Category Archives: ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula

ABC’S of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “D” is for DOGS!

July 8, 2021 Susan Clark

ABC’S of the Monterey Peninsula

“D” is for Dogs

I’m sure every dog who lives on the Monterey Peninsula with their “person” feels like they have died and gone to heaven! The Dogs on our beautiful Peninsula come in all sizes, shapes, colors, and temperaments. Whether it’s . . .

Cute and cuddly

or large and sleek,

dogs rule the roost on the Monterey Peninsula. Carmel, for instance, has been voted the most “dog friendly” town. Everywhere you go whether it is to the beach, a bank, a restaurant with a patio

or even a real estate office

you will see dogs – sometimes they even sit for a spell!

Shunned in some areas dogs are given more attention here than people. If you want to meet new friends, just get yourself an adorable dog and walk down the street. You will make friends wherever you go, because people will stop you on the street and ooh and ah over your pooch. In fact they will ask you all about your dog and want to know every detail of his life and his eating habits.

At our Carmel Realty Company real estate office on Ocean Avenue in Carmel I watch not only streams of people going by, but streams of dogs. And sometimes they’ll even pose for a photo!

We love all kinds of dogs here, Golden retrievers, poodles

pugs,

cocker spaniels, and of course the lovable mutts that are “mixed breeds”. Sometimes they are the most lovable of all.

Sometimes we even build them fancy homes.

Green/Smart home designed by Jeselnick architect & construction by Hare Construction

Fairytale Castle by Jeff Crockett Bldg & Design and J. Stepanek Construction

“The Tudor” designed by Helen Okada and built by Jim Yates Construction

If you’d like visit the Monterey Peninsula and stay overnight accompanied by your doggie, have no fear, there are plenty of hotels to choose from like these Lodgings in Carmel .

The Cypress Inn located in Carmel was a pioneer in pet-friendly lodgings. The hotel until recently was co-owned by our beloved Doris Day who passed away in 2019. A true dog advocate.

I could go on and on about the benefits of being a dog here. Wherever your dog will wander there will be an array of water bowls, dog treats, and amenities to make sure he/she is comfortable and pampered. If he is stressed he can visit a dog psychologist or have a nice massage. Or perhaps a surf lesson to let it all hang out!

Carmel Beach is the place to romp in the surf with no leash laws. Let’s play!

Yes, this is truly Doggie Heaven!

ABC's of the Monterey Peninsula, Community Events, Luxury Homes

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “C” is for “Car Week” Carmel~Pebble Beach~Pacific Grove~Monterey

August 18, 2017 Susan Clark

ABC’S of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “C” is for “Car Week”

Carmel ~ Pebble Beach ~Pacific Grove ~ Monterey

Note Regarding 2021: Every August one of the biggest events of the Monterey Peninsula rolls along. This year, 2021, it will be taking place August 9th – August 15th. Last year in 2020 it was not held because of Covid so I know we will have a lot of fans on the Monterey Peninsula this year! Not all events will be taking place this year, but we will get to enjoy the popular Concours on the Avenue August 10th in downtown Carmel, a free event, and Concours de Elegance on August 15th. There are many more car shows and auctions during this week so check the SCHEDULE and have some fun!

Every year car enthusiasts converge on the Monterey Peninsula (which includes the towns of Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, and Monterey) from all corners of our nation and beyond to attend a week of events, road rallies, parades, parties, fashion shows, racing, and car auctions.

The week culminates on Sunday with the prestigious Concours d’ Elegance in Pebble Beach. But first on Thursday there is a Tour D’Elegance and Display on Ocean Avenue in Carmel- a free event.

(Unfortunately this event will not be taking place in 2021)

A number of the cars showing on Sunday do a Road Tour of the Monterey Peninsula and stop in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea for lunch in the park and have their vehicles on display on Ocean Avenue. How cool is that?

“Car people” look forward to this week with its events and parties all year. For the locals it is just great fun to partake of some of the events and enjoy the “Car Eye Candy” on the streets of Carmel and Pebble Beach!

Antique cars polished to perfection, Ferrari’s, Corvettes, Porsches,

Bentleys – you name it and its here!

