Monterey California
 

Hi! I'm planning a family vacation to Monterey California in April of '04. Any advise on lodging? I am booked at the Monterey Marriott but am not married to the property. Does anyone have any other suggestions...Inns, bed & Breakfast, etc?

The San Jose airport appears to be the most affordable from Atlanta and supposedly 70 miles from Monterey. Will this be an easy drive?

Any sight-seeing suggestions would also be appreciated. Thanks for your help!

Hi!! When we go to Monterey/Carmel as a couple I like the Spindrift Inn and the Highland's Inn. When we take our whole family we all enjoy the Monterey Beach Resort located directly on the ocean. They are offering very good rates right now on their website.

I have not stayed there, but have heard good things about the Plaza. We enjoy having lunch out on the patio there. Don't miss the aquarium!! 17 mile drive is beautiful. Stop at Roy's at sunset and listen to the bagpiper play. The whole area is just beautiful. We also enjoy walking Fisherman's Wharf and tasting the yummy clam chowder!! Have a great trip!! ***kim***

The part of the drive from San Jose to Santa Cruz is hilly and curvy, not what I'd call an easy drive. I'd recommend doing it in daylight, if possible.

I respectfully disagree with abram--I have driven from San Jose to Monterey many times, in darkness and daylight, and it's an easy and safe drive. The only thing to fear would be fog in low-lying areas. As for the sightseeing, please do a search here and you'll find all the usual suspects discussed in detail: Point Lobos, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, 17 Mile Drive, Asilomar Beach, Pebble Beach, Carmel, etc. Have a grand time!

I stayed at a wonderful B&B in Monterey several years ago called the Jabberwock Inn. It has an Alice in Wonderland theme, each room is named, quite large, very comfortable and great views of the bay. Breakfasts were great, and the Inn can get you discounts on area attractions like the aquarium. Check the website, www.jabberwockinn.com
As for the drive from San Jose--it is no problem.
Enjoy.

Not sure how well the family and B&B's will go together, but since you asked, imo the finest B&B in Monterey is the Old Monterey Inn. The inn is a beautiful Tudor mini-mansion on lovely grounds with trees, gardens and places to relax. Absolutely gorgeous inside and out.

Located in a residential neighborhood just up the hill from Pacific Street, downtown Monterey, yet it feels worlds apart. Check out their website at www.oldmontereyinn.com.

harveyjkah,

I agre with the pthers that drive from San Jose to Monterey is no big deal. You can take one of two routes. The more scenic route is Highway 87 south to 280 north to 17 south and Highway 1 south. The less scenic and flatter route is Highway 101 south to 156 west to Highway 1 south.

E has given you a good list of attractions. To that I would also add Fisherman's Wharf and the Carmel Mission.

Have a nice trip.

http://pacificgrove.org/Hotels_Motel...c_Grove_CA.htm

http://monterey.com/

The Old Monterey Inn looks heavenly, WineryCat!! I have not heard of this property before. I'd like to stop by and see this place when we're in the area next month!! ***kim***

The drive is no problem as others have said. Hwy 101/156/1 is freeway almost the entire way - there is a short section of 2 lane highway on 156. Hwy 880/17/1 is more scenic, but you do go over a mountain, so it just depends on what you want to do.

Kimamom:
What fun! The innkeeps are lovely, and might give you a tour if there's time, but do wander about -- the whole property exudes classic beauty and charm. Very highly regarded in the area. Their food's good, too!

Who is in your family? I don't think the Jabberwock entertains children. It really is a couples kind of place. We have stayed there a few times over the years. While it can be fun, it can also be screwy. It would be tops on my list. The Plaza(we have also stayed several times over the years) can be expensive with kids. The good news is you are in walking distance to both the aquarium and fishermens' wharf. We are heading down there in January and on the advice of folks have booked the Best Western in Pacific Grove. You will have to drive the above places but in all honesty you will probably have to drive most places even from the Jabberwock. I actually prefer Pacific Grove as one is out of the madness and close enough to get there. The places folks have mentioned especially Point Lobos are definitely worth check ing out. I always recommend the Monterey Fish House for dinners(especially with kids). Great fresh fish. locals, ample servings and kid friendly.

