Gardens of Closed Historic Adobes
Monterey State Historic Park, various locations in downtown Monterey
649-7118, www.parks.ca.gov
Just because budget cuts mean the storied adobes have temporarily closed their doors, not all of the artifacts are walled off. The historic gardens nestled in the adobe courtyards are living relics of old-timey Monterey, and also exquisite islands of calm in the midst of downtown. There’s something blooming every season, so it’s worth repeat visits to see these ever-evolving scenes of history like the aromatic Casa de Oro herb garden, an idealized interpretation of what early Mexican gardens looked like that was developed in the 1920s in the Stevenson Garden, or a more modern effort at organic farming – as it would’ve been done by early Monterey residents – at Cooper Molera. XOXO to the volunteers who help them flourish.