Suggestions for trip to Monterey for wife and me (1 Viewer)

[Koya]

Surprise her. Pack for her. My wife and I do this to each other. It doesn't really matter where you go. The fun is in the surprise. Make sure she looks down in the boarding area and wears buds camo'd under a hoodie while on the plane as so not hear the pilot landing destination. We've surprised each other with a trip to Napa and St. Lucia. The trick is setting a budget and letting the one doing the surprise do the travel planning.For our St Lucia trip, my wife asked me to pick out some warm clothes. I thought for sure we were going to Alaska, but she ended up packing beach-wear.

i think this might be more difficult for the average guy than it is for you.

I can barely pack for myself.

 

[matuski]

Fly into Seattle, ferry up to Victoria Island

http://www.clippervacations.com/multi-package/two-nation-tour-seattle-victoria-vancouver/

And/or the San Juan Islands... love it up there.

 

[Mad Cow]

So it is looking like it will be Monterey. Got the MIL cleared to watch the kids. Would you suggest flying into Monterey, or one of the northern cities like San Jose or San Fran? What is the drive like time-wise from the other cities? Trying to figure out cost/flight availability.

 

[butcher boy]

So it is looking like it will be Monterey. Got the MIL cleared to watch the kids. Would you suggest flying into Monterey, or one of the northern cities like San Jose or San Fran? What is the drive like time-wise from the other cities? Trying to figure out cost/flight availability.

I'd probably fly to whatever airport is cheapest. Look into Oakland too. It can be a lot cheaper than SF.

San Jose is the closest of the three. About a little more than an hour to Monterey. From Oakland or SF it's closer to 2 a hour drive. Also keep in mind that if you fly into Oakland/SF you probably want to avoid commute hours because the stretch from either city to around San Jose is terrible around those times.

 

[Mad Cow]

So it is looking like it will be Monterey. Got the MIL cleared to watch the kids. Would you suggest flying into Monterey, or one of the northern cities like San Jose or San Fran? What is the drive like time-wise from the other cities? Trying to figure out cost/flight availability.

I'd probably fly to whatever airport is cheapest. Look into Oakland too. It can be a lot cheaper than SF.

San Jose is the closest of the three. About a little more than an hour to Monterey. From Oakland or SF it's closer to 2 a hour drive. Also keep in mind that if you fly into Oakland/SF you probably want to avoid commute hours because the stretch from either city to around San Jose is terrible around those times.

If we are only talking an hour or two, then that is no big deal. We know Oakland and San Fran fairly well, but not San Jose. Might just do Oakland so we can hit our favorite taqueria there as well. The Taqueria San Jose on International.

 

[butcher boy]

So it is looking like it will be Monterey. Got the MIL cleared to watch the kids. Would you suggest flying into Monterey, or one of the northern cities like San Jose or San Fran? What is the drive like time-wise from the other cities? Trying to figure out cost/flight availability.

I'd probably fly to whatever airport is cheapest. Look into Oakland too. It can be a lot cheaper than SF.

San Jose is the closest of the three. About a little more than an hour to Monterey. From Oakland or SF it's closer to 2 a hour drive. Also keep in mind that if you fly into Oakland/SF you probably want to avoid commute hours because the stretch from either city to around San Jose is terrible around those times.

If we are only talking an hour or two, then that is no big deal. We know Oakland and San Fran fairly well, but not San Jose. Might just do Oakland so we can hit our favorite taqueria there as well. The Taqueria San Jose on International.

Also want to add that if you're not in a hurry on your drive to Monterey, Highway 17 to highway 1 is much more scenic than going down 101 which is the quickest way.

 

[(HULK)]

Not sure if it is too far, or too much...but Washington, DC is real nice that time of year. You also may be able to get into the Mormon Temple in suburban MD.

I'm not exactly sure how this works, but from my understanding regular Mormons can't get inside. You need to be some rank or something.

The grounds in general are open to the public and very nice, but not worth the trip out here. Besides, this time of year, going down to the Mall is the place to go. However, we're days away from the cicada 17year apocolypse, so maybe not.

 

[Mad Cow]

Not sure if it is too far, or too much...but Washington, DC is real nice that time of year. You also may be able to get into the Mormon Temple in suburban MD.

I'm not exactly sure how this works, but from my understanding regular Mormons can't get inside. You need to be some rank or something.