We recently stayed at the Marina Dunes Resort, just outside of Monterey. This looks like a good family place since they are more like condos. Some of them had kitchens but I'm not sure if those were a timeshare sort of deal. Here's their website www.Marinadunesresort.com

Hotels: I'd stay in Carmel at either: the Mission Ranch (quiet area, close to beach); or La Playa (right of downtown area in Carmel. A quiet B&B in Carmel is the Lincoln Green Inn. The Monterey Bay aquarium is a must for your kids. I'd also do the 17 mile drive, between Monterey and Carmel. Many good restuarants in Carmel. SJ airport is your best bet. By April you could also do sea kayaking in the bay, depending on your kids' ages; you can rent them at a shop right near Cannery Row.

Whoops..I meant to say the Jabberwock would not be tops on my list.

I live in the area and will be driving down to the Monterey Peninsula in a few hours for Thanksgiving. A couple of comments:

One poster is correct. There are two good ways to get to Monterey area from San Jose Airport. Hwy 17 is very scenic if you are doing it in the daytime and not during commute hours as many people go back and forth on that road. If you are doing the drive in the evening, just do the 101 route to 156 and get there sooner.

Roy's and the bagpiper recommended by one poster is located at Spanish Bay resort. Both are worthwhile. We take friends to see the bagpiper at sundown, have some drinks outside overlooking the ocean. Plus, then you go inside and Roy's is good place to eat.

Places to stay: The town of Pacific Grove has some great bed and breakfast places. GREEN GABLE INN and SEVEN GABLE INN are both overlooking Monterey Bay and very close to the aquarium. Go to www.pacificgrove.org and check out all the accomodations. Many tourists do not know this town exists as they assume it is Monterey, but it is really a great spot with more ocean frontage than Carmel and Monterey combined. Carmel is the Disneyland of the area with 60% of the homes not occupied by full time residents. Pacific Grove has the ocean frontage, plenty of hotels, but is also a real town....America's Last Hometown.

Good eats: HULA'S in Monterey would be great for kids. Good burgers and other stuff. FANDANGO'S in Pacific Grove is well know to all the locals and visiting PGA golfers each year. Outstanding food, but not a kid's place. BAHAMA BILLYS is one of our favorites. We will probably be there this weekend. The restaurant at Clint Eastwood's hotel MISSION RANCH is good and great views, but open on weekends only after 4pm.

Kids may also like to stay at ASILOMAR. This is located off the beach in PG and owned by State of California. Historic place and designed for families and conferences. Warning though: no TV in rooms!

If you are a golfer and do not want to pay the Pebble Beach rate check out Pacific Grove Municipal. Only about $45 for 18 holes and located on the ocean with fantastic views of the water and historic Pt Pinos Lighthouse. Many first time visitors never even know what or where it is.

Have fun! Great area to visit. We are soon to be fulltime residents and looking forward to it.

We stayed at the Green Gables Inn for our honeymoon in 1996 and it was lovely. We were in the stables, which has larger rooms than the main house--might be better suited for a family.
Bob1, we ate at a sportsbar in the shopping area just down from the Aquarium--excellent food and resonably priced. Might be good for harveykah--do you know the name and is it still open?

Since we're discussing Pacific Grove's waterfront B & B's, let us not forget the most recently renovated Victorian mansion, Grand View Inn, located next to Seven Gables, and owned by the same people, very near Lover's Point. Their Sea View Cottage, in a separate and private building has 2 bedrooms and accomodates 4 adults. Check out the website at www.7gables-grandview.com for views of all their rooms.

I, too, am a fan of Pacific Grove, having lived there for more than 10 years. But I also lived for a few years in Carmel and I can tell you, it's a real town, too!! Both places have their own unique charms, so no need to run down one to try to build up another.

