I had not been to this museum in about 20 years but I returned this past weekend and I was so glad…read moreI did. The entire place has been remodeled. It is a small museum but an absolutely beautiful one worth visiting. As a birder, I loved the cases of taxidermied birds, one of the largest collections of this type on the West Coast with over 400 specimens. I was even more enchanted by the jade room full of jade pieces and artwork derived from right here on the Central Coast, the giant Grizzly Bear, the gorgeous nature field guide mural/artwork upstairs, and the imaginative Room of Wonder full of items that had long been stored in the Museum basement and now brought back to viewing public in artistic settings. This room is mesmerizing and hard to describe but you should definitely see it for yourself. Native Americans are included as well as Asian Americans in the different displays, which I appreciate and feel contributes to the holistic and unified way in which the natural history of our state is explained here. One of the highlights, though, was meeting Bill, a volunteer guide at the museum. He gave so many interesting facts, helped with cool photo ops, and conveyed his genuine love for nature and the community. He is the heart of this fine place. We hope to see him again! If you haven't been to the Natural History Museum, I highly recommend a visit. Locals can get in free.

What a cool spot! So glad I went in one day on my trip to the area. Loved the native plant garden…read moreand the massive room full of different birds. The whole place was very cool and I would definitely come back with friends next time to show them around

The acrylic painting classes at Vista Lobos that Melissa Bispo teaches are outstanding!read more

I recently got a quick tour of the new music school that opened up in downtown Monterey. Owner and…read moreInstructor Dennis Murphy, a friendly jack of all trades with an upbeat personality, has transformed this space (formerly People's Mortgage Banc next to Ocean Sushi Deli) into an amazing space including class rooms, a stage with state of the art acoustic panels that are not only great to look at but help with sound control, a recording studio and more. The space is welcoming, comfortable and provides a great atmosphere to grow to your potential in the realm of music. I myself haven't picked up an instrument (clarinet only because I had a crush on the guy playing the French Horn, silly me) since Jr. High School and unfortunately stopped playing the piano in grade school but I am thinking about taking vocal lessons for my own ears sake. Dennis Murphy School of Music offers the following for those ages 7 to Adult: *Private Lessons and Music Clinics *Vocal (glee, choir, gospel) *Band Programs ( rock, jazz, blues, classical) *Recording & Production *Private Instruction for All Instruments Come check it out and he will be hosting a Grand Opening Party very soon! For more information about DMSM you can contact Paula at 831-920-1310or email her at paula@dennismurphy.org

Recently performed at a fundraiser were he was doing the sound for the entertainers…read more He was extremely rude from the beginning, we were just there to perform for the fundraising event, and were very sad that he turned what should have been a great event into a really bad experience!

As a local senior trying to sign up and get the discount for a seniors class, I can't just sign up…read moreonline..... I have to call the main office. Why? The registration process is antiquated and frustrating.

I had been taking my son to the children classes and age related class. They had food and art…read moreclasses also for children. As a parent, you have to attend these classes. But it is kind of nice to see your children socialize with others. I had learned a lot from the age related classes plus it is nice to know your not the only one struggling raising your child. Plus when the kiddos are grown, they have a Co-op and dual language preschool. They are part time for stay-at-home parent. The teachers are so nice and very accomidating. They also have daycare for children who have parents who work full time. They just started the daycare this year. The admissions are very friendly and accomidating as well. I wish we were not moving in a few months. My son really enjoy and love his preschool.

This place is great!!!!! My son loves it here. The teachers are talented, caring and professional…read more My son has grown so much since starting here, he talks more, his vocabulary has doubled, he is always happy to go to school and happy when I pick him up. He always talks at home about how much he likes school. He has been at a few other schools and they were not good experiences I had resigned myself to believe that that was the best we could do for him. Then we found this place and it has been a life saver!! My wife and I are so happy and confident our son is in the very best place he can be! Thank you so much for opening!

This is the best school my son has ever been to. He was at another school in the area. He was…read morenever happy and never wanted to go, I thought is was just because he didn't want to go to school. Here he wakes up in the morning happy to go to school. Ms. Kelley is wonderful and, very experienced. Ms. Jen, who teaches the younger kids, was his teacher at his previous school and is wonderful as well. The child development center is lucky to hv gotten her. The playground is amazing a grass field with a play structure and a paved path so the kids can ride the tricycles. Definitely give this school a look! HIGHLY recommended!!!

My partner and I took our very first surf lessons here. First: I am not a strong swimmer, I have…read morebad experiences with water and the ocean, and I was extremely apprehensive about this experience. It was something my partner was really interested in though, and I figured it was worth it just to try. Now I can say: WOW it was worth it! Our instructor Gavin provided everything I could hope for in a first time surf lesson. He was knowledgeable, encouraging, and above all else - patient. The water was rough and the waves were bigger than I had expected, but Gavin's energy completely put me at ease and made me feel safe in what otherwise would have felt like a terrifying place to be for me. He took his time to explain what sets are and how swim under the stronger waves. He was very intuitive to my comfort levels as well. My partner is much less timid than myself, and he was ready to "dive right in". Gavin was just as patient with my partner's excitement as he was with my anxiety. He made conversation easy with his friendliness and relaxed spirit. Thank you SO much Gavin for everything we learned, for building my confidence throughout our lesson, and for helping us discover a new favorite hobby. Not a moment went by without smiles on our faces. We will absolutely be return customers.

