Romantic spots on the Central Coast feature prominently in Salinas filmmaker's first film

Confused and alone, a beautiful woman gets lost in a picturesque town. A strange man, sensing her distress, gallantly offers to drop what he’s doing and take her to wherever she wants to go. As they navigate the city together, romance blossoms.

So is the plot of “Peninsula Nights,” available on Amazon Prime Video, the first feature film by Salinas filmmaker Devin Thomas and starring his brother, Stephen Ray Thomas. Both were born in Monterey, raised in Salinas and attended Palma High School.

A truly family project, their mother, and the film's producer, Susan Massa Thomas, is the youngest daughter of John "Butch" Massa, co-founder of Comgro Soil Amendments and Monterey Bay Farms.

The film, a romantic drama, includes popular and cinematically on point Central Coast locations in Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Salinas Valley.

"I've always had a passion for film, making home movies from a young age," said Devin Thomas, who got his film training at Los Angeles Film School. "'Peninsula Nights' is a proud milestone."

Monterey Bay locales set the scene for a cinematic romance

In the film, the picturesque town is Carmel-by-the-Sea and the beautiful woman is Bella Rossi, played by Christine VonRobarie, an actress originally from Puerto Rico. Stephen Ray Thomas plays the helpful hero, realtor with a hidden passion for screenwriting, Tom Leblanc.

As the couple get acquainted, we find out Rossi has come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for a job interview at one of its famous art galleries. Only, after the meeting, she gets lost. And she needs to get to La Playa Carmel.

Leblanc is on the case.

Traversing the streets of the beachside town, the couple pass several notable locations, including Grasings, Big Little Boxes, Carmel Square and Toro Sushi Carmel.

Also featured are the public murals by French born Los Angeles street artist, and possible real Banksy, Thierry Guetta (“Mr. Brainwash”). He painted the murals when he attended the Carmel Art and Film Festival in 2010.

The couple take in Monterey as they make their journey to happily ever after.

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They stop at Plumes Coffee House, East Village Café and various spots on Alvarado Street. The film also captures shops along the wharf, Domenico’s Restaurant, Cannery Row and hey, is that outside the Sardine Factory?

"Carmel and Monterey are world-class destinations known for their romantic allure and scenic beauty," Devin Thomas said. "As the film is a romance-drama, setting it in one of the most romantic locales in the world felt like a natural choice."

Salinas countryside seals the deal

After all this walking, the love-struck strangers make their way to the bucolic Salinas countryside to Rustique Wines, makers of very fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The area is special to the Thomas brothers as the vineyard is near where they grew up along River Road.

"Filming there felt personal and authentic," Devin Thomas said. The rolling hills and the winery's 100-year-old barn set the stage for a climactic scene.

Just as in real life, Rustique, which regularly hosts shows and events, provided the perfect backdrop for romance. Le Blanc's best friend, played by Pacific Grove singer/songwriter, Matt Lucca, gives a live concert performance, along with bandmates Alex Maganelli on bass guitar and Kevin Stofer (who is from Prunedale) on drums.

They perform three original songs, "Beneath the Sun," "Time for a Change," and "Get What You Want."

But will it be enough to bring the two strangers together in everlasting love? And, more importantly, will Bella Rossi ever make it to La Playa Carmel? Watch and find out.

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Romantic spots on the Central Coast feature prominently in Salinas filmmaker's first film