We're back...heading to Monterey Bay during Thanksgiving, what to see

[old head]

The wife and I are flying in to Monterey to do some whale watching, its our 40th anniversary this year.

so, planning on driving to Yosemite, redwood forest, and Pacific Coast hwy at a minimum.  Have 6 days to see and drive.  Probably go by the golden gate bridge.

suggestions or things to see that are in the middle of cities?

Old Head

[twhitaker]

Pacific Grove is nearby. Wintering Monarch butterflies are gathered in the eucalyptus. There's also a lighthouse museum there.

[not-fishing]

I'm not really big into fish that I can't catch on a hook but still I have one suggestion:

Aquarium



Also I don't think you have enough time allotted for all your stops.

To bad you can't take a Guzzi.  PCH is always nice by Guzzi. 

To get into Yosemite they charge you as much as a car

Mark

[calfruit]

http://www.mototalbott.com

Located on Carmel Valley.  A nice drive and many nice Motos, even Guzzi’s

[PJPR01]

Laguna Sec racetrack is nearby...if you like speed, you can talk to the one of the racing instructors and they can take you out for a hot lap or two on the course. 

Big Sur and farther south along Highway 1...especially if not foggy will be a fun drive. 

Are you a golfer?  If so...play Poppy Hills...just as challenging, much cheaper and no crowds vs. playing Pebble Beach or Spanish Bay.  Either way, dinner at the lodge at Spanish Bay is nice...great views.

Plus 1 on the Aquarium...very cool place.

[canuck750]

Solvang motorcycle museum, it is worth it just to see the Moto Guzzi V8 if nothing else!

http://www.motosolvang.com/

[Daniel Kalal]

...driving to Yosemite, redwood forest, and Pacific Coast hwy at a minimum.  Have 6 days...

I believe you can do this, but be aware that if you want to see the really big awe-inspiring Redwoods, you'll be driving to near Eureka (there are less grand Redwoods near Monterey)--figure one day up and one day back just for the drive along the coast.  Anyway, I'd check your scheduled drive times to make sure you're not just spending all your time in the car.

You might also consider driving only as far as Mariposa and parking your car (it's a nice little town with plenty of places to eat a stay the night) and taking one of many busses into Yosemite Park.  It depends of course on the season, but parking in the valley can be near-impossible, and there is already a very nice free shuttle system within the park so you'll be able to get everywhere without the need to mess with a car.  There's a good lodge in the park, but don't just walk in.

[LowRyter]

The Aquarium
The Wharf
17 Mile Drive
PCH to Big Sur
State Park (with Redwoods) near Santa Cruz
John Steinbeck Center in Salinas
Alice's Restaurant

Then, San Francisco

I haven't been to San Simeon or Yosemite but yeah.

 

[pehayes]

Now  you're in my territory.  Your list is too comprehensive if you want to SEE anything.
Yes, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a world class exhibit.  Get there EARLY to beat the lines and plan to stay 3 hours.  Mesmerizing.
The best part of the PCH is from Monterey South through Big Sur.  It only recently opened through to the south.  Was closed almost 2 years after storm damage took out a bridge.

A wonderful day ride, by car or moto, would be south on CA-1 through Big Sur to just south of Lucia.  Uphill east on the old Naciemento-Ferguson Road to the finest Mission San Antonio de Padua at Fort Hunter Liggett.  Downhill east to King City and US-101 north to Greenfield.  Elm Avenue west to Arroyo Seco Road to Carmel Valley Road west all the way back to Monterey.  Only 175 miles, but it will take you all day.  See here:  https://goo.gl/maps/HyTXKXW4KT52

The biggest and best Redwood trees are at Sequoia National Park in the Sierras and Redwood National Park up near Eureka.  But, there is an unlogged, old growth Big Basin State Park not far from you which fills the substitute quite nicely.  Nice half mile brochure walk near the visitor center.  Plenty of photo ops.  See  here:  https://goo.gl/maps/RvAMHk66Aoz  Here is me with Cris Collins and his son inside a tree at the visitor center:




+1 on the Talbot Museum but it has limited days and hours.

