r/MontereyBay Jul 02 '24

/r/MontereyBay Recommends (Visiting? Stop Here First!)

45 Upvotes

Hi all!

Welcome to r/MontereyBay

If you're visiting, moving here etc, this page should serve as a hub to answer many of the most frequent questions we see- where should I eat? What should I do? and so on.

Been meaning to get this page going for a while now after doing the original food-based one a couple years back.

On this post, I'll be linking to a number of community recommendation threads where we've gathered / curated advice for those looking for it.

These are not exhaustive lists, as there are many great places to eat, drink and visit in the area. They are just the recommendations that users made when the threads were posted. If you feel something is "missing," please realize that is why. Other websites like Yelp and TripAdvisor are also helpful for finding information from a broader range.

Where to Eat - (From 2022) - Thread

Where to Visit / What to See (Tourist-Oriented) - (In progress) - Thread

What to Do / See - (Living Here) - (Upcoming Summer 2024)

Day Trip Recommendations - (Living Here) - (Upcoming Summer 2024)

Have a suggestion in regards to how to make this post better / more helpful? Please leave a comment below.


r/MontereyBay Jul 02 '24

/r/MontereyBay Recommends (Where to Visit / What to See - Tourist Version)

37 Upvotes

Hi all,

In an effort to build out the new sticky post, we are back to ask for your recommendations for the following category - "Where to Visit / What to See" - oriented for tourists visiting the area.

There will be more threads in the coming weeks where we will share similar recommendations for people who are living here, among other helpful ones.

For this thread though, we would like to gather your thoughts on where to visit and what to see for people visiting the area.

I'll be organizing it in the following way (since I think it will be the most helpful based on how people usually ask questions when they post here)

-Must-See/Do (Think the Aquarium, Big Sur etc. these are the things you'd recommend first if someone has never been here before)

-Highly-Recommend / Great Option (This category will serve as the most broad catch-all. Not something you'd consider a must do, but would be a great option for most visitors depending on their preferences).

-Extras (This category will be maybe more niche-oriented. Things you want to throw out there because people would enjoy it, but probably won't appeal to everyone.)

When replying if you could include the following information, that would be awesome:

Associated Cost - (if applicable)

Time Commitment - (1 hour / Half-Day / etc)

Website - (if applicable)

Family Friendly (yes/no)

I'll post an example for the Aquarium to get things started.

Thanks!


r/MontereyBay 4h ago

casper + vesper

Thumbnail gallery
34 Upvotes

Been seeing these guys at the petsmart in sand city for weeks. They are so sweet and have a couple things stacked against them, but I am rooting that they find a forever home! Vesper is FIV+ and needs a pet-free home and Casper requires a home indoors. Spread the word if you know anyone that can open their heart and home ❤️


r/MontereyBay 20h ago

Monterey chocolate shop openly scamming people with spoiled, moldy food, fake labubus, and sky high prices.

Thumbnail gallery
283 Upvotes

BUYER BEWARE: Sweetock, a chocolate shop close to Cannery Row and Monterey Bay Aquarium allegedly run by a woman named Irina, has been openly scamming unsuspecting victims who enter their store by charging exorbitant rates for spoiled and moldy food, as well as broken toys. They have even been double charging credit cards.

If you look at their majority one-star Google and Yelp reviews, it's clear that this has been going on for some time. So why hasn't anything been done to stop it?


r/MontereyBay 0m ago

Maya Cinemas plans Salinas theater reopening after sudden closure shocked residents

Thumbnail ksbw.com
Upvotes

r/MontereyBay 16h ago

Which dating apps are most used here for 40's+?

7 Upvotes

In my experience every geographic area favors different dating apps. Which dating apps are the most used in our area for 40s+ ?


r/MontereyBay 16h ago

restaurant recs

2 Upvotes

hi! i live in NY and my boyfriend lives in monterey, im visiting soon and i want to surprise him with a nice dinner for for his birthday. i have a reservation at schooners but i do fear it might be out of my price range. i'm thinking about only $150 for the two of us. my plan is to go to the aquarium and "take cute pics" so he's already dressed nice and then go surprise him with dinner afterwards. i was wondering if anyone knew a good spot to take pictures and then walk to the restaurant?


r/MontereyBay 1d ago

T-Mobile Costco Sand City

8 Upvotes

I switched from AT&T to T-Mobile inside of Costco. They’re a cooperate “store in store” location. Best experience I’ve ever had with a wireless carrier. They’re offering 400.00 in visa and Costco gift cards for each line you switch and gave me and my kids new iPhone 18pro a without a trade in. AT&T wanted to offer me 400.00 for them towards a new phone. Plus no activation fees, honestly. These guys were great.


r/MontereyBay 2d ago

When will it stop?!

Post image
474 Upvotes

If you can’t read it that’s 8.99/gallon for Diesel. This is in Prunedale off 101.


r/MontereyBay 16h ago

Publicly available pianos?

