Take It Outside
Words by Anh-Minh Le
Illustration by Kelsey Wisdom
Zach and Ashley Downing’s sons—Koa, 13, and Kai, 11—“were on surfboards before they could walk or swim,” Ashley says. The couple, who opened Carmel Surf Shop in 2022, were both born and raised in Carmel, with dads who also surfed and “passed down a love for the ocean.” While Zach is the most dedicated surfer of the family and surfs almost daily, “the rest of us definitely enjoy longer, warmer summer days with small surf,” Ashley says.
Indeed, as the temperature climbs into summer, alfresco activities beckon all over the Monterey Bay Area. It’s an ideal time to take advantage of the region’s robust outdoor culture. With an array of sports—for participants and spectators alike—as well as recreational, wellness and artistic pursuits, there’s something for everyone, regardless of age or skill set.
For beginner surfers, for instance, the Downings recommend South Moss at Spanish Bay or the Wharf, where the waves tend to be softer and more mellow. Their shop is just up the street from Carmel Beach, making it convenient for surfers to grab some wax or replace a leash that just snapped. (The store’s in-house line of tees—featuring graphics by locals such as Stephanie Gutierrez, Scott Ketchum and Viktor Klinger—are also well worth checking out.)
Thinking turf rather than surf? Pick-up soccer and organized leagues abound. Or catch the pros in action: Monterey Bay FC plays at Cardinale Stadium on the CSU Monterey Bay campus in Seaside. According to the club, soccer is poised for even greater fandom locally: “With the World Cup set to be hosted by the United States in 2026, and the summer Olympics coming in 2028, the stage is set for massive growth for the sport in this country, but also in this community.”
This season, which runs through October, Monterey Bay FC introduced mascot Kelpie to energize the home crowd. “Monterey Bay has always been a region full of soccer fans and, in turn, has produced a lot of great soccer talent,” the team notes. Among the homegrown players currently on the roster are Watsonville’s Adrian Rebollar, Salinas native Joel Garcia Jr., and Carmel High grad Pierce Gallaway, whose guest coaching appearances with the youths of Monterey Surf Soccer Club are inspiring a new generation.
If sports aren’t your thing, there’s an array of other activities at your fingertips. Feeling artistically inspired? Try your hand at wheel throwing with ceramics classes from Clay + Kiln at Hacienda, or perhaps plein air painting using the local landscape as inspiration. Music on your mind? This July, take in the classical sounds of the Carmel Bach Festival—one of the oldest music festivals in the U.S. Whether you want to pick up a tennis racquet, hit the trails (by horse, foot, or bike), roll out a yoga mat, catch a game, or unpack your easel and paint, our calendar of outdoor activities and events will help guide your summer of fun.