Monterey - Activities
 

We're meeting friends in Monterey over Memorial Day weekend. We've already been to the acquarium, the wharf, Cannery Row and Carmel. This time we're taking a kayak trip. What other fun things can we do/see in the area?

If you haven't been to Point Lobos, you simply must go this time, it's a great state park just outside Carmel, really gorgeous.

You could drive down along Route 1 to Big Sur.

If golf is your thing, you could have lunch at Pebble Beach.

The Carmel Mission is cool.

You could visit some Central Coast wineries.

I'm not sure this qualifies as an activity, but I love to take an hour or two for tidepooling at Asilomar Beach.

What do you think??

I second Point Lobos. You can do a fairly easy and ridiculously beautiful, picturesque hike there.

We did Point Lobos before and it was amazing. I'd love to do it again. Any other thoughts? Thanks.

Wine tasting in Carmel Vally would be fun, have lunch at Wickets at the Bernardus Lodge! ***kim*** ((f))

Dine at MISSION RANCH. It is behind the Carmel Mission and has a beautiful setting for outside seating. They open around 4pm on weekends only. Casual. Piano bar.

Drive out Carmel Valley road and visit the wineries along the way. HELLER is good and there are many more.

Visit Pacific Grove. Small downtown with some excellent restaurants. No chain restaurants allowed in town. All local. FANDANGOS, FAVALAROS, RED HOUSE CAFE, CELLAR DOOR and PEPPER'S (locals love it for Mexican food). Many tourists do not even realize that most of the peninsula coastline is in the town of Pacific Grove.

Visit SPANISH BAY RESORT. The bagpiper plays 1 hour before sunset. Sit by the firepit and enjoy the sunset, Pacific Ocean and the bagpiper on the golf course. Follow that with dinner at ROYS or PEPPOLIS at the resort.

I 2nd Red House cafe, Toasties Cafe and downtown PG in general. Also, like walks in the Point Pinos lighthouse area are great (I like this beachcalifornia.com website): http://www.beachcalifornia.com/pinoslit.html

Have to chime in for Petra's in PG as well--great Mediterranean fare, especially love the Gyros, hummus and baklava!

And (having been a local) I can atest to the fact the Peppers is a spot that many frequent but imo it is neither authentic nor very good. I actually don't have a fave Mexican place in the Monterey area, but another good restaurant is Hula's on Ligthouse in Monterey right before you hit PG. It's Hawaiin and has the most excellent fish and lobster tacos along with killer drinks and sweet potato fries.

and depending on what day of the week it is you could hit the farmer's market in downtown on alvarado.

Have you driven down in the Big Sur are?

I would go to Nepenthe and have lunch high on the cliff.

We have been to Big Sur.

There are some great ideas here, thanks.

If you don't have kids with you, Tor House in Carmel is quirky fun (kids under 12 aren't allowed on the tour).

http://www.torhouse.org/

I forgot PASSIONFISH in downtown Pacific Grove. Great spot, excellent wine selection at fantastic prices.

I agree with comment on PEPPERS to the extent that it is a local spot. Disagree on the food being bad. It is not. HULAS is also very good. Given a choice of the two I would also select Hulas.

During the month of May, Point Lobos is celebrating its history every Saturday. ONe the Saturday you are there:
May 31
Point Lobos – the Arts

Painters, Poets & Photographers of Point Lobos
The artists inspired by the natural beauty of Point Lobos will be on hand to display their diverse work. The traditions of “Plein art” will be shared, you can hike a trail accompanied by poets, learn the how-to’s of nature photography from local professionals, along with the opportunity to create your own artistic impression of this beautiful place.

Also, what about the Pfeiffer State park? I believe there is a waterfall there? It is also near Nepenthe if you were planning on that as well.

Has anyone ever done the grapevine express? It is a bus that for $4.50 all day, you can travel to the Valley's wineries and sample all there is to offer without having to worry about driving.
http://www.mst.org/routes/24/004454_..._0815_Hi_1.pdf

If you like history, the Maritime Museum of Monterey is good and not too big. They have the Fresnel lens from Pt. Pinos and some interesting exhibits. Also you're near the Pacific House Museum and a number of the other historic adobe buildings and you can take a self-guided or guided walking tour.

More info at
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=951

I just ate at Red House Cafe in Pacific Grove and thought it was excellent for a casual lunch, with very friendly service.

Are you doing the guided tour in Monterey? We just spent the afternoon out in the water with rented kayaks from Adventures by the Sea, we had great fun and the weather was beautiful for paddling. We enjoyed lunch at Schooner's with 3 of the kids and then had a nice dinner at The Sardine Factory in the Conservatory Room for dinner. :)

Where are you styaing in the area? We loved our time at the Tickle Pink Inn, this was our second stay at this beautiful property with so many nice amenities and spectacular views of the coastline. We didn't do the tour at Tor House, but did go by to see it for the first time, I would love to take the tour here sometime! ***kim*** ((#))

My parents were just in town and had a wonderful time at Chateau Juilian. They packed a picnic lunch and sat outside. All you need to do is order a glass of wine. Beautiful setting and a nice way to spend an afternoon.