Looking for a classic open-air mall? In Monterey, you have just one choice: Del Monte Shopping Center, the largest shopping center on the whole Monterey Peninsula, established in 1967.
Here shoppers can find chain stores to meet their every need or want: Macy's, The Gap, H&M, Banana Republic, Victoria's Secret, William-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Foot Locker, LensCrafters, See's Candy, Bath and Body Works, Sleep Number, and more. For your technological needs, there's the Apple Store, as well as AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile. For kids, there's Thinker Toys, and for beauty, there's the Magic Nails salon. For more practical needs still, you'll find the Bank of the West, the UPS Store, Rite Aid, Petco, and the Peninsula's only Whole Foods Market.
Neither does this shopping center have any shortage of places to eat. These range from standard mall fare and coffee (Pretzelmaker, Starbucks, Subway, Chipotle, Pizza My Heart), to equally quick but more unusual meals (Dametra Fresh Mediterranean), to sit-down restaurants, both chain and unique (Island's, P.F. Chang's, California Pizza Kitchen, Yama Sushi, LALLA Grill). For dessert, opt either for Cold Stone Creamery ice cream or for Kara's Cupcakes.
To keep you healthy and in shape despite all these food options, there's Gold's Gym and Weight Watchers.
Most important of all, some will argue, is Cinemark Monterey 13, the biggest mainstream movie theatre on the Monterey Peninsula.
The outdoor space between the stores is pretty and comfortable, with decorative bushes, flowers, cushioned seating as well as wooden benches, and nice music from past decades piped throughout. Lest anyone worry, there are public restrooms too. During the holiday season each year, the whole mall is festooned with garlands and ornaments, and features a towering, sparkling Christmas tree.
This shopping center never skimps on seasonal events for the whole family. Easter sees the annual Easter Eggstravaganza with egg hunting, face-painting and Easter Bunny meet-and-greets; Memorial Day offers the annual Sidewalk Sale; Halloween offers Pumpkin Pandemonium, with trick-or-treating and free pumpkins; and Christmas not only offers regular Santa Claus meet-and-greets, but the annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Holiday Open House, both with live music, hot chocolate and cookies. Nor should locals forget the mall's other live music and family fun events: Military Appreciation Day with its free pizza, face painting and activity tables (May 18), the annual Summer Playdate with its petting zoo, magic show, games and coloring (August 10), or the Favorite Fridays Tribute Band Concert Series, which kicks off summer with outdoor music every Friday in June.
Shoppers who want special perks and everyday values can join the Del Monte Shopping Center Rewards Club, and for friends and loved ones, Del Monte Shopping Center Gift Cards are available for purchase.
Parking can be a hassle on busy days, particularly in the area near Whole Foods Market. But at least there's plenty of space for it, with both outdoor lots and an underground garage. Nor does anyone need to drive and park, per se. MST bus stops are located both in front of William-Sonoma and behind Macy's, with Lines 2, 3, 7, 18, 19, 22, 69 and 91 all making regular stops. For further details, visit MST.org.
For newcomers to the Monterey Peninsula, particularly from big cities, the lack of malls in every neighborhood is a bit of an adjustment to make. But one good, solid mall, with a wide array of valuable resources and a welcoming atmosphere, is all the area really needs. Del Monte Shopping Center is just that.
https://www.delmontecenter.com
Comments
Post a Comment