only for special Museum events and programs.

National Steinbeck Center • One Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901 • 831-775-4721 • www.steinbeck.org

Dedicated to the work of Salinas native, John Steinbeck, the National Steinbeck Center has film clips, readings from books, plays, information and artifacts from his personal life and much more. Excellent docents are a wealth of information, and the museum store is a great place for gifts for the Steinbeck fan in your life. Information on special events at the museum as well as educational resources for parents and educators is available on the Center website.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History • 165 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 39350 • 831-648-5716 •

The museum opened in 1883 making it one of the oldest natural history museums in the country. The museum showcases the birds and wildlife, plants, and geology of the California Central Coast. The website has a wealth of information about local nature activities for each season of the year including a large amount of information on monarch butterflies. The last Saturday of the month is Science Saturday with free admission and special activities for children.

Pacific House Museum • 10 Custom House Plaza, Monterey State Historic Park, Monterey, CA • 831-649-7118 • https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=961

The Pacific House was built in 1847 during the US occupation of California. The adobe has been used as storage for the US Army, a hotel, a courthouse, a tavern, and as offices. The museum tells the story of Monterey when it was the capital of Spanish and Mexican California. The Monterey Museum of the American Indian features beautiful baskets, pottery, and other Native American artifacts.

Presidio Museum of Monterey • Corporal Ewing Road, Building 113, Monterey, CA 93944 • 831-646-3456 • http://monterey.org/museums/City-Museums/Presidio-of-Monterey-Museum

The Presidio of Monterey Museum offers exhibits of Monterey’s various stages of military development. The majority of the museum is dedicated to the history of the Presidio as a training base.

A Wine Weekend in Healdsburg, Sonoma County

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | February 10, 2017

Healdsburg in Sonoma County offers everything you need for an awesome adult getaway. If you can sneak away early on a Friday afternoon, you may be able to avoid the worst of the 101 traffic.

There are several excellent boutique hotels in Healdsburg but if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll also find a Best Western and Travelodge that are reasonably priced. Once you arrive in Healdsburg Friday evening, check in, drop your bag, and head out for wine and dinner. If you stick to the Healdsburg Plaza, you won’t need your car.

There are a variety of tasting rooms situated around the Plaza. You can find suggestions at http://business.healdsburg.com/list/ql/wineries-tasting-rooms-26. You can enjoy a leisurely walk around the Plaza and a glass of wine or two before dinner. The Plaza is home to a variety of shops that make souvenir shopping really enjoyable.

For dinner, you’ll find delicious options that range from casual and inexpensive to well-known restaurants that boast Michelin stars. Again, research your options ahead of time and make reservations for anything beyond the very casual. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, walk around until you find a spot that seems like a good choice. You really can’t go wrong.

Saturday is all about vineyards and scenery. Depending on the time of year, you can usually find rolling hills filled with seasonal color. Even if you will be doing a wine tour later, consider taking a drive on your own in the morning. Just follow Alexander Valley Road and you’ll find plenty of beautiful scenery at every turn that is Instagram-worthy.

Make a stop at Dry Creek General Store a priority during your drive. The breakfast burrito is delicious and their sandwiches are legendary. Grab a cold drink or cup of coffee and eat on the porch or at the communal table inside. Dry Creek General Store also has unique gift and household items. The last time I was in, I found an old silverplate tray for $20 that now sits on my dresser. Don’t leave without checking out the bar adjacent to the store, even if it’s closed, it’s a great setting for photos. http://www.drycreekgeneralstore1881.com

In the afternoon, pick out a few wineries for tastings. If you’re interested in a tour and want a splurge, consider Healdsburg Wine Tours. You’ll have your own knowledgeable driver and guide and the tours are tailored to each client. http://www.healdsburgwinetours.com/healdsburg-wine-tours-rates/

Or, you can do a walking tour with Wine Country Walking Tours. The 4-hour tour includes stops at 3 tasting rooms plus 3-4 other stops including a tea room and bakery. The tour is $89 per person and begins at 11:00 a.m. https://winecountrywalkingtours.com/tours/healdsburg-wine-and-gourmet-lovers-tour/

On Sunday, sleep in and then head to The Parish Cafe for brunch. Breakfast is served all day and you can enjoy beignets and coffee while you wait for your meal. http://www.theparishcafe.com

Whatever your agenda, a weekend in Healdsburg is an adult-only getaway that you’ll love anytime during the year.

Fun Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | February 10, 2017

Are you looking for some simple but fun crafts for your little ones for St. Patrick’s Day? We have five fun ideas for you to try. The supplies are inexpensive and easy to find and your children will have a blast decorating your home for St. Patrick’s Day with their efforts.