The owners furiously polish their cars because soon the judges will appear and their car will be judged for prizes – and who doesn’t like to win!

Every year new events are added and the menu becomes more and more diverse, plentiful and delightful! For instance this year there was a new event called the “Prancing Ponies” which happened on Wednesday. It was a group of Women Ferrari owners showing their cars and raising money for charity. Now that’s a club I’d like to join!

There is something now for everyone’s tastes and pocketbook. Many of the events, also, raise thousands for Charity ~ so that’s a good thing.

Other than the Thursday Tour D’Elegance, another favorite event of mine is on the Tuesday of “Car Week” and is called “Concours on the Avenue” (Tuesday August 10th this year from 10:00am-5:00pm) which takes place on Carmel-by-the-Sea’s world famous Ocean Avenue and is FREE!

This is the newest large event founded by Doug and Genie Freedman. Sixteen blocks of downtown is filled with collector cars including Luxury Cars, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, and Sporting Cars.

The spit and polish needed to prepare these automobiles for showing and judging is incredible!

Tiffany will be on hand with beautiful trophies for the winners and, of course, those famous “blue boxes”! This impressive presentation is free to spectators and benefits the Carmel Foundation that provides a wide variety of services to local seniors.

Tiffany trophies waiting for the lucky winners.

To add to the fun the merchants up and down Ocean Avenue have decorated their show windows with displays that depict the car industry. Be sure to check out our Alain Pinel Realtors window display at the NW corner of Ocean and Dolores.

It’s impossible to mention every event there are over 50. There are the auctions, the car displays, auto road rallies, racing out at Laguna Seca, reunions of car clubs, Concours Italiano, and even Concours D’Lemons. No matter what there is enjoyment and fun for all – so take your choice this week and the years to come.

And if you fall in love with the Monterey Peninsula while you’re here and would like to find your Dream Home, give me a call!

Susan Clark, Carmel Realty Company

sclark@carmelrealtycompany.com

831-320-6801

ABC's of the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel Lifestyle, Pebble Beach Lifestyle

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “B” is for Beach!

August 28, 2016 Susan Clark

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “B” is for Beach

Carmel ~ Pebble Beach ~Pacific Grove ~ Monterey

Susan on Carmel Beach — Susan walking down Carmel Beach

A beach has always been a draw for most everyone and I’m no different. I’ve always loved the beach – the sound of the waves, the squawk of the sea gulls, the salt air, the feel of sand between my toes

. . . and yes, in my youth even enjoyed slathering on suntan lotion and baking in the sun – not recommended. Of course, our beaches in northern California are quite different that the ones I spent time at in my earlier years – Cape Cod, the Gulf Coast of Florida, and Hawaii.

Even though it is not “hot” here in the summer time residents and visitors alike throng to Monterey Peninsula beaches. The white sands of Carmel Beach with a backdrop of the Pebble Beach Golf Links attract hundreds of people any time of year.

Carmel Beach - kite flying is a fun activity at the beach! — Carmel Beach – kite flying is a fun activity at the beach!

When prospective buyers are thinking of purchasing a home here, a question I hear over and over again is, “How far is it from the beach?”

Roof top view of Carmel Beach ~ from this house it was just a block away!

For dog lovers it is heaven since this beach is famous for allowing dog owners to allow their pets freedom from the leash. It’s a great place for picnics or a beach party and beach fires at this time are still allowed in certain areas and certain days – though many people would like to change that.

River State Bch — Carmel River State Beach, Carmel CA

The other beach in Carmel is Carmel River State Beach and is also a beautiful long “walking” beach where you can enjoy fabulous views.

Pacific Grove, also, has a wonderful beach on Lover’s Point that many flock to on a sunny day.

Lover's Point Beach in Pacific Grove — Lover’s Point Beach in Pacific Grove

When we have our warm spells, it tends to look like Coney Island with people sitting on their beach blankets packed together like sardines. The Recreation Trail between Lover’s Point and the Hopkins Marine Station is a favorite walk or bike ride for those who want to enjoy the rocky, rugged coastline – like me! I walk it almost every day.

Every spring the harbor seals have their baby pups who hang out at either the Stanford University Hopkins Marine Station beach or the 5th Street beach where the babies can be safe in the protected cove.

