Carmel for 5 nights with baby
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Carmel for 5 nights with baby
Hello,
Hubby and i have just booked to fly YYZ to SFO at the end of August. Through some excellent advice from other fodorites we will be driving down to Carmel to spend 5 nights there before returning to San Fran for another 3 nights.
This is a bit of a last minute trip and we are travelling with our 6 month old which made finding the time to sit down and plan a bit challenging (I'm usually obsessive about trip planning in my pre-baby life!).
We are staying at the Green Lantern Inn and really looking to have a super relaxing vacation and not trying to pack too much in. But if we don't have some sort of plan we won't end up doing much.
So far (in no particular order) we hope to see/do:
Point Lobos state reserve (we have a bunch of baby carriers so we won't be using the stroller or untying for hiking)
Hit up some beaches
Stroll around downtown Carmel
Do the 17 mile drive
Possibly check out the Monteray aquarium (we've been to Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto and it was a bit hit for us)
Drive down to Big Sur
Is there anything we are blatantly missing to see in that area? We will probably check out some wine tastings in town and while we love good food and restaurants, we'll probably stick to lunches out rather than dinner as the time change will make our little guy's bed time right smack in the middle of an early dinner which isn't fun for anyone.
We also love craft beers if there is any great pubs to check out?
Thanks for any tips/advice. As I said I usually obsess over planning and wouldn't normally ask such an open ended request for help
Hubby and i have just booked to fly YYZ to SFO at the end of August. Through some excellent advice from other fodorites we will be driving down to Carmel to spend 5 nights there before returning to San Fran for another 3 nights.
This is a bit of a last minute trip and we are travelling with our 6 month old which made finding the time to sit down and plan a bit challenging (I'm usually obsessive about trip planning in my pre-baby life!).
We are staying at the Green Lantern Inn and really looking to have a super relaxing vacation and not trying to pack too much in. But if we don't have some sort of plan we won't end up doing much.
So far (in no particular order) we hope to see/do:
Point Lobos state reserve (we have a bunch of baby carriers so we won't be using the stroller or untying for hiking)
Hit up some beaches
Stroll around downtown Carmel
Do the 17 mile drive
Possibly check out the Monteray aquarium (we've been to Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto and it was a bit hit for us)
Drive down to Big Sur
Is there anything we are blatantly missing to see in that area? We will probably check out some wine tastings in town and while we love good food and restaurants, we'll probably stick to lunches out rather than dinner as the time change will make our little guy's bed time right smack in the middle of an early dinner which isn't fun for anyone.
We also love craft beers if there is any great pubs to check out?
Thanks for any tips/advice. As I said I usually obsess over planning and wouldn't normally ask such an open ended request for help
#2
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Unless you and/or husband are golf fans, I would skip the 17 mile drive. You will see just as dramatic (better IMHO) scenery at Point Lobos and on Big Sur drive.
I would add tide pooling on Asilomar beach, walking (or biking) along the Pacific Grove oceanfront and highly recommend the Acquarium.
BTW, no insult intended, but you do know that Big Sur is an entire stretch of coastline between Point Lobos and Cambria (depending on how you view it) and not a single destination. We met a number of tourists two weekends ago who mistakenly thought they would drive to single location named Big Sur.
I would add tide pooling on Asilomar beach, walking (or biking) along the Pacific Grove oceanfront and highly recommend the Acquarium.
BTW, no insult intended, but you do know that Big Sur is an entire stretch of coastline between Point Lobos and Cambria (depending on how you view it) and not a single destination. We met a number of tourists two weekends ago who mistakenly thought they would drive to single location named Big Sur.
#3
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Sounds like a good plan.
For craft beers maybe Peter B's or Alvarado Street Brewery, both in Monterey though I admit to not having tried either. This is wine country!
For lunches in Carmel, we like Basil, Casanova, Il Grillo and La Balena (weekends only for lunch). About 10 miles south of Carmel on the ocean side of Hwy 1 is Rocky Point restaurant. The view is great and the food is much improved recently. Inside Pebble Beach, The Bench at the Lodge at Pebble Beach is very good. I like taking a picnic to Big Sur. Salumeria Luca, The Cheese Shop, 5th Avenue Deli and Bruno's Market are good places to pick up picnic supplies.
Have a great time!
For craft beers maybe Peter B's or Alvarado Street Brewery, both in Monterey though I admit to not having tried either. This is wine country!
For lunches in Carmel, we like Basil, Casanova, Il Grillo and La Balena (weekends only for lunch). About 10 miles south of Carmel on the ocean side of Hwy 1 is Rocky Point restaurant. The view is great and the food is much improved recently. Inside Pebble Beach, The Bench at the Lodge at Pebble Beach is very good. I like taking a picnic to Big Sur. Salumeria Luca, The Cheese Shop, 5th Avenue Deli and Bruno's Market are good places to pick up picnic supplies.
Have a great time!
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For a Big Sur day trip, I find Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park a good turn around point. This is about an hour south of Carmel not including any stops, maybe a little longer right now due to the number of cars on the road.
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If you are readers and have read John Steinbeck, maybe a quick trip to Salinas to visit the Steinbeck Museum. I also think the Carmel mission is an interesting part of California history. I agree to skip the 17 mile drive. The Aquarium is fantastic and the behind the scenes tour very interesting too.
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Thank you so much for these insights. I read them right away but didn't have a chance yet to respond.
We'll skip the 17 mile drive then as it doesn't sound up our alley.
Thank you as well for the clarification about Big Sur. I saw from the map that it appeared to be an area, but good to know it's not a single 'destination'.
I'm looking forward to the aquarium since it's so highly recommended!
