Guidebook for Castroville
Food Scene
Here are some local spots that we love to visit on a regular basis. We hope you enjoy them.
Wonderful spot with a diverse menu and great atmosphere. Great for anniversary or birthday dinner. Also check out their brunch menu as it is better than their dinner menu!
14 locals raden deze aan
Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette
3295 Dunes DrWonderful spot with a diverse menu and great atmosphere. Great for anniversary or birthday dinner. Also check out their brunch menu as it is better than their dinner menu!
Great spot to grab some good mexican food! Great atmosphere.
51 locals raden deze aan
The Whole Enchilada Market Place
7902 CA-1Great spot to grab some good mexican food! Great atmosphere.
This is a very busy spot so be aware. But there is a good secret that you can go to the check out counter and get fish to go. There is never a line for this so be sure to check it out. We've gotten some great meals this way! Park can also be a big pain as well so dropping someone off and circling is best.
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Phil's Fish Market & Eatery
10700 Merritt StreetThis is a very busy spot so be aware. But there is a good secret that you can go to the check out counter and get fish to go. There is never a line for this so be sure to check it out. We've gotten some great meals this way! Park can also be a big pain as well so dropping someone off and circling is best.
Great spot close to the cottage (within walking distance) for a quick lunch or early dinner. Great burger and fun atmosphere.
Trolly Car Rotisserie
10961 Merritt StGreat spot close to the cottage (within walking distance) for a quick lunch or early dinner. Great burger and fun atmosphere.
Great spot for fresh donuts! A dozen variety donuts is $10 at the time of me writing this.
Missing Hole Donut Shop
11572 Merritt StGreat spot for fresh donuts! A dozen variety donuts is $10 at the time of me writing this.
Great spot if you aren't feeling like cooking or are out late. Closes at 10pm which makes it great late night eating!
Round Table Pizza
11250 Merritt StGreat spot if you aren't feeling like cooking or are out late. Closes at 10pm which makes it great late night eating!
A must if you want some really good and quick breakfast before you start your adventure. About 12 tables so its a small little hole in the wall but amazing. Staff is great and be sure to try the Surfers breakfast for a filling meal!
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Moss Landing Cafe
421 Moss Landing RdA must if you want some really good and quick breakfast before you start your adventure. About 12 tables so its a small little hole in the wall but amazing. Staff is great and be sure to try the Surfers breakfast for a filling meal!
If you are out and about stop by this great restaurant for a quick beer and delicious food. Lovely outdoor patio that looks to a fun park (so bring you dog for some quick ball throwing!).
Aromas Grill
304 Carpenteria RdIf you are out and about stop by this great restaurant for a quick beer and delicious food. Lovely outdoor patio that looks to a fun park (so bring you dog for some quick ball throwing!).
Locally sourced beautiful dishes can be had here. Lovely home like setting with great work staff. Great for a special meal.
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HOME
3101 N Main StLocally sourced beautiful dishes can be had here. Lovely home like setting with great work staff. Great for a special meal.
You MUST go here if you want authentic mexican food. Best mexican food in the area! The artichoke enchiladas are excellent.
Alfonso's Authentic Mexican Food
11252 Merritt StYou MUST go here if you want authentic mexican food. Best mexican food in the area! The artichoke enchiladas are excellent.
Take the Jim Moore Blvd off of 1 (get off on Lightflighter Rd) and take this into Tarpys. It's in a shopping center and has a wine bar attached. Great outdoor area with nice portions and nice environment.
40 locals raden deze aan
Tarpy's Roadhouse
2999 Monterey Salinas HwyTake the Jim Moore Blvd off of 1 (get off on Lightflighter Rd) and take this into Tarpys. It's in a shopping center and has a wine bar attached. Great outdoor area with nice portions and nice environment.
This is Margaritaville. NOT the chain. ;) Great spot right along the water. Try the nachos and fish tacos! Great views !!!
231 Esplanade
231 EsplanadeThis is Margaritaville. NOT the chain. ;) Great spot right along the water. Try the nachos and fish tacos! Great views !!!
Parks & Nature
Great spot with the easiest access to the beach. Lots of parking and a quick trip over a small hill to the water. This is a big beach and you can for quite a long time if you are up for it. Dogs aren't welcome on the beach unfortunately, but you will see people with them but do it at your own caution.
