GreenWaste Z-Best Composting Facility

Location: 980 Hwy 25, Gilroy, CA 95020

Distance from the hotel: 39 miles, 45 minutes one way

Tour Description: The GreenWaste Z-Best Composting Facility (Z-Best) has been composting organics since 1997. Z-Best receives over 450,000 tons of mixed food waste and yard trimmings per year. The organic waste is processed into a high-quality soil amendment compost. The compost is sold to farmers, landscapers, and other organizations throughout Northern California.

Tour Length: 1 hour

Capacity: 35 participants

PPE Requirements: Closed-toe shoes

SVSWA Facility and Compost Tour

Location: 31400 Johnson Canyon Rd, Gonzales, CA 93926

Distance from the hotel: 35 miles, 50 minutes one way

Tour Description: Salinas Valley Recycle's Composting Facility is nestled in the foothills of the fertile Salinas Valley, also known as the "Salad Bowl of the World", and offers a unique opportunity to witness cutting-edge composting and organics diversion practices firsthand. Explore the new state-of-the-art organics sort line, engineered to efficiently remove contaminants, and learn about the innovative Aerated Static Pile airbed system that boosts composting efficiency. Visit the De-packager Facility, where locally packaged produce and other food items are captured for composting. The tour also features a stop at the new education center, providing valuable insights on composting and sustainability with hands-on demonstrations, including a walk through the raised beds and pollinator gardens, showcasing the positive environmental impacts of composting. This experience underscores SVR's dedication to organics and waste diversion, making it a must-see for all CRRA attendees.

Tour Length: 1 hour

Capacity: 35 participants

PPE Requirements: Closed-toe shoes. PPE - safety vests, hard hats to be provided

Must complete a liability waiver.

ReGen Monterey Facility Tour

Location: 14201 Del Monte Blvd, Salinas, CA 93908

Distance from the hotel: 13 miles, 20 minutes one way

Tour Description: Discover how waste transforms into resources! Visit the materials recovery facility (MRF), compost site, landfill, gas-to-energy plant, and Last Chance Mercantile reuse store for a behind-the-scenes look at sustainability in action.

Tour Length: 2 hours

Capacity: 35 participants

PPE Requirements: Closed-toe shoes

Monterey Parks Compost Application Walking Tour

Location: This will be a walking tour that starts and ends at the conference center. No transportation needed.

Distance from the hotel: N/A

Tour Description: We will walk from the convention center to a sports field to see compost application on turf grass, then to a parking lot near the water to demonstrate mulch application by hand and with a blower truck, plus compost filter sock installation.

Tour Length: 1 hour

Capacity: 30 participants

PPE Requirements: Walking shoes, comfortable clothing

McIntyre Vineyards eBike Tour and Biochar Field Trial

Location: 31901 Sanchez Rd, Soledad, CA 93960

Distance from the hotel: 50 minutes, 32 miles

Tour Description: This eBike tour will transport you through the McIntyre Estate Vineyard for a hands-on tour and deep dive into the application of Biochar in regenerating and revitalizing vineyard soils. The McIntyre estate is located in the “sweet spot” of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, renowned for producing wines with great character and complexity.

During the tour, learn about the McIntyre family’s pioneering work in Salinas Valley Agriculture with McIntyre Vineyards’ founder and The Sitos Group co-founder, Steve McIntyre. Steve is highly regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and respected wine grape growers in the area. He currently farms 17,500 acres in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties and owns two Sustainability in Practice (SIP) certified estate vineyards.

Your eBike host for the tour is VineCycle Tours, founded by Jeff Lindenthal who was formerly the Director of Communications for the Monterey Regional Waste Management District. Jeff and his wife Melissa started the company with a mission to use electric bikes as a vehicle for telling stories while showcasing sustainable farming practices.

Biochar technology shows great promise in regenerative agriculture, mitigating climate change and improving soil quality, as well as reducing waste and producing energy as a byproduct. But what exactly is biochar, what is it made of and what are the benefits? We will explore all of this during the tour which will conclude with a tasting of McIntyre Vineyards award winning wines paired with small bites.

Tour Length: 1 hour

Capacity: 12 participants

PPE Requirements: Closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing.

Additional Requirements: Cost is $150 pp

Monterey Bay Aquarium Sustainability Journey: From Waste to Watershed

Location: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940

Distance from the hotel: 20 minute trolly ride- or bus rride of 1.5 miles (6 min)

Description: Discover how one of the world's leading aquariums integrates sustainability throughout its operations during this behind-the-scenes tour. Participants will explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium's innovative approaches to waste management, water recycling systems, and staff engagement. Learn about their policy work addressing local and state-wide initiatives including extended producer responsibility in California. The tour concludes with a hands-on activity creating a meaningful connection between land and sea conservation efforts that aligns perfectly with the conference's "Surf and Turf" theme.

Tour Length: 2 hours: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Capacity: 35 participants

PPE Requirements: Closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothing (layers recommended), sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses for outdoors portion

Additional Requirements: Cost $25 per person

Stanford University - Hopkins Marine Station Tour

Location: 120 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Distance from the hotel: 1.7 miles (located next to Aquarium - can use the same bus)

Tour Description: Hopkins Marine Station is Stanford’s leading marine research station and has been since 1918. This tour will take you on a journey through time. From its roots as Native American land to its vibrant Chinese fishing community, the Monterey cannery, and its evolution into a Stanford research hub, you'll discover the rich history that shaped this unique place. Dive into our current operations, from thrilling diving and boating activities to groundbreaking research on Great White sharks and whales. It’s a fascinating blend of the past, present, and future of marine science being conducted at Stanford.

Tour Length: 1 hour

Capacity: 20 participants

PPE Requirements: N/A

Additional Requirements: Suggested: Bring a water bottle, Weather dependent for the others, it could be sunny or rainy here in Monterey. Plan accordingly. 

Cannery Row eBike Networking Tour

Location: Leaving from Hotel

Distance from the hotel: N/A

Day/Time: Tuesday morning, August 5th » 6:50-8:15 AM

Tour Description: Start your day with an invigorating electric bike ride through coastal Monterey. Hosted by VineCycle Tours, your eBike will be waiting and we’ll depart the Portola Hotel at 7 AM for an 8 mile roundtrip spin through Monterey’s historic Cannery Row, named after the 1945 John Steinbeck novel. Today, this former sardine fishing hub is rich in history with spectacular views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We’ll pass by Fisherman’s Wharf, Doc Rickett’s Lab, and the world famous Monterey Aquarium before riding out to Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove for photo opps and the return trip back to the hotel to begin your day energized and ready to network and learn.

*To reserve a spot, register here. Separate 3rd party registration confirmation. Payment of $40. 

Tour Length: 1.5 hours

Capacity: Limited to 12 participants

PPE Requirements: Closed-toe shoes, clothing for activity