BestOf
MONTEREY 07

•HEALTH CLUB

CARMEL VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB | 27300 Rancho San Carlos Rd., Carmel Valley • 625-2822

It’s all right there in the middle of gorgeous, sunny Carmel Valley, everything you need to get in the best shape of your life: tennis courts, a pool, spin classes, pilates, even bocce ball. All you need to bring is the motivation—and when the facilities are as gorgeous and pleasant as they are at CVAC, even that part comes easily.

•YOGA STUDIO

BIKRAM YOGA OF MONTEREY BAY | 170 Central Ave., Pacific Grove • 333-1007

Those Downward-Facing Peninsulites sure do like it hot. Who can blame them? Bikram yoga, consisting of 26 poses performed in a warm room, is touted as a whole-body 90-minute tune-up that flushes toxins, restores healthy hormonal levels, improves fertility and even slows aging. This “reorganization on the cellular level” may be experienced by locals at a steep discount, courtesy of Bikram Yoga’s nifty introductory specials. But be advised: we hear that once the hot bug bites ya, cool yoga just doesn’t do it anymore.

•MASSAGE THERAPIST

KASSIE CLARK AT AQUABLUE | 229 Main St., Salinas • 422-2500

Simply put, Kassie’s a genius. Don’t be fooled by her tiny frame. Kassie gets in there with the strength of an athlete. And just when your muscles are about to recoil and kick her out, she lightens her touch just enough to get out the kink without hurting. Her hot rock massages are nothing short of a vacation for the soul. The slicked-up rocks are hot, hot, hot, but somehow Kassie infuses just enough trust so you know if her hands can stand them, you’ll be just fine too. She’s an absolute master of her craft, and a true gift to the genre of pure pleasure.

•SPA 

AQUABLUE SKIN & BODY SPA | 229 Main St., Salinas • 422-2500

Lock yourself in the bathroom and wrap your modesty in one of Aquablue’s terry robes; this hot little Oldtown spa is all co-ed. But don’t let that be a distraction. Aquablue still pampers its guests in the most discreet of ways, from the lowlights, candles and muted tones to the absolute silence and gentle staff. There isn’t much you can’t do here, from facials and massages to mud wraps and salt scrubs. There’s even a duet room for couples and a room for private spa parties. Before you leave, browse the reception area, where skincare products, candles and other indulgence items will woo you.

•SALON

MANTRA | Mission and Seventh, Carmel • 626-1223

Mantra is in a league of its own. This jewel takes the “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” myth, steeps it into a fine cup of tea, and sips it dry. Included in every professional service is an array of complimentary indulgences, including a hand treatment, footbath, scalp massage, make-up retouch and more. Other salons charge double or more for a fraction of the services—if they’re offered at all. What’s more, tipping here is a no-no. Not discouraged; disallowed. This elegant, warm salon is truly the paragon of divinity for the wallet and the soul.

•TANNING 

MALIBU BY THE SEA | 2024 Del Monte Ave. Ste B, Monterey • 643-9378

There are several ways to get that sun-soaked glow here, but none will leave you tangerine-tinted. This beautiful hair, nail and skin salon does tans the modern way. Try the ultra-luxe Matrix L33 bed, where light seems to float around you, bronzing even hard-to-reach spots. Or stand up in the Sun Up booth; it casts light in every conceivable direction. For an absolute indulgence, have a hydrating tanning tonic applied personally by one of their pros. The glow in this salon never dims, making it the perfect place to get the pick-me-up that only a little color can give. 

•ESTHETICIAN

MONTEREY SKIN FITNESS | 24591 Silver Cloud Ct., Suite 150, Monterey • 649-3383

Facials are all about feel-good pampering. But for solutions to skin concerns, visiting an esthetician is where it’s at. The two in this medical office have spent years perfecting their craft. Both Julia Dominguez and Jean Williamson ditched the spa industry for the more proactive medical route because, they say, they wanted the luxury of making physical differences: reducing acne, evening skin tone, reducing fine lines. The office carries an array of top-notched products and is headed up by a plastic surgeon, ensuring remarkable results. Facials are a good thing. Dominguez and Williamson just bump it to the next level.

