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North of Carmel, some of the most charming cities—Monterey, Pacific Grove and Marina— are waiting to show you their best dining spots. Everything from iconic local institutions to new successful ventures, we have something for every palate. The food is as creative and tasty as what you’ll find in the heart of Carmel and Pebble Beach, and often, won’t cost you as much. If you’ve always dreamed of watching a whale spout or a raft of sea lions frolic while you enjoy oysters on the half shell or a world-famous clam chowder, our seaside cities make it possible.
Starting North in the city of Marina, Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette will satisfy your seafood cravings. It’s not just the culinary creations and ocean-side location, but the contemporary and relaxed atmosphere that completes the visit. A clean tile bar is anchored by wood-paneled floors, ceilings and an abundance of sunlight. Salt Wood wants its visitors to have an experience, not just a meal, and a central live-fire kitchen acts as the “heart and hearth of the restaurant.”
While short ribs and duck make an appearance, this menu is big on oysters, lobster and local fried fish— and don’t forget their delicious bread baked by Otto.
If you’re there from 3:30 to 5:30 in the evening to grab a bite off their “sunset sessions” menu, you’ll be able to catch copious amounts of orange-pink light shining in through the windows. And for your furry family members, bring your pups out for some al fresco “Patio” dining and order them a “ruff seas” salmon filet.
A short drive back south will land you in the epicenter of delicious oceanfront choices. Take The Lantern Room in Monterey. You’ll find a casual, yet elevated ambiance accompanied by top-tier dishes that pay homage to local catch and lands.
The menus, which are “intentionally crafted in ways that nod to the vibrant tapestry of local farms and the bountiful sea,” include virginica oysters, mussels and brown butter gnocchi from the appetizer menu. Aside from the seafood options, there’s a variety of ways to enjoy the heartier options— from a classic flank steak to their 28-day dry aged strip steakor even steak tartare!
They are also creative with both their drinks and dessert menus, where other local fare like Revival ice cream and Captain + Stoker coffee come into play.
You can’t miss with the old-school perfection of Old Fishermen’s Grotto on the wharf in Monterey. For more than 75 years, the always packed dining room has stunned people with freshness, flavor and commitment to keeping the classics relevant.
Their “world famous” clam chowder lives up to its name—able to bring in visitors traveling from all over. In fact, The Grotto is said to have invented Monterey-style clam chowder — and it’s a claim not disputed.
The restaurant has won numerous awards, including first place in a West Coast competition. On the menu, you’ll see Dungeness crab and cioppino, salads and steaks, and even a secret menu for those who live locally. (If traveling with small children, please be sure to check their dining room policy.)
Take in an elevated view of sea life frolicking or the sun setting from the magnificent location of Schooners Monterey at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. Here, a mix of sustainable seafood choices meets all-American cuisine. Order one of their three choices of seafood towers and watch jaws drop as oysters, shrimp, crab and locally sourced ceviche are presented to the table.
Raw and cooked seafood choices are just the beginning.There are also Wagyu burgers on a pretzel bun and a full steakhouse portion of the menu. Complement your meal with a beverage from their short-but-sweet cocktail menu, like the “Big Little Lies” Schooner cocktail.
One of the most scenic spots on the Monterey Peninsula continues to thrill after decades on the block. The Beach House Restaurant + Bar on Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove is worth the location alone. But the lively menu adds to the excitement with unique takes on classics like scallops’ pot pie, sand dabs almondine and crab arancini.
Five specialty pasta preparations are also featured and loved by regulars while the “Sunset Local’s Menu” offers choices from the main menu, but at lower prices. Just yet another reason for you to make the move to the Monterey area if you don’t already live here!
Be sure to join the Marina Station interest list for news and updates. And don’t forget to follow on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the know.
Above ParWhile the Monterey Peninsula is known worldwide for its stunning and challenging golf courses that host international tournaments, the region also offers many other facilities throughout the entire region. Varying in terrain, weather patterns and difficulty and scope, there is something for the most skilled golfer as well as the brand-new player.
If you want to test your skills and play against the backdrop of the Pacific on the most famous courses in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links, as well as several other high-profile Pebble Beach courses, is open to the public. However, the best way to guarantee a tee time is by booking a stay at one of the resorts.
If something more low-key is your style, we’ve assembled a few of our favorite local public courses with options for almost everyone.
