Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - First time to Monterey Peninsula

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Maria, Definitely follow Carolyn and Julie's directions. It does make much sense to take any toll bridges. I basically avoid them at all costs because the traffic on them can be a pain. Carolyn and Julie's directions actually do not take you through Downtown San Jose, which I would not say is unappealing scenery, and neither is Fremmont or Milpitas for that matter. Of course the more scenic route through Fremont and Milpitas would be 680 because of the rolling hill scenery, but in your case 680 would be out of your way. I have taken the route suggested by Carolyn and Julie many times and find it to be the fastest.

We moved from Oakland to PG 3 years ago, commuting on the weekends for visits. We hate 880. Everyone drives too fast. Our recomendations for sites The Monterey Aquarium Paris Cafe for Picnic food in Monterey Carmel for Shopping/Picnic at beach Asilomar state Beach rec trail also Picnic Point Lobos State Reserve/China Beach also picnic Highway 1 Postmile ~46, south of Big Sur, Julia Pheifer Burns State Park/water fall It is nice to walk along the streets of PG just to look at the gardens. Mermaid lane is an interesting one. Recomendations for Eating Fresh Cream in Monterey, French Fifi's in PG, French Vito's in PG, Italian Peppers in PG, Mexican Stamtisch in Seaside, German OomPah band Old Monterey Cafe in Monterey, Breakfast Robata in Carmel, Sushi Fandango PG, Castilian Recomendations for reasonable Hotels Asilomar State Reserve PG Olympia Lodge PG Enjoy our town

David, how do you manage to get around in the bay area and avoid toll bridges? Do you have a phobia of crossing bridges? Living in an area with a huge bay in the middle makes it cumbersome to avoid using the bridges sometimes. Personally, I cross a bridge every day and find the drive over the bay to be a calming respite from urban development. There is rarely a backup if you time your drive right, and with Fastpass and carpool lanes you don't have to wait at all. Maybe you should try busting out of your San Jose bubble sometime and see what the rest of the bay area has to offer.