•FURNITURE STORE

HOMESCAPES | Dolores and Seventh, Carmel • 624-6499

It’s hard not to get mad at these guys. Genius entrepreneurs Beau and Thompson Lange travel the world for treasure as their job. Then, right when we can’t take the envy any more, they go and bring the wonder back to us and share it. They host art-wine-cheese parties. And they conjure a storefront that is as fun to hang out in as any place in Carmel. Who are we kidding? We can’t stay mad at you, Homescapes. This fifth consecutive Best Of only proves it.

•JEWELRY STORE 

TIFFANY & CO. | Ocean and Mission at Carmel Plaza, Carmel • 626-4040

It’s been over a century since company founder Charles Lewis Tiffany died. And still, the company he started as a stationery store in 1837 and later turned into a jewelry empire thrives on the tradition of crafting the most exquisite pieces of wearable art anywhere in the world. The ultra-inviting new Carmel store exudes that very same opulent exclusivity. From silver and cutlery to diamonds and stemware, absolutely anything packaged in Tiffany’s signature blue box is bound to impress. But don’t let the timeless pieces intimidate. There’s something in this boutique for virtually any budget. So go ahead, indulge, just a little.

•INTERNET PROVIDER

REDSHIFT | 712 Hawthorne St., Monterey • 655-8710 | 1124 S. Main St., Salinas • 755-7700

It’s an odd sensibility to love your utility provider. No one ever was caught uttering, “Marry me PG&E,” but right here in Monterey County we’re lucky enough to have a home-grown Internet Service Provider that it’s OK to love. RedShift provides fast, secure and reliable Internet service to the home and office that rivals the big telecoms in price and speed but blows the others away in local cred. Surf globally—DSL locally.

•MEN’S CLOTHING

PACIFIC TWEED | 129 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel • 625-9100

David A. Bernahl II, Todd Tempalski, Sean Murphy. These three kings of haute couture have brought us an ultra-smooth, stylish den of men’s attire and peripheral indulgences. You may enter Pacific Tweed feeling self-conscious and insecure, no doubt because your traditional store-bought threads are duds. But after the friendly, accommodating, professional PC crew guides you into something silky, maybe even a little sassy, you’ll glide out into the Carmel air walking on it. Like the old saying goes, you know what it is that makes the man.

•WOMEN’S CLOTHING

BLISS BOUTIQUE | 266 Main St., Salinas • 757-4055

Bliss Boutique considers itself “a state of spiritual joy.” Weeklyreaders couldn’t agree more. Once again, Oldtown Salinas’ hottest shop for clothing, jewelry, handbags and other accessories takes the gold when it comes to women’s clothing stores. All of its goodies come in a wide range of price points, too, so one doesn’t (necessarily) have to break the bank to look en vogue. Let the sunshine in this spring while wearing a bohemian-yet-girly Wapparal empire-waist dress—it’s vibrant red, orange and blue, and it mixes feminine flowers with ‘70s funk. Or try out a dog tee by Violeta which infuses kitsch (doggie decor) with class (white lace arms and pearls). Ahhh. Pure Bliss.

•SECONDHAND CLOTHING

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES | 571 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey • 649-6056 | 708 E. Alisal St., Salinas • 424-5346 | 1045 N. Main St., Salinas • 755-8668 | 729 Broadway St., Seaside • 394-1212

The best jacket in our deputy editor’s closet is not really his own. It belongs to a better time, and likely, to a better person (his words; we would never judge another harshly; everyone knows that; can we just drop it?). But it lives in his closet and on his shoulders because of the wonderful reincarnating services of the Goodwill. The $10 for the retro coat was a bargain, of course, but better yet it introduced our frugal friend into a virtuous cycle. Once he’s worn it well—powering through copious compliments—he will return it to the flow of willful existence. That is, he would if he was a better person (his words). If you ask us, that corduroy joy is way too sweet to give up.

