A wedding in Monterey
Oct 7th, 2010 | 07:34 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2003
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A wedding in Monterey
Our niece was getting married in Monterey, Ca so a trip to attend was in order. We left on Thursday, June 23.
Normally we take the Super Shuttle from Greeley to the Denver airport, but since this was to be a short trip, DW and I drove and parked at the USA Parking just outside the airport. Those guys really have parking down to a science. All traffic is routed to the same row where there were several buses waiting. We parked, got our ticket showing our location and boarded the bus to the terminal.
After curbside check in we went thru security. There are two separate security check ins and one always seems shorter than the other, sometimes with virtually no one in line. We went first to the more crowded and decided to try the other. It was less crowded but neither was very short.
Out to terminal 3 where we boarded our Southwest plane. We used frequent flyer miles for this trip. As always, it was bumpy flying west out of Denver. Just after the captain turned off the seat belt sign, we hit a big air pocket. If it had been just a minute later, I think there might have been injuries. But that was it and the flight was smooth the rest of the way to San Jose.
San Jose has a new terminal and it is very easy to get to the baggage claim and get your bag. Then just across the street to a very nice rental car building. We got our car (Toyota Corolla from Hertz) and we were on our way. I had printed out Mapquest directions and we made it to the hotel without any problem. We stayed at the Days Inn Fisherman's Wharf (www.daysinnmonterey.com). The name is a little misleading since it isn't really anywhere near Fisherman's Wharf. The location was ok - on a busy road but we didn't really hear the noise. The rate was about $70 for Thurs. and Sun. and $100 for Fri. and Sat.
After relaxing for a while we went to Cannery Row, parked the car and walked around the area and farther down the coast into Pacific Grove. We saw several California sea lions and harbor seals. We ate dinner at the Fish Hopper (www.fishhopper.com). We were right on the ocean, but unfortunately not on the side with a view of the sea lions. I had prawns while DW had ahi tuna and a glass of wine. With tip it was about $60. Both of us enjoyed the food. If I had checked out the mini menus in the motel lobby, I would have found that the Fish Hopper menu had a coupon for a free appetizer. We called my sister to tell her we arrived and then went back to the hotel.
The bed was very comfortable but the breakfast left something to be desired. That was ok with us as we are both on a diet! DW was having a lunch with the bridal party and the female relatives, so I went back to the coast and walked along, looking at seals and trying to spot otters (no luck). Later in the day we visited my sister. Her husband recommended the Old Fisherman's Grotto at Fisherman's Wharf (www.oldfishermansgrotto.com). We decided to give it a try and went to the wharf. Many of the restaurants have have small booths outside the main restaurant serving clam chowder, etc. We walked along the wharf and somehow missed the restaurant so we walked to the end or the wharf and then went back. We found it but it didn't have the ahi tuna that DW wanted, so we went on the other side of the wharf to Gilbert's (www.gilbertsmonterey.com). We were seated on the water and had an excellent view of a platform upon which a few sea lions were gathered. I had scallops while DW had the ahi tuna appetizer and a bowl of soup. We enjoyed watching the sea lions on the platform and swimming among the boats in the harbor. I thought we saw a pair of otters, but I saw them only briefly so they might have been a pair of baby sea lions. The tab for the night was again about $60.
The following morning we drove to Pacific Grove to walk along the shore. There is plenty of free parking along the shore in PG - in Monterey it is all metered. We did see an otter this morning. It was swimming just off shore and we watched for about 20 minutes. Back to the motel where we got ready for the wedding. The wedding was held outdoors at the golf course on what used to be Fort Ord. It was a beautiful setting and the weather was perfect. I videoed the ceremony and then it was time for the reception at the clubhouse. A nice time. We stayed for about 3 hours until the music started and it made conversation impossible.
When we awoke the next morning, the fog had rolled in. We again went to PG for a walk. As the day wore on, the fog was replaced with a very pleasant sunshine. About 3:30 we joined my sister and her hubby at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (www.montereybayaquarium.org). Because they are members, we were able to take advantage of their guest passes, a savings of $29.95 each. BIL is a retired marine biologist so he gave us the grand tour. The aquarium had just opened a new wing. We had visited the aquarium in 2002 when we were last in Monterey and I found it a little boring. Not so this time! We stayed 2+ hours until closing and could have spent at least another hour without being bored. The only complaint I have about the exhibits is that the signage doesn't show which part of the oceans that the fish come from.
For dinner, we grabbed some food from the Whole Foods in the shopping center across from the motel. The next morning we were up early and on our way to San Jose airport. I got turned around in my directions and it took a while to get out of Monterey and in the right direction. Next time I will print out Mapquest directions both to and from the motel.
As we passed through Gilroy, the odor of garlic was very strong. DW was in Heaven! My sister had mentioned that we could go on Hwy 101 all the way to the airport rather than Hwys 87 and 85 as we had on the way from the airport. So as we drove into San Jose on 101 we hit a big traffic jam. Seeing that it wouldn't clear soon, we got off on Santa Clara St. (25 mph speed limit!) and made it to Hwy 87 and to the airport. Good signage to the rental car return. We turned it in and then were driven in the car to the terminal. I've never had that happen before. The terminal was just across street from the rental building - we could have walked as we had when we arrived.
The flight home was uneventful. There was the usual turbulence as we exited the Rockies. We quickly got a shuttle to the car park and were taken right to our car. A hour later we were home in Greeley.
Normally we take the Super Shuttle from Greeley to the Denver airport, but since this was to be a short trip, DW and I drove and parked at the USA Parking just outside the airport. Those guys really have parking down to a science. All traffic is routed to the same row where there were several buses waiting. We parked, got our ticket showing our location and boarded the bus to the terminal.
