The Artichoke Trail incorporates over 20 stops, including restaurants, farm stands, and attractions that highlight the numerous ways visitors can enjoy and experience this unique vegetable in Monterey County.
Nearly two-thirds of the world’s artichokes are grown in Monterey County, which is home to the town of Castroville, dubbed the “Artichoke Capital of the World.”
This region, where the rich, fertile soil of the Salinas Valley meets the sands of Monterey Bay, provides the optimal growing conditions for artichokes year-round. Arguably a vegetable that has long been misunderstood, the Artichoke Trail encourages visitors to discover the versatility and importance of this regional delicacy.
The Artichoke Trail features over 20 stops showcasing the numerous ways visitors can experience this unique vegetable in Monterey County, California. Trail stops are found throughout the Monterey Peninsula, along Highway 1 and in Castroville, the “Artichoke Capital of the World.”
“Promoting Monterey County’s vast mosaic of inspiring experiences is all about connecting the dots,” said Rob O’Keefe, president and CEO of MCCVB. “The artichoke is part of our agricultural heritage and a connector between those dots. A vital role in our agricultural industry and a key ingredient to unique culinary experiences throughout our region. The Artichoke Trail is a path to those one-of-a-kind experiences.”
Artichoke Trail stops in Castroville – which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year – make up the trail’s Artichoke Alley. Notable stops found along Artichoke Alley and Highway 1 include:
Walk the Pezzini family farm to demystify the artichoke and learn how to cultivate and prepare the vegetable, then swing by the farm’s on-site food truck, The Choke Coach, to sample the harvest in many forms, including their artichoke po’boy.
Bite into a Monterey Bay Quesadilla, served with grilled prawns, artichoke hearts, Jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, tartar and dill sauce.
Dig into a plate of Pasta Castroville, made with fettuccini pasta, artichoke hearts, pesto sauce, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and mushrooms.
In addition to the year-round trail, visitors are invited to celebrate at Monterey’s annual Artichoke Festival, held this year from June 10-11. In its 63rd year, this festival is a long-standing event in Monterey County, and even crowned Marilyn Monroe (then Norma Jean) as the first Artichoke Queen in 1948. This year’s festival will include an array of family-friendly activities and culinary offerings that are sure to please the most avid artichoke lover, with the theme Thistle Be Fun!
ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Monterey County CVB) is a 501c6 non-profit organization that drives tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the County. The MCCVB is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to drive business growth through compelling marketing and targeted sales initiatives that maximize the benefits of tourism to its guests, members and the community. Travel spending in Monterey County was $2.5 billion in 2021, supporting 21,600 jobs and generating $264 million in state and local tax revenue that directly benefited the community. For more information, visitwww.SeeMonterey.com and follow us onFacebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The Artichoke Trail incorporates over 20 stops, including restaurants, farm stands, and attractions that highlight the numerous ways visitors can enjoy and experience this unique vegetable in Monterey County.
Nearly two-thirds of the world’s artichokes are grown in Monterey County, which is home to the town of Castroville, dubbed the “Artichoke Capital of the World.”
This region, where the rich, fertile soil of the Salinas Valley meets the sands of Monterey Bay, provides the optimal growing conditions for artichokes year-round. Arguably a vegetable that has long been misunderstood, the Artichoke Trail encourages visitors to discover the versatility and importance of this regional delicacy.
The Artichoke Trail features over 20 stops showcasing the numerous ways visitors can experience this unique vegetable in Monterey County, California. Trail stops are found throughout the Monterey Peninsula, along Highway 1 and in Castroville, the “Artichoke Capital of the World.”
“Promoting Monterey County’s vast mosaic of inspiring experiences is all about connecting the dots,” said Rob O’Keefe, president and CEO of MCCVB. “The artichoke is part of our agricultural heritage and a connector between those dots. A vital role in our agricultural industry and a key ingredient to unique culinary experiences throughout our region. The Artichoke Trail is a path to those one-of-a-kind experiences.”
Artichoke Trail stops in Castroville – which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year – make up the trail’s Artichoke Alley. Notable stops found along Artichoke Alley and Highway 1 include:
Walk the Pezzini family farm to demystify the artichoke and learn how to cultivate and prepare the vegetable, then swing by the farm’s on-site food truck, The Choke Coach, to sample the harvest in many forms, including their artichoke po’boy.
Bite into a Monterey Bay Quesadilla, served with grilled prawns, artichoke hearts, Jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, tartar and dill sauce.
Dig into a plate of Pasta Castroville, made with fettuccini pasta, artichoke hearts, pesto sauce, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and mushrooms.
In addition to the year-round trail, visitors are invited to celebrate at Monterey’s annual Artichoke Festival, held this year from June 10-11. In its 63rd year, this festival is a long-standing event in Monterey County, and even crowned Marilyn Monroe (then Norma Jean) as the first Artichoke Queen in 1948. This year’s festival will include an array of family-friendly activities and culinary offerings that are sure to please the most avid artichoke lover, with the theme Thistle Be Fun!
ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Monterey County CVB) is a 501c6 non-profit organization that drives tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the County. The MCCVB is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to drive business growth through compelling marketing and targeted sales initiatives that maximize the benefits of tourism to its guests, members and the community. Travel spending in Monterey County was $2.5 billion in 2021, supporting 21,600 jobs and generating $264 million in state and local tax revenue that directly benefited the community. For more information, visitwww.SeeMonterey.com and follow us onFacebook, Instagram and Twitter.