The grounds in general are open to the public and very nice, but not worth the trip out here. Besides, this time of year, going down to the Mall is the place to go. However, we're days away from the cicada 17year apocolypse, so maybe not.

Just as an FYI, but temple attendance is based purely on living the commandments/standards we believe in. There is a temple recommend which you receive and keep current which basically involves being able to answer that yes, you are living certain standards. That recommend can get you in whatever temple you want. I have been inside the DC temple several times, as a teenager and adult.

FWIW as bishop in my congregation, I am the one that gives the recommend interviews and issues those recommends, but there is no requirement in terms of rank, etc.

 

[(HULK)]

Not sure if it is too far, or too much...but Washington, DC is real nice that time of year. You also may be able to get into the Mormon Temple in suburban MD.

I'm not exactly sure how this works, but from my understanding regular Mormons can't get inside. You need to be some rank or something.

The grounds in general are open to the public and very nice, but not worth the trip out here. Besides, this time of year, going down to the Mall is the place to go. However, we're days away from the cicada 17year apocolypse, so maybe not.

Just as an FYI, but temple attendance is based purely on living the commandments/standards we believe in. There is a temple recommend which you receive and keep current which basically involves being able to answer that yes, you are living certain standards. That recommend can get you in whatever temple you want. I have been inside the DC temple several times, as a teenager and adult.

FWIW as bishop in my congregation, I am the one that gives the recommend interviews and issues those recommends, but there is no requirement in terms of rank, etc.

Thanks, didn't know exactly how it works, I just knew that it was limited somehow. My friend used to live on Stoneybrook lane right across the street from it. The grounds are always done up beautifully for Christmas too.

 

[(HULK)]

MC, any chance you could get me in? I'm an atheist and probably violate most of the standards for clean Mormon living. But I've always been curious to see the inside of it. Crazy beautiful building in the middle of a neighborhood, and my kids always go nuts when we're driving around the beltway and come around that bend and they see "the castle!"

 

[Mad Cow]

MC, any chance you could get me in? I'm an atheist and probably violate most of the standards for clean Mormon living. But I've always been curious to see the inside of it. Crazy beautiful building in the middle of a neighborhood, and my kids always go nuts when we're driving around the beltway and come around that bend and they see "the castle!"

No, but every time they build a new temple, they have an open house where you can tour every room inside. Once it is dedicated, however, you need to have that recommend. The open house is a great way to see everything inside a temple. So you are in DC then?

 

[Mad Cow]

This trip never happened in 2013, but it is happening this June/July. We have our oldest graduating HS and in her first semester of college then, and our younger 2 both at camps they want to do. So we will leave June 30 (Tues) and fly back on Friday July 3. Have to look all of this over to refresh and am open to any new thoughts.

 

[oso diablo]

might be too far from Utah, but my wife & i just spent a weekend in Charleston (SC). Loved it.

PRO: Compact, built on a peninsula, so very walkable (we did not have a car). Great food. Incredible history.

CON: i wouldn't go in the middle of the summer, due to hot/muggy weather.

 

[oso diablo]

have you considered Alaska?

 

[Mad Cow]

She would love to see the Outer banks, if for no other reason than that ******* Nicholas Sparks, but I am thinking July there would be akin to shooting myself in the head sue to heat and humidity.

 

[Mad Cow]

So the trip is booked. We fly into Monterey at 11:30am on Tuesday June 30, leave about noon on Friday July 3, giving us about 3 full days. We have a car rental and are staying at the Intercontinental Clement in Monterey.

Now I am looking for ideas on a few things to do and great places to eat. I would love the trip to be leisurely, as we tend to go hard on trips. Figure 1, 2 things to do in a day. Figure the Aquarium would be nice, and then a day to drive south and maybe hit the redwoods? Basically, find me a few things to do around the sleeping,eating and sexing. TIA

 

[The Football Freak]

So the trip is booked. We fly into Monterey at 11:30am on Tuesday June 30, leave about noon on Friday July 3, giving us about 3 full days. We have a car rental and are staying at the Intercontinental Clement in Monterey.

Now I am looking for ideas on a few things to do and great places to eat. I would love the trip to be leisurely, as we tend to go hard on trips. Figure 1, 2 things to do in a day. Figure the Aquarium would be nice, and then a day to drive south and maybe hit the redwoods? Basically, find me a few things to do around the sleeping,eating and sexing. TIA

When we went, we loved the whale watching tour. Got to watch one humback breach over and over for like a half hour. It was amazing. If you like hiking, just take the highway south towards big sur and stop at the marked trail heads. Great hiking. If you don't like narrow, windy roads, be warned it's miles and miles of narrow roads and cliff driving as you drive around big sur. If you like oysters, get the cheap local ones, because they are delicious.

