BE ONE WITH NATURE
Whether your vantage point is from rock or dock, a great show awaits you on the Monterey Bay. California sea otters might be wrapping their babies in strands of kelp to secure them to the floating beds of the plant for a nap, or you may see a pair of otters intertwined, costumed in ribbons of seaweed, their sable-brown coats glistening in the lowering sun. If you visit in the spring, you’ll see dolphins playing close to shore.
To take in a show of sea life, add Elkhorn Slough National Estuary Reserve to your itinerary. To get there, take Highway 1 north from Monterey or south from Santa Cruz to Moss Landing. Just south of the smokestacks at the power plant, turn east (inland) onto Dolan Road, go 3.5 miles, and turn left onto Elkhorn Road. Go 1.9 miles, and turn left into the reserve gate. Access to Elkhorn Slough is available only at the reserve gate, Kirby Park, or the Moss Landing Wildlife Area. (You can also launch kayaks at various points in Moss Landing Harbor.) The reserve and the Visitor Center are open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free to the Visitor Center and picnic area; to walk the trails, there is a $2.50 day-use fee (cash or check, no credit cards) for adults 16 and older. Entry is free for children or with a California hunting or fishing license. A one-year pass is available for $15. If you are short on time, you can still enjoy a two-hour, in-depth tour on a Coast Guard-certified, 27-foot pontoon boat by contacting Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Tours at (831) 633-5555.
Meanwhile, Monterey Bay Aquarium’s newest exhibit might be its most ambitious to date. The hands-on Mission to the Deep experience combines high-definition video with underwater robots and tools to explore the ocean’s depths. The aquarium is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Closed Dec. 25. Other holidays, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
WHALE OF A TIME
It’s a safe bet that your visit here will coincide with the migration of gray whales. For a safe, up-close-and-personal look, climb aboard one of the Monterey Whale Watching boats, (831) 372-2203. Special charters are available year-round through Sanctuary Cruises in Moss Landing, (831) 643-0128, or grab your field glasses and watch the migration from Big Sur or at Point Lobos Reserve. By land or by sea the show is always amazing.
BIKE IT
One of the most scenic bike trips begins at the Pacific Grove Gate of the Pebble Beach 17-Mile Drive and winds around the shoreline to Bird Rock. Another worthwhile ride is a five-mile bike path from Lovers Point in Pacific Grove to Seaside. There is also a route that extends from the north end of Seaside, past the California State University of Monterey, to the town of Marina. You can rent bicycles from Bay Bikes at (831) 646-9090 or Adventures by the Sea at (831) 372-1807.
RIDE ON HIGH
You can seldom beat the views from horseback. The Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, (831) 624-2756, offers four guided beach trail rides daily, taking you through forests leading to the sea and back. Molera Trail Rides in Big Sur, (831) 625-5486, offers “more than just another trail ride” in Andrew Molera State Park. The Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley, (831) 659-6054, has 400 acres of scenic trails where “horsing around” is the order of the day.
EVEN HIGHER …
Bay Area Glider Rides offers solo and scenic romantic rides — one of the best ways to see the Monterey Peninsula. Soar over the Monterey Bay area and see the bay’s sharp contrast of deep blue water and the lush green farmland that creates its distinct outline. On your tour back to the Hollister Airport, you will fly over the Gabilan Mountain range and look down on historic San Juan Bautista and the San Andreas Fault line. One or two passengers for the same price; combined passenger weight limit up to 350 pounds. Call (888) 467-6276.
HIT THE BEACH
The pristine white-sand beaches are ideal for combing, strolling, picnicking, kite flying, exploring tide pools, whale watching, or simply getting away. Marina State Beach — from Monterey to Seaside — offers long stretches of sand dunes, a perfect place for you to watch hang gliders. Lovers Point Beach in Pacific Grove is popular for picnicking, swimming, and diving. Just north, Asilomar Beach is great for surfing, strolling, tide pooling, and watching glorious sunsets. Carmel Beach, at the end of Ocean Avenue in Carmel, is known for its cypress trees, fine white sand, and spectacular views, while the graceful arc of Carmel River Beach to the south is less crowded and bonfires are permitted. Both Garrapata State Beach and Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur are great for hiking and retreats. Rogue waves can be unpredictable so always use caution and never turn your back to the water.
WINE TASTING
Tasting the world-class wines and visiting the internationally renowned vineyards of Monterey County — from San Lucas to Monterey — are a must for those who enjoy the viniculture that the numerous tasting rooms have to offer. The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association sponsors special touring and tasting events all year. call (831) 375-9400, or try Taste of Monterey with two locations to sample wines from more than 70 vintners at the Visitors’ Center on Cannery Row in Monterey or in Old Town Salinas. Call (831) 646-5446 for more information. See our exciting wine articles in this issue of GuestLife Monterey Bay.
WALK THROUGH HISTORY
Follow Monterey’s “Path of History” tour to explore the historical city’s magnificent adobes on foot. This self-guided trek includes 46 buildings and sites. Some highlights: California’s first theater; Colton Hall, site of the California Constitutional Convention in 1849; the Custom House, the oldest government building on the West Coast; and the Stevenson House, named for its famous guest, author Robert Louis Stevenson, who stayed there in 1879. Maps are available at the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 380 Alvarado St., Monterey.
SET SAIL
Boating and sailing in Stillwater Cove at Pebble Beach, as well as in the Carmel and Monterey bays, are popular with watersports enthusiasts. The Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club at the Municipal Wharf, (831) 372-9686, offers a junior sailing school. Party boats can be chartered on Fisherman’s Wharf #1.
