Carmel (and Monterey) weekend with a 4 year old
 

Hi!

We're headed to Carmel on the first weekend of December and was looking to get some thoughts/suggestions on what I've thought for us to do. Would also love for some good veggie restaurant recommendations:

Friday
- Arrive Carmel Friday evening: Walk around downtown for a bit and head to dinner (Figure out where!)

Saturday
- Wake up early morning (or not!) and head to breakfast.
- Morning: Go to Point Lobos Natural preserve for a hike
- Lunch: Back in Carmel (where?)
- Afternoon: Visit the Carmel mission and then walk to downtown carmel and window shop (at least I hope thats all that my wife will do :) )
- Evening: Figure out a good dinner place for anniversary dinner

Sunday
- Breakfast in Carmel and checkout of hotel
- Head to Monetery aquarium
- Lunch: Either packed or at the aquarium.
- Afternoon: Walk the Monterey bay coastal trail for a bit?
- Late afternoon: Head back to SF.

Questions:
- Thoughts on things I've planned? Anything else you'd recommend I do or change in the things I've listed?
- Our daughter will be with us all the time so I've tried to keep it simple and not too rushed.
- What are some good vegetarian friendly places to eat in Carmel?
- Its our 12th wedding anniversary getaway so would love a veggie friendly suggestion for Saturday night dinner.

Thanks!

You only have a couple days, so it sounds fine, the acquarium is really what I'd consider the must-see. Now understand I have zero interest in shopping, in general, and wouldn't spend a minute of my time window shopping, but winter is prime whale watching season in that area as the whales are migrating from the Arctic to Baja, and I'd much rather do a whale watching boat cruise than some of the things you name, like all the hikes and window shopping. There really isn't much to Carmel IMO. I also enjoyed the Monterey history museum in downtown Monterey near the shore.

see http://www.montereybaywhalewatch.com/

You really have to be prepared for the cold, of course, as it is worse out on a boat. I remember buying a buffer jacket once there in July as it was so cold and windy, and I didn't even go out on the boat.

My guess is Christina has never been to Pt Lobos. It would be an absolute must whether one in into 'hikes' or not.

I never look for specifically 'veg' places but most of Carmel will be very vegetarian friendly.

It is too far out to know for sure re the weather, but there is supposed to be rain most of next week (Hooray - we NEED it!) - So a whale trip probably isn't a great idea.

For scenic drives:

- Drive towards Carmel Beach on Ocean Ave (main st in Carmel), and do a loop through the parking lot & take the first street to the right (south) along Carmel Beach and admire the wonderful views and houses. Keep going & going until you run out of roads along the beach. This route in reverse doesn't work because of some one-way streets.

- 17 mile drive. We have some very close friends who live in Spanish Bay, and we can get into this drive for free when visiting them. It's lovely - especially in Dec when there will be fewer crowds. When you enter the Pebble Beach Golf course clubhouse/shops - wander around. Also wander around the Spanish Bay hotel/restaurant.

- Pt Lobos is superb - don't miss it.

We're not fans of Monterey - especially the Cannery. However, if you love Fisherman's Wharf in SF, you might like the Cannery. Instead of visiting Monterey, leave the aquarium and drive along the Pacific Grove coast and into Spanish Bay. Lots of walking paths on a boardwalk through the sand.

As janisj stated - lots of heavy rain predicted for this weekend.

Stu Dudley

Our first gray whales arrived this week but there are not many to be seen right now. We still have some humpbacks. It's sort of an in between season for whale watching.

Here are a couple of my favorite restaurants. Perhaps you can find something on the menu to your liking -

http://basilcarmel.com/menu.php

http://www.mundakacarmel.com/?page_id=152

I also like http://carmelbelle.com/breakfast/ for breakfast.

Check out the Monarch butterfly grove in Pacific Grove.

Your plan sounds good.

Julia's in Pacific Grove is a vegetarian restaurant option - very small and maybe not fancy enough for a special occasion. It's only a 10 min drive from Carmel. But as someone mentioned, this is CA and most restaurants will have vegan options.

On this trip I wouldn't bother with 17 Mile Drive/Pebble Beach ($10/car fee)unless you want to gawk at large homes. Pt. Lobos, Carmel Beach, and Monterey/Pacific Grove ocean drives are just as beautiful and should be plenty.

The Monterey to Pacific Grove walking/biking path is wonderful. The aquarium is about mid-point so you have a choice of going toward PG or toward Monterey. I think it's more interesting to go toward Monterey. You'll walk thru Cannery Row, a park or two, then reach Fisherman's Wharf if you stay on it for 20? minutes or so. If you choose to walk from the aquarium toward PG, the scenery is more unspoiled. A "prettier" walk so-to-speak.

Have fun!! PG

We took a walking tour of Point Lobos with local Monica Hudson. Excellent.

http://www.calegacytours.com/point-l...king-tours.htm

After the tour, we went to Sunday lunch at Mission Valley Ranch. Lunch isn't served the rest of the week, but dinner service starts at 5:00p. Your daughter might like watching the herd of sheep that graze in front of the restaurant.

http://www.missionranchcarmel.com/restaurant.htm

Sorry, I missed the vegetarian request. I think Mission Ranch wouldn't have much to offer.

With a four year old, don't miss Dennis the Menace park in Monterey! It's incredible... I loved it as a child and my boys loved It when they were that age. An hour will be perfect and more fun for your little one than just walking in Minterey or Carmel.

Thank you! I'm starting to make an itinerary for the 2 days now and adding in details with your suggestions!

I am not sure about the dinner and am simply leaning towards Il Fornaio - yes, I know its a chain restaurant but at least it'll have everything for someone - especially our daughter.