These are all such great tips for additional things to see and places to eat/drink. I love this forum
Hopefully it all goes off without a hitch and I can carve out some time to post a trip report upon our return.
Thanks again everyone!
We'll skip the 17 mile drive then as it doesn't sound up our alley.
Thank you as well for the clarification about Big Sur. I saw from the map that it appeared to be an area, but good to know it's not a single 'destination'.
I'm looking forward to the aquarium since it's so highly recommended!
These are all such great tips for additional things to see and places to eat/drink. I love this forum
Hopefully it all goes off without a hitch and I can carve out some time to post a trip report upon our return.
Thanks again everyone!
#8
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You can pick up good picnic sandwiches at Compagno's in Monterey. Deetjen's, a very rustic inn serves great breakfasts and is a nice stop on the Big Sur drive. For dinner in Carmel, we enjoyed Cantinetta Luca and Mission Ranch Inn, also Bistro Beaujolais in the Carmel Shopping Plaza serves a nice lunch. Finally breakfast at Katy's or First Awakenings in Pacific Grove,
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Just FYI Basil had a fire last Wednesday so may not be reopened for your trip.
Cantinetta Luca has started serving lunch every day and is another good option.
Carmel Belle is an order at the counter type place that has good breakfast and lunches. They also serve dinner 5 nights a week and is super casual.
Cantinetta Luca has started serving lunch every day and is another good option.
Carmel Belle is an order at the counter type place that has good breakfast and lunches. They also serve dinner 5 nights a week and is super casual.
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I enjoyed the 17 mile drive myself, and I'm no golfer. Non-members can go into the Pebble Beach golf club and eat, also, we had a great breakfast there, that was nice (as it has some good views of the course, just thought it was fun).
Sure, if you are hard up for time, and have other drives, you can skp it, but I liked it.
Sure, if you are hard up for time, and have other drives, you can skp it, but I liked it.
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We live in Pacific Grove. Thanks for visiting our great area.We cruise this area all the time as locals.
Do 17 Mile Drive. Fantastic views, beautiful homes. Who cares about golf? Stop at Pebble Beach to see the 18th hole, have a drink and maybe a burger at the Tavern. This place is world famous. Or go to Spanish Bay resort......fire pits at sunset....the bagpiper playing and you looking at the Pcific Ocean.....a not miss.
Wine tastings: Drive out Carmel Valley Road. The area has really popped in the last 5 years. Many wine tasting areas. Heller Wines is great. Talbott Wines has a Motorcycle Museum in the wine tasting area and great patio to enjoy your wine. Bernardus has great people and nice wines.
Ask your hotel about Carmel Valley Road. Nice area! If you like Mexican food try Baha Cantina.....on the right as you drive east.
Do 17 Mile Drive. Fantastic views, beautiful homes. Who cares about golf? Stop at Pebble Beach to see the 18th hole, have a drink and maybe a burger at the Tavern. This place is world famous. Or go to Spanish Bay resort......fire pits at sunset....the bagpiper playing and you looking at the Pcific Ocean.....a not miss.
Wine tastings: Drive out Carmel Valley Road. The area has really popped in the last 5 years. Many wine tasting areas. Heller Wines is great. Talbott Wines has a Motorcycle Museum in the wine tasting area and great patio to enjoy your wine. Bernardus has great people and nice wines.
Ask your hotel about Carmel Valley Road. Nice area! If you like Mexican food try Baha Cantina.....on the right as you drive east.
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traveldawg, am looking for good Mexican food in the area. We tried Pepper's in PG on our last visit which we thought was just ok. Looking at Lopez in Monterey and now Baha Cantina, any thoughts between the two? Thanks.
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For sustainable seafood we like Passionfish in Pacific Grove.
Point Lobos is lovely, and we've enjoyed wine tasting in the Carmel Valley too. Plus if it's cloudy on the coast it could be sunny only a few miles inland. In Big Sur I like lunch at Post Ranch Inn, or for something more casual the downstairs cafe at Nepenthe where they have a great outdoor terrace, the views are spectacular.
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2011/...ral-coast.html
I'm not a fan of the 17 mile drive but it appeals to its of people. It may be hard to know whether you'll enjoy it or not until you do it!
I agree that the Carmel Mission is worth visiting. We also like the San Juan Bautista Mission which could be on your way to sf depending on the route you take.
Point Lobos is lovely, and we've enjoyed wine tasting in the Carmel Valley too. Plus if it's cloudy on the coast it could be sunny only a few miles inland. In Big Sur I like lunch at Post Ranch Inn, or for something more casual the downstairs cafe at Nepenthe where they have a great outdoor terrace, the views are spectacular.
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2011/...ral-coast.html
I'm not a fan of the 17 mile drive but it appeals to its of people. It may be hard to know whether you'll enjoy it or not until you do it!
I agree that the Carmel Mission is worth visiting. We also like the San Juan Bautista Mission which could be on your way to sf depending on the route you take.
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If you're here right now, I hope you've been able to see the humpback whales. They've been feeding very close to shore lately and have been putting on quite a show at Point Lobos and the south end of Carmel River beach. The weather has been crazy hot (for here), 80 degrees in Carmel yesterday and today. 90's in Big Sur yesterday! And Basil did reopen on Wednesday.
curiousgeo,
I haven't been to Baja Cantina but it's known more for its atmosphere than it's food. On Thursday nights, it becomes a car enthusiast gathering spot (it's owned by Pat Phinney same owner of Turn 12 in downtown Monterey).
curiousgeo,
I haven't been to Baja Cantina but it's known more for its atmosphere than it's food. On Thursday nights, it becomes a car enthusiast gathering spot (it's owned by Pat Phinney same owner of Turn 12 in downtown Monterey).
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