search instagram arrow-down

After a nice drive from Salinas we checked into the Otter Inn.  As you might expect from the name, otters are reasonably common around here.  The Otter Inn is older property but still nice.  It’s a short walk down to Cannery Row where all the restaurants and the Aquarium are.

IMG_1655

IMG_1656 IMG_1659

The next morning was a quick walk over to Coco’s for breakfast and a day at the amazing Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I always judge other zoos and aquariums against our own Vancouver Aquarium.  Particularly around quality of eduction over show.  As expected we were not disappointed.

 

Some plastic waste turned into art.

IMG_1674

Some of the locals

IMG_1676

IMG_1677 IMG_1679 IMG_1680 IMG_1681 IMG_1683

IMG_1693 IMG_1694

P1090072

P1090088 P1090091 P1090094

And right out front in the actual wild, was an otter eating fresh crab.

IMG_7427

Dinner was at a local brew pub, great choices in libations and good food to boot.

Bright and not early the next day we drove over to Loulou’s Griddle in the Middle for breakfast.  It’s down at the wharf and lo and behold the locals were sunning.

IMG_1695

The Hubcap Pancake.  Must be a truck hub cap, had to be close to 18″ across!

 

IMG_1697 IMG_1698

For context, Eric’s pancakes are normal sized.  Not small portions indeed!

 

IMG_1699

After we stuffed ourselves in was time to take a Coast trip – south to Carmel and Big Sur.

 

Carmel is pretty, I can see why Clint Eastwood lives here.

P1050897

Pebble Beach Golf Course in the background.

 

P1050898 P1050899 P1050900

We did a slow drive along the residential streets admiring the homes.  Then up to the Mission San Carlos Borromeo del rio Carmelo.

P1050901 P1050902 P1050903 P1050905 P1050906

 

Next up was a drive down the coast to Big Sur.  Point Lobos State Park had some nice trails to see the coast line.

P1090117 P1090118 P1090119 P1090120

We got to see more otters feeding and  sea lions resting out on rocks.

IMG_7458

Here is a mom teaching the young one to hunt/fish.

IMG_7460

IMG_7478

 

IMG_7448

After the nice hike we continued south and the crowds prevented more hiking in parks.  They are hugely full of people!

 

However the Bixby Bridge is quite a view to stop and snap a shot of.

P1090121

 

Back to Monterey and off to the Hula’s Grill.  Great Mai Tais, and food.

And no, there isn’t alcohol in this one.  But Eric pretended.

IMG_1701

There was alcohol in this one however.

IMG_1702

Or maybe there was??  Fun night indeed.

 

IMG_1704

Sunday morning was check out of the Otter Inn and head to Crepes by Brittany for breakfast.  Back at the Wharf part of town.  Great views and food.

After a excellent breakfast it was time to head back towards San Fran.  On the way we stopped at the Gilroy Premium Outlets.  It was almost back to school after all.  Hot, crowded but we got what we wanted.  Back onto the 101 to see the Golden Gate.

Kris has a picture of her Grandmother at the visitors center.  She wanted to recreate that shot.  But first we had to battle a few hours of traffic, construction and a gps that didn’t know the way.  You’d think that Google Maps, headquartered just down the road would know.  Guess not.  Good thing we can navigate and drive together!

P1090131

P1090133 P1090134 P1090135 P1090136 P1090137

IMG_1708 IMG_1709

After a very long day it was time to check into our San Fran hotel, walk over to Pier 39 and find food.  Luigi’s Pizza it was.  The view from our window at dinner.

IMG_1710

 

Since we had planned on doing the cable cars our first San Fran day and ran out of time, it was an early start.  We did after all have to fly home today!

Quick IHOP breaky and walk over to Bay Street to catch the Powell-Mason cable up to Market street.

P1050908 P1050909 P1050911 P1050912

P1050915

We had planned on taking the Powell-Hyde back to the top of Lombard Street and walk down.  But the line for the cable car were 60-90 minutes long.  Glad we got on when and where we did!  So, snag a cab to the top of Lombard, and have him meet us at the bottom.

P1050917 P1050918

We then got back to our regularly scheduled holiday.  We booked the Alcatraz Tour for 1030, thinking we’d have slept in and had a nice breakfast.   With the super sunny hot day it was an amazing trip over.  The tour is well worth the time.  All in all a great experience.

 

P1050921 P1050922 P1050925 P1050926 P1050927

P1050929 P1050936

Kris in “the hole”.

P1050937

P1090155 P1090156

P1090162 P1090163 P1090164

The accommodations may be lacking but the view is phenomenal.

P1090165 P1090167

The boys decided a sleep over program as offered by the Rangers was not to their liking so back we went.

A quick ride on the carousel at Pier 39.

P1090141

Then lunch at Wipeout Bar and Grill.

P1090169

IMG_1714

P1090171

Once lunch was done, it was time to zip back to the airport.   Uneventful flight home and Back to School!

A great way to end Summer Vacation!

Leave a Reply
%d bloggers like this: