We turned a corner driving along the Presidio in Monterey and came upon this small Museum featuring…read morethe Cavalry that was stationed at the Presidio Army Base. The museum presents the history using great artifacts like saddles, bridles, and full size horse and soldier mannikins decked out in full regalia. The history progresses chronologically since the time of the discovery of the Monterey Bay, and gives a great overview of military activity in the area. Some short videos displayed on a TV fill in the print and poster information using footage of Army activities from various eras. A very personable docent greeted us and narrated quite a bit of the historical background of the area as well, which gave some context for the displays. There are hiking trails up the hill behind the museum to the Sloat Monument, and we look forward to returning on a sunny day to enjoy the view and perhaps a picnic!

A small niche museum that really shows the military history or the local area. The visit is free…read morebut the gentleman sitting inside would always stand up and give a personal tour to everyone that walked in. He even gave information about the local area. The artifacts are well preserved. The area also has plenty of FREE parking. It's located right in town so you can park here for free and walk a few black and be right in the middle of town. The area is patrolled by the MPs so it's safe to park. Definitely a budget friendly spot to visit.

I recommend checking out the museum while hiking around Point Lobos Nature Preserve. You pay $10 to…read morepark in the preserve but the museum is free.

$10 to park. Great free museum. Love seeing the history of the place and great to know so many…read moredifferent ethnic cultures getting along and working together to make a living.

Stevenson history: California Historical Landmark #352…read more We stopped by to see where the author lived, formerly the French Hotel (now called Stevenson House after him and dedicated to his memory). Robert Louis Stevenson is most noted for Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and also wrote the poem, The Lamplighter. We saw a man come out from the back, perhaps a groundskeeper, and we asked him if the garden was open to the public. He was nice and said that we could come back tomorrow when the gates are unlocked and we could visit inside. Free to the public. We came back the next day. The museum is closed. We peeked inside the building and it didn't look much like a museum like it was going through some type of renovation and they abandoned the job. Stevenson only lived here for a short while and the two-story adobe building is uninspiring. He was sick and in poor health and was cared for by his friends while here but the full story is that he was in town chasing a married woman, Fanny Osbourne. The garden was not big in size but it had lots of shaded trees. There were benches in parts of the garden which was nice. Flowers were in bloom but the garden could use a little upkeep. I've included photos of some of the flowers in the garden. Review #1901

Robert Lewis Stevenson was an early days bohemian, not much different than your run in the mill…read moreliberal. He looked at life and sought time to develop his writing materials, enjoy warm pleasant weather, play some chess and smoke. The French Hotel is where RLS came to be and eventually marry his love of his life. Today... the museum is lucky enough to be here houses his very own personal artifacts, rare book and actual furnishings all obtained from his family members. A perfect and free treat for history buffs, writers, architects, lighthouse engineers, and photographers. This might be a bit boring for kids, but maybe if you first hand them the book Treasure Island, and then brought them here... they might get into it. You need to check ahead if you wish to get inside, the place is always closed. His actual bedroom (upstairs) is closed to the public, thanks to our own self imposed wheelchair accessible rules.

$30 to park your vehicle. $70 for a single ticket to the Flight Line Villa. That gets you an…read moreunreserved table in the dirt with a sun shade and a chair. That's it. $12 for a can of beer. A couple of biplanes flying, an Extra 300, and some sports cars driving on the runway. The Blue Angels and the F-16 Demo couldn't have saved this piece of shit. I know it's supposed to be a non-profit but with these absolutely OUTRAGEOUS prices and lack of entertainment and value it's a joke. Won't be back and I suggest attending the Capitol Airshow or Fleet Week for a MUCH better experience.

TOP 10 REASONS THE 2025 AIRSHOW WAS GREAT (without the military jets)…read more 1. Airshows are all about flying. Fascination with aircraft, aviation, and the people that make the profession so deserving of respect are the soul of an airshow. Noise, engines on full afterburner, and explosions are neat, but they are like sugar; flying, with or without shock waves, is the meal. 2. For the first time in many years of attendance, I watched the crowd exhibit intense focus and appreciation of the piston powered aerial artistry. Bob Freeman, Vicky Benzing and Folds of Honor were superb. The skydiving, C47, and the T28 and T-24 were fun to watch. And yes, I never saw that many P-51s at once. 3. I've always believed that a latent benefit of attending an airshow is that it compels people to look up at the sky -- instead of down at a phone, for example. This is the first airshow I've attended in decades without afterburners ringing my ears and an odd thing happened. The atmosphere was more like a festival. People were having conversations. It was relaxing and entertaining. There wasn't the panicked bum rush of people to stand in front of others to see the Blues. "That guy" with his butt invading and blocking the view to take super-telephoto-urgent pics was gone. People were friendlier and more mellow. 4. Too often, airshows have been equated with the military. I dedicated years working with the military designing military jet engine components. My father was a war veteran, and I was recruited to attend the Naval Academy. But the level of focus on the military, down to inductions on the airfield, sometimes is over the top and subsumes the focus on aviation. I'd rather a child at an airshow find a love for flight rather than the capabilities of some fighter and where it is being used. This airshow had an interesting and refreshing balance of military and civilian content, especially with the Ryanair performance. 5. The absence of the military, including the Blue Angels, will cause the show organizers to think about lessening risk by reducing reliance on military participation, even for factors such as weather minimums for military team performances. Perhaps the good crowd turnout despite the absence of afterburners tells you something. Something to build on for 2026. 6. The airshow logistics and services were well organized. Even the police onsite were friendlier. Parking was great (although there was something holding up the line of cars entering). The parking fee was raised, but I can understand it with the Blues not showing up. Every single volunteer was friendly, helpful and professional. Bathrooms were clean. Beer was cold, and there was a great selection. The aircraft displays were great. The announcer was excellent and knowledgable -- down to the P-51 boundary layer scoop issue. The main acts didn't show but these folks put on a fine airshow. 7. There were no blaring speakers playing bad music. In fact, I heard a brass band playing Cold Duck Time. A tune written by the great Eddie Harris. At an airshow! And they sounded great. 8. Mr. Alverez. His presentation was moving. The man is a hero. 9. The weather was perfect. Great weekend for an airshow. 10. It's an airshow. There's no such thing as a bad airshow.

