Welcome to Casa Mariposa, the live-in museum. Nestled in the heart of PG, our home is a natural history museum packed with fossils, minerals, crystals, biologic specimens, art & artifacts that we personally unearthed throughout the world. We have genuine fossils that span all geologic time: From 2.2 billion-yr old stromatolites to 100,000-yr old Saber-toothed Tigers. Yes, even dinosaurs. Both adults & kids who visit Casa Mariposa come away with a better appreciation for Nature & natural history. The space Our home is renowned for its natural history attributes and educational experience. Genuine fossils and minerals are tastefully displayed throughout the entire house, including the bathrooms. Everything from dinosaur bones, to fossil fish, to trilobites, to local fossil crabs, as well as many other specimens, are right in front of you! Your hosts are artists, naturalists, paleontologists, and guidebook authors. We have display cases filled with exotic fossils, minerals, and crystal specimens - most of which we excavated ourselves. In the courtyard we have scale reproductions of Native American petroglyphs and the excavated backbone of huge fossil whale. It is also home to many beautiful flowers and plants. Casa Mariposa boasts many green attributes: It has a state-of-the-art solar system installed on the roof which powers all of the home electrical needs. It also has a sophisticated rain-water catchment system which allows us to conserve drinking water by using rainwater for the gardens. South-facing windows capture the sun and we have energy efficient lighting throughout. We live in a nice quiet neighborhood central to everything on the Peninsula. Two formal bedrooms (one queen and one king bed) plus a queen size sleep sofa and a roll-away bed in family room which can serve as a 3rd bedroom. Sleeps up to 6 people comfortably. (Please keep in mind the roll-away bed in the Family Room is small and not comfortable for adults. For kids it's fine). Two complete baths on main level, plus half bath in upstairs master bedroom. Bright and sunny, our home is immaculate and newly remodeled. It has all the amenities - WiFi, DVD, large screen TV, dishwasher, washer/dryer, granite counters, hardwood floors. Private courtyard with gas grill. Off-street parking. Large kitchen fully outfitted with granite counters, full-size fridge, large dishwasher, blender, coffee maker, microwave, large oven and glass-top range, flatware and dishes for 8+ persons. We have a large, bright living room with French doors that open to the courtyard. There is a downstairs Family Room and entertainment center with new large flat screen TV. Casa Mariposa is located right in the middle of the tip of Monterey Peninsula, equidistant from Asilomar Beach and Lovers Point. Walk or bike to the aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach, the Monarch Sanctuary, Pt. Pinos Lighthouse, golf courses, art galleries, etc, etc. 17-mile drive is only 3 blocks away. Follow its legendary route along some of the most scenic shoreline on the coast, winding through Pebble Beach and ending up in Carmel where you have some of the best shopping in California as well as the highest concentration of art galleries and boutiques in the west. Guest access This house is yours to enjoy completely, as long as you respect the fact that it is our home and NOT a motel. We live here and hope you will treat it as your own home while here. This area is a quiet neighborhood and we do not allow loud parties. The main floor consists of the large living room, large kitchen, guest bedroom and two full baths, one of which has a whirlpool bathtub. The other has a shower. Upstairs is master bedroom with king bed and half bath. Outside is a fully enclosed private courtyard. Other things to note If you enjoy classical jazz, here's a little known secret: Every Thursday night in the lobby of the Spanish Bay Inn the legendary Dottie Dodgion Trio plays from 7pm - 10pm. Dottie played with all the great jazz bands of old and at 88 she is still going strong. It's free. Here are our recommendations for the best eating in our area: FORMAL DINING - reservations highly recommended: Mission Ranch - Carmel 26270 Dolores St, Carmel. Owned by Clint Eastwood. Believe it or not it is the ONLY restaurant in Carmel with an ocean view. Great place to go for sunset meal. Fine dining American fare. Nice atmosphere with the best piano bar in the region. Fandango's - 223 17th Street, Pacific Grove Nice old and funky mix of classic mission and modern architecture with great intimate seating in a variety of rooms. One of the best dining experiences on the Peninsula. Eclectic foods - known for their seafood and steaks. Sardine Factory - 701 Wave Street, Monterey A historic landmark in Monterey. Probably the best seafood on the Peninsula. Featured in Hollywood films. The largest and best wine list in town. Pricey but elegant and worth it. C Restaurant - 750 Cannery Row Inside the Intercontinental Hotel. Plush, quiet, fine dining right on the water on Cannery Row. Great wine selection. Excellent seafood. CASUAL BUT EXCELLENT CHOICE The Beach House At Lovers Point - 620 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove. Good food with an excellent view overlooking the cove at Lovers Point. The Fishwife - 1996 Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove Legendary seafood. Simple casual atmosphere. Just up the road from Asilomar Beach. Walking distance from Casa Mariposa. Our local favorite. Hog's Breath Inn - San Carlos Street, Carmel Previously owned and made world famous by Clint Eastwood. He doesn't own it any more but it maintains its reputation easily. Cozy outdoor seating with heaters. Superb beer selection. Simple but good food. Hulas Tiki Room and Island Grill - 622 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey Great Island and Polynesian food. Relaxed atmosphere. Genuine Tiki and surfing decor. If you like surfing and Island food, you'll love this experience! This is one of our favorite restaurants overall. Beware the of Dr. Funk tropical drink - it'll kick your butt! Stammtisch - 1204 Echo Avenue, Seaside Family style decor. The best German dining in the central coast. Genuine German/Bavarian cuisine by a true native of the Old Country. Excellent beers. GOOD QUICK LUNCH- International Market - 580 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey Great, plentiful gyros and Greek salad lunch plate. We used to know the original owner Alex from Athens. Sadly he died a few years ago but the torch has been passed to some friends and family who keep the same high standards. Thai Bistro II - 159 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove A great place for Thai food. Paprika Cafe - 309 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey Great Mediterranean food, Turkish coffee, the humus is excellent.