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Salinas
July 17, 2026

Monterey County tourism reaches record $3.3B, marking full recovery and new growth

Pinnacles National Park
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County’s tourism industry reached a major milestone in 2025, with travel spending climbing to $3.3 billion — a 4.1% increase over 2024 and surpassing the previous high of more than $3.2 billion set in 2019, according to the latest economic...

Passport Diaries Column | The Great Escape: Turning Back the Clock in Old Sacramento

Old Sacramento Waterfront day trip
Old Sacramento Waterfront district is a historical part of the city that features several options to dine and shop just about anytime of the year. I decided to take my wife, Luisa, and our son, Elias, on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon in March...

Wingstop celebrates grand opening in Soledad with ribbon-cutting ceremony

Wingstop grand opening in Soledad
SOLEDAD — Wingstop was formally introduced to the community of Soledad last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the new fast-food restaurant at 2135 H Dela Rosa St. Bill Shaw, developer of the Soledad Mission Center in Soledad, snipped a large green traditional...

Casa de Chilaquiles officially opens for business in Soledad

Casa de Chilaquiles
SOLEDAD — Darinel Cortes can whip up just about anything in the kitchen, from popular Italian cuisines to delicate Thai dishes. He even learned how to roll sushi as of lately, something he was thrilled of accomplishing on his long list of goals in...

Reel Rock Brewery nixes project inside Soledad movie theater

Premiere Cinemas
SOLEDAD — Once upon a time there was a lot of buzz going around Soledad with the anticipated opening of Reel Rock Brewery in 2025. But, according to co-owner Mike Carrillo, the project went flat just a couple of months after breaking ground last June...

Gonzales unveils first digital billboard on Highway 101

Gonzales billboard
GONZALES — City of Gonzales celebrated the installation of its first digital billboard along Highway 101 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 26. The high-resolution display, operated by Legacy Signs, is positioned on a single monopole to reach both northbound and southbound traffic. It is designed...

Guest Column | San Luis Obispo Offers College Town Vibes with a Twist of Quaint

San Luis Obispo downtown
It had been a while since my wife Luisa and I went on a day trip to one of the many towns or cities within California. Last week we decided to cruise south on Highway 101 over to San Luis Obispo, only this time...

Taqueria Pacheco in Soledad remains a community favorite after 15 years

Taqueria Pacheco
The one thing about living in South Monterey County is the joy of discovering hidden gems throughout the tri cities in Soledad, Gonzales and Greenfield. One of those hole-in-the-wall spots is Taqueria Pacheco, a tiny Mexican restaurant nestled inside La Placita Mercado at 325...

Taylor Farms takes 16.3% stake in Pacific Valley Bank

Pacific Valley Bank
SALINAS VALLEY — Pacific Valley Bank has announced that Taylor Fresh Foods, parent company of the Taylor Farms operating companies, has acquired a 16.3% ownership stake in the bank. The investment represents a significant minority position by a locally based, family-owned company with long-standing operations...

See Monterey unveils latest Business Plan to drive tourism in Monterey County 

Cannery Row in Monterey
MONTEREY COUNTY — See Monterey released its FY2025-26 Business Plan with the objective of maximizing economic impact for the community while ensuring lasting benefit, all guided by the Monterey County Tourism 2030 (MCT 2030) long-term strategic roadmap. The plan for the year includes expanding the...

Local News

Fake QR Code scams fraud phishing concept

PG&E warns customers of emerging barcode scam

CENTRAL COAST — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is warning customers about a new variation of a utility scam that uses barcodes and...