If you got a Pacific Grove, you need to see the Museum of Natural History. It's a nice little…read moremuseum. Well set up. You can learn about the fishing industry, you can learn about Jade. I found that very interesting. You can also find about the wildlife and birds in the area. They also had some very cool relief, maps of the geography and geology of the Monterey Harriet. They offer a senior discount. It's always good to support museums.

Not the biggest museum but it was still a good attraction. Notably this is one of the oldest…read morenatural history museums in the US. Entry was $8 for students. I took 45 minutes to thoroughly go through all the exhibits. There were many interactive attractions and learning opportunities for children. Although I didn't engage with the arts and crafts, I saw how kind the volunteers were. The bird exhibit was the most extensive and there was an option to "adopt a bird" for an annual payment. They were neatly taxidermied and presented according to family. The butterfly section was well kept and exclusive to this museum. Volunteer Larry gave us a great run down regarding the history of the museum and their collections. He similarly informed us about Monterey's Chinese history. We learned a lot from Larry that went beyond the written placards. The second story consisted of donated artwork and some history regarding the Kelp forest. However, I noticed that they still had "in progress" sign in the otter exhibit despite being in the works for years. I hope the second story gets a bit more work done as it was a bit lacking. The gift shop was a bit underwhelming and expensive. There wasn't much variety and there was noticeable dust on the items. Notably there weren't many descriptions about the animals or objects so we heavily depended on the volunteers and vibes. There were unique aspects to the museum that made it worthwhile visiting but there was much room for improvement.

The current exhibition is Salvador Dalí. It's a fantastic menagerie of art and history. I truly…read morethought I knew so much about his work until my recent visit. The stories of his work and inspirations had me reading every last tidbit. The black and white photos of Dalí preparing his own work were mesmerizing. I could've spent the whole day here. The whimsical arrangements throughout the rooms gave me the notion that I had stepped into a secret space that made me think differently. It's hard to describe. It was beautiful.

I found this little museum quite interesting. I love learning new things about places I visit. On…read morethe lower level, the museum focuses mostly on early settlement in the Monterey area with wide coverage of the World War II era and the entire Pacific fleet not exclusive to Monterey. On its upper level more exhibits can be found directly related to Monterey's fishing industry and the history of Cannery Row. There are two exhibits that caught my eye. The first one can be seen as soon as you walk through the doors as it is situated on the open floor between the museum's entrance and the Monterey County Visitor Information Center. The Bixby Bridge is located in nearby Carmel, CA but you can see a masterful sculpture carved out of old growth redwood by artist Michael Miller (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/8FhwlcREHuMFeNISkhSz0A?select=C8WBeFH2NGi9JdxTfwQsjQ). Take the time to observe the fine detail that the artist puts into the sculpture. It's truly a masterpiece. The second exhibit is probably the biggest item inside the museum and can be seen to the left of the museum's entrance doors and that is the huge historic Fresnel lens once housed at the Point Sur Light Station (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/8FhwlcREHuMFeNISkhSz0A?select=TvlZXZSWAjVb7Bz9ej2ICg). The highlight of the exhibit is the 580 glass prisms which makes up the lens. There is a nice assortment of information surrounding the exhibit as well as some interactive stations. The museum's collection is worthy of 5 stars, but I found some serious design flaws on several of the exhibits which detracted from my viewing experience. Simple things like accent lighting pointed directly at a glossy painting whereas the viewer can not experience the artwork but simply a burst of yellow light on glossy canvas. Several of the exhibits had a sheet of clear plexiglass protecting them which is wonderful for prolonging the life of the exhibit but it doesn't work when accent lighting and direct sunlight hits it from different directions causing a triple image because of shadowing. I found a lot of simple things just like that on both levels which were just distracting. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 5 PM. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted and appreciated.

Third Thursday at MMA La Mirada: Open until 8:00 pm the third Thursday of the month…read more So here I am, fresh from a four hour drive across our beautiful state, fresh from checking into my hotel, ready to spend a little time looking at some beautiful local arts n culture. Now, pay careful attention to your GPS, folks, because I totally missed the drive the first time. I arrived, but was afraid I had arrived at someone very fancy's personal estate. It was dark, oh so dark. But there must have been 30 cars, so I parked with all the others and walked toward the building. I guess first I walked around the building. There were two places I could see light coming from, and I picked the one on the left. Folks, go for the one on the right. I walked around back and into the rose garden. I was still a little afraid the master of the house would set his royal guard dogs on me for prowling. Back to my car. I'm hustling. I'm thinking, "there was a sister museum that was also advertised to be open late, maybe I should go there!" (apparently that was wrong anyway, cause it;s First Friday at MMA Pacific Street not Third Thursday, but in retrospect I was pretty confused all around). But first I try the other place where light beckoned. It is an adorable, old fashioned door. And all of a sudden, I'm on the other side and inside this beautiful land of art, curated by beautiful people and enchanting enclosed within a historic estate (see, eg., chandeliers, dainty little bathrooms, gift shop in what feels like a dining room). Almost everyone was already in a lecture about art restoration, so I slowly wandered through the collection without having to navigate a crowd. It was super enjoyable. The kids area/library was a place I'd like to spend more time, and the gift shop was well priced. I'd definitely like to go back and see the outdoor area. It was, as hinted at above, almost pitch black at night.