You could do all day in San Francisco but parking is a bear like most big cities.  Meet me and I'll give you a guided tour with no parking worries.

With some planning I could maybe get you an EV or SP.  Stay in touch.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[usedtobefast]

For Monterey, I'd see the aquarium and then leave.  IMO, other than the aquarium, it has several tourist shops (t-shirts and stuff), over priced restaurants with just ok food, that's about it. 

I would go to Carmel-by-the-Sea, about 20 minutes south.  Much nicer restaurants, many neat little shops to stop in, art galleries, wine tasting shops, several good coffee/pasty shops, and at the far end is a very nice sandy beach that you can walk around on. 

I would skip 17 mile drive if you are planning on driving on Hwy 1.  You gotta pay for 17 Mile Drive, they don't allow motorcycles (evil!), and it takes a long time.  There are pretty views and you get to see Pebble Beach Golf course, but you get a lot of great views on Hwy 1 too. 

If you go on Hwy 1 South, I'd suggest eating at Rocky Point Restaurant.  Awesome food, awesome views.  Was there 2 weeks ago having lunch and saw a number of whales, totally unexpected.  It is ~30 minutes south of Monterey, on Hwy 1, really hidden, gotta plan for it (like plug it in your GPS).  You can not see the restaurant from the road, you drive out towards the Ocean to get to it (300 yard driveway kind of thing).  Easy easy easy to miss. 

Hearst Castle is about 2.5 hrs from Monterey.  I think it is worth a stop.  Just past Hearst Castle is the town of Cambria, they have some nice restaurants if you are in that area. 

If you go North on 1, like you are going to San Francisco, I like to stop at the Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay.  They have a casual restaurant place, awesome food, great wine flights, yes it is pricey but it is damn good!  Like a share-able appetizer for $15ish and a wine flight for $18ish.  So if you go nuts, it can be $100.    And it sits on the Ocean, so Ocean views galore.   Oh, they have a fancy restaurant, skip that one.  Too much $$$$ and longer waits.   Another option at the Ritz, go outside and sit near one of the fires, get an $8 hot chocolate, and soak up the ocean views.  You gotta act like you are staying there for this part (but I've done it ~10 times and they never say anything, little sign saying the area is for hotel guest only).

For Redwood trees, I suggest Big Basin Redwoods State Park ... about 1:45 North of Monterey ... BIG Redwoods, very fern-ie, nice trails.  I like Big Basin way more that Big Sur ... Big Sur seems like big crowds, and I've never found any good "walk thru the redwood" trails. 

San Francisco.  Hum.  Really, its a mess now.  If you don't mind drugged out crazy people roaming the street, or passed out on the sidewalk, then it might be ok.  Seems in the last 3 years it has gotten really bad.  Used to be crazy people stayed in crazy areas, nice areas you'd be ok.  Now, all areas have plenty.  And I don't just mean the homeless guy sitting on the sidewalk with a sign asking for money, I mean the fairly strong looking guy stumbling down the street, shouting at himself? (I guess), hitting himself in the chest ... not my idea of a good place to be.  But I've lived in this area for 22 years, worked in downtown SF for 3 years, been across the Golden Gate a bizzillion times, and I'm, eh, pretty skyline, pretty bridge, crappy city.  (Sorry for bad attitude here)

If you are into it, Pismo Beach has all sort of dune buggy, ATV rentals ... you rent one and ride around on the beach and the dunes.  It is definitely a West Coast YeeeHawww! kind of thing.  The Southern US doesn't have all the rednecks.      

I also like San Luis Obispo.  Cool little town, and as you've probably seen my trend, they have great restaurants!      Not sure if you are into Mountain Bikes, but Cambria bike shop has a ton of "demo" bikes.  $75 gets you 24 hours on a $5000-$6000 bike.  Lots of cools trails around, many have oceans views. 

