Monterey Travel Forum

My husband and I visited Monterey/Carmel about ten years ago in January and the place was very quiet (lovely!). However, I heard from people who live there that the touristy months are incredibly busy.

We are thinking of heading back there during our daughter's Spring break, which is March 21 through the 28. Can anyone give me an idea of the level of tourism at that time?

I'll have more questions as I plan this trip, so thanks in advance for any info!

Should be fine. This is not a destination for the 20 something crowd. Not to worry. Carmel and the area will be Cool so bring a sweater or layers. But the sunsets are fabulous. I like "The Stonehouse Inn" and the big fire place to hang out by when you want to warm up. Are they still serving wine and cheese every afternoon to their guests. Let me know.

We liked it. See if you like it at...
http://www.carmelstonehouse.com/

I look forward to reading your review/report.

Thanks for the quick reply, Fish. Good to know it won't be a busy place - looking forward to the quiet. The place you recommended looks absolutely lovely, but we'll have our 10-year-old along, so we'll have to look elsewhere. Did enjoy looking at the website and dreaming though ;)

There are the whale-watching tours, and kayaking in the Bay for you. There is also the Aquarium, which your 10 year old might like. In the area to the north there are the Roaring Camp Railroad, Pigeon Point Lighthose, Point Montara Lighthouse, Half Moon Bay, and the Santa Cruz Wharf. You might want to take a look at their websites. To me, the Monterey/Carmel area,proper, might be a bit boring for a ten year old. Gary

Yes, "I'm bored" seems to be her favorite expression these days. Funny you mentioned that because I've been thinking about this all day. I've looked at a few pages of people that have traveled there with kids, but all that stands out is the Aquarium, whale watching, and Big Sur. My husband and I did a lot of hiking and walking/exploring during our last trip. Definitely not her thing. I think I'll step back to the drawing board on this one. Thanks for your input!

You might check the Monterey tourism website to see if they have a link for kid's activities. There always could be something new. Another option you might look at is staying in San Francisco, and doing Monterey as a day, or overnight trip. It is pretty hard for anyone to be bored in The City, even a ten year old. The Muir Woods and Point Reyes National Seashore are close by. Yosemite is even within range. There are bay cruises of all types, and a lot more kid friendly activities. Just at Pier 39, they have an aquarium, the sea lions that have taken up permanent residency, the Ghiradelli Chocolate Store, and a 360 degree theatre. If that doesn't work, you can always exhaust them by walking up and down the hills, lol. Gary

I was considering incorporating San Fran. I was looking forward to staying in one place, but I suppose it can be done. There is so much more to do...and the food!

I think she'd wear me down with her complaining before I wore her down from running the hills. ;-)

Can I offer a few other ideas in the Monterey area (Though I do love San Francisco!)? The Monterey Youth Museum is supposed to be a good place, though I've never been. How about the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park--it's less than an hour away? Maybe the Steinbeck Center in Salinas if you like his books. The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is an hour to the north and the Hearst Mansion is a few hours south via Big Sur. What about the beaches... don't kids like beaches?!? Surrey or bike rentals along the coastal trail?

San Francisco obviously has much more to offer, all in closer proximity to the city, but you might want to do both.

If you make it to San Francisco, another place your 10 year old might like is the Exploratorium, which is basically a "hands-on" type science museum. It's not overly large, so you can see everything fairly quickly. It is located at the south end of the entrance ramp for the Golden Gate Bridge, so you are near the bridge, and about a 2 mile long beach. There is also an old fort, Fort Point, which sits underneath the bridge. It is always pretty cold there though. If you travel over to the west side of the Presidio, (it's across the street from the Exploratorium), there are some views of the outer bay, and the bridge, than many San Franciscans have never seen. Gary

You guys are great - sounds like San Fran is the place for us. I've added your suggestions to my travel guide.

Thank You. I changed my photo to the area of the Presidio that I previously mentioned. This is looking northward. If you look westward, you have a very nice view of the mouth of the bay. You are about 200 feet up above the ocean here. You can walk down, but it's pretty steep. There is a small beach with a parking lot about 1 mile further down the road. I'll look at your profile again a bit later and to try to find some "grown up" activities, lol. Gary

Here are some San Francisco links that might be helpful: (1) http://sanfrancisco.about.com, (2) www.whatsonwhen.com, (3) http://sanfrancisco.menupages, (4) www.jazzatpearls.com, (5) www.golden-gate-park.com, (6) www.sfmoma.org, (7) www.thinker.org, (8) www.asianart.org, (9) www.exploratorium.edu, (10) www.bart, (11) www.goldengateferry.org, (12) www.nps.gov/muwo, (14) www.nps.gov/pore, (15) www.nps.gov/safr, (16) www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm, (17) www.ssjeremiahobrien.org, (18)www.sfbayadventures.com, and (19) www.homeandabroad.com/c/11/Site/71941_Sentinel_Building___American_Zoetrope_visit.html. Gary

Nice photo - we took pics from that end of the bridge, but on the other side. Either way, very impressive!

So I've got some homework here. Thanks for the links, Gary!

The Sentinel Building has a bit of an interesting history. The building has a green tint because of its flat-iron fronting. It was one of the few buildings to survive the 1906 Earthquake. Supposedly the Caesar Salad was "created" at Caesars Restaurant, which was once located there. It currently houses the production offices of American Zoetrope Films, owned by Francis Ford Coppola, the director, who also has a restaurant downstairs. Gary

THE TOURIST SEASON OFFICIALLY STARTS AT THE END OF APRIL, BEGINNING OF MAY. IT SHOULDN'T BE VERY BUSY, IF AT ALL DURING MARCH. ITS A LITTLE COLD & SOMETIMES RAINY, BRING YOUR JACKET, JEANS & PLENTY OF HEAVY SWEATSHIRTS. THE WEATHER IS A LITTLE UNPREDICTABLE AROUND THAT TIME, SO BRING SOME LIGHT CLOTHES, BUT MAKE SURE YOU BRING THE WARM ONES ESPECIALY. THE WEATHER IS PRETTY COOL IN MONTEREY. WAY WARMER IN CARMEL VALLEY. KIND'VE IN THE MIDDLE, WEATHER-WISE IN CARMEL BY THE SEA. THE TEMP DROPS PRETTY FAR DOWN EVERYWHERE AT NIGHT. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU WILL WANT TO DO ANY SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN WHILE YOU'RE THERE. GO ON A WINE TASTING TOUR THROUGH THE VALLEY, IF YOU GET A CHANCE! HAVE FUN!!

OH YEAH, IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO STAY SOMEWHERE TRY THE MISSION RANCH. CLINT EASTWOOD OWNS IT & THERE IS A GREAT BAR RIGHT ON THE RANCH. ITS REALLY CLOSE TO CARMEL BY THE SEA & ITS LIKE 5 MINUTES OUT OF THE VALLEY.
www.missionranchcarmel.com