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Your tour will begin with a drive through historic Monterey, with its adobe buildings dating back to the early days of California, and along Cannery Row, immortalized in the writings of John Steinbeck. Nearby, Pacific Grove is probably the finest seaside Victorian village on the West Coast. Its streets are lined with miniature Victorian cottages, and elaborately landscaped gardens. And, of course, no visit to Monterey would be complete without a visit to the spectacular Monterey Bay Aquarium. Built in an old packing plant, this amazing aquarium highlights the aquatic life in and around the Monterey Bay.
Monterey & Carmel Shopping Some of the most interesting shopping in the world can be found on the Monterey Peninsula. From unique art galleries in Carmel featuring the work of local painters, sculptors, jewelers and craftspeople, to works the souvenirs from Monterey's Cannery Row, from the gift store at The Lodge at Pebble Beach to the gift store at the Monterey Bay Aquarium - you are sure to find something to please. Today we will operate a shuttle conveying your guests to all of these exciting shopping locations. Art Galleries of Carmel This tiny town is one of the Pacific coast's most famous and beloved spots, as well as one of California's major art markets. Artists, writers and musicians have gathered here for decades seeking inspiration from Carmel's remote setting and beauty, and the town is home to an impressive collection of art galleries. Today you will enjoy an exclusive reception at one of these galleries, with an informal presentation by the gallery's knowledgeable senior staff members and a visit with a local artist. Big Sur Coastline This coast line is one of nature's masterpieces - wild and beautiful, mysterious and dangerous. Writer Henry Miller described it as "the face of the earth as the Creator intended it to look." Its redwood forests, ocean tidepools, steep cliffs and coastal mountains cast a magical spell. Today you will feel the same sense of wonder as you take a drive along the legendary Highway 1. Lodged along the mountainous bluffs which breast the Pacific Ocean on the continent's edge, Highway 1 twists and turns the entire length of the Big Sur coastline, providing some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Point Lobos Walking Tour Point Lobos is one of the crown jewels in the California State Park system. It has been called "the greatest meeting of land and water in the world." This striking 1,300-acre wilderness area on the rocky coast south of Carmel is home to sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters and a wealth of birds and wildflowers. Today you will enjoy a guided tour, led by a knowledgeable local Nature guide. Your walk will take you along the 15 miles of trail that meander throughout the reserve, where you will see the varied flora and fauna that call this place home. Kayaking on the Monterey Bay Today you will experience the Monterey Bay in an up-close and personal way - from the seat of a ocean kayak. These kayaks are designed for recreational use - no experience is required. You will observe otters, harbor seals and sea lions, in their natural habitat. Our knowledgeable docents, many of them volunteers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, will provide an informative discourse on the ecology of the bay, oceanographic statistics and an historical overview of Cannery Row. Monterey Wine Country While not as well known as the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the Monterey area produces award winning wines. Beautiful valleys, surrounded by low rolling hills, subject to misty coastal air, are perfect grape-growing terrain. Today you will have a chance to visit two of these wineries, and sample their premium varietals following a fascinating tour of their wine making facility. Horseback Riding on Pebble Beach Pebble Beach possesses an astonishing natural beauty - precipitous cliffs drop to pounding surf, windblown trees cling to patches of dirt in the face of adversity, delicate wildflowers bloom in surprising locations, and sea-life abounds. Here, in these beautiful surroundings, you will explore this dramatic coastline, in much the same manner as our early pioneers - from the back of a horse. Soaring Over Monterey Today you will board a sleek glider, piloted by FAA certified pilots. Your glider will be towed by airplane to the height of 3,000, and then released. Catching the wind currents like a playful bird, your skillful pilot will keep your craft aloft for as long as 20 minutes, as you glide through the serenely silent air. Only from the cockpit of a glider, sailing high over the surrounding hills, can one truly view the magnificence of this remarkable country. Ballooning By the Sea Today you will experience the quiet, peaceful serenity that can only be encountered while floating silently high above the land in a hot air balloon. Your lighter than air craft will drift on coastal breezes over patchwork quilts of many colors, with views of one of the most beautiful areas of California. The flight will last approximately one hour and the memory will last a lifetime. 
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States. It houses more than 6,500 creatures filling 23 major habitats and galleries. The result is a startling, undersea tour of Monterey Bay. Tonight, one wing of this spectacular Aquarium is exclusively yours. You will meet all the colorful and curious creatures of the bay, eye-to-eye, if not closer. Guides will be stationed at all the major exhibit areas, to answer your questions and to provide more details on the live of these denizens of Neptune's realm. Food buffets, highlighting food from the Monterey Peninsula area will be scattered throughout the Aquarium. You will be free to wander throughout the Aquarium, sampling the delicious cuisine and enjoying cocktails from the full-service bars scattered throughout the facility. The Aquarium can also accommodate sit-down functions. La Mirada La Mirada is one of the Monterey Peninsula's most significant historic structures, as well as one of its most beautiful, with its lovely restored adobe walls, its new wing designed by award-winning architect Charles Moore, fine antiques and decorative art objects and beautiful gardens overlooking Lake El Estero in downtown Monterey. Tonight, your guests will enjoy exclusive use of this historic landmark for an evening of elegant dining. The Holman Ranch 
Called "the best place on the Peninsula to have a party," the Holman Ranch is truly a unique location. This historic early California hacienda has been is only twelve miles from Carmel, Monterey and the Pebble Beach area, but years away from the ordinary. Tonight, you will enjoy exclusive use of this spectacular facility for an festive evening. Situated on 400 sunny acres overlooking the Carmel Valley, the Ranch is a versatile space, advertising itself as "everything you can imagine." From antiques and carriages to rock 'n' roll; from croquet whites to rodeo denims; from rustic barbecues to elegant dinners - the Holman is ideal.
An Evening of Elegance At Stonepine Stonepine is a 330 acre estate ranch in the Carmel River Valley. Built in 1930 as one of the country homes of the Crocker family, it has the distinction of being the oldest working thoroughbred racing farm west of the Mississippi. Located just about 45 minutes from the 17-Mile Drive, Stonepine is a world away. The secluded elegance of this 300 acre estate is the perfect place to have your special event. Monterey Peninsula Dine Around Mana, Allison & Associates will arrange especially for your guests a dine-around, using several of the Monterey Peninsula's most exclusive and popular restaurants. Tonight your guests will have a chance to taste for themselves the exquisite wonders that have made California justly famous for her cuisine.
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