Yosemite is great.  You'll need to read up on the current way things work.  I believe you'll need to park somewhere outside the part and ride a bus in, not sure.  We like Tenaya Lodge on the South entrance.  Very nice place.  Not in the park, so it is run as a nice lodge/hotel.   You can arrange the shuttle/tour bus to pick you up.  They have beach cruiser bikes you can ride around on (not inside the park).   And yup, great food.   

What types of stuff do you guys like to do? 

[HB1]

In Pacific Grove next to Monterey there is Jameson's Classic Motorcycle Museum.

On Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/oldgeezers/
His website      http://www.oldgeezersatlarge.com/

Phone first as the door may be closed but his wife who runs the newspaper on the other side of the block will let you in.
Great bikes and collectibles.
I visited April 2016.

I also recommend the Solvang MC Museum.

[oilhed]

I was there once a long time ago.  Two things I did that I still remember are the Aquarium & Fisherman's Wharf.  I recommend both.
If there is anyone doing laps at Laguna Seca just go! that is one thing I regret not seeing.  The corkscrew...
https://youtu.be/pej4R0DsKKs

[SemperVee]

 HEARST Castle....   Not to be missed.

[PJPR01]

If there is anyone doing laps at Laguna Seca just go! that is one thing I regret not seeing.  The corkscrew...
https://youtu.be/pej4R0DsKKs

Exactly!  Nothing like going balls out in a race car thru that section...quite a thrill!

[old head]

Well, got back today.  Had planned on staying  through Sat, but the haze from the fires caused my wife breathing issues, so we left Thursday instead of Sat.

with that said, we had a great time, till her breathing issues cropped up Tues night.

Sunday we went with Chris' Whale watching 4 hour cruise.  It was awesome!!!!  Smaller boat, less people.  Had about 20 on our outing.  We rode out about 30 minutes or so, and the Captain put us on a small pod? of about 5-6 Humpback's.  They weren't huge, but they were big.  Got some great video and couple of pics.  Note to self, next time bring video camera with zoom, Iphone takes great photos and video, but lacks a decent zoom.
Then he put us on some grey and white porpoises, or maybe dolphins, not sure which, but we got some great video as they came right up the boat.
Lots of Harbor seals along the dock and wharf.

went by the Aquarium after the whale watching.  It was nice, but not overly so.  Not as good as the one we have in New Orleans, or the one we went to in Seattle.  We were expecting something spectacular the way the people on the boat talked it up, and then what we paid to get in, I was really expecting something.  Not.  Won't go back.  Of course, that's just me.  Can't recommend it for what was paid.
I did like the HUGE tank, lots of variety.  Partly it was way too crowded, hard to get to some of the displays.  Clearly, the people like it or it wouldn't be so crowded.

Monday, we were going to go to Yosemite, but the forest fires and change of snow killed that plan, along with Kings Canyon, and Sierra National Park.  Oh well,  I should have done more research before trying to do that during winter season.  So instead we went for a drive down Hwy 1.  Just stunning scenery.  We ended stopping at a State Park just south of Carmel on the ocean.  Don't remember the name, but it was gorgeous, again just stunning scenery.  The wife began having issues, not pronounced but we could tell something wasn't right.  Drove back to Monterrey. 

Tues went to Big Sur State Park back to Hwy 1, to see some big trees, and we did.  Not as big as I was expecting, but I knew the bigger  trees were farther north, but with the haze I didn't want to chance it. 

Wed, we stayed inside the hotel due to her breathing issues, and I changed our flight for Thursday, thanks Southwest.

I was truly impressed with where we were at, great scenery. 

Price of gas,   You guys in California must be paying a boat load in taxes.  I thought Louisiana was bad at road maintenance, but the few main roads I was on were worst than I was expecting considering the cost of gas, but who knows?

Rented a Jetta.  Great gas mileage, and seemed well made.  Motor was smooth and quick, but it was jerky for me.  Seemed to down shift too many gears, and the throttle wasn't linear, took awhile to get the hang of it, never did get real smooth.  Probably just me.  Too low to the ground and seats too hard, just me.  Coming from an old Cherokee and old Dodge 2500.  Been a long time since I drove a car so it is probably me.  Not my cup of tea.

Old Head