AT PLAY Links Club Ever wanted to take your family on a golf outing to Pebble Beach, St. Andrews or any of the other bucket list courses? Links Club is a restaurant with several bays for simulated play using the high-tech Trackman system. Choose from 250 courses. The clubs are real, so is the frustrating fun of golf…with tacos. Ocean and Mission (Carmel Plaza), Carmel. (831) 2507816, linksclubgolf.com Lynn’s Arcade Lynn’s is an unusual place in today’s video world. It’s a throwback pinball parlor, where words like “flipper” and “bonus” are still common. Pay one fee and play all you want (games are set to free play). It’s also a “can slangery,” meaning there are canned beers and soft drinks available. Let the digit counters fall. 1760 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 641-7173, lynnsarcade.com Monterey Mirror Maze Get lost is not an insult here, it’s a reality. The mirror maze is difficult to solve, but also a lot of fun. And if you find your way out, try the laser challenge. Try to find a way through the beams, just like in the big heist movies. 751 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 649-6293, montereyfamilyfunadventure.com Oscar’s Playground An arcade with a view. Oscar’s overlooks Cannery Row and Monterey Bay, but your attention will more likely be on the mix of arcade games, from throwbacks (you can even buy quarters) to the newest video simulations. Oscar’s has two escape rooms, as well. And there’s also a bar and a relaxing lounge area— something for everyone. 685 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 241-6616, oscarsplayground. com Tipsy Putt A pub and miniature golf all in one. The Monterey edition of Tipsy Putt is scheduled to open “late 2023.” When it does, it will be all ages until 5pm and then drinking age only. After all, their slogan is “drink local, putt tipsy.” 95 Prescott Ave., Monterey. typsyputt.com Treasure Hunt: The Ride Scheduled to open in 2023, a 20-minute pirate-themed dark ride takes you through caverns on the search for hidden treasure, with plenty of heart-thumping special effects along the way. 700 Cannery Row, Monterey. treasurehuntride.com PLAYGROUNDS, SKATEPARKS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES Carmel Valley Community Park The lush, grassy fields of this park form a Carmel Valley Village gathering place, complete with a pool (open seasonally), horseshoe pits and various picnic areas that can be reserved for large groups. Expect lots of dogs at yappy hour. There’s also a local history museum. 25 Ford Road, Carmel Valley. 6597275, cvrpd.specialdistrict.org. Dennis The Menace Playground This vast playground opened in 1956 thanks to Hank Ketcham, creator of the famous comic strip. There are slides, walls to climb, swinging bridges, a maze and much more. A great place to let kids play. 777 Pearl St., Monterey. 6463866, monterey.org El Estero Boating Glide over the waters of Lake El Estero in paddle boats shaped like ducks or dragons. Or take out one that looks like, well, a boat—probably just as fun. Pedal at your own pace. 798 Del Monte Ave., Monterey. (831) 375-1484, elesteroboatingmonterey.com Handcar Tours The railroad tracks that parallel Highway 1 and the ocean, winding through the dunes along Fort Ord Dunes State Park are a scenic gem and a throwback to the past. For those who want to merge history and scenery, a handcar ride enables you to do just that: use your arms and legs to propel your group of up to four people along the tracks, while taking in the view (there are electric railcars, too). Available on weekends only. Starts at Del Monte Boulevard and Palm Avenue, Marina. handcar.com Marina Pump Track Located in Gloria Jean Tate Park, this paved pump track is actually three courses—a small one for beginners and two large tracks that intersect. If you do it just right, a rider can pilot a bike around the track without pedaling. Bicycles, skateboards, scooters and all ages allowed. 3254 Adby Way, Marina. cityofmarina. org Monterey Skatepark The skatepark was designed with the help of skateboarders, so the layout has what you want. The facility is unsupervised, so children 8 and under must have an adult with them. The park is located on the 45-acre El Estero Park complex. 725 Pearl St., Monterey. 6463866, monterey.org Seaside Skate Park A layout with ramps, pipes, rails, decks and steps—everything, in other words. Located at Cutino Park. 3 Buena St., Seaside Tatum’s Garden Tatum Bakker was born with spina bifida, but her parents had a vision in which she could play alongside other children in an accessible, accommodating setting. The result of that dream was Tatum’s Garden Foundation, the nonprofit behind this inclusive playground for all. Eastern side of Sherwood Park, 1 Maryal Drive, Salinas. tatumsgarden.org 42 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2023-2024 Enjoy the Monterey Bay! HELP PROTECT THIS SPECIAL AREA 1 Dispose of trash in designated trash cans only; do not litter on streets, into storm drains, on beaches, or into the Bay. 2 Bring a reusable cup for coffee! This reduces cup and lid trash. 3 Use recycle bins to dispose of glass bottles, aluminum cans, and plastic; do not discard these items as trash. 4 Dispose of cigarette butts in designated receptacles and not outdoors or in the street; these will flow to the Bay and may harm wildlife. 5 Reduce water use by turning faucets off when brushing teeth and lathering hands. 6 Refuse straws and use only biodegradable or reusable utensils for take-out food. ©JIM CAPWELL YOU CAN HELP PROTECT THIS SPECIAL OCEAN AREA: SEA Visitor Ad Coast Weekly VG 1/3 5-18.indd 1 5/22/18 9:31 AM SEA-otters_1-3v_VG23_dg.indd 1 6/7/23 10:28 AM
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