Strong Coffee & Good Wifi On The Monterey Peninsula
- By James Raia
- Published 05/16/2007
For the past 20 years or so, I've traveled to the Monterey Peninsula at least three times per year. If there's any marginally important reason to go, I go. But I've also realized and accepted that the area doesn't have the best cellphone connection and nor is wireless computer access always available.
But in the past few years, it's gotten better. It's become routine for me to work with wireless connections and cellphone service, drink very good coffee, and meet interesting locals in two Monterey Peninsula coffeehouses — Plumes in Monterey and The Works in Pacific Grove.
Both places feature "Brew Bars" and serve Santa Cruz Roasting Co. coffee. Plumes (400 Alvarado Stre
et) is often crowded with students from the state university campus at Ft. Ord and the nearby Defense Language Institute. The Works (667 Lighthouse Ave.) befits the idyllic city. It's a combination bookstore and coffeehouse and is appreciably quiet.
In addition to vast coffee and tea selections and free Wifi, Plumes has a good selection of bagels, pastries, sandwiches and desserts; The Works' food selection is limited, but its relaxing atmosphere is inviting and the Wifi works well. (The access code is available from employees.)
I've frequently both places for coffee to go and I've also spent several hours working in both locations. And I've also met some very interesting people in both coffeehouses — a local woman physician who often travels around the world selflessly giving her medical expertise to a retired businessman who loves sports to a woman who publishes a poetry magazine.
But in the past few years, it's gotten better. It's become routine for me to work with wireless connections and cellphone service, drink very good coffee, and meet interesting locals in two Monterey Peninsula coffeehouses — Plumes in Monterey and The Works in Pacific Grove.Both places feature "Brew Bars" and serve Santa Cruz Roasting Co. coffee. Plumes (400 Alvarado Stre
In addition to vast coffee and tea selections and free Wifi, Plumes has a good selection of bagels, pastries, sandwiches and desserts; The Works' food selection is limited, but its relaxing atmosphere is inviting and the Wifi works well. (The access code is available from employees.)
I've frequently both places for coffee to go and I've also spent several hours working in both locations. And I've also met some very interesting people in both coffeehouses — a local woman physician who often travels around the world selflessly giving her medical expertise to a retired businessman who loves sports to a woman who publishes a poetry magazine.
