Author: Kallie
Date: 08/26/2006, 10:42 pm
Hi, All!

We will be heading to the Monterey Peninsula next weekend (Labor Day). Arriving at San Jose airport on Friday morning at about 9:30 AM, staying at Asilomar Conference Grounds Friday night, and then the Monterey Marriott on Saturday night. Then, we leave from San Jose on Sunday night at about 8:00 PM.

We want to get to Point Lobos and Big Sur, the 17 mile drive, etc. Any suggestions for travel routes, itinerary, where to go which day, where to eat, best breakfasts and lunches, jazz clubs? Would be so appreciated!

Thanks,
Kallie

Here's my faves:
Pacific Grove: Toastie's or First Awakenings for breakfast or brunch. Red House Cafe for lunch
Carmel: Bahama Billy's for lunch
Monterey: Old Monterey Cafe for Breakfast
Monterey's Fish House for Dinner.
There's another post today, about Monterey and San Jose dining that has some other Monterey area suggestions.

Nepenthe, in Big Sur. We ate there last week, twice. The food was ok, nothing special, but oh, the views. Next time we go, we will skip the main course and just order the triple berry pie with vanilla ice cream. Saw some people eating it and it looked like a winner!

The route south is just to head back to Hwy 1 for Point Lobos and Big Sur. Nepenthe is in Big Sur. Fun and good!. We always eat at Peppers in Pacific Grove for delicious Mexican fare.

What a fun trip!

I always like to eat brk and/or lunch at Carmel Highlands Inn--in their outdoor cafe--food is OK but view is spectacular. MIssion Ranch (Carmel) is nice at night, particularly before dark eating outside--you can watch the sheep in the pasture have dinner too. There is a restaurant on rte 1 on the cliff about 5 miles south of carmel highlands that has a killer view--"Pacific Edge" maybe? It's the only restaurant, indeed the only store, I think, on that stretch of rte. 1.

there is a Pebble Beach golf course across the street from Asilomar. At 5:30 or so, a bagpiper walks down holes number one and two and then hangs out by the bar and play for a while. Quite neat.

Nepenthe for sure! Best views IMO are on the outdoor cafe deck. The food is very reasonable and pretty good, but it could have been cardboard and the view would still totally compensate

Thank you all so much for the tips! Has anyone stayed at either the Marriott Monterey or Asilomar?

Hi Kallie, we stayed at Asilomar in july 05. I wrote quite a few details about it in my trip report ~ i'll bring it to the top for you.

I have a question I have been wanting to ask, and this seems like as good a place as any. How you you pronounce Nepenthe?

Kallie,
My husband and I stayed at the Monterey Marriott 2 weeks ago. It was very nice. They gave us a suite that was amazing. We ate at the buffett on Sunday morning; it was very good.
If I remember correctly, it was not very close to anything so you would have to drive to get to the aquarium area.

Have fun! I'm a little jealous. I've been to Monterey twice in the last 18 months, and I love it there. Hopefully, I can get back by years end.

I liked Katy's Place in Carmel for breakfast. Tuck Box is kind of cool in an overly touristy way. I'm sure I'm the only one who holds that opinion though. A walk up and down Ocean in Carmel is fun for window shopping.

I agree with Bahama Billy's and can add Fishwife and Jugem. If you're up for a greasy spoon bar and grill, I also like Duffy's Tavern on High St.

Don't know if you'd be interested in seeing a movie, but on my last trip I went to a theater called Osio. Small, independant movies. Nice theater.

I never get tired of the Aquarium. Of course I was in the Army at Ft Ord, when they filmed Star Trek 4 there. Good memories.

While a little too touristy and not too much in the way of food, I do like to go to the warf for an hour. Just wander and hope the seals are there.

I also spend a LOT of time either on the Carmel beach or along the shore around PG. I like to hear the waves and bird and smell the salt air. Lots of people walking dogs.

I'll keep a look out for your trip report, hoping you find a jazz club.

I'm going to take a stab at Nepenthe. Ne(like in neck) pen(like the writing implement) and the(like th-ay ). That's the way I have it remembered.

Thanks b_in_d - I am eternally in your debt

I accept cash and airline tickets.

This is from a local, so my opinions may be a bit more entrenched than a visitor's.
Monterey Restaurants:
Forget Monterey Fish House and its' crowded, noisy, zero view atmosphere Go to Massaro and Santos on the Coast Guard Pier...started by one of the Monterey Fish House's original owners, it has a wonderful view of the Harbor, the best white clam chowder in town, and two of the nicest owners in the area. I;d recommend trying their scallone (scallops and abalone appetizer), Sole Almandine, Fresh Halibut, Crab-stuffed Salmon, et al. Everything on their menu is freah and prepared to yur liking-and it is Reasonably priced. Great Kids menu as well. Ask for a window seat.
French Bistro? Bistro Moulin, one block up (east) of the Aquarium on Wave St...the best french bistro on the Peninsula. Fair Prices, first tier quality, nice owners.
Indian Food? Ambrosia Bistro on Abrego St...owner previously was the chef at the top rated Indian restaurant in the SF Bay area. It was the only Indian restaurant to regularly place on the SF Chronicle's top 100 restaurants in the SF and greater SF bay area...excellent (mostly northern) indian food.
Gourmet? L'Aubergine and Hotel Auberge in Carmel....Marinus at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley.
Spanish? Mundaka in Carmel or Esteban at Casa Munras in Monterey.
If you go to Big Sur,forget Nepenthe, at least for lunch...go to Sierra Mar at Post Ranch for spectacular views...food a bit overpriced, but the view and ambiance is second to none in the area. As an alternative, Inn at Ventana has a very nice restaurant as well. nepenthe still has that hippy-dippy atmosphere and a terrific wine list, but food does not match up with the other two-still, the wine list has the best selection of "pisoni clone" pinot noirs on the central coast. For dinner, Big Sur bakery...for casual breakfast or lunch, Deetjens or River Inn....
Speaking of wine lists, if you enjoy well priced, carefully selected wines, try Passionfish in Pacific Grove..very good food, all wines 5-10% above wholesale, sustainable seafood proprietors (Ted and Cindy Walters-good folks).
Breakfast, try First Awakenings, Trailside Cafe, breakfast Club...Katey's is good, but way pricey and they no longer allow dogs.
Best meal deal/ Em Le's early bird dinner in Carmel...several other local restaurants have introduced bargain meal deals since the downturn in the economy....just check the local newspaper (Herald's "Go" section) and the Coast Weekly.
Well, thas all for now-good luck. Point Lobos is the most spectacular scenery in the area and offers something for everyone re: easy hiking, coastal access, etc...simply breathtaking!

salmonbear - this thread is FOUR years old. I suspect that Kallie has taken her trip already.

LOL! Well, I'll be in Carmel in a couple of weeks and I appreciate salmonbear's insight...so thanks!

Welcome to Fodors salmonbear. I assume you did a search to find this old/moldy thread.

It usually isn't necessary to look for really old threads to top. There are enough current threads about the central coast where you can post some of your insight/opinions.

Or - if it is really interesting/important info you want to share, you can always start a new thread of your own.

I found all this info very useful too. Thanks!