Words cannot describe how lovely La Mirada is! I was married there May 18, 2013, and it was…read moreeverything I had dreamed of and more. The setting of the estate is intimate, comfortable, warm, and the roses add amazing color. For our May wedding, the roses were in their first bloom. They were gorgeous and the scent during the ceremony was heavenly. The guests enjoyed having cocktail hour in the rose garden; they were snapping photos of the blooms and it made for a beautiful back drop. Reading some of the other reviews; it makes me sad to think people picked this place apart! My husband, family, and I had a wonderful experience from start to finish. Our events coordinator was Mel Cota. She is FANTASTIC! This gal does not skip a beat! Not only is she kind, detailed oriented, compassionate, and communicative; she was able to turn my vision and my wants into a perfect wedding day. The day of flowed effortlessly and was seamless, all thanks to Mel. Having recently received my wedding photos from Michele Beckwith Photography; I am so thankful we went with La Mirada. The grounds of the venue came out amazing in the photos. Classy and elegant! Being able to take photo's upstairs in Elizabeth Taylor's room with my groom was such a treat! This place truly is a five! Thank you La Mirada! - Alixandra

The Sunset Center in Carmel is a historic venue for live performances and community events. Built…read morein 1926 as Sunset School, the Spanish Colonial Revival building was saved and transformed into the Sunset Center, giving it new life as a cultural hub. Good lighting and clear acoustics here, and performances are enjoyable from all 718 seats in the main room. For the show we attended, sponsored by Folk-Yeah, our seating was assigned & we picked physical tickets up at will-call --no electronic tickets. It felt relatively small and well organized for a concert venue. Wine is sold in non-spillable sippy cups, a smart, practical detail. For our show, the merchandise line spilled out the front door and moved slowly. More than enough bathrooms at the venue. The ushers are helpful, though pocket lights and seat assistance during the performance can be distracting. Overall, an intimate place to see a live act in Carmel.

I really enjoy volunteering here, for many reasons. The presentations and performances are top…read morenotch. Entertainers, artists, musicians, comedians and others adore visiting Carmel by the Sea and the Monterey Peninsula. The venue maximum is about 700 guests in the main theater and 50 for the studio 105 shows. So not overwhelming crowds, thank goodness. Many outdoor patio shows and big screen theater movies are complimentary, to all. As volunteers, we work usually less than 4 hour shifts and see the shows, for free. We earn credits for next season tickets, with Bravo lounge status. Maxed 4 tickets, 10 shifts per ticket. We choose the shifts and shows to volunteer, then get assigned. Older very nice group of people, the majority are women. Exciting to be involved with such a fabulous team. Thank you kindly!

This is one of Santa Cruz's hidden gems! It's a great little museum with lots of local…read morerepresentation of the animals in the area. They also have rotating events and host a great first Friday. Every friend I've taken here has enjoyed it! Additionally, it's my go to place for nature and Santa Cruz gifts. Always a pleasure to visit here!

The museum is small but interesting with some dioramas and several taxidermies of local wildlife…read more No parking lot so parking is done on side streets and often requires parallel parking expertise. Also you pick up your parking pass inside so you have to make a trip back to your car to place the permit on the dashboard. Very inconvenient!

This is one of the places you have to see if you live in San Jose. It's not one of the bigger…read moremuseums in town, but it is interesting. I found out that this is the world headquarters for this religion. Make sure you get the free tickets to the stone tomb. It's a recreation of a governors tomb. There's plenty of free parking in the back. Also it's only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

I really enjoy all things Egyptian and was pleasantly surprised to find out there was a museum in…read moreSan Jose! It's not as large as other museums so less people, which means more time for you to look around! It's 3 levels and there are a lot of different artifacts to see, my favorite of course, are the 2 mummies they had! There are few casted statues (wish they had originals but that's understandable for a small/lesser known museum) and a couple spots where if you push a button it tells you more about what you're looking at. There was also a free "Tomb Tour" that was cute. The guide was funny and engaging and explained different parts of the fake tomb/answered questions after if we had any. I liked that extra part because even though it was a replica, it was neat to see how areas may have been used back then. Parking is free and around the corner in a lot, and it's wheelchair friendly with even pathways and ramps to get to the museum. It's a cool way to kill a couple hours, definitely check it out!