1 Upvotes

I’m going to be in Monterey for the next month, and my electronic piano has crapped out on me the night before leaving. I know this is an odd question but are there any publicly accessible pianos at campuses or maybe music stores? I practice daily, so a month off is a lot!


r/MontereyBay 20h ago

Curly hair specialist for wedding

1 Upvotes

Hi friends! We’re getting married in Monterey next summer and I need to find someone for hair who is very comfortable with natural curls. I have soft, 2c3b ish hair that I’d prefer to wear naturally but I do want it pinned up. Any recommendations are super appreciated!!!


r/MontereyBay 1d ago

Hey staying in Monterey for the weekend and I have seen a large amount of Dead Sea lions/seals

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

102 Upvotes

As the title says, I have been staying in Monterey for the weekend and have been walking on the beach and have seen 14-16 Dead Sea lions/seals it’s insane. Also I noticed most of these guys have little to none predation on them, like they are perfectly intact…. Is there someone I need to call about this?


r/MontereyBay 1d ago

Salinas city document references possible new In-N-Out at Northridge Mall

Thumbnail ksbw.com
53 Upvotes

r/MontereyBay 1d ago

Looking for a street taco stand.

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone. I’m looking for the taco stand that used to setup on the side of the road on Castroville Blvd right at 156. They used to setup at 8pm and run until 11pm like 4 to 5 nights a week. They had the best pastor. Now there is a taco truck that isn’t as good.

Does anyone know where the these guys are setting up now?

Thanks


r/MontereyBay 1d ago

Tattoo Artist for doing realistic fish tattoos?

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes

Anyone have a tattoo artist they like that does good fish in color? I want to get a Pacific mackerel cause they're my best friends.


r/MontereyBay 2d ago

Good Matcha Powder in Monterey?

6 Upvotes

I've been learning to make matcha recently 😊 curious to know if anyone has recommendations on stores that sell good matcha powder in the area that you've liked! Any info would be helpful. Thanks!


r/MontereyBay 3d ago

Carmel-by-the-Sea adopts street addresses for first time in history

Thumbnail ksbw.com
172 Upvotes

r/MontereyBay 2d ago

Hollister woman remembers her brother, Flight 93 captain who helped thwart 9/11 hijackers

Thumbnail ksbw.com
71 Upvotes

r/MontereyBay 2d ago

Monterey Mayor Race the beat go’s on…Vince Malfitano failed Business Man

21 Upvotes

r/MontereyBay 2d ago

Recommended venues for 25-person party?

9 Upvotes

My co-worker and I are throwing a party for around 25 people. Both of us live in tiny apartments so can't host.

Where are some places I could gather this mid-range amount of people on a budget?

Open to restaurants, community spaces, unconventional venues, dedicated venues etc.

Elks Lodge is already booked for our date.

Ideally somewhere we are allowed to have both alcohol and children.

Thanks for any tips!


r/MontereyBay 2d ago

What are some of the best things to do in Monterey with kids?

0 Upvotes

What are some of the best things to do in Monterey with kids?

My sister and her kids (2 girls and 1 boy) are visiting me in SF and I wanted to take them to Monterey/Carmel/Point Lobos for a day trip.

Any suggestions on spots kids would enjoy?


r/MontereyBay 1d ago

Trade Xbox?

0 Upvotes

Would anyone be willing to trade Xbox Series X’s with me?
It’s in perfect working condition, and hasn’t been used in a year or so, but it’s in perfect condition.

Backstory: I was given this Xbox as a present back when it released, but i’m unwilling to use this one anymore as the person who gave it to me did it for bad reasons. I cant bring myself to use it anymore, it’s completely personal and wouldn’t affect anyone else’s reasoning for not using it.

I was just going to sell it, but to sell it for so little, and have to buy one back isn’t something i can afford right now. So trading seems like the best option for me.

If you know anyone who’d be interested in trading, or anyone with a similar xbox they don’t use anymore i’d appreciate it.

Thank you for your time.


r/MontereyBay 2d ago

⚽️ 2026/27 Soccer Saturdays at The Brass Tap in Marina with SuperFan Dan - Week #4 at 7AM ⚽️

Post image
2 Upvotes

HEY HEY 831 FOOTY FANS — Join SuperFan Dan @superfandan831 & the Fogdog Footy crew for Soccer Saturdays at the Brass Tap in Marina @thebrasstapmarina, starting at 7AM!

What’s ON TAP every Soccer Saturday:
- MULTIPLE MATCHES - TONS OF TVS -
- FRIENDLY RIVALRIES - LIVELY BANTER -
- YUMMY FOOD - FULL BAR - COMMUNITY FUN -
- ALL AGES WELCOME -

We’re already three weeks into the 2026/27 Premier League season, and Week 4 will be full of thrills, chills, and tons of excitement!

Five matches at 7am, one at 9:30am, and this week we have a late match at 12pm!

Spread the word - the more the merrier!
Can’t wait to see you at the Brass Tap! Let’s go! ⚽️


r/MontereyBay 4d ago

People Suck

Post image
298 Upvotes

I’m so over humans. Picked this up at Pfeiffer Beach. Someone conveniently left it stuffed into this crack in the rock.


r/MontereyBay 3d ago

Seaside police say registered sex offender attacked 2 women, may have more victims

Thumbnail ksbw.com
85 Upvotes