This Week on the Central Coast
Handcars, Killer whales, and Parking Meters are all coming to Monterey County soon.
This week, Handcar Tours is bringing a new attraction to Marina, Killer Whales invade the Peninsula, and Carmel will try paid parking again. Also this week, city planners are cautiously optimistic about the Concours d’Elegance returning in full by August 6th.
Pacific Grove Middle School was recognized as a distinguished school in California. The state said they picked Pacific Grove Middle School for their “outstanding educational programs, instructional practices and excellent social-emotional support initiatives all combine to provide all students with the opportunities to realize their potential and to guide them on their path to achieve their goals.”
New Handcar Tours will be coming to Marina
A new attraction will be coming to Monterey County this summer. Handcar Tours will let passengers ride along the Monterey Branch Line and through Fort Ord Dunes State Park. The handcars are powered only by the riders’ arms and legs and can seat up to four. The attraction has been in the works since 2019 and Handcar Tours has been clearing trees and other vegetation along the three miles of abandoned track. The Monterey Branch Line was chosen “for its beautiful scenery, manageable grades and the unique loop that brings the handcars back to the starting point.” The company is aiming for an August 1 start date.
A pod of killer whales has been spotted over the last week.
The video was captured by a videographer working for Princess Monterey Whale Watching. The same pod has been seen for many days in a row. The orcas were trying to keep up with a pair of grey whales, also in the area.
Carmel may try paid parking again.
Carmel’s city council decided (again) to try paid parking in downtown Carmel. Prior attempts to implement paid parking have all failed and local business owners complained that it affected the amount of customers. However, council members claim that most employees and managers are using the spots directly in front of the stores for themselves. In years before, parking spaces would be paid for by using a kiosk, but this time the city is exploring the idea of mobile payments which would allow you to add more time even if you are nowhere near your car.