The Steinbeck Museum was a wonderful literary stop in Salinas. We also visited the Steinbeck House…read moredown the street, which made the experience feel more complete. As a tribute to Steinbeck and his connection to the area, the museum was thoughtful, engaging, and well worth the visit. I especially enjoyed the quirky gift shop, always a bonus when a museum shop has personality. The drive into Salinas was also unexpectedly lovely, with so many fields and vegetables growing. It gave the whole visit a strong sense of place and helped connect the landscape to Steinbeck's writing. A great stop for literature lovers, history fans, or anyone looking for something meaningful to do in the area.

While I can't remember the last time that I've read a book by John Steinbeck, I thoroughly enjoyed…read morevisiting the National Steinbeck Center. Unfortunately, reading his books wasn't part of my high school English curriculum; however, my interest in his works was rekindled by visiting this amazing facility! I spent at least a couple hours meandering through the exhibit, beginning with a short film telling the story of his life. It was fascinating to learn how John Steinbeck was both shaped by his hometown, and how much influence he had on the literary landscape during his lifetime. There is so much to look at and discover here! If you're a book nerd, whether a Steinbeck fan or novice like me, check this place out. Ticket prices are reasonable, and they offer discount for locals, veterans, and youth, or if you become a member. I can't wait to visit his childhood home next!

I had a ghost experience!!! And that never happens... so worth it if you're into that kind of…read morething. Our tour guide Courtney was awesome, especially for being 103 yrs old! she made it super fun, kept a good pace, answered lots of questions and had the perfect vibes for hosting. Anyways, my ghost story was somewhere between the transition from the 1st and 2nd floors, just after the room with the piano music playing, my cousin and I were chatting not even during one of the guided portions it was literally during the walking part and someone clear as day shushed me right in my ear, but there wasn't anyone next to us, and my cousin didn't hear the aggressive "shhhhhh!!!". It was weird and freaky, but not scary. Super fun experience, great to learn so much about Sarah and her eccentric life - she's my kind of heiress!

Sarah Winchester is an interesting woman in local history, so we decided to tour San Jose's…read moreWinchester Mystery House. Booked and paid for our reservation online. I received an immediate confirmation and additional info, like parking, etc., which I appreciated. They also texted a reminder 24 hours ahead. Parking was a breeze and their lot wasn't full, but that may have been due to it being a dreary Sunday in April. The grounds are nice and we enjoyed walking around a bit before our tour. Lots of vibrant flowers and everything appeared well cared for. There was a private wedding party going on, so some of the grounds were blocked off. Our tour guide, Savanna, was very knowledgeable and seemed to really understand and care about the history of the house. The only problem we had was the size of the group we were put in. Most of the rooms are quite small, as are the hallways and staircases. We couldn't all fit in the room to hear her speak so missed some of what she said. There was another group right behind us, and sometimes I could hear that guide better than my own. They offer discounts for seniors and kids 12 and under, but otherwise is a bit pricey at $48 for adults to spend an hour walking through the house. I was disappointed that none of the furnishings are original. It's just been staged with furniture from the approximate period. We also paid for the basement access, and at $13 each (no discounts) it was an absolute waste. Very little to see there. It's just a basement. The cafe was closed while we were there, which was disappointing. Interesting to read about Sarah Winchester and her house, but not really worth the price to visit.

