Halloween in California on Hwy 1
Sep 28th, 2014, 01:01 PM
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Halloween in California on Hwy 1
We're going on a two week trip to visit Grand Canyon and the California coast. We should be somewhere in the Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur area on Friday 10/31. Is that the day Californian's will be celebrating Halloween and does anyone have any suggestion for where we could stay or go that I could take my 3 year old out Trick or Treating and/or to enjoy some type of Fall Festival that would be young child friendly.
Sep 30th, 2014, 11:54 AM
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They may not thank me for recommending them, but my advice is to go to Candy Cane Lane area in Pacific Grove. Carmel would not be a good choice - an older population with few children and lots of weekend home owners who may not be there. I've lived here 6 years and never had a child come by. Our high cost of living and popularity with retirees means the age of our population skews higher. I'm not familiar with Big Sur.
In past years, some of the businesses in the local cities open their doors during the day (Lighhouse Ave in PG for example) and kids dress and walk around to trick or treat. I haven't seen info for this year however. I'll keep my eyes peeled and let you know if there are any special fall events that weekend.
best Pacifica
In past years, some of the businesses in the local cities open their doors during the day (Lighhouse Ave in PG for example) and kids dress and walk around to trick or treat. I haven't seen info for this year however. I'll keep my eyes peeled and let you know if there are any special fall events that weekend.
best Pacifica
Oct 1st, 2014, 01:18 PM
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Pacific Grove would be my choice too. It is a great small town with a lot of community feeling.
Big Sur doesn't really have any towns to speak of, so I can't think of anywhere that there would be trick or treating.
Big Sur doesn't really have any towns to speak of, so I can't think of anywhere that there would be trick or treating.
Oct 1st, 2014, 02:58 PM
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quick question Pacifica and November moon, we are leaving San Fransisco on Friday morning, traveling with a 3 year old. we'll be on Hwy 1 all day Friday and Saturday, spending the night both days. It was suggested we travel down and not retrace our steps back and so spend the night in two different locations. It was suggested Monterey/Carmel or Big Sur for the first night and Cambria/Pismo Beach for the 2nd night. We'll leave early the 3 day and drive to Sequioa and Kings Park.
Do you have any suggstions for where to stay (even if it's off hwy 1 but not to far to get back to it)? I don't know any of the areas and a brief check on VRBO in one location was way out of the budget. Even an area would be fine and then I can look up hotels and rentals on the various websites that are out there.
Any things you think we must see while on Hwy 1 or places you would recommend? I already know about Julia Pfeiffer state park and Pfeiffer beach and piedras blancas. We like relaxed and laid back, nothing too fancy or expensive with a 3 year old.
Do you have any suggstions for where to stay (even if it's off hwy 1 but not to far to get back to it)? I don't know any of the areas and a brief check on VRBO in one location was way out of the budget. Even an area would be fine and then I can look up hotels and rentals on the various websites that are out there.
Any things you think we must see while on Hwy 1 or places you would recommend? I already know about Julia Pfeiffer state park and Pfeiffer beach and piedras blancas. We like relaxed and laid back, nothing too fancy or expensive with a 3 year old.
Oct 1st, 2014, 07:51 PM
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VRBO isn't really suitable for one night stays. What is your budget? I would spend the first night in Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove and the second night in Cambria. That's not a busy weekend so you shouldn't have difficulty finding a place.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 05:45 AM
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Hmmm....
One problem about living in a tourist spot is you don't use hotels/motels so I can't recommend any from personal experience. Monterey has dozens. Use a website like TripAdvisor or Expedia and you can search by price or user ratings and if you need input, we can advise. There is a large group on Munras Ave near Hwy 1, all the standard chains, they all look just fine and are in a good area. Monterey is small, so everything is close to everything else! PG
One problem about living in a tourist spot is you don't use hotels/motels so I can't recommend any from personal experience. Monterey has dozens. Use a website like TripAdvisor or Expedia and you can search by price or user ratings and if you need input, we can advise. There is a large group on Munras Ave near Hwy 1, all the standard chains, they all look just fine and are in a good area. Monterey is small, so everything is close to everything else! PG
Oct 2nd, 2014, 08:13 AM
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The Munras Ave motels are some of your lowest priced options on the Monterey Peninsula though some can be a bit shabby. Casa Munras is supposed to be fairly nice. I haven't stayed at any of these. This is just what I've heard from friends who have.
In general, your larger hotels/chains will be in Monterey and smaller inns/B&Bs in Carmel or Pacific Grove. All 3 cities are within minutes of each other.
In Cambria, you might want to look for something along Moonstone Drive.
In general, your larger hotels/chains will be in Monterey and smaller inns/B&Bs in Carmel or Pacific Grove. All 3 cities are within minutes of each other.
In Cambria, you might want to look for something along Moonstone Drive.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 08:21 AM
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Another Halloween option for a 3yr old is to see what activity a local shopping mall is hosting.
When my kids were young we always lived in a kid friendly neighborhood so we stayed at home, but in many areas malls are very popular for Halloween festivities. Many parents consider a mall safer and easier than going door to door in a neighborhood. Stores will have candy or other treats to give out and there can be a lot of kids so lots of fun costumes to see. The bright lights of a mall also mean better visibility/less scare factor vs out in ringing doorbells after dark.
When my kids were young we always lived in a kid friendly neighborhood so we stayed at home, but in many areas malls are very popular for Halloween festivities. Many parents consider a mall safer and easier than going door to door in a neighborhood. Stores will have candy or other treats to give out and there can be a lot of kids so lots of fun costumes to see. The bright lights of a mall also mean better visibility/less scare factor vs out in ringing doorbells after dark.
Oct 2nd, 2014, 10:51 AM
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Oct 2nd, 2014, 11:10 AM
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Oct 2nd, 2014, 03:20 PM
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tammydavisg, you are awesome for thinking of a special experience for your 3 year old. Take my word for it, it's those little offbeat experiences like you are planning that will be remembered for a lifetime. The thing is to not make it too huge a deal with how you talk/act, and just let it unfold as it may/or may not meet your plans. Either way it happens, it's golden.
