I am back! Yes, I took a bit of a hiatus, but I am back and hope to keep this site fresh and current from now on.
We just got back from a much needed family vacation in Monterey, CA. It never ceases to amaze me how many things there are to do in the Monterey Bay area. Of course, the usual activities include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Dennis the Menace Park and the white beach of Carmel. But, this time we also enjoyed the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, the John Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, Big Sur's Julia Pfieffer Park hike to the falls and the Old Pier area.
First of all, the drive to the Monterey Bay area is not bad, even with kids who are not good travelers, from almost every part of the SF Bay Area. This makes it easier on everyone! And, also makes it easy to go there often. We end up in Monterey at least 4 times a year and if our toddler had her way, it would be more!
Secondly, the area definitely caters to kids. Most restaurants are very kid-friendly, there are lots of good parks, play areas and educational areas for kids. Even the lodging is often priced with families in mind. You can often find a 2-bedroom suite for about $150/night. We have stayed at the Best Western - DeAnza and The Lone Oak Lodge and would recommend the former. But, the latter is fine, if you don't expect frills and will be out most of the day anyway. There are also Embassy Suites in the north end of Monterey close to downtown.
Big Sur was an area we weren't sure we would be able to visit while staying in Monterey, with a busy toddler. But she did great with a few books, some cows dotting the carside scenery and snacks! The walk to the falls at Julia Pfeiffer was easy and enjoyable for even small kids. There are also picnic tables there, where we had lunch as well. And, on the way home, we stopped at the Big Sur Bakery and Restaurant for a coffee, tea and milk with yummy cinnamon twists and croissants.
Point Lobos is always a great hiking and sealife watching park. We end up there on many of our Monterey Bay visits. The scenery is fabulous and there are varying levels of hikes. The sea lions and otters are often around this park as well, which is fun for the kids.
The Carmel Mission is nice for older kids, especially if they are interested in history. It is also a good place to relax and enjoy the quiet after a busy afternoon at the aquarium!
We just got back from a much needed family vacation in Monterey, CA. It never ceases to amaze me how many things there are to do in the Monterey Bay area. Of course, the usual activities include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Dennis the Menace Park and the white beach of Carmel. But, this time we also enjoyed the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, the John Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, Big Sur's Julia Pfieffer Park hike to the falls and the Old Pier area.
First of all, the drive to the Monterey Bay area is not bad, even with kids who are not good travelers, from almost every part of the SF Bay Area. This makes it easier on everyone! And, also makes it easy to go there often. We end up in Monterey at least 4 times a year and if our toddler had her way, it would be more!
Secondly, the area definitely caters to kids. Most restaurants are very kid-friendly, there are lots of good parks, play areas and educational areas for kids. Even the lodging is often priced with families in mind. You can often find a 2-bedroom suite for about $150/night. We have stayed at the Best Western - DeAnza and The Lone Oak Lodge and would recommend the former. But, the latter is fine, if you don't expect frills and will be out most of the day anyway. There are also Embassy Suites in the north end of Monterey close to downtown.
Big Sur was an area we weren't sure we would be able to visit while staying in Monterey, with a busy toddler. But she did great with a few books, some cows dotting the carside scenery and snacks! The walk to the falls at Julia Pfeiffer was easy and enjoyable for even small kids. There are also picnic tables there, where we had lunch as well. And, on the way home, we stopped at the Big Sur Bakery and Restaurant for a coffee, tea and milk with yummy cinnamon twists and croissants.
Point Lobos is always a great hiking and sealife watching park. We end up there on many of our Monterey Bay visits. The scenery is fabulous and there are varying levels of hikes. The sea lions and otters are often around this park as well, which is fun for the kids.
The Carmel Mission is nice for older kids, especially if they are interested in history. It is also a good place to relax and enjoy the quiet after a busy afternoon at the aquarium!
A place that we have only heard of but not visited - Monterey County Youth Museum. It is supposed to be best for ages 3-8. Another nice activity, especially if the fog rolls in and the wind whips up...www.mymuseum.org. However, they are moving to a new location (it looks fabulous) so make sure you go to the correct address. They don't specify the opening date - only that it is in 2008.
The Monterey Bay is a great place to keep going back to as there are always new exhibits at the aquarium and always fun things to see on pier, at the beach and around town. Parents can enjoy the gorgeous coastal scenery, the fresh seafood and relatively decent prices for things that are also kid-friendly while the kids enjoy the sealife, the parks and the hands-on entertainment. For more information, see web links below.
http://www.mbayaq.org/ - Monterey Bay Aquarium
You can often find lodging packages that include tickets to the aquarium. Or if you have a friend with season passes, they often get guest passes!
http://www.steinbeck.org/MainFrame.html - Steinbeck Museum and Center
I think this is best for reading age children and up, but our toddler enjoyed some of the exhibits.
http://www.pacificgrove.org/dirpages/butterflywatching.htm
The season is Oct - March. We saw the tail end of the migration, but it is still quite an interesting area.
http://www.monterey.org/rec/denmenace06.pdf
Great park for all ages! Our daughter kept wanting to go back!
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578
Julia Pfeiffer Park is great for picnics and family friendly hikes!
http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/
Point Lobos is between Monterey and Carmel and is great fun for everyone!
http://www.carmelmission.org/welcome.htm
Great place for California history!
http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/MRYESES/index.do;jsessionid=N5QFYPRZ5S302CSGBJNMVCQ
http://www.loneoaklodge.com/
http://www.deanzainn.com/
The Monterey Bay is a great place to keep going back to as there are always new exhibits at the aquarium and always fun things to see on pier, at the beach and around town. Parents can enjoy the gorgeous coastal scenery, the fresh seafood and relatively decent prices for things that are also kid-friendly while the kids enjoy the sealife, the parks and the hands-on entertainment. For more information, see web links below.
http://www.mbayaq.org/ - Monterey Bay Aquarium
You can often find lodging packages that include tickets to the aquarium. Or if you have a friend with season passes, they often get guest passes!
http://www.steinbeck.org/MainFrame.html - Steinbeck Museum and Center
I think this is best for reading age children and up, but our toddler enjoyed some of the exhibits.
http://www.pacificgrove.org/dirpages/butterflywatching.htm
The season is Oct - March. We saw the tail end of the migration, but it is still quite an interesting area.
http://www.monterey.org/rec/denmenace06.pdf
Great park for all ages! Our daughter kept wanting to go back!
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578
Julia Pfeiffer Park is great for picnics and family friendly hikes!
http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/
Point Lobos is between Monterey and Carmel and is great fun for everyone!
http://www.carmelmission.org/welcome.htm
Great place for California history!
http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/MRYESES/index.do;jsessionid=N5QFYPRZ5S302CSGBJNMVCQ
http://www.loneoaklodge.com/
http://www.deanzainn.com/
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