There is a path on the other side of the sand hills where you could walk or run with your dogs. Dogs ARE welcome here! This eventually connects to the downtown Moss Landing area but right before then there is a path up the hill towards the beach that has a lovely bench where you can sit and see the ocean. We see tons of whales here!
9 locals raden deze aan
Salinas River State Beach
Great spot with the easiest access to the beach. Lots of parking and a quick trip over a small hill to the water. This is a big beach and you can for quite a long time if you are up for it. Dogs aren't welcome on the beach unfortunately, but you will see people with them but do it at your own caution.
There is a path on the other side of the sand hills where you could walk or run with your dogs. Dogs ARE welcome here! This eventually connects to the downtown Moss Landing area but right before then there is a path up the hill towards the beach that has a lovely bench where you can sit and see the ocean. We see tons of whales here!
This is our favorite beach in the area and is about 20 minutes from the house. Because the stairs are out, you will have to walk along a short dirt trail to the beach entrance. This is a very wide beach and dogs are welcome. You can go for a short walk from the entrance and not see anyone. Must see!
55 locals raden deze aan
Manresa State Beach
1445 San Andreas RdThis is our favorite beach in the area and is about 20 minutes from the house. Because the stairs are out, you will have to walk along a short dirt trail to the beach entrance. This is a very wide beach and dogs are welcome. You can go for a short walk from the entrance and not see anyone. Must see!
Great place to visit and join for a meditation. There is a lovely path surrounding the property with seating areas and self reflection points. Nestled in the redwoods its a must see!
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Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdGreat place to visit and join for a meditation. There is a lovely path surrounding the property with seating areas and self reflection points. Nestled in the redwoods its a must see!
Great DOG FRIENDLY beach (officially) right next to the Fish House! Seals often will hang out near here so great viewing. There isn't a lot of parking. Once you enter Moss Landing and drive through the harbor you will come to a deadend with some parking. Once you park head towards the water and you are there.
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Moss Landing State Beach
Great DOG FRIENDLY beach (officially) right next to the Fish House! Seals often will hang out near here so great viewing. There isn't a lot of parking. Once you enter Moss Landing and drive through the harbor you will come to a deadend with some parking. Once you park head towards the water and you are there.
Some great 1, 2 and 5 mile loops in the preserve. Close to the house. Relatively flat with some great views. Would be nice to do after kayaking in the slough.
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Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Some great 1, 2 and 5 mile loops in the preserve. Close to the house. Relatively flat with some great views. Would be nice to do after kayaking in the slough.
Wonderful beach with perfect and and views. Smaller beach compared to other. You can park alongside the street with a short walk. It is located at the start of 17 mile drive.
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Asilomar State Beach
Sunset DriveWonderful beach with perfect and and views. Smaller beach compared to other. You can park alongside the street with a short walk. It is located at the start of 17 mile drive.
Shopping
This is the spot to go if you want to see lovely antiques. Perfect activity during a rainy day.
Cannery Row Antique Mall
471 Wave StThis is the spot to go if you want to see lovely antiques. Perfect activity during a rainy day.
One of the best produce stands in the area. Can get pretty crowded depending on the date/time you go. Stop by here early afternoon and you should be good to get some stuff for dinner. Add in some fish from the market and you have a killer meal!
Barn Fresh Produce
8850 CA-1One of the best produce stands in the area. Can get pretty crowded depending on the date/time you go. Stop by here early afternoon and you should be good to get some stuff for dinner. Add in some fish from the market and you have a killer meal!
Best spot to get some adult beverages or quick snacks closest to the house. Speaking Spanish will come in handy here so dust it off and get to work!
Exxon
10784 Merritt StreetBest spot to get some adult beverages or quick snacks closest to the house. Speaking Spanish will come in handy here so dust it off and get to work!
Mark Areias Jewelers
Ocean AvenueThey have some beautiful and unique jewelry.
Great mall with TONS of options ranging from electronics to toys, restaurants to formal wear. It has everything you want.
12 locals raden deze aan
Del Monte Center
Del Monte CenterGreat mall with TONS of options ranging from electronics to toys, restaurants to formal wear. It has everything you want.
