Visiting a new town that is known for its different side streets and courtyards?…read more Carmel Visitor Information office is your first stop. Extremely friendly staff who quickly was able to assist us with all the useful information and maps

I just had to write about this little office in the Town Center Mall because they helped out with…read moremy travels when I needed it. They were there for me. They are the nicest people for this job; all smiles and welcoming. I needed schedules and had lots of questions that they patiently ANSWERED and helped with a few other details, called for a cab for me to make it to the airport because I lost my phone. There is a nice little selection of souvenirs and those fancy glossy magazines. They couldn't have done anymore for me. By the way, the cab came just as fast as an Uber and the cost was the same. If you need help with your travels in and around Carmel, this is the place that is there for you.

They have moved their office closer towards Downtown. Jennifer was amazing and set me up for…read moreinteresting places to explore in the surrounding area. I definitely recommend stopping by to get the vast amount of brochures available.

Having been born and raised in the area, it really wasn't necessary for us to stop here but it was…read morea nice rest stop to determine what we were going to do for the remainder of the day in Monterey. The lake nearby is called Lake El Estero, and is surrounded by El Estero Park. Located within the park is the famous Dennis the Menace park. El Estero Boating is located on the shore of the lake opposite Dennis the Menace Park and is where you can rent a paddle boat. What's nice is from the visitors center you can see both the paddle boat area and the Dennis the Menace Park so you can easily map out, and plan your day. With so much to see and do in Monterey I can see why at times it could be overwhelming to a person visiting the area. So this place is designed for a visitor who just doesn't know where to start. We did not go inside the building but I enjoyed the scenery behind the building. The Monterey County Visitors Bureau provides you with all the information you need about visiting the Monterey Peninsula. They have information on individual attractions, hotels, and restaurants. I heard they sometimes have coupons available too. The staff is there to provide guidance and give directions to locations throughout Monterey County. They are open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. They are closed on major Holidays such as Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1 and Easter Sunday. I can see how a family can easily spend a pleasant day at the park surrounding Lake El Estero. There were plenty of geese, seagulls, and ducks swimming around in harmony. We were only there a short while but there is a walking path that goes entirely around the lake. Along the walking path there is a unique exercise course with equipment and instructions. Plenty of benches and grass to have a little picnic. Just be aware that the birds can be a bit aggressive and I believe you are not permitted to feed them by law. There is a dog park and I believe there is also a skate park for skateboarders. Dennis the Menace park has always been a favorite with the kids with their one-of-a-kind fun playground equipment. Admission is free however the paddle boating rentals do have a fee. The last time I checked you can rent a paddle boat for a half an hour or an hour. In conclusion, if you are a visitor of the Monterey Peninsula, and are not sure where to go, this is the perfect place for you!

I had the unfortunate experience of visiting the Lake El Estero Visitors…read moreCenter on 11/19 and the visitor center staff member named Pam was extremely rude, condescending, and ill-tempered.

Whenever we head to Monterey we always come to the visitor center first to grab coupons and go to…read morethe restroom before we explore the city. Today, Michael who helped us was so thoughtful he saw my kids and ink stamped a post it and gave it to them, they carried it around like they won a prize. I also took a survey and received a gift of postcards. The staff here has always been welcoming and informative when I come in.

I don't like to give bad review because it's a waste of my time and energy but this place is an…read moreexception. I have never encounter The RUDEST and INCONSIDERATE information center. I have two toddlers and one of them is currently potty training and the guy didn't even allow us to use the restroom and told us he needs to call the plumper. There were no greeting or eye contact. Felt like I was talking to a wall. This place needs to close down because the guy is useless, unfriendly and completely lazy. He's by far worse than a robot. Avoid this place if possible. Best to do your research online and if you need to use a restroom for your kids just go any place beside here. This will save you from having a bad day.

This park is great for a first stop before heading out for an adventure or watching the sunset…read morewhile dining on some pizza from Gianni's. Lover's point offers plenty of opportunities for the kids to get worn out, like a public beachside swimming pool, beach volleyball, an actual beach area just inside the cove, and a grassy area for picnicking. even though this beach/park was packed, the vibe was still super chill and didn't feel overcrowded. This beach also offers some great opportunities for people to enjoy tide pools, watch wildlife, and take-in gorgeous views. There is a public bathroom here, but if you can avoid. Not the most clean.

The waves were calm early in the day then began to rage as the day went on. Wind was low and the…read moresun began to shine bright, forcing the appearance of our tent. There were not many people out around 11a, as the day went on both sides of the beach filled quickly. There were three places on site to grab a bite to eat, caffeinate or cool down from - Creama (6:30a-2:30p), Lovers Point Beach Cafe (9a-4p) and Snack Shack (10-6). There was a clean, public restroom for men and women to the left of the cafe. Look for the yellow awnings and follow it to the black gates. Turn into that area and you will locate the restrooms. There is a volleyball court directly across from the beach, two sandy beach areas separated by a tall wall of rocks. The beach area furtherest from the parking lot had so much sea life to experience first hand - our daughter was amazed as were we. It was also quieter with fewer people using that side. There are 15 steps leading down to each beach area. The wildlife is everywhere and SO comfortable with people. A squirrel stood in front our daughter while she ate her cracker, a seagull stared at me while I opened a wrapper for our daughter. There was a parking lot that fits 20-30 cars and street parking. People were still arriving around 5p looking for parking in the lot unsuccessfully. I would definitely recommend arriving early to secure a parking spot and a preferred spot on the sand. Our daughter existed here for six hours and was still not ready to leave. She's a young one. There were lots of kids on the beach, most playing with each other and sharing buckets, shovels and seashells. We will definitely return before the summer is over. So breathtaking and fun for all ages to enjoy in and out of the water.

