2025 Self-Guided Sustainability Tour
The following businesses, restaurants and experiences are recommended because they are known to be eco-friendly, nature-driven, sustainable and just plain cool. We encourage you to check out these locations during your free time in Monterey!
The Green Directive
Located at 77 Soledad Dr, Monterey, CA 93940
This eco-conscious home goods and gift shop is all about sustainable living. With a perfect 5-star rating, it offers thoughtfully curated products that support a low-waste lifestyle.
Website: https://www.thegreendirective.com
Last Chance Mercantile
14201 Del Monte Blvd. Marina, CA
The Last Chance Mercantile offers a unique shopping experience. The store and yard offer an extensive inventory of one-of-a-kind items ranging from books to boats, scrap lumber to furniture, and clothing to household treasures. The LCM mission statement is simple yet profound: People. Planet. We achieve our mission both by creating jobs for vets and generating revenues for our parent company, Veterans Transition Center of California, and by diverting waste from the landfill and encouraging reuse.
Website: https://lastchancemercantile.org
Alma Del Mar
269 Bonifacio Pl. Monterey, CA
This shop focuses on refillable and reusable alternatives that reduce our impact on the planet. The shop is also host to events such as workshops and ocean experiences.
Website: https://www.thealmadelmar.org
The Wild Plum Café
731 Munras Ave Monterey, CA
This cozy, eclectic cafe serves up organic, locally sourced items. Proprietor Pamela Burns believes in her community and is committed to providing fresh, organic and sustainable American bistro fare. It’s a great spot for breakfast or lunch with plenty of vegan or plant-based options.
Website: https://www.thewildplumcafe.com
Happy Girl Kitchen
173 Central Avenue Pacific Grove, CA
We are dedicated to simple, delicious and farm driven foods. Whether we are preserving produce for seasons to come in our cannery or serving whole foods in our cafe, our mission is to enrich the local food community. By hosting parties, recipe swaps, pop-up dinners and workshops, happy girl kitchen co. empowers people to get involved and learn about the importance of what's on their plate.
Website: https://happygirlkitchen.com
Stokes Adobe Restaurant
500 Hartnell St. Monterey, CA
This incredible restaurant is nestled in a beautifully restored two-story adobe home dating back to 1833, giving it a warm, historic charm that pairs perfectly with its seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine.
Website: https://www.stokesadobe.com
Farmers Markets, Wineries & More!
Monterey County is known for its wide variety of farmers markets, happening almost every day of the week. Visitors can help support local growers, chefs and business owners by attending the markets. With Monterey County’s Salinas Valley being nicknamed the “Salad Bowl of the World,” it’s no surprise these markets are a thriving hub for organic produce. Julia’s Vegetarian Restaurant in Pacific Grove is one example of a can’t-miss, all-vegan restaurant that regularly travels to markets to source fresh locally-grown ingredients. The eatery was named the best vegetarian restaurant on the Monterey Peninsula.
Monterey County is home to numerous wineries and vineyards dedicated to sustainable winemaking practices. Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley takes pride in its sustainable practices. The ranch does not use any machinery for picking or pesticides for growing, everything is hand-picked and processed naturally. Their holistic approach to agriculture also allows for distinct wines year after year, based on the climate and soils. Scheid Vineyards, which has been in Salinas Valley for more than 50 years, has received the California Green Medal Environment Award, as well as Global G.A.P., S.I.P. and C.C.S.W certifications. The vineyard’s winery and bottling operation is 100 percent powered by a wind turbine that also produces power for 125 nearby homes with renewable energy.
