Nostalgic romance waits at the Victorian Inn, where Conversation Hearts hope to start you sweet talking this Valentine’s weekend.

You live somewhere your whole life, but when do you play the tourist? Monterey Peninsula residents are being invited to do just that. From December 1 to December 24, Monterey Peninsula residents in zip codes 93901 through 93955 can overnight at one of three Monterey hotels, starting at $99.00 a night.

The Labor Day holiday – always the first Monday in September – turns 115 years old in 2009. Created as a day off for working citizens to celebrate the ‘strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor unions’, today it’s considered a day for relaxation, picnics and parades. And it’s also sometimes considered the symbolic end of Summer. But not in Monterey.

The Labor Day weekend means warm, sunny days and balmy evenings – perfect for a swim in the ocean, tide pool exploring (eyes only; no fingers!!), biking along the coast or kayaking with the seals and otters. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

So take a load off in beautiful Monterey – home of Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck, one of the country’s most prominent writers about labor and the human condition. Take a spin through the National Steinbeck Center in nearby Salinas – please visit www.steinbeck.org for more information.

Monterey’s beloved My Museum – that’s code for Monterey County Youth Museum – is now open at 425 Washington Street, in Downtown Monterey, conveniently by the Monterey Sports Center and Dennis the Menace Park. This 8,500 square foot museum is packed with a variety of hands on exhibits, making each visit unique and exciting. It compliments any visit to the Monterey area or makes a good day into a great day for those who are fortunate to visit on a regular basis.
For more about My Museum’s zillions of activities, please visit www.mymuseum.org.