We’re sad to say goodbye to Allison and Kyle Chance and their beautiful family. Allison and Kyle have made themselves an important part of the Monterey community in their time here and will be missed.
Best of luck, Allison and Kyle!
Spring is upon us, and the saying, “April Showers turn to May Flowers” is undoubtedly true here on the Peninsula. We had our fair share of rain earlier in the year, so I know we are all rejoicing over the beautiful weather so we can get our kids back outside!
It has been such a pleasure to write the Military Mom column during our time in Monterey, but like anything, all good things must come to an end. The military is moving my family to Florida this summer as my husband completes his Master’s Program at the Naval Postgraduate School. I have loved meeting so many wonderful moms and families through the magazine, and a big thank you to Andrea Breznay for creating this publication and allowing me to share with all of you.
As we graduate, many new military families will be arriving and starting their tour in Monterey. If you are a new military family reading this, I encourage you to get connected with other moms by joining the Monterey Bay Parent Magazine Facebook Group. The magazine provides a calendar of local activities and events that are so wonderful when you are learning the new ropes of a new area.
For my last Military Mom article, I am going to highlight some of my Monterey favorites!
- My Museum. We have loved our membership, and at $100 for the year, it is a fantastic deal. We love going after I pick my daughter up from school from 4-closing. If you want to check it out at a reduced rate, the 1st Tuesday of the month is only $2 per person.
- Lover’s Point. We’ve lived in Hawaii and Florida, so we are used to warm weather, sun and the beach. Lover’s Point is a fantastic place to hang out on a sunny and warm day. The best part? It’s free! Bring your sand toys and a picnic and enjoy the beauty of our area!
- Doe Park Super Park. Located in Fort Ord-Doe Park military community, this park is my daughter’s favorite and usually less crowded than other area parks!
- Folktale Winery. If you need some sun in your life, Folktale is the place to go. Located in Carmel Valley, it is the perfect place to spend the day with your entire family (pets included). Don’t forget to ask for the military discount. I would also highly recommend joining their wine club if you plan to visit often. It will pay for itself very quickly!
- The Farm in Salinas. We loved visiting the Farm for their events, story time and their yummy produce and food. From hayrides to the petting zone to cutting our fresh flowers, The Farm has so much to offer!
- Monterey Bay Recreational Trail. Walking or running the Rec Trail never gets old. You never know what you will see in terms of wildlife, and there are plenty of excellent stops for a quick bite or beverage. If you are feeling adventurous, I highly suggest renting a surrey bike. We like to rent these when we have visitors in from out of town, and the kids love it! Adventures by the Sea rents these bikes and they offer a military discount.
- Big Sur River Inn. If you are up for a journey down the beautiful coast, I highly suggest stopping at the Big Sur River Inn to play in the river. Some of my fondest memories include putting on rain boots and stomping around in the river with my daughter. They have a restaurant and snack shop on site and plenty of Adirondack chairs to rest and relax in.
Whether you are here in Monterey for six months or 5 years, I hope you enjoy the beautiful Central Coast as much as my family did. I highly recommend making a bucket list so you can be sure to visit all of the beautiful places in the area.
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