"do you remember the... christmas tire?" this was wayne a few years ago. i had met him at a time,…read moredecades later, we termed our missing years... maybe you had some of those? days you can't account for, likely stuck somewhere because you chose wrong, turned down a backstreet and came to a deadend. nothing to do then but hope another bus comes along soon to get you out, and wary that your next move goes wrong, too. at such times, heed the advice given to weekend hikers: "if you get really lost in the woods, stay right where you are and wait... someone will find you". what isn't included in that conventional wisdom is the caveat: "sooner or later". all this came to me as i enjoyed the oxtail stew at the basque cultural center. I'd been curious about it for quite some time and finally decided to check it out. Basque restaurants have been one of my guilty pleasures since i made the wrong choice that lead to those missing years. since then I've sought them out when around Fresno, Bakersfield, Reno and smaller towns like Gardnerville and Los Banos: flat, grassy, agrarian places suited to sheepherding, which as far as I know was originally the main occupation for new immigrants from the Pyrenees where it's something of an artisanal career today. Since the 1800s Basque boarding houses were also in SF and LA, all gone now. Newly arrived Bascos heading to the country for work were advised to get off the train and look around for a place called, usually, the Santa Fe Hotel. The menu at the restaurant was then and is still basic: choose chicken, steak, lamb or pork chops as a main item and the rest is the same regardless (soup, salad, beans with ice cream at the end). There's also a preliminary dish, an "appetizer" that is essentially a separate entree in itself. this varies everyday, often oxtail or lamb stew. That's more or less the offering around today, and would have been all I likely ever knew except for my travels a few years ago to the Basque homeland in the Pyrenees. Basque cuisine is much more diverse there than you'll find at the Cultural Center, but you're closer to here than to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Everything from the meat department is very good, but I suggest avoiding the fish entree unless it's the daily special. My favorite was the oxtail stew, reminding me of the same dish at the Santa Fe Hotel in Fresno, during the time when I lived nearby during those lost years, longer than I care to remember. In fact, as I enjoyed the meal I recalled my thoughts after wayne mentioned the "christmas tire". at first i completely blanked, what was my old friend talking about? then slowly it came to me, like a dim memory of something said or done during a particularly white and active night before, something so off-axis that the next morning your left eye looks funny and hurts. it was our second christmas in a small farmhouse near madera. i had stupidly purchased it... leave new york to live here forever? ever wanted to grab someone, someone also rootless, and just walk out the door, run away with less than a half-baked plan about what happens next? well that's exactly what we did, my runway model friend of the moment and i. by the end of the 70s we had developed a nasty habit quite common then, not a true physical addiction mind you but a very real psychological dependence. in the end we couldn't pay our "bills" and needed to be somewhere else, like now!, hard to find for awhile. at that moment a portal of change opened, deux ex machina!: a job offer in the middle of nowhere, relo expenses et al. i accepted without ever visiting madera, ca. i suppose after all this you might wonder what that tire thing was about? i, too, wonder. christmas was memorable in my early years but then something unforgettably sad happened, such that i've disrespected religious events since. for a time i took to making odd abstractions of what alternative forms a "christmas tree" might take. that particular year i covered an old truck tire with that canned "snow" you spray on trees to approximate a "white christmas." but this result wasn't a tree at all, instead the remains of one that had been cut down to be decorated elsewhere, leaving a snow-covered hole in the ground where the tree had rooted. That was the concept, merry christmas perhaps you can see from this that my creative energy in this period ran high... wayne and i spent many and regular hours testing various brandy beverages i was hired to develop. but the lovely Dierdre fell back on pricier habits we had vowed to leave behind when we left the apple. soon after she caught the next bus out of town in the form of a wealthy melon farmer. fortunately none of this mattered much after awhile. all that aside, i highly recommend the cultural center for its displays of Basque art and artifacts, a full gymnasium for Basque games, and of course its excellent traditional cuisine.

Service was great Waiter very personal…read moreRack of lamb was delish Glad they had mint jelly Brocolinni tough

My 3.5 year old daughter attends pre-ballet with a tap dance component here during a weeknight…read moreclass with Ms. Amy. This is one of the few places I found to host classes for kids starting at age 3. The instructor is extremely patient while dealing with a class full of wild kids and makes time to work with each child individually. The facility consists of two separate rooms for classes. There is one larger room with tiered seating for guests that I believe they hold recitals in. There are bathrooms on site and the facilities are kept clean. I have seen all ranges of ages in classes and have also seen singing lessons. If alternate class times on Saturdays were added for the younger kids it would be five stars! It's difficult to get a run down 3 year old to focus after a full day around dinner time.

A review from an audience member (as opposed to the other reviews which focus on dance…read moreinstruction). As a venue: spacious area with a large room for tables for refreshments during intermission. A medium-sized stage area with no disabled seating but they allow wheelchairs to sit in front of the graduated seating section (so in front of the first row). Personnel/hosting staff: Employees (or volunteers?) are happy and helpful. If you are disabled or are with someone, they acknowledge and help you right away frm the time you arrive until they see you out the door when the performance is over. Programs are right on time. Place is clean. As an entertainment/arts program: Well-chosen material that can be appreciated by any age group and is not too long for younger audience members. I enjoyed my first time at SpectorDance for their holiday show and auction. I felt welcomed into what seemed to be a supportive group of people who are all probably parents of the performers. People from the organizing team introduced themselves. The auction was one of the most approachable in the area and I felt appreciated when I bid on something. Plenty of parking in their private lot. My first time out here won't be my last. I'm bookmarking their site so I can know when performances come up.