Monday, 24 April 2017

6 Tips To Finding Good Restaurants While Traveling

When going on a business trip or vacation locating the best restaurants is not a difficult job, yet it could get tricky. But by doing a little research beforehand you can avoid having bad dining experiences and keep your trip memorable.

When traveling to Monterey, California, some of the best restaurants in Monterey can offer you an exquisite food experience. Locating these restaurants won't be difficult if you follow these 6 tips.




1. Ask The Locals

The locals are most familiar with everything going on in town, especially if they've lived there for some time. Local people have most likely dined in several of the newer and older restaurants numerous times so they know which restaurants to go to or avoid.

2. Plan Ahead And Research In Advance

Don't wait for hunger to strike before looking for a restaurant. When people are hungry they tend to head to the first restaurant they see, and most of the time that's not a good choice. So if you're heading to the Central Coast of California and looking for the best restaurants in Monterey, do some research before going and try to locate the ones with good reviews, in particular by the residents. Looking through brochures and travel guides may help, but nothing is like first-hand experience and honest reviews from people who have tried a place.



3. Look For Crowds

When there's a crowd or a line in a restaurant it usually means the food is good. You don't generally see a place packed with people if the food is bad. It also means people are willing to wait if the food is worth it.

4. Avoid Chain Restaurants

Chain restaurants are in every town with basically the same menu and food. So if one of the chain restaurants is available in your city, try to avoid it. Opt for something different and not offered in your hometown. Although the food may be delicious, try something new.

5. Look For Regional Food

Eating the regional food or the cuisine of the natives is usually the best. The local cuisines are prepared and cooked by the locals. For instance, you don't go to China and have burgers, or go to Italy and have tacos. The locals know their food well, and they know all the ingredients and seasonings of every meal. They also know the proper way of cooking it, so you get to experience the most authentic and scrumptious entrees. Foods of the region prepared by the locals with fresh local ingredients are usually the tastiest.

6. Avoid Restaurants Around Tourist Attractions

Restaurants and bars around the attractions are usually tourist traps; they're more about convenience than the quality of food. These places are commonly always crowded, so it's more important to get the food to the table quickly than the food itself, and the food also tends to be more pricey than places in town. By the time the tourists leave the theme park or other tourist attraction, they're usually famished and will pick the first restaurant they see, without focusing on the price or the food itself.

With the convenience of phones, tablets, and laptops, finding the best restaurants to dine in Monterey is an easy task. Also, look at social media and get some real feedbacks and see which eateries are popular. California is a fabulous place with excellent restaurants, and dining at the best restaurants in Monterey can make your trip pleasurable and unforgettable!

Friday, 27 January 2017

Experience the Best Wineries Monterey County Has to Offer

Monterey County in California is home of some of the most famous coastlines in the West Coast. Nestled amongst the cliff edges and mountains are picturesque towns that mimic California’s laid back spirit. With trendy bars, restaurants and spectacular scenery this ocean side destination has plenty to offer.

Whether you are a guest just visiting or live there year round, one must experience wine tasting in Monterey County. Since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted the county's first grapevines the region has become one of California’s top producing areas. Known for its soil and climate, this area comes equipped to be one of the top producing wine counties in California. Monterey County boasts over 175 different vineyards over a 90 mile long valley. The valley where much of the wineries lay is unique in that it has an array of climates ranging from cold to warm from north to south. This distinctive climate pattern allows forty-two varietals to grow! Named in several magazines and destination guides as being one of the best places in America to go for wine tastings. 
How Do You Experience All That Monterey County Has to Offer?
First you must get a great wine trail map or visitors guide. This will inform you what Monterey County offers along its surrounding area. Read about Monterey County’s wineries to choose which ones appeal to your taste, or which vineyards you would like visit. Cities in Monterey County like Carmel-by-the-Sea offer great tasting rooms within close distance to each other so you don’t have to travel very far to experience all the good wines. At most of these tasting rooms you can take yourself on a self-guided tour and enjoy tasting flights.

If you want to go more inland you can take a Wine Trolley to Carmel Valley. Such wine trips allow you to enjoy spectacular views of vineyards, see how wines are made then taste wine at their tasting rooms.
For the ones that only have a short time to visit this beautiful area, I recommend one of several food and wine events offered throughout the year. These festivals usually feature a collection of culinary masterpieces paired with locally grown wines. Some events span over an entire weekend and offer cooking demonstrations for those who want to take home more than a bottle of wine.

Wine tasting in Monterey County is definitely an experience one must try. Locals know all about their bustling vineyards and are more than happy to share their experience with you. So even if you don’t have a plan laid out, rest assured you will have some of the best wines of the West Coast. Cheers!

Monday, 3 October 2016

5 Reasons Carmel, California is a Great Destination for Youngsters


If you're planning a fun family vacation to Carmel, California, you’ve made a good destination choice. This Monterey Peninsula beach city is a great place for adults and children alike. If you want to to discover the top thingsto do in Carmel with kids, there are quite a few excellent choices available to you.
1. Spend a Day at Carmel Beach
Carmel Beach is known for its mesmerizing skies and marvelous Cypress trees. It's also known to be a fantastic picnic spot. Kids can have wonderful experiences eating lunch at the beach. They can also release energy by going for swims and running around on its smooth and soft sands. Beach visits are undoubtedly among the top things to do in Carmel.

2. Go to San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo Mission
San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo Mission (also simply called "Carmel Mission") makes a fine educational destination for youngsters who have thirsts for knowledge. This mission was launched by Junipero Serra. It's not only a good place for kids who like learning, either. It's also home to wide open gardens that are perfect for children who like to be on the move.
3. Visit Earthbound Farm's Farm Stand
Earthbound Farm's Farm Stand is roughly 15 minutes away from the heart of Carmel by car. The drive is a stunning one, too. Kids can have amazing experiences at the Farm Stand. Highlights include a children's garden, a Walking Labyrinth and even a straw horse. If your kids are well behaved during their visit, you can even reward them by getting them delightful baked treats.
4. Take a Tour of Carmel
Carmel is a quaint beach community that's a joy to tour. If you want to have some laid-back and relaxing fun with the kiddos, think about going for a lengthy walk in the area. You can check out adorable pooches and also enjoy some refreshingly cold ice cream. Additionally, there are plenty of family-friendly dining choices available in Carmel.

  5. Family Friendly Accommodations
Many hotels and inns offer family-friendly lodging choices for better sleep and privacy. The Hofsas House Hotel on San Carlos Street makes a fine lodging choice for families with children. It's a boutique hotel that has spacious and inexpensive two-bedroom guest suites available to families.
Parents can even enjoy the convenience of private bedrooms. If you want to feel perfectly at home while in Carmel, you can't beat a stay at Hofsas House Hotel. Don't forget to go for the complimentary continental breakfast, either. It's absolutely delicious!