PUT IT IN GEAR
Take the ride of your life! Open year-round, the Land Rover Experience Driving School provides customized lessons and adventure for all skill levels. Guided by your qualified instructor, you’ll make steep descents down a two-track trail, climb piles of logs and navigate tight hairpin turns. Lessons and programs range from one hour to multiple days. Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Subject to availability. Call (831) 620-8854.
KAYAK FISHING TOURS
It’s the ultimate in making you feel like a part of nature on the Monterey Bay, and Blake Hawes is the go-to guy for hooking you up to an unforgettable fishing experience. Let Hawes guide you on your private kayaking fishing tour to the best spots. A fully licensed kayak fishing guide, he is outfitted and fully equipped to help you with your catch of the day, whether its halibut, sand dabs, rock fish, ling cod, or other fruits of the sea the bay has to offer. Call (831) 241-2114. Reservations required.
THE MISSION TRAIL
Much of California’s history began with the Spanish missions. The chain of 21 missions along California’s El Camino Réal (“The Royal Highway”) represents the first arrival of Europeans to California. Prominent among them is Mission San Carlos de Borromeo in Carmel, the jewel of Father Junipero Serra’s nine missions. At one time the center of religious control, this mission has a dramatic history that evokes inspiration and often mixed emotions among visitors. The mission welcomes visitors from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays, and 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekends. Call (831) 624-1271.
GET STOKED
It takes a wetsuit, determination, and sheer willpower to surf Carmel. And the view is sensational. The Santa Cruz Beach is a popular surfing spot, as is Carmel Beach. But, because the waves are unpredictable, please use caution on Carmel Beach. Surfboard and wet-suit rentals are available at On the Beach Surf Shop in Monterey, (831) 646-9283. Whether you are a novice or expert, for the best in surf instruction call Noah Greenberg, (831) 915-4065.
CAST A LINE
Deep-sea, rock and surf fishing are popular around Monterey Bay. You can call Tom’s Sport Fishing in Moss Landing at (831) 633-2564 or try one of the many sport-fishing charter boats that leave from Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. Landlubbers can cast a line along the pier at Municipal Wharf #2. For freshwater fishing, good bets are the Big Sur and the Little Sur Rivers in the beautiful Los Padres National Forest. If you are between ages 16 and 65, you will need a fishing license. Call the California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey office, for details, (831) 649-2870.
CASTLES IN THE SKY
The closest you may come to the ivory tower is a visit to the area lighthouses, fondly referred to as “coastal castles.” The Point Pinos Lighthouse, perched atop the northernmost tip of the Monterey Peninsula in Pacific Grove, is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast and is open 1-4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Point Sur Light Station, cresting its namesake peak in Big Sur, is open for guided tours, which begin at the base of the mountain and wind up to the station at the top. Moonlight tours are also available.
SNORKEL OR SCUBA DIVE
Visit the undersea world, where Monterey holds awesome secrets to be discovered daily by divers and marine biologists. Temperatures in the bay range from 50 to 60 degrees, so if you didn’t bring your wet (or dry) suit, rent one from one of the many PADI- and NAUI-approved dive shops, such as Aquarius Dive Shop, (831) 375-1933. These stores also give guided tours, instruction, diving service, and information.
MOVIE MAGIC
Catch a three-hour scenic, narrated bus tour that winds along 17-Mile Drive through Carmel, Pebble Beach, and Pacific Grove. Visit the locations of some of Hollywood’s most notable films, such as Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), National Velvet (1944), East of Eden (1955) and, of course, Clint Eastwood’s classic Play Misty for Me (1971). For a schedule and more information, call Monterey Movie Tours, (800) 343-6437. (Be sure to read “Lights, Camera, Action!” )
SALAD DAYS
The Farm, on Highway 68 and Spreckles Boulevard in Salinas, is an agricultural education center and local farming business. Enjoy farm tours, special family activities, farm-fresh produce for sale, and a pleasant rural destination. Visit the organic demonstration farm or try a tractor ride. Call (831) 455-2575 or (831) 424-1996.
RELAX AND RIDE IN STYLE
Dave Engelberg of Central Coast Day Tripper will be your chauffer along breathtaking, winding Highway 1, stopping whenever and wherever you want. Dave can even take you to little-known special spots along the way. See the spectacular beauty of the Big Sur Coast while enjoying a comfortable, safe ride. Call (831) 657-9442 or (831) 241-2526.
GOLF
Del Monte Golf Course
1300 Sylvan Rd.
Monterey, California
(831) 373-2700
Opened in 1897, Del Monte Golf Course is the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi. It was the original host of the California State Amateur tournament, still played on Del Monte’s narrow, tree-lined fairways and small, well protected greens and continues to serve as one of three courses on which the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational is played. Adjacent to Del Monte Golf Course, the Del Monte Pavilion offers an inviting outdoor setting for any event.
ENTERTAINMENT
IMAX Theater
640 Wave St.
Monterey, California
(831) 372-IMAX
The historical Cannery Row Edgewater Packing Facility has been redeveloped into a 290-seat luxurious IMAX 3D Theater, complete with concessions, retail offerings, and an Italian café with a traditional gelato selection. IMAX offers crystal clear images on the giant screen, state-of-the-art digital surround sound, luxurious seating and, best of all, 3D! Enjoy the ultimate thrill-ride and take this memory home with you. Ticketing and reservations for daily shows available on-line. Open daily 10 a.m.-11p.m.
