Just the BEST used book sale on the planet !…read more Every August. Pay the $10 admission fee to get in on opening day, Thursday. While there is no admission fee the following days, the inventory will be drastically reduced - you would not believe how many books are sold on opening day! Take a folding stool and get there EARLY - people with stools arrive several hours BEFORE the doors open. Take your own cardboard box because paper bags tear. If you own (or can borrow) a wheeled-dolly, bring it. Pushing your box of books is much easier than carrying a box of books. A box of books gets very heavy, very quickly. Keep your ticket so that you can get back in after you take your first box of books back to your vehicle in the parking lot - you got there early enough to park in the parking lot didn't you?

Kelly and Chloe our chefs offer great food and deserve a…read morenew kitchen to do their work- music at lunchtime needs an upgrade with the piano players -should be more professional, not beginning folks "practicing" Lori Lewis is a good standard to follow.

This is a truly special place for seniors - defined as 55 and up. The Carmel Foundation enables…read moreseniors to be connected with other seniors in an environment which seems to attract truly special members, with its truly kind, loving and attentive staff, excellent dining room, auditorium, lecture hall, raised stage theater, dance hall, movie room, library meditation garden, green house, chess, arts and crafts, discussion groups, field trips, walking tours, card games like Bridge and Texas Hold-em ... Are still reading? Why? Get to a phone, call and become a member today! Tell them the "Rev" sent you!

Carmel Mission Basilica (formal name 'San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo') is one of six minor…read morebasilicas in the state of California (five being former Spanish missions). It is the oldest one, founded in 1770, and elevated to basilica status by Pope John XXIII in 1960. My wife, her mom, and I visited it during a late Sunday afternoon during our first day in Carmel, and found it to be a great, worthwhile experience, especially if one is Roman Catholic. The basilica is still a working parish, so parking during non-mass hours was easy to find. A ticket booth was set-up at the visitor entrance, with cost of $15 per adult ($13 for senior). There is an adjacent gift shop that doesn't require admission and sells all the various religious items that one would expect from a religious tourist attraction. We ended up spending about 90 minutes here (there is a lot of information here, along with a lot to see). -- Founding priest was Junipero Serra ("Apostle of California"). He was canonized by Pope Francis in 2015, and his shrine/remains are interned here. -- Only U.S. church visited by a pontiff during a papal visit: Pope John Paul II in 1987. He paid homage to Father Serra, and laid flowers at the tomb. This visit is clearly commemorated. -- the Munras Family Heritage Museum is worth going to, to see a short movie about the prominent Monterey family, along with early California artifacts from the family. -- the Nativity scene was one of the most intricate -- the large courtyard is a good place to stop and admire the architecture of a California Spanish mission, along with a thick trunk Cork Oak tree By the time we were leaving, the ticket office had closed (last call is at 16:30, to allow everyone to have enough time before official close at 18:00).

My friends took me to the Basilica and we enjoyed walking around the grounds and visiting the…read morevarious Chapels within the site. It is also the final resting spot of Saint Junipero Serra, the Founding Father of California. Pope John Paul II visited here in 1987 and is recognized in the Our Lady of Bethlehem Chapel, which is a beautiful, small chapel with a confessional from years ago. The Mission Cemetery is the final resting place for some members of this Parish. It also includes a symbolic cemetery representing the hundreds of indigenous people buried here and the surrounding area. These grave sites are adorned with abalone shells as an honorary recognition of their cultural presence to the area. There are several museums on site, beautiful artwork and religious artifacts as well as an extensive courtyard to wander around. Finally, there is a display of the final resting place for Saint Junipero as well as reproductions of other parts of the Basilica back in the day. The price of $15 for adults/$12 for seniors may be a little steep for families, but it is worthwhile to explore the history of the renowned Basilica.

Went to Pilgrim's Way Community Bookstore and Secret Garden for the first time, and I'm so glad I…read morefinally had the chance to visit! I had heard about this little gem, known as the last bookstore in Carmel, but hadn't had the time to stop by until this trip. The selection of books was decent, and the service was good. I was even able to find and purchase a book that had been on my to-read list. The books were reasonably priced but some of the garden stuff was pricey. The Secret Garden was especially relaxing and beautiful. I really enjoyed walking through it, taking my time, and simply taking it all in. Definitely a lovely little spot to visit while in Carmel!

