Monterey Bay Aquarium

Once you’re snuggled into the heart of Carmel, you won’t want to get back in the car and drive out, but trust us: this is well worth it. Just a short fifteen-minute jaunt down the freeway, you’ll see the signs for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Follow the signs and run, don’t walk, to the jellyfish exhibit. Be prepared to stand in awe in front of these magnificent creatures. They are nothing short of breathtaking, and their fragile grace will dazzle your senses for days to come. They’re the best kind of live art, shifting shape and waving wavy tentacles into the water as they slowly drift along. Of course the building is packed with other wonderful things, too: sea otters and penguins and spidery kelp and all sorts other living, floating swimming things. So go: the aquarium, the jellyfish. They’re waiting.

Art Galleries

It’s not as if you could miss the galleries, since they’re positively everywhere in Carmel, but here are a couple of our favorites, should you feel overwhelmed by all of the choices:

The Weston Gallery – fans of photography should head directly to this gorgeous collection of photos by the famed American photographer. His pieces are interspersed with the work of other incredible artists, including Ansel Adams & Alfred Stieglitz in a charming setting off on Dolores Avenue between 6^th & 7^th.

The Avalon Gallery – the stunning, sensual mezzotints of Mikio Wantabe are showcased in this gallery. Wantabe’s work is filled with delicately rendered images of the female body in smoky, sepia-toned settings; his wife was the model for many of the pieces. Other artists featured at this gallery include Michael Parkes, the renowned painter of sensual fantasies, and Daniel Merriman, whose intricate scenes of butterflies and castles and flower petals will make you wish you could step into the painting.

Gallery Twenty One - The Eyvind Earle Gallery. Renowned artist Eyvind Earle was born in 1916 and spent most of his life in California. In 1951, he began working with Walt Disney to paint backgrounds for several films, including For Whom the Bell Tolls. He later worked on other groundbreaking animated films, including Sleeping Beauty and The Lady and The Tramp. Anyone who has seen these early pieces will instantly recognize Eyvind’s fanciful, dark style, depicting trees whose branches drip down to the ground and strangely shadowed landscapes that seem to go on forever. Earle produced a huge body of work, and this gallery represents some of his most significant pieces. He died in 2000, and spent the previous twelve years of his life in Carmel Valley, making the gallery location particularly meaningful. His work was truly exceptional, and must not be missed!

Galante Vineyards

Monterey County plays host to several distinguished wineries. The temperature variations and cool coastal air combine to make an environment perfectly suited for grape growing, and some notable varietals have come from this area throughout the past few years. Of note is Galante Vineyards, founded by Jack Galante, the grandson of J.F. Devendorf, who founded the town of Carmel. How’s that for roots. Galante is known for their Cabernet Sauvignon, and does not use pesticides or herbicides in the vineyards. The winery plays host to several events every year, including the popular Summer Sounds Concert. The vineyard, with on-site tasting room, is about half an hour drive from Carmel Valley. What a nice way to spend an afternoon!

The Monterey County Events Database

From the dazzling Paraiso Airshow (a flying circus, oh my!) to the Annual Days of Wine & Roses (dancing on rose petals…mmm… how reckless! how decadent! how fun!) at Galante Vineyards, this is the ultimate events database. Plan your trip around a festival that suits your fancy! The URL is: http://www.montereyinfo.org/?p=4374

For Additional Information About Carmel Valley…

…  contact the Chamber of Commerce! Their comprehensive web site is located at: http://www.carmelvalleychamber.com