@maporsche,
I had a house in "lower Carmel" (should never have sold it) and frequented the "Hog's Breath Tavern" there. Happy times. Loved the Place. Small Peninsula but three distinct climates there in Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel.
I used to run on the beach (at low tide only) just north of the Monterey Wharf : it was undeveloped and a bit gamey then - jumping over strands of beached kelp ( and the occasional sea lion corpse, shot by the fishermen) on a windswept (then) empty beach.
Laguna Seca in Monterey has great shows & races.