Seaside - Monterey Bay Adventures

SEASIDE/SAND CITY

This 10-square-mile oceanside city is known for its strong base of diverse family-owned businesses. A growing multicultural community, Seaside is also home to a large auto center and California State University Monterey Bay. Views of the rugged coastline are plentiful from various points throughout the city, anchored by the 12-mile coastal recreation trail that extends from Marina to Pacific Grove. Seaside derived its multicultural character as a military town throughout the decades of the 20th century.

2010 population: 33,025
2010 median home price: $279,000

1. Shopping
Seaside has become a favorite and fun shopping spot on the Monterey Peninsula, with its many variety and specialty stores. Lee Durley, musician

2. Family-Owned Businesses
The varied family-owned businesses such as Sarita s and Ferdi s restaurants, and so many other locally owned firms have helped build Seaside into a thriving community. Lee Durley, musician

3. Laguna Grande Park
The crowd-pleasing live-music concerts and celebrations in Seaside s Laguna Grande Park, attracting fans from all the surrounding cities and beyond.

4. La Villa Restaurant
Enjoying Rosa s delicious chiles rellenos at La Villa Restaurant. Ralph Rubio, Seaside Mayor 2007

5. New Foods
Trying new foods, like Vietnamese cuisine at Pho King and sushi at Ichi Riki. Ralph Rubio, Seaside Mayor 2007

6. View of the Bay
Looking out over the bay on a sunny day from Seaside and watching the fog creep over the hill covering the Peninsula. Ralph Rubio, Seaside Mayor 2007

More restaurants in Seaside

Noodles Bar
1944 Fremont Blvd
Seaside, CA 93955
831-392-0210

Rosa La Villa Restaurant
766 Broadway Ave
Seaside, CA 93955
831-899-7710

Baan Thai Restaurant
1760 Fremont Blvd # F1
Seaside, CA 93955
831-394-2996

Editor's Picks: Weekending spring 2012

David Royal/Herald file

MANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN those features in Sunset magazine or the New York Times: How to spend a weekend in Some Nice Place Somewhere. And though I have seen those for Moss Landing and for Santa Cruz, I don't know that I have seen one for the greater Monterey Peninsula. READ MORE

Monterey Movie Tours

MOST MOVIE BUFFS know that Clint Eastwood's classic creepy stalker story, "Play Misty for Me," was filmed in Monterey and Carmel in 1971, but did you know that the Marlon Brando/Karl Malden Western "One-Eyed Jacks" was filmed in Pebble Beach and Big Sur in 1961? READ MORE

Gallery Guide

Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant. Highway 1 at Pheneger Creek, Big Sur. 667-2700, www.bigsurriverinn.com. Fernwood Resort Art Gallery. 30 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, Big Sur. 667-2130, 623-2750, www.artexperiencedsb.com. READ MORE

THEATER: Monterey County's theatrical groups provide a wide range of fare

STEPHEN MOORER/Pacific Repertory Theatre

Carmel Pacific Repertory Theatre Golden Bough Playhouse Monte Verde between Eighth and Ninth 622-0700, www.pacrep.org Professional theater company presents musicals, dramas, comedies and more at stages including the Golden Bough Theater and Forest Theater. READ MORE

ART: Creativity finds many homes in Monterey County

HERALD FILE

Art Classes/Contacts Alisal Center for the Fine Arts Inc. 758-5715 Offers workshops in art, dance, music and drama for children and young adults. Artistas Unidos P.O. Box 548, Salinas, 93901 758-9126, www.artistasunidos. READ MORE

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