While visiting the Carmel/Monterey area a month ago we wanted to take in some of the local scenery…read more Point Lobos State Natural Reserve came highly recommended, and it did not disappoint Located just 10 minutes outside of Carmel, this incredibly picturesque seascape is a must see while visiting. There are multiple trails through the Point, and each of them showcase stunning views of the sea and saw well as flora and fauna It was barely raining while we were there and it never dampened our spirits. The trails got a little slick, but nothing too dangerous. In fact, this is more of a seaside walking path than a physical intensive hike We saw many seals and otters on our hike. There was also a rest stop that had park rangers and an interactive exhibit that was very cool. You could feel the skin of a seal, otter, and even the baleen from a whale Some tips: If you haven't explored Carmel or Monterey you are just a short drive away There are many coastal hikes and scenic points/beaches to explore. We also enjoyed a more physical hike at the Pinnacles, but that is an hour or so away Cheers!!

Adj: beautiful, breathtaking natural reserve…read more Always a nice place to visit and "hike" (really just trail walking). I love coming here. It's so serene, scenic, natural, cool, and both the botanical plantlife as well as the animals (air, land, and ocean wildlife) you can find and view here are just so amazing. Being it's in the Monterey Bay, it's almost always cool when it's hot in the valley, so it's another great place to escape to. It's just a very nice and unique point in the bay and although you can spend the whole day here, or even several days, a couple of hours will also be very rewarding for a change of scenery for those of us who are urban dwellers who want to reconnect with God's natural wonders once in awhile. Overall, Point Lobos is an authentic, breathtaking, and calming place for those who enjoy seeing the ocean and taking in all the native plants, vegetations, and all the air, land, and sea creatures one can encounter or at least observe here.

Such a beautiful place to walk through. We were there during the off season but still enjoyed…read morewalking through the sanctuary.

Neat little walking spot, we knew butterflies wouldn't be around but spotted a blue jay and walked…read morethe path. Interesting how many non natives are planted, but then again so are eucalyptus, so maybe that's not the focus. Limited street parking on the grove acre road side, please be respectful of the surrounding apartments.

If you're in the Carmel/Monterey area with kids, you have to stop here. It's a total hidden gem…read more There are so many wonderful play structures that kept our kids (ages 2 and up) entertained for hours--everything from the suspension bridge to the hedge maze and the classic steam engine. The park is also very well-maintained and clean, which isn't always a guarantee with public playgrounds. It's the perfect place to let the kids burn off some energy in a safe, fun environment. Highly recommend!

PLEASE place updated schedule on website/Yelp!!!!!…read more Went on a Tuesday and it was closed. Other than the aquarium this was the main reason we chose to come to Monterey and stayed an extra night just to have the day to visit the park. Lucky (I guess) I saw a worker and asked why it was closed. He said if kids are in school, then Tuesdays is when they close for maintenance.

Took my two dogs here today. It's nice and shady great parking and ok facility. Lots of tall grass…read morewith foxtails. Bark covering dirt. Secure fence on both the small and big dog fenced areas, trees, benches for humans. Too bad people don't pick up their dogs' poop. Watch where you step. Trash cans on site,

This park could be so great. The views of the lake are really lovely. But the park itself needs a…read morelot of improvements. 1) There's no fresh water provided. This is pretty standard at every other dog park. Why would you not have a faucet and some bowls available? 2) The park doesn't seem to be maintained at all or at least not frequently. The trash can was completely overflowing, and there was a ton of old dog poop all over the park. Weeds were growing up in several spots through the wood chips. 3) The wood chips. Wow. There's a lot of them. For the big dogs, I'm guessing it wouldn't be too hard to navigate, but smaller dogs would have difficulties wading through such a thick layer of substrate. My sheltie did not look particularly comfortable as she tried to walk through it. 4) Other reviews have commented on this as well, and I have to agree. There is definitely a creepy element to the people who are hanging out in their cars next to the park. One guy was parked right next to the entrance to the small dog section, and he stared at us the entire time we were there. It wasn't pleasant. I really wanted to like this park, the location is so great and the view of the lake is really nice. But the park feels so neglected and forgotten. It wasn't enjoyable for me or my pup.

Haven't been here in over a year since moving away. It was fantastic to see the regrow th from all…read morethe rain in CA this past year. And the pond at the top of the trail looks like it did from years ago when I first hiked here. They had done some major work around the pond and sort of landscaping. The view at the top is a still gorgeous! Views of Carmel Valley sand the white sand beach. A new building with restrooms is at the front too. Nice change from all the port a potties. Enjoy nature and get out there. Cheers and happy yelping.

So beautiful, full of a variety of wildlife and sweeping views of the ocean and surrounding…read morelandscape. Highly recommend.