“The Artichoke Capital of the World!”
Castroville California is home to the World's Largest Artichoke. Built in 1963 from concrete and rebar, this giant creation was the brainchild of Ray Bei, built as a part of a vegetable stand and restaurant complex along the main thoroughfare. It stands 20 feet tall and 12 feet across. Castroville (population 6,724 ) is located along the coast beside Monterey Bay. Here the ideal combination of soil, sun and fog provide the perfect growing conditions for artichokes, making Castroville the Artichoke Capital. There's an annual Artichoke Festival and parade, and Marilyn Monroe was crowned the very first Artichoke Queen in 1947. Ray Bei's Giant Artichoke Restaurant and Fruit Stand is open year-round and features artichoke delicacies that exist nowhere else. Frozen, fried, quiched or just plain steamed, the artichoke is “King” of this village known as “The Artichoke Capital of the World” One of the featured menu items was fried artichoke leaves, which I was certainly game for. Although I believe that frying anything makes it better, it didn’t do much for the artichoke. From the souvenir mug: One of California’s outstanding tourist stops is the Giant Artichoke Restaurant in Castroville, CA, beside Monterey Bay. Here the ideal combination of soil, sun and fog provide the perfect growing conditions for artichokes. At this restaurant the visitor finds artichoke delicacies that exist nowhere else. Frozen, fried, quiched or just plain steamed, the artichoke is “King” of this village known as “The Artichoke Capital of the World”
Reviews
Underwhelming but easy to find
Admittedly I travel with a 9 year old, so this is totally our thing to stop for a photo. There is a restaurant and a fruit stand. However there are fruit stands every 10 feet 😂. Great photo, my son loved seeing it!
The giant artichoke was worth a quick stop and a photo… if you love artichokes or are drawn to oversized roadside attractions… and it’s already on your route. The produce stand and restaurant that flank the sides of the artichoke were very sad and run down. Produce was old, overpriced, and the fruit flies were thick.
On my first visit in the spring of 2017, and first taste of artichoke, my California friends insisted (demanded) that we visit here so I could get the entire experience. Photos, food and friends. It doesn't get any better. I still like steamed with butter the best, no mayo for this Michigan girl, deep fried was pretty good. Tried it every way that I could. I like artichokes.
When I saw this on Roadtrippers I knew I had to see it. My wife said “It’s not real!”, and I countered with “It’s as real as concrete!” It was a ten-minute diversion that provides endless conversation, as the previous review by the guy who is probably now divorced proves. I loved it.
Today was a sad day for me.
This stop was the beginning of the end of all my contribution to family trip planning as far as my relationship with my wife goes.
In an instant (as soon as we saw the giant artichoke), this stopover literally reduced my journey planning credibility to ashes.
I will never get back my loss of reputation. Nor will I ever fully recover from the nuclear fallout that ensued.
To think I did this deliberately ...i.e. with intent - leaves me questioning how much time and effort I put into planning my holidays during the few precious years I have left.
This was an intentional diversion - not a random stumbling upon something. I’ll never recover.
Enjoy the artichoke platter and a cold beer.
Freaking awesome!
its a restaurant NOT a visiting spot.
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World's Largest Artichoke
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