•SHOE STORE

HEAD OVER HEELS | 246 Main St., Salinas • 772-0512

There’s no longer a need to sole search in Monterey County. Simply head to Oldtown Salinas and hoof it down to 246 Main St., home of this season’s hottest platform pumps, metallic sandals and ballet flats. Head Over Heels carries brands including Carlos by Carlos Santana, Franco Sarto, Seychelles, Chinese Laundry and Report. And if other body parts begin to feel jealous of the fashionably accessorized feet, well, the boutique sells handbags and jewelry, too.

•MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 

MUSIC UNLIMITED | 425 Alvarado St., Monterey • 372-5893

Instruments? Check. Sheet music? Check. Lessons? Check. A staff who knows a string from a strum and then some? Check. Instrument repair? Check. So, is there anything this place can’t do? Well, maybe it won’t make you a star. But it can sure get you looking like one. Top all of that off with an excellent walking location right downtown, and it’s easy to understand why Music Unlimited wowed readers once again this year. So if you’ve always wanted to make beautiful music—or at least look like you can—this is the only necessary stop along the way.

•NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET

BRUNO’S MARKET & DELI | Sixth and Junipero, Carmel • 624-3821

Nearly all day long, every day, the northeast corner of Junipero and Sixth in peaceful Carmel-By-The-Sea bustles with activity. Bruno’s Market and its sister store, Surf n’ Sand, see more folks through those doors than Mayflower Van Lines sees furniture. The Sanchez Gang—brothers Fermin and AJ, along with Fermin’s son Ryan, the third generation—carry on the family business of wide selection, competitive prices, great friendly service and the confidence of a business that has owned the corner for decades of success. Bruno’s may be a neighborhood market, but it’s bigger than all that.

•OUTDOOR GEAR

OUTDOOR WORLD | 2222 N. Fremont St., Monterey • 373-3615

Outdoor World is the place to take your shopping list before embarking on a wilderness adventure. From hunting rifles and pocket knives to hiking boots and rain gear, the store will keep you well prepared for encounters with both wild animals and weather. The best part about it is it carries high-quality gear at a reasonable price, so you can afford that backpacking expedition in the Himalayas.

•NURSERY

MCSHANE’S NURSERY & LANDSCAPE SUPPLY | 115 Monterey-Salinas Hwy • 455-1876

Look for signs with exclamation points and bright green logos along Highway 68 and you’ll find Steve McShane’s vast plant-lovers’ playground. Home gardeners can sift through the shady rows of herbs, vegetables and annuals with ease, thanks to the various laminated signs. As indicated by the large white sign in the parking lot—“Got Fruit and Nuts? They’re Now In!”—the nursery carries an array of fruit trees, from nectarines to persimmons. The garden center also has a huge supply of roses. McShane’s ebullient personality saturates his nursery. Staff are eager to help, and the nursery even offers weekend workshops to help nurture your green thumb.

•PET STORE

PETSMART | 2020 California Ave, Sand City • 392-0150  

Need to get a happy hamster for a special someone? How about a kitty condo for the persnickety pussy? Maybe just a general grooming for a geriatric greyhound? Hey, it’s all at PetSmart. From fish to fowl, from bunnies to boas, all things for the domesticated family pet are available at the store in Sand City.

•PHARMACY

LONGS DRUG STORES | Nine locations countywide

We don’t like to even think about it, it’s so awful, but we hear rumors of faraway places without Longs Drug Stores. In those barbaric lands, people must search in vain for their favorite toiletries on shelves that are poorly stocked while crammed in aisles that are too narrow. When those miserable souls fall ill, they must get their prescriptions from pharmacists who are neither friendly nor helpful. There are no beach chairs, coffeemakers, ink cartridges or hats. We shudder to think of it.