Enjoy. It's a cool spot.

 

[Mad Cow]

Looks like Point Lobos SNR is a great stop for a day, possibly on a drive south.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

at sunset, at the ritz in half moon bay, they have a bagpiper that plays out by the firepits. it was really cool. it's a bit of a drive for you though

 

[Mad Cow]

Any other recommendations for food or otherwise? Leave in less than a week.

 

[johnnycakes]

Any other recommendations for food or otherwise? Leave in less than a week.

It took you two years to plan this soiree?

 

[Mad Cow]

Any other recommendations for food or otherwise? Leave in less than a week.

It took you two years to plan this soiree?

Did not take it as originally thought. Came back around this year.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

the wife and i enjoyed our dinner here

 

[Mad Cow]

Leaving tomorrow, will report back. Hoping to get some bikes for 17 mile one morning. Weather looks spectacular - 65-70 highs every day. Much better than the 100's we are getting here in Utah.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Monterey Fish House. Unassuming place with spectacular seafood. Ate there last week in fact. Get the Sicilian Calamari appetizer if you like calamari (not fried). Reservations are a good idea. If you get fish, choose to have it cooked over the oakwood fire. I got the pasta special.

Wife and I had one of our first dates at Montrio Bistro more than 10 years ago. It's still there so I'm guessing it's still good. Also in downtown Monterey, Lallapalooza. Very good food.

If you want to spend a little dough on something special, I hear Passionfish is excellent. Have not been there myself.

If/When you do Carmel (amazing beach), have a glass of wine and sit by an outdoor fire to warm up (it gets cool at night) at Forge in the Forest. I've been going there since the early 1990s (it used to be the General Store).

There are a few English pubs (Crown and Anchor, London Bridge, Britania Arms). Would not eat there.

For breakfast, Loulou's and First Awakening's.

I went to grad school in Monterey and now I go down there for work all the time. I know it well. If you've got other questions, let me know.

 

[Mad Cow]

Monterey Fish House. Unassuming place with spectacular seafood. Ate there last week in fact. Get the Sicilian Calamari appetizer if you like calamari (not fried). Reservations are a good idea. If you get fish, choose to have it cooked over the oakwood fire. I got the pasta special.

Wife and I had one of our first dates at Montrio Bistro more than 10 years ago. It's still there so I'm guessing it's still good. Also in downtown Monterey, Lallapalooza. Very good food.

If you want to spend a little dough on something special, I hear Passionfish is excellent. Have not been there myself.

If/When you do Carmel (amazing beach), have a glass of wine and sit by an outdoor fire to warm up (it gets cool at night) at Forge in the Forest. I've been going there since the early 1990s (it used to be the General Store).

There are a few English pubs (Crown and Anchor, London Bridge, Britania Arms). Would not eat there.

For breakfast, Loulou's and First Awakening's.

I went to grad school in Monterey and now I go down there for work all the time. I know it well. If you've got other questions, let me know.

Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

In general we enjoyed our meals in the downtown area more than the Cannery Row area when we went for a week in May of this year. The one exception is that we really enjoyed our meal at Hula's Island Grill (just a little ways off Cannery Row), which was probably our favorite of the trip.

 

[Mad Cow]

In general we enjoyed our meals in the downtown area more than the Cannery Row area when we went for a week in May of this year. The one exception is that we really enjoyed our meal at Hula's Island Grill (just a little ways off Cannery Row), which was probably our favorite of the trip.

I have that one on my list already. Also had Loulou's and the Fish House. Good to know they get real person recommendations.

 

[bierfiend]

I am liking the idea of flying in to the Bay Area say Wednesday night, stay the night there, then head to Monterey the next morning, stay a couple of days, then head back to Bay Area for 1 last night. Redwoods would be cool. How is the hiking there?

well... very fun to rent some bikes and ride 17 mile drive. on your way down hit moss http://www.mossbeachdistillery.com/ in half moon bay for a bite.

favorite restaurants in carmel:

dinner:

casanova

grasing's

le bicyclette

rio grill

portoballa

da giovanni

anton & michel

lunch:

le bicyclette

portabella

the forge in the forrest

little napoli

in pacific grove:

fishwife

passionfish

^^