Let the roar of lions serenade you to sleep, wake up to breakfast served to you by elephants, and then head out for a day of wine tasting — and all just two hours away from San Francisco. The Salinas Valley is an under-the-radar destination providing a weekend packed with experiences that seem half a world away from anything you'd expect in Monterey County.
6pm If you're here on the first Friday of the month, start by immersing yourself in the local arts scene with the First Fridays Art Walk. Over 50 Oldtown Salinas venues open their doors, featuring music, art, performances, wine and finger food.
Even if it's not the first Friday, you can still immerse yourself in local culinary culture. The Salinas Valley Fish House, located in the heart of Oldtown Salinas, is especially known for its oak-barbecued oysters, and features local produce and fresh fish.
8:30pm You'll arrive at Vision Quest Ranch, home to a wide assortment of wild animals — and to you, for the next two nights. This exotic Salinas Valley bed and breakfast is located at Wild Things, a facility for exotic animals, and E.A.R.S., an elephant sanctuary. Owner Charlie Sammut began caring for exotic animals when, as a police officer, he found an elderly cougar illegally housed in an area garage. Some of these animals earn their keep by working in films and television; others prefer the quiet life away from the Hollywood spotlight at Wild Things. Tomorrow you'll get to meet the animals, but tonight it's time to get settled in.
8am Your morning begins with breakfast, brought to you by the friendly elephants of E.A.R.S. Many of the fresh fruits on your breakfast plate are likely to appeal to your elephant visitors as well, so don't be surprised if they stick around to share in your meal!
9am Once you've finished your breakfast, get to know the elephants a little better with Vision Quest Ranch's "Pachyderm Package." Meet all the animals at Wild Things on an intimate and personal guided tour. Then you'll join the trainers as they socialize, walk and bathe the friendly elephants.
11:30am Fuel up before your very busy afternoon with lunch at The Steinbeck House. This popular lunch venue, located in the boyhood home of author John Steinbeck, is only open Tuesday through Saturday. Fortunately, you made a reservation in advance, and will now get to eat a gourmet meal that prominently highlights Salinas Valley produce, grown right in the fields you drove by on your way here.
12:30pm Now that you've had a meal filled with Salinas Valley produce, it's time to taste the fine wines that the area has to offer. Twelve wineries are located on what's called the River Road Wine Trail, which begins just off Route 101 in Greenfield and wends its way north to Salinas. You'll start at its southernmost point with the Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room and follow the trail north, ending right by Wild Things. Wineries range from large, such as the famous Blackstone Winery, to small family-owned operations whose wines you're unlikely to find at an average store. Some tasting areas, such as Ventana Vineyards, are located amidst the very barrels in which the wine is fermenting. Make sure to bring your camera, as several of the tasting rooms, such as Paraiso Vineyards and Hahn Estates Smith and Hook Winery, command sweeping views of the entire Salinas Valley. Worried you won't be able to find them all? The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association has a great map of every tasting room in the area.
5:30pm Take your treasures back to your safari suite. Depending on the time of year, you may have the chance to help the trainers at Wild Things tuck the elephants into bed for the night. Or perhaps you'll take this time for a well-deserved nap.
7:30pm Continue your local cuisine experience at a restaurant with an extensive cellar prominently featuring local wines. Tarpy's Roadhouse may have a country name, but it's received the Wine Spectator "Award of Excellence" for over 15 years, and for good reason. Its wine cellar is matched by its extensive menu highlighting the elements that inspired the area's diverse local cuisine. Tarpy's is housed in the original Ryan Ranch family homestead, dating to 1917, and named after Matt Tarpy, a protector of innocent ranchers or vigilante (depending on your point of view).
8:30am After another delicious pachyderm-delivered breakfast, you're off to nearby Toro Park to work off some of those calories you consumed yesterday. Toro Park has 20 miles of trails, ready for you to explore by strapping on your hiking boots or hopping on your mountain bike. You probably haven't brought a horse with you, but Monterey Bay Equestrian Center can arrange a trail ride on their horses.
If you're feeling ambitious, you can do the loop up to the top of Ollason Peak (nine miles with an 1800-foot elevation gain), which has the best views in Toro Park. For an easier trip, take the Toyon Ridge Trail, which also has beautiful views.
1:30pm Relax your well-worked muscles with a massage at nearby Chateau Coralini Retreat and Spa. This full-service spa, located in a picturesque estate on the National Register of Historic Places, offers a wide range of massage styles sure to loosen your muscles.
3pm Pick up some local agricultural bounty to take home at The Farm. This working farm is also an agricultural education center, and offers organic, locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, which will provide you with a tasty reminder of your time in the Salinas Valley.
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 1770, Monterey, CA 93942 1-877-MONTEREY info@mccvb.org
In partnership with Monterey County and the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas,
Sand City, Seaside, Soledad, Pebble Beach, Moss Landing, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Salinas Valley.
© Copyright 2009 Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