In Carmel, Cottages-by-the-Sea, owned by La Playa Hotel, just down the street from it are very special. Depending upon the size of your group, they go from 1 bedroom to 3 bedroom 2-story homes, but they have become quite pricey, since the time (long ago) we used to stay there. You'll feel like a resident in the lovely neighborhood -- so close to Carmel Beach, about a block's stroll down the hill --beautiful!

Touche' wineycat! We also enjoy Carmel, but just believe Pacific Grove is more real. Both cities are great and have their own charm.

Wouldn't the deep magenta ice plants be in bloom in April? That would give PG more of a WOW factor, especially if staying at one of the B&Bs along the shore! WOW! WOW!

The deep pink flowers that line the coast should be looking good in April and May in PG. Great color!

Those flowers are beautiful. We have stayed the whole week in Monterey during Spring Break. The paths along Pacific Grove are one of my favorites to ride my bike while in this area. ***kim***

kimamom, I'm interested in you stay at the Spindrift, when, what floor, and what did you like so much?

We stayed in a king corner room on about the third floor. It was on our anniversary trip two years ago. What did I like about it? The location was very good, the views were very nice, the feather bed was comfortable and the breakfast in the am in front of the fire was great. We had previously stayed two nights at the Highland's. Oh, I also loved the 50% discount I received when I booked through the Entertainment book!! ***kim***

MzPossum,

I think the Sports Bar you were thinking of was in the American Tin Cannery Outlet Mall and - Um, does Charlie's or something like that ring a bell?

Unfortunately it isn't there any longer.

harveyjkah,

In that same Mall, at the northern end, there is a great breakfast/brunch place called First Awakenings. We love it and have enjoyed many many good breakfast meals over the years. If you get there just say hello to Craig Bell the proprietor and tell him the guys from Pennsylvania sent ya!

You're going to have a great trip in that area and we're envious. The "Purple Carpet" is fantastic and should be seen by everyone. BUT! then our secret would be out.

Ron

The pink flowering iceplant that grows along PG's shore is referred to as "the magic carpet" and you're right, it is beautiful :)

winerycat,

You're right about "the magic carpet". I've used the purple carpet reference to most of my friends and folks that have never been there to try and let them picture it a little better. I had the wonderful pleasure of driving through there in the spring of 1983 and was absolutely in love with PG from that point on. My wife has never seen it in full bloom but I hope to change that soon.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to hijack this thread but this area just means so much to us. We've been members of the Aquarium since shortly after it opened and have visited the area each year since around 1982.

You said you've lived there for 10 years now so could I pick your brain for just a moment? Is there a good source, that you know of, for locating potential apartments around the lighthouse area or nearby? We've done the usual Net searching and did do a little visiting when we were there in October. We're looking specifically at apartments since we might not want to let our home in PA go quite yet.

I appreciate your postings and have found them quite nice.

Thanks,
Ron

Hi Ronc,
Believe me, I understand your fondness for Pacific Grove. After I experienced its beauty long ago, I knew I had to make it my home. We raised our family there -- the people of that area are the nicest and best I've ever met. Although I don't live there now, (I'm currently in Laguna Beach), I still have interests there and I return as often as I can.

For info on Pacific Grove rentals (and there are many in the whole area) check out:

www.93950.com
This includes a list of realtors who will have listings for you, as well as other PG info.

Bratty Real Estate on Lighthouse Avenue (www.brattyrealestate.com) is the main one in PG. (831) 375-5173 for more info.

You might also want to check out the Monterey Herald newspaper website (www.montereyherald.com), which covers Pacific Grove and/or you might want to subscribe to it.

This info will get you started. Good luck in your search and enjoy your next trip out here!

Oh Great, you got me a couple I hadn't come across yet.

You know, one of the most precious memories we have of PG is the first time we saw the Butterfly Parade. Hometown USA is a very apt name. Just imagine the motorcycle officers with Monarch wings on their backs.

Thanks so much for the tips.
Ron