Letters to the Editor 06.18.26

Tourist Trap

That’s all you got, Carmel. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you (“The Carmel Council punts on marketing to allay residents fed up with tourism,” June 11). — Marilyn DiMaggio | via social media

Can’t have it both ways. You need revenue to run the city and keep it the way they like it. — Mike Kanalakis | Monterey

This is a good idea. As a local I avoid that place like the plague in tourist season. It was like going to Disneyland. — Mari Adams | via social media

These same residents will complain when their taxes go up because of the loss of tourist revenue. The restaurants and shops don’t operate on big margins. They need all the tourists.

If you moved here from somewhere else, you knew it was a tourist town before you moved here. If you’re older than me, then I understand your frustrations. — John P.Miller | via social media

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Carmel was a tourist destination pre-internet. I was taking pictures in front of the lone cypress long before Google, Facebook and Instagram. Businesses are doing their own advertising these days.

The only thing we really need in Carmel is parking. I circle for 20-30 minutes almost every time I go down there. Fix your parking problem if you want customers. — Grace Ayara Slama | Monterey

Color Guard

Bravo to Ed Smith for pursuing the patriotic crosswalk (“Monterey’s vice mayor proposes painting a downtown crosswalk in patriotic colors,” June 11-17). It’s a simple yet meaningful gesture, and I believe it’s the right thing to do – for our city and for our country.

While some may argue there are more pressing issues facing the city, I appreciate Ed’s recognition that communities need moments of pride, celebration, and unity as well. Life doesn’t stop while we work through challenges. Happy birthday, America! — Deborah Roberts | Monterey

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There are so many needs in our city that spending $15,000 to paint crosswalks seems like a poor financial decision. If there was no shortage of money, and all the other needs were being met, then by all means, go to town painting! But that is not the case. — Kayleen EpplerLewis | Monterey

How about fixing the roads instead. — Patty Brazil Benson| via social media

Summer Plans

We have camped at Laguna Seca and found it to be very pleasant and like you said, and near so many fun things (“From bikepacking to RV rentals, a variety of options for camping and glamping exist in Monterey County,” June 4-10). The view from atop the bluff is spectacular.

My favorite camping is at Pfeiffer Big Sur. My parents first camped there in 1953 with a borrowed tent with two kids in tow and one kid on the way (me).

I have continued the camping tradition with my own kids and now grandchild and have camped at Pfeiffer every year since then, even during Covid. I have seen so many changes. I must say I now dread the drive along the highway. In April, I counted 107 cars waiting in line to drive over Bixby Bridge (“Ordinance to prevent parking on Highway 1 near Bixby Bridge moves forward,” posted June 10). Being retired we have adjusted our visits to try and miss summer travel but now, taking our grandchild, we are stuck with peak season. — Pam See | San Luis Obispo

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Veterans Park, Andrew Molera, Julia Pfeiffer and Sunset State Beach all have hike/bike sites, meaning if you roll up on a bike, you don’t need a reservation and those sites are usually around $5 a night. Enjoy. — Jarod Bourdeau | via social media

Land Mass

Very nice article on California State Parks Week and the many opportunities to visit and/or actively participate (“California State Parks Week invites us not just to visit, but to get to know our parks,” posted June 9). My wife and I participated in a guided tour of Monterey State Historic Park which began at the Pacific House Museum, and included several informative stops including California’s First Theatre, Casa Soberanes, Pacific House Memory Gardens concluding at the Pacific House Museum. Along the way, our guide Stuart Thornton provided a broad and interesting historical perspective that often extended beyond Monterey.

While I have visited these sites before I always learn something new about our local community and the rich history we enjoy. As a former board member of the California State Parks Foundation, I greatly value Parks Week. Our state has one of the best parks systems in the country. Raising awareness and providing access to the more than 280 parks to all Californians is important and beneficial. — Birt JohnsonJr. | Monterey

Taco Time

OMG I can’t wait. I wish they brought back the previous cooks, they made the best tacos on the Peninsula (“Mi Tierra Mercado y Taqueria to reopen in Seaside after years of delays,” posted June 11). — Bettina Navarro | via social media

My husband works nearby and I’d always drive from Salinas to Seaside during his lunch just so we could grab an asada bowl from here! It was so good, and we thought they had closed forever. So happy to see they are back! — Alejandra Guzmán | via social media

They really did an amazing job of renovating the exterior and interior. My favorite place to get guacamole! — Daniel Priano | via social media

I hope the chorizo is the same recipe! — Lia V.S.Paredes | via social media

Editor’s note: It is the same recipe.

Coffee Buzz

Amazing story! (“Strong demand drives a Salinas coffee shop from home business to storefront in two years,” June 11-17.) — Rebecca Carranza | Gonzales