This Week on the Central Coast…
Renovations at familiar places in Monterey; the Aquarium travels south for research; BMX & skate park in Salinas; and pinball and movies in Santa Cruz
Monterey
Carmel Valley Ranch Debuted a Newly Remodeled Kitchen
Carmel Valley Ranch recently revamped its restaurant, Valley Kitchen. “Floors were refinished with a lighter color, brightening the entire space. Comfy new banquettes were installed, along with fresh tables and chairs. And wide screen TVs were being installed in the bar area for watching sports.”
To celebrate, the Ranch put on a “culinary weekend” which highlighted its local partners and featured three chefs recognized by the James Beard foundation:
Chef Brian Redzikowski of Kettner Exchange in San Diego offered a cheese making presentation and lunch.
Chef Jen Jasinski (James Beard’s best chef in the Southwest) crafted the welcome dinner.
Chef Lincoln Carson (a James Beard finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef) finished the dinner with a squab galette with foie, mushrooms, and Swiss chard.
Valley Ranch’s own chef is no stranger to accolades, having worked at “the famed Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, Thomas Keller’s Bouchon of Beverly Hills and Nobu. “
The event featured the Ranch’s own beekeeper, cheesemaker, and olive tree-tender (who also manages the golfing greens and vineyards).
Other highlighted guests included Carlo Overhulser of Big Sur Salts and Ian Brand of I Brand Family Wines, who also serves as the Ranch’s winemaker for their house brand Swing.
Carmel Valley Ranch plans to make culinary events like this more regular, so keep an eye out for their announcements.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Team Studied in Antarctica
A dive team from the Monterey Bay Aquarium took a trip to Antarctica to study sea stars. More specifically, they were researching sunflower sea stars, which live in the Monterey Bay and Antarctica. Sea stars across North and South America have been affected by a condition called wasting syndrome. The condition causes abnormally twisted arms and body disintegration and is widely believed to be caused by “human-fueled climate change”.
The trip allowed researchers from the central coast to compare their data to somewhere seemingly unrelated. “Doing comparative research like this allows ecologists to learn common lessons,” said the director of science for the Aquarium. The team found only three cases of wasting syndrome in Antarctica, but that was three more than they would have liked to see.
Another trip to Antarctica will happen in 2026 so scientists can compare changes in their data.
American Tin Cannery Project Approved by Coastal Commission
*Special thanks to Mike Gibbs on Nextdoor for bringing this article up.
The long-debated hotel project at the site of the American Tin Cannery finally has a decision. The California Coastal Commission voted 9-1 to approve the project after developers made key changes, including downsizing the structure.
The revised plans will feature 206 rooms, 18 of which will be designated as lower-cost, and 16 of which will be designated as group-living areas. The rooftop will double as a public park and plaza.
The developer, Comstock Homes, pledged to monitor seal activity in the area and stop construction if there was a disturbance. Additionally, the company said it would not do intense construction between November and July, outside of the seals’ pupping season of February through May.
Salinas
New BMX and Skate Park Gets County Approval
A proposed new BMX and skate park was approved by Monterey County. The city of Salinas wants to build the park as an extension of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex to “provide more recreational spaces for children and teenagers especially where they can bike and skate safely.”
Once the park is built, it will add to the complex’s already expansive facilities, which include thirteen different grass soccer fields, a walking path, and exercise stations all on twenty acres. The BMX and Skate park is only part two of a long list of upgrades. The complex, which is managed by the nonprofit Salinas Regional Sports Authority, plans to add: 7 more grass fields and 2 fully lit turf fields, more walking paths and exercise stations, a playground, a basketball court, 8 beach soccer fields or 12 beach volleyball courts, 2 fully-lit futsal courts, more parking, an indoor soccer facility, and stadium seating. The bike track will feature hills and banked curves throughout the park and the skatepark will be inspired by street courses with a bowl. Benches and seating around the perimeter will let spectators watch.
The next part of constructing the park will be funding, needing approximately $3 million for the project.
Santa Cruz
Competitive Pinball in Santa Cruz
A new pinball club, called Nine and Three Quarters, is opening in Soquel by the end of the month. Situated between 41st Avenue and Rodeo Gulch Road, next door to The Treehouse dispensary, the club will be “members only” and feature assorted pinball machines, table tennis, golf simulator, and other indoor games. Monthly memberships will be around $60 with day passes also available.
To start, the club will have machines with a variety of themes like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Harry Houdini, and The Godfather. Nine and Three Quarters aims to distinguish itself from The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s arcade by appealing to more serious gamers, as opposed to “an amusement park feel”.
The owners want to eventually hold pinball tournaments, then expand into table tennis and golf as well.
Speaking of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the schedule for “Free Movies on the Beach” has been announced. Every Friday starting June 14 to August 9, a different free movie will be shown on the beach at 9pm.
Appropriately, the series starts off with The Lost Boys and ends with The Goonies. The schedule is as follows:
June 14 - The Lost Boys
June 21 - Book of Life
June 28 - The Barbie Movie
July 5 - The Sandlot
July 12 - The Endless Summer (60th Anniversary)
July 19 - Wonka (2023)
July 26 - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
August 2 - Trolls (2016)
August 9 - The Goonies
Remember! If you plan on going, consider purchasing food or merchandise while you watch. The sales are what allow the Boardwalk to continue to provide free movies on the beach.