After curbside check in we went thru security. There are two separate security check ins and one always seems shorter than the other, sometimes with virtually no one in line. We went first to the more crowded and decided to try the other. It was less crowded but neither was very short.
Out to terminal 3 where we boarded our Southwest plane. We used frequent flyer miles for this trip. As always, it was bumpy flying west out of Denver. Just after the captain turned off the seat belt sign, we hit a big air pocket. If it had been just a minute later, I think there might have been injuries. But that was it and the flight was smooth the rest of the way to San Jose.
San Jose has a new terminal and it is very easy to get to the baggage claim and get your bag. Then just across the street to a very nice rental car building. We got our car (Toyota Corolla from Hertz) and we were on our way. I had printed out Mapquest directions and we made it to the hotel without any problem. We stayed at the Days Inn Fisherman's Wharf (www.daysinnmonterey.com). The name is a little misleading since it isn't really anywhere near Fisherman's Wharf. The location was ok - on a busy road but we didn't really hear the noise. The rate was about $70 for Thurs. and Sun. and $100 for Fri. and Sat.
After relaxing for a while we went to Cannery Row, parked the car and walked around the area and farther down the coast into Pacific Grove. We saw several California sea lions and harbor seals. We ate dinner at the Fish Hopper (www.fishhopper.com). We were right on the ocean, but unfortunately not on the side with a view of the sea lions. I had prawns while DW had ahi tuna and a glass of wine. With tip it was about $60. Both of us enjoyed the food. If I had checked out the mini menus in the motel lobby, I would have found that the Fish Hopper menu had a coupon for a free appetizer. We called my sister to tell her we arrived and then went back to the hotel.
The bed was very comfortable but the breakfast left something to be desired. That was ok with us as we are both on a diet! DW was having a lunch with the bridal party and the female relatives, so I went back to the coast and walked along, looking at seals and trying to spot otters (no luck). Later in the day we visited my sister. Her husband recommended the Old Fisherman's Grotto at Fisherman's Wharf (www.oldfishermansgrotto.com). We decided to give it a try and went to the wharf. Many of the restaurants have have small booths outside the main restaurant serving clam chowder, etc. We walked along the wharf and somehow missed the restaurant so we walked to the end or the wharf and then went back. We found it but it didn't have the ahi tuna that DW wanted, so we went on the other side of the wharf to Gilbert's (www.gilbertsmonterey.com). We were seated on the water and had an excellent view of a platform upon which a few sea lions were gathered. I had scallops while DW had the ahi tuna appetizer and a bowl of soup. We enjoyed watching the sea lions on the platform and swimming among the boats in the harbor. I thought we saw a pair of otters, but I saw them only briefly so they might have been a pair of baby sea lions. The tab for the night was again about $60.
The following morning we drove to Pacific Grove to walk along the shore. There is plenty of free parking along the shore in PG - in Monterey it is all metered. We did see an otter this morning. It was swimming just off shore and we watched for about 20 minutes. Back to the motel where we got ready for the wedding. The wedding was held outdoors at the golf course on what used to be Fort Ord. It was a beautiful setting and the weather was perfect. I videoed the ceremony and then it was time for the reception at the clubhouse. A nice time. We stayed for about 3 hours until the music started and it made conversation impossible.
When we awoke the next morning, the fog had rolled in. We again went to PG for a walk. As the day wore on, the fog was replaced with a very pleasant sunshine. About 3:30 we joined my sister and her hubby at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (www.montereybayaquarium.org). Because they are members, we were able to take advantage of their guest passes, a savings of $29.95 each. BIL is a retired marine biologist so he gave us the grand tour. The aquarium had just opened a new wing. We had visited the aquarium in 2002 when we were last in Monterey and I found it a little boring. Not so this time! We stayed 2+ hours until closing and could have spent at least another hour without being bored. The only complaint I have about the exhibits is that the signage doesn't show which part of the oceans that the fish come from.
For dinner, we grabbed some food from the Whole Foods in the shopping center across from the motel. The next morning we were up early and on our way to San Jose airport. I got turned around in my directions and it took a while to get out of Monterey and in the right direction. Next time I will print out Mapquest directions both to and from the motel.
As we passed through Gilroy, the odor of garlic was very strong. DW was in Heaven! My sister had mentioned that we could go on Hwy 101 all the way to the airport rather than Hwys 87 and 85 as we had on the way from the airport. So as we drove into San Jose on 101 we hit a big traffic jam. Seeing that it wouldn't clear soon, we got off on Santa Clara St. (25 mph speed limit!) and made it to Hwy 87 and to the airport. Good signage to the rental car return. We turned it in and then were driven in the car to the terminal. I've never had that happen before. The terminal was just across street from the rental building - we could have walked as we had when we arrived.
The flight home was uneventful. There was the usual turbulence as we exited the Rockies. We quickly got a shuttle to the car park and were taken right to our car. A hour later we were home in Greeley.
Jan 9th, 2011 | 02:40 PM
#4
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 935
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Ah, that explains it - beautiful weather for an outdoor weeding in Monterey in June is almost unheard of. They call it the June gloom - very foggy and cool temperatures. September is definitely one of the best weather months along the California coast.
Jan 9th, 2011 | 04:56 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 0
Bummer about you not spotting the otters. I'm sure there were many there, in December we saw about maybe 20. But you do have to know what you're looking for. Usually "bumps" in a big floating kelp bed. The darker spots are almost always otters.