Always wanted to take surfing lessons and when there was a Yelp Elite event I decided to go for…read moreit!! Noah was super helpful in the booking process where you put your name, height, weight, and sex. We were originally going to surf at Carmel beach but surfing conditions were rough there so we ended up at Del Monte Beach in Monterey. Prior to the lesson we were instructed where to meet, come in your bathing suit, and bring your own beach towels. As far as valuables go, they can lock it up in the truck or you can lock it in your car. I was weary but they had someone sitting in their truck so I felt safer. Wetsuits are provided and you don't really feel cold even in that Monterey water! The end of the lesson you can rinse off with warm water they provide which is nice! Kelly was our instructor and he was so patient and kind! They teach anyone from 4 y/o and up! I am in no way athletic and hella out of shape but I had a blast! At the end of the lesson, both of us were beat up by those waves but we stood up!!! It's a great workout that will leave you sore the next day! So I recommend not eating a big breakfast prior. My boyfriend is not a big fan of open water and the ocean but we both felt very safe! I highly recommend trying out surfing at least once in your life! Something to check off my bucket list. I can't imagine you could pick up surfing without instruction so I'm glad we did this!

This place is truly one of the best things to happen to the city of Salinas. Great faculty and…read moregreat programs. Fantastic track and a beautiful Olympuc sized swimming pool. I used to swim here all the time and the pool was always kept in top shape. I have taken many interesting classes here from jewelry making to photography to sociology. The professors are so wonderful. Many options from special interest classes to starting your college career. Great place.

Sofanya came through for us to make our wedding dreams come true despite super chaotic…read morecircumstances. When our wedding venue fell through a week before our wedding because they refused to let us put up a canopy to get out of the rain, she was kind enough to let us rent our cottage two days early and gave us several location options for our ceremony, whatever would suit us best. She helped me get ready & offered as much love, kindness & support as she could offer. Then, when the weather turned south & started storming extremely heavily during our outdoor ceremony, she generously opened up her own home to us in the top floor of the beautiful dome house to complete our special day. She truly saved the day for us, and treated us like family. The location couldn't be more beautiful. Everywhere you look, beautiful art peeks through the landscape as if placed thete by fairies, and the beauty of nature here creates a sense of tranquility among the redwoods crawling with ivy. Beautiful photo opportunities everywhere you look. A true hippy paradise! The Cala Lily Cottage was cozy, private and intimate, and we felt right at home. PLEASE avoid wasting your money at overpriced, inhospitable cabins/campgrounds out at big sur and come here instead, where you'll be treated like a treasured guest. My new husband and I look forward to returning on an anniversary!

What an aptly named little slice of paradise. Only a few minutes from breathtaking views of the…read morecoast, you take one turn and suddenly you are immersed in a lush redwood forest. This place is magical. I have so many good things to say about the Jewel in the Forest and Sofanya. I feel connected to them now as they are a part of my story, and I'm so grateful for that! On October 1st, I married my best friend in a small 10 person ceremony at the Jewel in the Forest. It was the most perfect day of my life, and there could not have been a better place for it. We rented out all 4 of the cabins on property to accommodate all of our guests. That allowed us to stay together and bond through the whole experience, while still providing ample privacy and sleeping space for our guests The Dome House is the most beautiful place I have ever stayed in my life. From the skylights that allow you a peek of the tops of the redwood trees, to the eclectic and beautiful furniture and decorations, to the wood burning heater, topped off by Sofanya's amazing artwork, it is truly an immersive experience. Sofanya provides games, movies, books, musical instruments, and a full kitchen. Everything you need for the perfect escape. We cut our cake and drank champagne as a group of about 12 in the living space comfortably. Most of our guests stayed at the Jasmine house, which has 3 private rooms and a large living space where we all enjoyed dinner the night before the ceremony. Sofanya even strung up the cutest string lights on the patio for us so we could enjoy the outside space as well. My parents stayed in the adorable Calla Lily cabin, which is perfect for a couple or small family. It is cozy and charming. Our photographer stayed up in the adorable Lotus Blossum, which had the most spectacular windows and a one of a kind outside bathroom. So cool! We held our ceremony near the stream amongst the redwoods. It was breathtaking. Overall, the space was beyond perfect for what we needed. Each of the cabins are unique and have so much character. I recommend that EVERYONE visit and escape from reality to this magical place at some point in your life. You won't regret it. Now, I have to say a few things about Sofanya. She is wonderful! She really went above and beyond making sure our wedding was perfect. She hung the aforementioned lights for me, provided several bouquets around the property, received packages with things for my wedding for me ahead of time, and ensured everyone's comfort the whole stay. Thank you so much for all you did to make my wedding truly perfect Sofanya.