Living in Pebble Beach and/or Carmel versus Rancho Santa Fe or Brentwood/Santa Monica (San Jose: rent, house)

[fairweathergolfer]

I am interested in moving to Pebble Beach and understand that the 'city' services tied to that area are in Carmel and Monterey. What is the weather like year round?

I live in southern Cal. right now (Santa Monica/Brentwood) and was thinking about Rancho Santa Fe, but it is too hot and too far away from fog, ocean and the more moderate temperatures--which I love. Santa Barbara homes in my price range are too close to neighbors and junky as heck (for the price!) and the area is just not very isolated/exclusive/safe/private as I am looking for (I can't afford Montecito's 2.5 million dollar homes) to make up for the junk/concerns. The recent gang shooting of a local boy did not help my attitude about SB. I have lived in Seattle and don't want all the rain, gray and wetness year round however and wonder how Pebble Beach compares weather wise and if it is annoyingly grey and cold all the time without sun. I love daily fog, but would like a bit of sun or if not sunny days atleast lack of rain throughout the year (compared to the consistent mist/drizzle of Seattle/Portland).

Is there energy in the Carmel and Monterey community near by-arts, culture, movies, great restaurants, spas, shopping, schools that offer community classes? Another thing that did not appeal to me about RSF was that it took too long to drive to an area with higher energy and there is mass traffic to get out to the beach or to La Jolla, for evening college classes and mall shopping etc (which ends up being a longer drive then one would hope, even before the traffic). Traffic in densely/touresty areas is acceptable. It is driving it in long distaces that is a definate no for daily entertainment. We have traffic in Santa Monica, but one doesn't have to drive too far or even get on the freeway if they don' t need to. I assume this is true in Pebble Beach/Carmel, but am I wrong?

Any thoughts, experiences, and/or comparisons to the above listed areas would be great. Thanks all ahead of time.

[ferretkona]

I lived in Pebble Beach for a couple of years. Great weather about 65 all year with a heat wave of 80 degrees for two weeks. A lot of fog! I loved it.
When the golf tournament is going is a good time to stay home or stay somewhere else. I was ran off the road twice by buses hogging the 17 mile road.

Very expensive, a small home in PB will rent for $3000+ a month, Carmel and Monterey are almost as expensive. Flights out of Monterey airport costs 4 times as much as flights from San Jose.

Some of the best dining anywhere is in Carmel. A great town to own a dog as Carmel is a very friendly town for dogs. The beach is dog friendly and many restaurants cater to dogs as well.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Considering the size of Carmel, 4,000 residents, the town is loaded with culture, arts, and entertainment. Most of the businesses are highly "bling bling" (not in a Beverly Hills way). There is the Golden Bough Theatre(which I believe they are renovating/rebuilding). Coffee shops, live-entertainment, Jack Londons Bar and Grill, Sherlock Holmes Pub, and Clint Eastwood's restaurant, Hog's Breath Inn.

It rains in Carmel just as much as Santa Barbara. The main difference-cooler weather, crisper air, and more fog.

I would not consider the Monterey Peninsula a "high-energy" area. It is quite contained and surrounded by nature(Big Sur, Carmel Valley). If you wanted a thrill, or a heart-rate lift, I suppose you could check in on those gangs over in Salinas! Although, I must add that not all parts of Salinas live up to the "bad rep."

[fairweathergolfer]

Thanks for the comments. Do either of you know if it is sunny up there on a somewhat regular basis? When I have been there in December it has been overcast and cold, which is to be expected. But I wonder if there is more sun there then in the dreary NW.

Do either of you know if there are any cycling paths for pedal bikes locally? Instead of always having to drive on roadways? I am so torn between the southern California sun and heat and the foggy, more cozy Northern Cal. I am about even so I sit undecided in LA. I just hate the idea of freezing my butt off year round and wonder if this is what it feels like in Pebble Beach. I love the idea of wearing coats again though.

[Mvn2nc]

Although i did not live in PB, i worked there for over 10 years.Overall, expect FOG.I have seen it where a good portion of the summer that it's foogy. leave PB and go right into Monterey and it's sunny.Expect fog.

[Starrynight227]

I live in Pacific Grove, next door to pebble on the peninsula so I'll put my two cents in here. I also moved back here from living in Santa Barbara for 5 years. It definitely gets more overcast and foggy than SoCal and is much cooler. However, it is very sunny throughout spring and fall. Today has been absolutely gorgeous and warm! If you want a warmer climate, you might want to check out Carmel Valley. It gets around 90 in the summer and you can get a house with great views. If you live somewhere around mid-valley, it's only a 20 minute drive to shopping and the beach.

Yes, there is great cycling here! We have a great bike trail that starts in Pacific Grove and goes all the way along the coast line into Marina, and a lot of streets have bike lanes.

What the last person says is very true. Almost everyday in Summer is overcast, but Fall into winter is clear almost everyday. If you want a warm sunny summer, look at Carmel Valley or even the hills in Monterey.

Hope this helps. If you want anymore info, feel free to message me.

[ferretkona]

When I lived there the fog usually burned off about 10 in the morning. Pebble Beach and Carmel do not have bike paths, but I rode with friends on the golf cart lanes and the roads were well enough when traffic was low. Biggest hazard riding on the golf cart lanes was deer, they are not afraid of anyone. I was playing one day and a stag was laying on his side asleep on the green. I tried to get him to move to save a swing but no go.

Monterey however has bike lanes! They took the old railroad beds and made walking/bike lanes that go for miles. You can ride from Pacific Grove to Seaside with a ocean view most of the ride. Only a few traffic lights even interfere with progress. Come to think of it there might be a bike path in PB if you follow the coast, I lived on 17 mile so I did not drive the coast there much. But I remember there were always bikers at the gate checking in, not sure if they had to pay the entrance fee to ride in.

One danger driving in PB. Tourists will come to sudden stops on the road. The deer stand along the road (hundreds of them) and people love to take pictures of them.

[Colin Baugh]

Hi Ferret
Could you please explain the fee system for PB. My kids may go to Stevenson and I would have to drop and pick up 2x per day.

[Mvn2nc]

Colin, its only for tourists. If your kids are going to school there they will give you a pass. I worked there for many years and i had an employee pass.They will absolutly not charge you to get into the gate.

[fairweathergolfer]

Colin Baugh, good luck with your move. It sounds like it will be an amazing place to raise your children. Lucky kids! Thank you everyone for your comments.

I am wondering if there is much in the way of holistic health alternatives in the Monterey area in general. How about bookstores and art events that are more then just looking in galleries? Do the tourists completely clog the streets at all times? The freeways? Is Carmel Valley isolated for this reason?

How backed up do the freeways get for the residents in Carmel Valley if anyone knows or has experience? Is there any great clothing shopping in the area besides the boutiques in Carmel? Any convenient grocery stores to PB or CV? Any Natural food stores etc?