Bayonet Golf Course was created in 1954 by Gen. Robert B. McClure at the Fort Ord military base in Seaside. It was so popular that 10 years later, the military added Black Horse Golf Course in honor of the 11th Calvary Regiment at the Presidio of Monterey. With views of the Monterey Bay, the two 18-hole courses have been played by golf legends like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson as well as by various United States Presidents and foreign dignitaries.
Highly ranked by Golf Advisor and the public, Bayonet, a par 72, 7,104-yard course, is known to be one if not the most challenging courses on the Monterey Peninsula, with narrow, manicured fairways lined by oak and cypress trees. Black Horse, at 7,024 yards with a par 72, serves as a perfect complement to Bayonet at 7,024 yards with a par 72.
Besides tournaments, special events and regular rounds, teenagers and adults can learn to play at the Justin Russo Golf Academy, while the Bayonet Bar & Grill serves breakfast and lunch. Golfweek consistently ranks Bayonet as one of the top courses in California and the U.S.
Monterey Pines Golf Club, or the “Navy Course” as it’s known by locals, borders the Monterey County Fairgrounds and the Monterey Airport. Originally designed in 1963 as a 9-hole facility , by 2009 the par 69, 18-hole course was redesigned by golf architect Marc Messier. Today, the course offers bent grass greens for the perfect ball roll and two lakes for water hazards
Managed by The Navy Golf Program, the public/military facility is the perfect course to learn the game or practice your swing. After a round, the Monterey Pines Grill & Bar offers breakfast, lunch and early dinner. Discounts are offered to active and retired military and Department of Defense staff.
Created by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr., this Monterey course has a championship slope rating of 129 and promises that “you will have to play every club in your bag in order to conquer this challenging course!” The18 championship holes feature elevated tees and bunkers around almost every green of the par 71, 6,226-yard course. The hilly landscape at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch requires thoughtfulness to make your shots against uphill, dogleg holes and water hazards.
Breakfast, lunch, snacks and draft beer on tap are available at the typically sunny location set amongst the oak trees. They also offer women’s and men’s clubs to provide camaraderie on the course.
Owned by the Northern California Golf Association, this Pebble Beach course promises it’s the place to “not only test yourself but enjoy yourself!” Golf Digest named it one of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play, but it promises fun for all skill levels.
Located on 17 Mile Drive, the course was designed in 1986 by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and offers a par 71, 7,002-yard course that winds through the Del Monte Forest. For its renovation in 2014 to reduce water consumption and extend layout, the course won “Best Renovation” awards by top golf publications. Poppy Hills also hosted the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Tournament from 1991-2009.
Porter’s Grill & Pub located on the premises has also received warm reviews even from those who couldn’t tell a 9-iron from a putter. They feature contemporary American cuisine adjacent to the course.
Designed by the one-and-only Pete Dye, Carmel Valley Ranch’s Golf Course has been ranked with the top resort golf courses in the country by Travel + Leisure.
Located in the typically sunny microclimate of beautiful Carmel Valley, the holes weave through the resort’s vineyards and lavender fields. The par 70, 6,234-yard course has a slope of 132. It also features a driving range, short-game area and a putting green to practice.
The Clubhouse has firepits with views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and offers great food and drinks alongside regular events. A strong children’s program integrates youth into the course, while those vacationing at Carmel Valley Ranch can spend the weekend playing 18 holes, swimming, enjoying tennis, pickleball, archery, axe throwing and relaxing in the organic garden.
The oldest continuously operating course west of the Mississippi, the Del Monte was designed in 1897 by Charles E. Maud as a nine-hole course. Now, the course is credited with establishing golf in the west with the creation of the California State Amateur. With its “small, sloping old-school greens,” the course attracted the top players of the sport. To win at the Del Monte championship was to be known as the best golf player in California.
Today, the best golfers are still challenged by the par 72, 6,365-yard course with a slope of 127. Pine, oak and cypress trees dot the fairways, challenging golfers planning their shots amongst the tricky bunkers. The Monterey City Amateur has been hosted at the course since 1953 along with the Monterey Open Championship which began in 1926.
Owned by Pebble Beach Company and located in Monterey adjacent to The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, the course offers delicious refreshments at Del Monte Bar & Grill.
Be sure to join the Marina Station interest list for news and updates. And don’t forget to follow on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the know.