Haute For The Holidays: Top 10 Gift Picks From Monterey County
Monterey County sports a wealth of fine holiday gift ideas certain to pique any travelers’ interest. Ideal for spurring fond memories or creating new adventures, these top picks traverse all tastes from ripping around a racetrack to lunching with a leopard. Editor Note: High-resolution jpegs available.
TOP 10 PICKS
1) FROM SEA TO SAUTE PAN – Take the holiday party to the next level with an express shipment of fresh California Red Abalone, farm-raised in Monterey Bay. Pamper a party of six with six lbs. of live abalone hermetically sealed with a dose of oxygen. Great for “pounding” away those seasonal stress points, California Red Abalone is a true delicacy any “foodie” will favor. Monterey Abalone Company. $120.00, plus tax and shipping. 831.646.0350; www.montereyabalone.com
2) COWGIRL BOOTCAMP – Saddle up for a ride on the wild side via a traditional cattle drive in Monterey’s outback. Join the Varian family for a three-day romp rounding up 1,000+ steer on their 20,000-acre stead. Daughter Lily drives the stoves while mom, dad and sons ride and wrangle. Camp at Mustang Peak just outside of Parkfield, “The Earthquake Capital of the World,” tucked into a verdant corner of Monterey County. V6 Ranch. $700.00. 831.463.2371; www.parkfield.com
3) ARM CANDY – Mrs. Eastwood may have Clint on one arm but the other bears a Monterey-bred handbag of stellar design. For the fashionista, this season’s Stella Page Designs’ crimson and gold leaf decoupage handbag (limited edition of 50) are one hot ticket. Hand-crafted in a sea view loft in historic Moss Landing, these gems turn the ordinary outfit into a well-heeled get-up. Stella Page Designs. $625.00. 831.633.5503; www.stellapage.com
4) WALK ON THE WILD SIDE – Seeking a little up close and personal time with lions, tigers and…African elephants? Secluded deep in Steinbeck Country on 50 acres is Wild Things, an exotic animal training facility with 100+ critters including Josef, the live model for the Lion King and MGM Grand icon. The “Walk with the Animals” program steps up with a day of full animal contact. Following a delicious catered lunch, jump into a photo session with Brandi the cinnamon black bear (of Grizzly Adams fame), bathe Buffy the African elephant or take an exotic feline for a walk. Wild Things. $900.00. 800.228.7382. www.wildthingsinc.com
5) NEED FOR SPEED – Throw someone a few curves this holiday season with a day of lapping up g-forces at Monterey’s famous Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca. Strap into a Formula Dodge racecar and let your inner-Andretti out, learning such techniques as skid control and obstacle maneuvering. A one day drill promises plenty of fast-paced thrills. Skip Barber Driving School. $1295.00. 800.221.1131; www.skipbarber.com
6) SEEKING SOLITUDE – Get vertical with a day of rock climbing one of California’s top condor haunts. Scale the remnants of an ancient volcano on the San Andreas Rift Zone, created some 23 million years ago, at Pinnacles National Monument. Crimson-colored spires shooting skyward mark the spot for a one-day course in outdoor etiquette, route finding, climbing safety and basic knots on climbs ranking between at 5.7 – 5.10 (Yellowstone Decimal Scale). $150.00 per person, two minimum. Sanctuary Rock Gym. 831.899.2595; www.rockgym.com
7) OFFROAD JUNKIE – Cut loose in the lush Carmel Valley for an hour of side-tilts, log crossings and rock crawls at the West Coast’s only Land Rover Driving School. Set on 80 acres of rugged outback at Quail Lodge, the school is the ultimate rush for enthusiasts who enjoy taxing the tail off of a luxury Land Rover. Reach summits, defy gravity and conquer obstacles in this hands-on course for the courageous. Dramamine optional. $195.00/hour. Land Rover Driving School; 831.620.8854. www.LandRoverusa.com
EDIBLE TURTLES – For the hard-core chocoholic, ship a sinful pound of “Original California Turtles” from Monterey Bay Chocolates — soft pecan draped in dark chocolate or rich macadamia nut shelled in seductive white chocolate – oh heaven! Years ago as a small chocolate shop on Monterey’s Cannery Row, the “Original California Turtle” recipe was perfected using the freshest dairy crГЁme, locally grown nuts and pure Belgian chocolate. Hand crafted in small batches, these caramel nut clusters remain the store’s top seller. Indulge today. $16.75/lb., plus tax and shipping. Monterey Bay Chocolates. 831.899.7963. www.MontereyBayChocolates.com
9) A FISH EYE VIEW – What does it take to sustain a million-gallon fish exhibit or the nation’s largest living kelp forest? Aquarium buffs can get the inside edition with a Behind the Scenes tour at Monterey Bay Aquarium. Tap into the underbelly of the nation’s top-ranked aquarium including a rare look at the life support systems of thousands of marine creatures. From the vet room to the Monterey Bay Habitats, home to large sharks and nesting murres, Behind the Scenes tours promise to expand both mind and matter. $175.00 per guide, six people maximum per guide. Monterey Bay Aquarium. 866.963.9644. www.montereybayaquarium.org
10) LAP OF LUXURY- For the ultimate splurge, bed down in a classic Carmel Valley chateau (1927-29) complete with the intoxicating lifestyle, manicured gardens and fine dining. Hidden behind a series of private gates sits a 330-acre statement to the golden years of excessive wealth and privilege – Stonepine Chateau, the original home of Mrs. Crocker Russell (Crocker Bank heiress). The luxurious Tattinger Suite (formerly Mrs. Crocker’s bunk) steps up with his/hers dressing and bathrooms, private loft, marble bath with Jacuzzi and two fireplaces – all set in champagne tones. For the ultimate long-lasting impression opt for a full night buy-out of the entire estate, just $15,000. Tattinger Suite $1200.00/double. Stonepine Chateau. 831.659.2245. www.stonepinecalifornia.com
VISITOR INFORMATION
Monterey County is located 120 mi./192 km south of San Francisco and 345 mi./552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor. The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 45,000 acres of premium vineyards, 25 golf courses and 250+ accommodations. Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley. The Monterey Peninsula Airport, just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area’s major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to/from Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
For a free copy of the Monterey County Travel & Meeting Planner or to book a trip visit www.montereyinfo.org or contact the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 888/221-1010.
November 15, 2005
Posted in: United States West