If you're in Carmel, you have to visit Pilgram Bookstore and Secret Garden. Run by a lovely…read morehusband-and-wife team, both spots feel like hidden gems. Pilgram Bookstore is cozy and has an amazing selection of books for being so tiny. It's easy to lose track of time here! Just a short walk away, Secret Garden is the perfect spot to relax. With its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful plants. Both places are full of charm and heart. Highly recommend them!

My favorite local library. The location is awesome. If you go up to the third floor you have…read moreincredible views of the Monterey Bay. The library is the top 2 floors and the basement is the English Lab and Reading Center. The MPC Library has an awesome collection of books, dvds, etc. There are plenty of computers and even when it's busy you should be able to find one. There are also a bunch of study rooms that you can check out that are nice and quiet. I like that the 2nd floor allows talking and the third floor is totally quiet. That way you have options if you're there to study alone or there to study with a group. There are some comfortable chairs to sit in and study too! The staff is also super nice, friendly, and very helpful. I can't recommend it enough!

As a college staff member and as a student, the MPC Library has been an enormous support resource…read morefor those struggling with the new online teaching system. They are offering chromebooks, hotspots, and as many course reserves as possible to students who are currently enrolled. When it is safe for the college to open once more to students and then the community, the library staff is ready and excited to help students succeed in their educational goals.

Outstanding junior community college, I highly recommend for getting basic required courses…read morecompleted in relatively small class sizes, for cheap to no cost. They even have high school programs to earn college credits. I took extra night summer classes to complete my bachelors degree, decades ago. I took real estate classes on line and on campus to get my real estate license. Trade school classes are excellent for police, fire, nursing, medical/dental assistance, mechanics, etcetera. Many seniors take cooking, gardening, photography, exercise, art, dance, theater and other programs. Fabulous to stay active and exercise/move! Public schools are so affordable, compared to say, Williams at $70,000 plus per year! Really, if you have a child interested in higher education: perhaps they should aim for a 4.0 grade point average at a junior college, then get a scholarship at a state university for the last two years. I moved to California, after graduating one year early (at 17) with honors, from a public high school. Went to UCLA, at 17 with the hill side strangler roaming the neighborhood. Classes were 500 plus students in auditorium halls, for the basic mandatory courses. Ridiculous!!! Interesting adventure for a country girl from Massachusetts, but I do not recommend. I finally graduated UCSC, correct a banana slug: after Wheaton College, a year in Osaka Japan and other experiences. However, I always treasured the value of the community colleges, I attended. Cabrillo and MPC primarily, but the state law school I graduated from, was also excellent and cost effective (MCL). Enjoy your life and aim for less debt.

-There was a young man by the name of Reggie Johnson. He played football during the years of…read more2007-2009, and that kid was elite. He was a special talent to watch in practice & a joy to watch during the games. At one point in time he was ranked number 1 in the north, as a punt returner, and a kick returner. He played under coach Rasmussen while the equipment manager Rene was around ask about his 4.3- 4.4 speed. Everybody wanted him to go to USC cause he ran like Reggie Bush. I was told he got accepted to the University Of Edward Waters, in Jacksonville Florida purple city aka Ricky Waters camp. Onlookers also mentioned he received prospect letters from the (W) Wyoming University cowboys D1 & Iowa State University the cyclones D1. Loved seeing this young man do what he does shout out to the whole MPC wolf pack!

I wrote several emails to this Chamber letting them know about the dishonest business practices of…read morea business in their community offering services not offered on their website. I told them that they need to revoke the business license of Signature Day Spa because I was charged close to $700 and never got deep tissue massages nor the services I made my reservations for. I was told to contact Monterey County DA's Office and nothing was done to protect consumers who have complained about this woman. I will post my email to them so others are warned.

Carmel's Visitor Center - Chamber of Commerce staff couldn't have been more gracious and helpful in…read moregiving us the information we need to make our Easter vacation in this lovely little town much more pleasant and budget friendly. They have detailed maps of downtown and an assortment of brochures and literatures which will give you a good idea of places to hit and see. I personally asked for the "Wine-Walk" map which showcases the many emerging wineries of the area. The Chamber also have the Wine-walk vouchers which allows you to hit all the participating wineries at a very reasonable cost (9 vouchers for $65.00) You could also use these vouchers to waive the corkage fee in participating restaurants in the area. We had a great experience and a big help from the Chamber of Commerce - Visitor center staff. I highly suggest paying them a visit prior to exploring this picturesque little town. Enjoy!