1. Crepe Paper Shamrock. Green crepe paper and a few common craft staples are all you need for this shamrock. It’s easy for even toddlers to assemble if you do the cutting ahead of time. Plus, it’s good fine motor skill practice.

Click here for complete instructions for this craft.

2. Stained Glass Clover Craft. These pretty clovers are perfect for children who can follow basic instructions and use scissors well. Otherwise, an adult will probably have to help with some of the cutting.

Click here for complete instructions for this craft.

3. Edible St. Patrick’s Day Slime. It’s gooey, it’s bright green, and if the kids eat a little? No problem! It’s edible slime. You only need 3 simple ingredients. The result is a fun, sensory activity that will keep preschools occupied for hours.

Click here for complete instructions for this craft.

4. St. Patrick’s Day Doily Craft. Other than the doilies, the supplies for this pretty craft are all things you’ll have on hand. Your child will enjoy some freestyle painting with green paint on the doilies and once dry, the child just needs to assemble.

Click here for complete instructions for this craft.

5. Pepper Stamped Shamrocks. If all you’re looking for is a really simple craft, try these pepper stamped shamrocks. All the kids need to do is dab green paint on the cut peppers and stamp away. Add a little stem and you’re done. This one is good for even the littlest crafter!

Click here for complete instructions for this craft.

Getting Dirty in Monterey

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | February 10, 2017

One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Monterey was just how dirty the kids were here. In the very best sense possible, of course. These kids were allowed to explore the outside world without fear of getting filthy in the process. In the city where we used to live, the children came to library story time dressed perfectly in designer-wear and were expected to sit quietly and listen. Our first Pacific Grove Library story time was filled with sandy-haired kids with bare feet and plenty of good-natured chaos. We have never felt more at home. We moved to Monterey, after all, so our kids could get outdoors and explore–so they could get dirty!

The numerous well-appointed playgrounds in Monterey are fine enough, but my kids’ most productive mud-making, stick-fort-building, tree-climbing time is done away from designated play areas.

Here are my family’s favorite places to get knee-deep in nature. Pack some extra clothes, a towel, and a bag (to collect all the treasures your kids find), and head out.

The Farm Stand, Carmel Valley 7250 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel

There are so many things I love about this place. It opens early, at eight a.m. most days, which is awesome if you have early risers. Even better is the organic coffee and banana bread. I get the best pictures of my children playing here – between the lighting (it’s always sunny in Carmel) and the vivid, gorgeous landscape – every shot is Instagram worthy. Best of all, kids are free to roam the working gardens, climb in the huge Redwood tree (as well as on two giant Adirondack chairs), touch, smell, and clip (for a dollar a bunch) the delicious herbs and flowers, and eat blackberries and raspberries straight from the vine. They may even chase a chicken (escaped from the farm next door) or feed grass to the ground hogs. For a final mess-making treat, the soft serve ice-cream is amazing and perfect to combat the Valley’s heat.

Carmel River State Beach Carmelo St, Carmel-By-The-Sea

We’ve come to this beach just to go for a walk and marvel at the coming together of a great river and a mighty ocean, and too many times to count I’ve driven home with two sopping-wet children covered in sand. The shallow, warm water of the lagoon has an allure and kids can’t keep away. It’s the perfect place to build sandcastles without worrying too much about the tide, collect driftwood for forts, or treasure seek for shells, interesting stones, and bird feathers. While I let them get wet in the lagoon, we keep our distance from the ocean, it’s particularly dangerous at this spot.

Garland Ranch Regional Park 700 W Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel

Be warned, you might meet some horses on the trails here and there will be plenty of horse-droppings to sidestep. The trails are somewhat strenuous, but your kids will be rewarded when they manage to find the magical fairy pond. I like to let my little ones navigate here, as there are many, many trails to choose from, but not too much chance of getting lost. If it’s a hot day, then you can get in some river play under the bridge at the entrance of the park. The river is low, but fast there, and kids will love standing ankle-deep feeling the running water tickle their toes.

These are just a few of the many outdoor spaces to explore in Monterey. Mostly, my kids love to play in their own backyard. With an old table and some pots and pans from the thrift store, we’ve created a mud kitchen. Some broken bricks decorated with grass, sticks, and wild flowers have become home to fairies (and salamanders, rolly pollies, and spiders galore).

It doesn’t take much to get a kid interested in dirt, and in Monterey, we’ve got plenty of that.

Jenny Delja is freelance writer of fiction and nonfiction, as well as the dedicated mother of two girls, an avid cook, a tree hugger and outdoor enthusiast, a homemaker, and a compulsive crafter.