Of course, the Pacific Grove coast in spring is special not only for the Harbor seal pups being born, but for the “Pink Carpet” that bursts into bloom in April and May!

"Pink Carpet' blooming in spring along the Pacific Grove coast. — “Pink Carpet’ blooming in spring along the Pacific Grove coast.

Pebble Beach has many wonderful beaches like Asilomar Beach (a lovely place to watch a sunset) on the boundary line of Pacific Grove

and Spanish Bay Beach complete with picnic tables.

Pebble Beach, also, has a phenomenal coastline.

Monterey boasts Del Monte Beach, the long walking beach that goes for miles. Whether you are walking, enjoying a sunset . . .

or hang gliding, this beach is a gem and not known by all visitors. I didn’t discover it until I moved here even though I had visited the Monterey Peninsula most of my life.

Hang glider about to take off from Del Monte Beach

Ok, ready to go to the beach? Pick one and have fun! Surf’s up!

Visit me on my Business Facebook page.

Do you dream of living on the Monterey Peninsula? Share your dream on ProjectShareYourDream.

Enjoy the beach!!

ABC's of the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel Lifestyle, Golf on the Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach Lifestyle

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “A” is for AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament

August 5, 2016 Susan Clark

Welcome to the ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula, a 26-part series all about the Monterey Peninsula from A -Z. Posts will be published every Friday and Tuesday evening until we get to “Z”!

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula “A” is for the AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament ~ February 6-12 2017

AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament ~ Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach against a back drop of Carmel Beach

This photo epitomizes the AT&T Pro Am experience. Picturesque holes, golfers photographed with the back drop of the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful white sands of Carmel Beach. When my husband and I lived in San Francisco we came down to the AT&T numerous times. The weather was often cold and foggy or rainy, but we didn’t care. I don’t know if it’s global warming or not, but the last five years the weather has been much better in the beginning of February and we often now enjoy sunny skies and fairly warm temperatures.

Pebble Beach Golf Links Photo taken by Bob Borden

Now that we’ve lived on the Monterey Peninsula for 17 years we still love to watch the golf tournament, but now sometimes it’s from the couch.

golf shot — Pebble Beach Golf Links taken by Bob Borden

The AT&T Pro Am Golf tournament that started as the “Crosby Clambake” 79 years ago to raise money for charity never fails to bring thousands of visitors to the Monterey Peninsula hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities on the course where the greens meet the sea.

Over the years playing to the camera have been celebs like Ray Romano, Kevin Costner, Chris O’Donnell, Andy Garcia, Bill Murray, Huey Lewis,Kenny G, Don Johnson, and Clint Eastwood. Added to the mix are sports figures from many sports including football and baseball stars.

Pebble Beach Golf Links ~ photo by Bob Borden

Millions of dollars are raised every year at the tournament which are distributed by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation to numerous charitable organizations. In 2015 a total of 9.1 million dollars was awarded to local non-profits in the tri-county area in that year alone.

The tournament is played on three courses; Spyglass Hill Golf Course, Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shores Course, and Pebble Beach Golf Links. On Saturday, most of the celebrities play on the world renown Pebble Beach Golf Links where they are photographed and interviewed as golf enthusiasts watch from the course or from home.

When the weather is sunny and gorgeous, you couldn’t ask for a better advertisement to promote the beautiful Pebble Beach area as seen from the Goodyear Blimp.

So SAVE THESE DATES in your calendar February 6-12, 2017 and plan to come see the AT&T Pro Am in person this time. We’ll pray for our good weather to continue so you will take home delightful memories of blue skies, sunlit courses, and crashing waves, after bearing witness to some great golf.

If you want more . . . read my two 2013 posts in the Archives relating some of my experiences from the 2013 AT&T – particularly the one about Ray Romano – between a rock and a hard place. Enjoy!

Susan Clark, Realtor

Category Archives: ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula

ABC’S of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “D” is for DOGS!

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “C” is for “Car Week” Carmel~Pebble Beach~Pacific Grove~Monterey

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “B” is for Beach!

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “A” is for AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament

Susan's Musings by the Sea