Salinas / Monterey KOA Local Attractions

Attractions

We are within 18 miles of Monterey Aquarium and Cannery Row. Carmel is only 25 miles with the 17 miles drive only 20 miles from us. We are right at the 101 and 156 highways, with the beach at Moss Landing only 7 miles away. Whale watching is right at the marina at Moss Landing and we have the best dog beach around. The famous "Phil's Fish Market" is also in Moss Landing (which has been on the Food Network Channel with Bobby Flay). We are within 40 minutes of the boardwalk in Santa Cruz and only 4 miles from Elkhorn Slough and Manzanita Park off Hwy 1. Salinas National Steinbeck Center is only 9 miles south of the park. Laguna Seca Raceway is only 20 miles from our park and such an easy on/off to all parking. The Garlic Festival in Gilroy is 18 miles. Don't forget the 17-mile drive out of Carmel, where you will end up at one of the best shopping areas around. Go wine tasting at the many wineries in the Salinas/Monterey area. Easy access to the 101 & 156 freeways at our back door.

Website

Puma Road Winery

Puma Road Winery & Tasting Room and Puma Road Portola Plaza are excited to welcome you back. Both locations are open for wine tastings and purchases from Thursday through Monday. Please note: for your convenience, we will continue offering complimentary local delivery to most of Monterey County for orders of $75 or more. Delivery days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And, for those of you outside our delivery area, we are offering amazing flat rate UPS Ground shipping prices—$25 for 6-12 bottles, $40 for 13-24 bottles, $50 for 25-36 bottles, and $60 for 37 or more bottles. Call 831-675-3548 or click here to place your order today! We hope you and your loved ones continue to remain healthy and happy. We look forward to hosting you for on-site visits. Sincerely,
The Puma Road Family - Ray Franscioni is a third-generation Monterey County farmer. His grandfather, Silvio Sr., immigrated from Switzerland in the late 1800s and settled along the Salinas River in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands, where he began farming. Originally, the family farmed feed for their dairy cows—they were Swiss, after all. Eventually though, they—like most settlers of the area—discovered the richness of the soil and began farming other crops. Over the past twenty years, Ray, his family, and dedicated staff have gained a reputation for meticulously cultivating the finest grapes and providing them to some of the industry's best-known producers. More than a decade ago, Ray and his family embarked on a mission to craft wines from their own grapes. From the Santa Lucia Highlands, Paicines and Monterey County, Ray Franscioni and family offer their limited Puma Road and Lilia releases—wines proudly and equally representative of a two-decade dedication to the science of growing, and to the craft of wine-making.

831-675-3548

Website

Winery's

Monterey County is home to Big Sur's rugged coastline, the golf courses of Pebble Beach, Steinbeck's Cannery Row, the quaint, posh village of Carmel and the rolling vineyards of the Salinas Valley. Monterey County wineries now total over 75 with 40,000 acres planted with 40 different grape varieties. The wineries here include a few large million case producers but most make fewer than 25,000 cases annually, with a handful producing fewer than 5,000. Tasting fees range from nothing (at most of the Salinas Valley wineries) to up to $15 in Carmel Valley. Most charge $5 or less. The vineyards and wineries are spread out within seven different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Pinot Blanc dominate the vineyards in the north. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel are most common in the south. Over 40% of the county's vines are planted to Chardonnay with many of the vineyards owned by out-of-the-area wineries. Close to 70% of Monterey fruit is shipped out of the county.

Monterey Aquarium

The Monterey Aquarium is only 18 miles from the park off Highway 156 to Hwy 1 to downtown Monterey. The aquarium is one of the largest with many exhibits as follows: Giant Pacific Octopus, Hot Pink Flamingos Kelp Forest Life on the Bay Mission to the Deep Monterey Bay Habitats Outer Bay Rocky Shore Sandy Shore & Aviary Secret Lives of Sea Horses Sea Otters Splash Zone & Penguins

Website

17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, CA

17-Mile Drive is widely recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world. The famous coastal landmark runs through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, from the dramatic Pacific coastline to the majestic Del Monte Forest. The awe-inspiring vistas and legendary sites can easily fill an entire day with exploration and discovery, although visitors with less time should not miss the opportunity to experience this wondrous journey as well. Marvel at some of nature's treasures found along 17-Mile Drive including The Lone Cypress – one of California's best-known landmarks – Spanish Bay, Cypress Point Lookout and Carmel Bay. You can also see the emerald fairways of The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and the world-renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links. Be a winner and stop at the Pebble Beach Golf course and have your picture taken on the 18th hole.