Essential spot for REI, Target, Starbucks and more. Whatever you want, you can find it here.
The Dunes On Montery Bay-Retail Center
General Stilwell DriveEssential spot for REI, Target, Starbucks and more. Whatever you want, you can find it here.
Sightseeing
Want to get your picture with a giant artichoke? This is the spot! When I told people we got a place in Castroville they will mention they have a picture with this big artichoke. Fun spot. Be sure to venture into the restaurant for some deep fried artichokes.
Giant Artichoke Restaurant
11261 Merritt StWant to get your picture with a giant artichoke? This is the spot! When I told people we got a place in Castroville they will mention they have a picture with this big artichoke. Fun spot. Be sure to venture into the restaurant for some deep fried artichokes.
Rent a bike or drive along the 17 mile drive. Note there is a toll to travel on this road but it is worth it. Stop for some pictures or to stretch your legs.
17 Mile Drive
17 Mile DriveRent a bike or drive along the 17 mile drive. Note there is a toll to travel on this road but it is worth it. Stop for some pictures or to stretch your legs.
Fun thing is to rent a kayak and take a paddle in the Elkhorn slough. There are no electric motors allowed on the slough so it is very peaceful and great for families.
17 locals raden deze aan
Monterey Bay Kayaks - Elkhorn Slough
2390 CA-1Fun thing is to rent a kayak and take a paddle in the Elkhorn slough. There are no electric motors allowed on the slough so it is very peaceful and great for families.
Essential! Great chance to see wonderful wildlife. Make a reservation and I recommendation the morning as it's less busy.
55 locals raden deze aan
Kayak Connection
2370 CA-1Essential! Great chance to see wonderful wildlife. Make a reservation and I recommendation the morning as it's less busy.
Essentials
This has everything you could possibly want in a grocery store. Stop by here to get some great meat and cheeses. Has nice beer and dessert selection as well. Has all the odds and ends you will need for a great trip. Also stop by here if you want to take things to the beach - you'll pay higher prices the closer to the beach you get.
Santa Fe Foods
11288 Merritt StThis has everything you could possibly want in a grocery store. Stop by here to get some great meat and cheeses. Has nice beer and dessert selection as well. Has all the odds and ends you will need for a great trip. Also stop by here if you want to take things to the beach - you'll pay higher prices the closer to the beach you get.
Everything Else
Looking for some succulents? This is the place for you. Fun to walk around and see all the options. Bit pricey but fun to see.
Thistle Hut
Looking for some succulents? This is the place for you. Fun to walk around and see all the options. Bit pricey but fun to see.
Entertainment & Activities
Chances are if you come to the house you will be venturing to the aquarium - as you should. It is an amazing display of aquatic life. Beautiful please with great learning opportunities. If you get there at the right time you can feed the inhabitants of the aquarium.
668 locals raden deze aan
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowChances are if you come to the house you will be venturing to the aquarium - as you should. It is an amazing display of aquatic life. Beautiful please with great learning opportunities. If you get there at the right time you can feed the inhabitants of the aquarium.
Extremely friendly knowledgeable staff. You get to take a long walk along the beach. Great for kids and families.
Beach Rides Monterey Bay Equestrian Center
9004 Monterey Dunes WayExtremely friendly knowledgeable staff. You get to take a long walk along the beach. Great for kids and families.
Quite the experience! You get to travel through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest. It's remarkable and great for kids. A little over an hour round trip. At the base there are fun shops, food and activites.
150 locals raden deze aan
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdQuite the experience! You get to travel through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest. It's remarkable and great for kids. A little over an hour round trip. At the base there are fun shops, food and activites.
Want to see a movie this is your place to go. Comfortable seats and a great selection. Great location being so close to numerous restaurants and eateries.
10 locals raden deze aan
Cinemark Marina
100 10th StWant to see a movie this is your place to go. Comfortable seats and a great selection. Great location being so close to numerous restaurants and eateries.
The Inn at Spanish Bay
2700 17 Mile DrBeautiful golf course with quite the setting.
There is a reason most people have heard of this golf course. Even if you aren't looking to play golf, its worth just walking or driving around to see the views.
Pebble Beach Golf Club
There is a reason most people have heard of this golf course. Even if you aren't looking to play golf, its worth just walking or driving around to see the views.