Monterey Travel Forum

Hey again
So we're leavin this week for Monterey, and I have a couple quick questions.

Will my navigation system work between San Fran and Monterey/Carmel? I have heard that some spots south of the Monterey Peninsula are spotty at best?

Also, does anyone know of places that rent bikes for use on the Monterey Bay Coastal Bike Path?

Lastly, who wants to chime in and tell me who REALLY has the best clam chowder in Monterey? I know all of the tourist traps claim to have the best, do any of them really deliver?

Thanks in advance.

It was over a year ago so I don't remember the name of the restaurant - it's a few minutes walk from the aquarium, and it's next to the pier? area (tourist shops); it does overlook the water; we sat and watched a sea otter playing around. I remember going up a flight of steps. Inside it had fishing/sea stuff on the walls and also lots of album covers from the 60s,70s,80s, and amusing slogans posted on the walls. The chowder WAS pretty good and my partner said he'd just eaten the best pasta and mushrooms ever! I hope this helps!

Not sure why one would need a navigation system to go to Monterey. It is really quite simple. Hwy 101 south to Hwy 156, turn right and keep going.

thanks for the response yvr, although it doesnt answer any of my questions.

we're hoping to take Hwy 1, drive slow, and see where the day takes us. since we're not too familiar with this part of Cali, it would be nice to know if the navigation system will work out there in case we get off course. thanks again.

It has been a while since I've been there, but Vivolo's Chowder was good. Their address is 127 Central Ave in Pacific Grove, very close to Monterey. The two run together.

IF your navigation system uses GPS satellites it will work anywhere in the world to about 10 foot accuracy... unless the view to the satellites is blocked by tall buildings, steep cliffs, caves, or some giant trees. None of those exist in any quantity between San Francisco and Monterey! Your only problem might be the map detail on some of the back roads, but Highway 1 and other big roads will certainly be included, both north and south of Monterey.

Adventures by the Sea (http://www.adventuresbythesea.com/) is the big touristy bike rental place. It has numerous locations: Commercial Wharf, Portola Plaza Hotel near Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row at the Plaza Hotel, Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, and in Pebble Beach. A few of the less touristy places to rent a bike include Joselyn's (http://www.joselynsbicycles.com/) and Aquarian Bicycles, both in Old Town Monterey.

Best chowder in Monterey? It's not in Monterey.... in my opinion the best chowder around is at Phil's in Moss Landing about 10 miles north of town on Hwy 1. Best in town is considered Vivolo's as someone said previously. Three or four restaurants on Fisherman's Wharf give free samples, and Old Fisherman's Grotto is often named as best on the wharf. Besides, that's a Monterey original, having opened back in the 1950s before the wharf was a tourist destination.

Have fun,
Joe

Hey Joe - I've been by Moss Landing dozens of times, but haven't been to Phil's. It will be my next lunch stop on the way to Monterey.
Tom

http://www.joselynsbicycles.com/services.htm

Rates: Full Day: $100.00
Half-Day: $60.00
Per Hour: $20.00

I am renting my CAR for $25/day!*
Any other more reasonable options to rent bikes?

(from Hertz in Seaside. They will pick up "off airport" so I am walking 200 yeards to the Steakhouse 69 at the airport entrance.)

Joselyns charges Full Day: $100.00, Half-Day: $60.00, & Per Hour: $20.00!!!???? What a rip off, you can almost buy a bike for the price of a day's rental. They might have cheaper rates for lower end bikes.

Adventures by the Sea (www.adventuresbythesea.com) only charges $24 for a full days rental (8 hours) and $6 an hour. Of course, their bikes are older and pretty basic.

Bay Bikes (www.baybikes.com/rentals/) on Cannery Row also has a great variety of options, so you can pay anywhere from $20 a day (or $90 a week) up to $100 a day depending on which type of bike you want to rent. Their day is 24 hours rather than Adventures' 8 hours, so it might be a better deal.

OK..so I looked the rates up:

Adventures by The Sea
299 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940 Map
(831) 372-1807
Rates:
$7.00 per hour
$20.00 half day (4 hours)
$25.00 all day (8 hours)

Aquarian Bicycles
486 Washington St
Monterey, CA 93940 Map
(831) 375-2144
Rates:
Hourly $8
Half Day $24 (4 hrs)
Full Day $36

Bay Bikes Rentals
585 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940 Map
(831) 655-2453
Rates:
Hourly $8.00
Half Day $24.00
Full Day $32.00
24 Hours $35.00