Maybe was good years ago but now mostly resellers with stolen/bootleg designs. I'd rather shop a…read moresmaller better curated event. If I can by it on Shein or Temu I'm not buying it at a craft fair.

This locally grown craft show started out at a literal farm on Old Stage Road but has recently…read moreexpanded so much that it wouldn't fit there anymore. Despite losing the actual farm aspect, this show has kept its farm-like feel at the awesome new location of the Monterey County Sheriff's Posse Grounds. The committee (family) that puts the show on and their volunteers - comprised mostly of cowgirls and boys - are so incredibly helpful, friendly and laid-back. The selection of over 100 vendors is fantastically diverse and so well organized. All local artisans and sellers with a range of handmade work, homemade goods, antiques, vintage furniture, and a few business representatives thrown in the mix (Silpada, Lularoe, etc.). There's a food truck or two and a wine/mimosa bar! Plus parking and entrance is totally FREE!! There are two Flair shows a year. The spring show happens either in late April or early May and the fall (holiday) show happens on the full weekend before Thanksgiving (perfect time to start your gift shopping!). As a vendor for the last four years I can say this is one of the most fun and well organized shows I have the pleasure of selling at! *** Tips *** * Wear boots or sensible shoes. This show takes place in often dew covered grass and parking is in the dirt (sometimes mud), both with the occasional little gopher hole. So leave those heels at home! Unless you want to give us vendors a free show of you wobbling around like Bambi or full on face-planting in the grass. Trust me, I've seen it. It's hilarious! :P * Bring a little shopping cart or wagon. Trust me, you'll want it, with all the awesome stuff you'll end up buying! Lots of others bring their wagons too, you won't be the only one. * Come early! The line to get in starts forming a little after 9am even though it doesn't open/start until 10am. These early birds are coming to do some serious shopping! If you wanna see the good stuff better get here early. * Bring cash. Although most vendors take credit card, there's a few that don't. * Maybe leave the kids at home. Despite this being a very family friendly atmosphere it's not exactly geared towards kids who don't like to go shopping. If you really want to be able to see everything and shop peacefully, leave those kiddos with the hubby. Also maybe leave your hubby at home, unless he's your personal wallet, then bring him. We need you to come spend his well earned money lol! On second thought just bring his credit card haha! If you do bring him though there is a multitude of benches he can hang out on, with all the other husbands waiting on their wives to finish shopping (for real). Which will never happen at this place. You'll want to stay all day! * Leave the dogs at home too, please. I'm a dog lover myself, but not a lover of their poop and pee. Because this show takes place outside there is always a case of someones dog peeing on some vendors display piece (speaking from personal experience) or someone stepping in some poop and tracking it all over the place (again, personal experience of someone tracking dog poop into my booth). All the organizers and vendors will thank you heartily if you leave your fur children at home.

We attended "Best of the Fest" this past weekend, on the final day of the 2023 event (favorites…read moreselected by artistic director, Grete Pederson). At first, it felt like I was at church, with the cathedral-like interior architecture at the Sunset Center, and Bach's background and history of writing church music, unmistakable with the initial performances seemingly dominated by the magnificent choir on stage. But it grew into so much more. An abundance of talent on display showcasing their musical expertise on a plethora of instruments, including some I rarely see performed, like the theorbo (lute) and harp. The concert included the music of Bach, Mozart, George Frideric Handel (Concerto for Organ), Haydn (excerpts from The Creation), Karin Rehnqvist (moving performance of Breaking the Ice)... even a Beethoven teaser for next year's festival! But my fave was Fire and Grace, with Edwin Huizibga on the violin and William Coulter on the guitar, their version of "folk and baroque" (Irish Jig, Bach Gigue, Irish Reel). Tower music on the trumpets and trombones in the courtyard during intermission, with charming string lights to help set the mood. Easy access to the event, parking available within the neighborhood, and workers quick to scan tickets. Staff included 130 volunteers, which is amazing, as that kind of dedication makes this all possible. Though I've certainly been to better venues and music events, I enjoyed my experience here, listening to the extraordinary performances of various classical works of art organized beautifully into the program.

There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular,…read morebut he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.

Attended The Ferrari Challenge at Laguna Secca Race Track,…read more Amazing place and Ferrari pulled out all the stops entertaining at Casa Ferrari. Beautifully catered by Bernardus. If you get a chance to be invited, Go.

11 turns and 180 feet elevation changes are enough to challenge the most experienced drivers. I…read morelove to hike up to see the corkscrew with its 5 story drop. Better than any theme park ride for sure. General parking is muddy so don't wear nice shoes.

The Harry Downie Museum, located in the forecourt to the Basilica, houses interpretive displays and…read moreartifacts devoted to telling the restoration story of the Mission and the significance of Harry Downie's efforts in the restoration. Wonderful basilica museum here that serves as the entryway into the basilica grounds!