Found in the Pacific Ocean waters around Oregon, Washington, and California, the Dungeness crab is considered the king of the West Coast. These crabs will be in season in November, and will undoubtedly be a popular choice among food enthusiasts in Monterey. If you’re curious, here are other interesting things to know about these sumptuous crabs.

When you're traveling around California, one of the best things to do is enjoy the cuisine. The state is a melting pot of various food traditions as they migrate from various places. A case in point is that one of the dishes that you can absolutely bite into is from Northwestern Spain: Padrón peppers. These green peppers are a tasty appetizer that you can find in many restaurants. A single bite and you will definitely fall in love.

As with any vacation trip, it’s best to have a plan. Now, while spontaneity is part of what makes anything fun, it’s still better to have a plan to at least guide you. If you’re planning to go to Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, CA, what should you include in your itinerary?

Traveling to a new place is always a delightful experience, one that gives you the opportunity to go on a delightful gastronomical journey as well. Monterey, CA is lovely around this time of the year with its famed beaches, beautiful attractions, and of course, great food. You would not find any better place to sample some of the finest seafood. If you’re in the area and are on the lookout for the best restaurant to dine at, here are some tips to follow:

Dog lovers will absolutely love Monterey, CA. With the city’s many dog-friendly establishments, the list of activities dog owners can do with their beloved pooch is almost endless.

Fun Walk at the Beach

Walking your dog by the seaside is both relaxing and fun and you can do so in many beaches in Monterey. The Monterey State Beach, Del Monte Beach, McAbee Beach, and many others allow owners to bring their dogs on-leash.

Trails and Parks

Another good way to walk your pooch and get close to nature at the same time, parks and trails offer a friendly environment for dogs and their owners. The El Estero Dog Park has shades, benches, and mulched ground. Plus, your dog is allowed to be off-leash. It also has a separate area for small dogs.

The Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail has been developed, from a previously unused railroad corridor to a nice trail for you and your dog to walk on.

Whale Watching and Sea Tour

At Fisherman’s Wharf, the Monterey Bay Sailing and Monterey Bay Whale Watch are docked, and they offer tours where you can bring your dog on-leash.

Filling Your Tummies

Seafood is always a good choice for a night of bringing with friends or a hearty feast with your family. However, the threat of overfishing is always a threat to the sea’s bountiful life. To counter this, the government, as well as many private organizations, are urging the public to make the right choice. By simply eating at a sustainable seafood restaurant, you are doing your part in ensuring that there will still be enough marine life and livelihood for generations to come.

Why Monterey?

Monterey County is a shining example of a sustainable fishing community. Here, fishermen and restaurants alike share the same view about sustainability and are doing everything they can to preserve the balance. The county’s own Monterey Bay Aquarium has established a Seafood Watch program to help fishermen, businesses and even their patrons make ecologically conscious seafood choices. As a result, no restaurant will ever serve seafood labeled “Avoid” and would provide instead an alternative.

Sustainable Seafood

The best way to spend a day in Fisherman’s Wharf is by having a nice meal at a well-known seafood restaurant like Cafe Fina. A lot of visitors to the seaside make the biggest mistake of eating in bistros they can always find inland. If you’re in Monterey Bay, seafood restaurants offer the best treats, so better look for one that will make every meal memorable.