As
the morning began to break in Carmel, a light thud could be heard right outside
the window. Slowly opening the shutters, a blue jay sat on the outside railing
cocking his head and watching something. With lightning fast speed, the bird
flew into the outside wall with a light thud. Returning to the railing with a
giant moth in its mouth. It is time for breakfast! Hofsas House’s continental breakfast
in the lobby can be taken up to your room to enjoy while you watch the morning
news. Just watch your step up the stairs with your orange juice and coffee.
Rain
or shine, the best place to visit is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Located in Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation started planning
phases in 1978 with construction costs of $55 million. David and Lucile Packard’s
one-time personal gift made it happen. On October 20, 1984, Monterey Bay
Aquarium opened its doors to 10,681 visitors on opening day. For sci-fi fans,
The Aquarium was also featured in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Remember the
scene where Spock swims and communicates with whales in a fictional whale tank?
- Photography Tip: Non-flash photography is appropriate. Flashes may cause stress to the sea life on display and can ruin guest experience in the darkened corridors. Also, please leave tripods at home or in the car. The legs can cause a tripping hazard for children and/or a high fall for your camera.
In
the Kelp Forest, Pacific Sardines are expert synchronized swimmers as they move together as
one. The sardines in a large school make themselves look larger to predators.
The display of twirling movements and shimmering scales make them look almost
mechanical, reminiscent of The Matrix Sentinel Squids as they descended upon Zion.
One
of the biggest attractions at The Aquarium are the cute, playful Sea Otters.
In the mornings, they are either floating on their backs and resting, rolling
and playing with the toy sea kelp, or on the rocks sunning themselves or
crunching on ice.
- Tip: Check for Sea Otter Feeding Times and arrive at the exhibit 30 minutes before to stake out a spot. The sea otters will often get really close to the glass for some really cute, up-close and personal photos as the trainers work with them.
The
Jellies Experience showcases different species of jellies. Interesting facts about jellies: They
are more than 95% water. They do not have bones, brains, blood, teeth, or fins.
They can also grow and shrink based on their food supply.
The
Black Sea Nettle lives in the Pacific Ocean and drifts in offshore currents.
They can grow to more than 3 feet across with tentacles that can trail over 25
feet in length. Moon Jellies are alien-like and look like small moons swimming
around. The great thing about jellies is that they are living art. The Aquarium
has created the perfect backdrop and lighting for you to view and photograph
these beautiful creatures.
Started
in October 1999, the Seafood Watch Program helps you make the best seafood
choice for sustainability for our ocean’s ecosystem. Overfishing is a big
problem as the popularity of sushi has exploded worldwide and Bluefin Tuna
populations are dwindling. Best seafood choices that you may know include: Striped
Bass (US hook & line, farmed), Catfish (US), Clams, Mussels, Oysters,
Pacific Cod (US hook & line, longline & trap), California & Pacific
Halibut (US hook & line), Spot Prawn (AK and Canada), Black Cod (AK &
Canada wild), Salmon (AK), Pacific Sardines (Canada & US), Scallops
(farmed), White Seabass (US hook & line), Shrimp (AK), Tilapia (Ecuador
& US), Rainbow Trout (US farmed), Albacore/White Tuna (canned from Canada
& US troll, pole), Light Tuna (canned FAD free, US troll, pole), and
Yellowfin Tuna (US troll, pole). Pick up a pocket guide at The Aquarium so you
can do your part to help our oceans.
Head
outside and see Life on the Bay
where you can view wildlife in the bay. Watch Southern Sea Otters resting,
playing, and eating on the kelp beds. See Pelagic Cormorants fly and dive as
they feed in flocks. You may get a top view of a jelly floating in the water.
Or spot a Harbor Seal curiously swimming around the jets of rocks near The
Aquarium. If you plan on eating outside, be mindful of your food as the Western
gull is eyeing your food too.
The
Splash Zone & Penguins
lets you explore where rockfish, sharks, and penguins call their home. The
African Blackfooted Penguin are from South Africa. With the cold currents along
the South African coast, these birds “fly” through the water to chase squid,
anchovy, and other small fish.
A
great place to grab some lunch is at Cindy’s Waterfront, a table-service
restaurant that is an intimate setting from the main Café (casual food court of
sorts). The restaurant has spectacular views of the bay. Here’s a sampling of
what you may see on their menu:
- Instead of bread, a plate of Spanish-style olives glisten in olive oil and fresh herbs whet your palate for a great meal.
- Monterey Bay Calamari, red onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, and thinly-sliced lemon sliced are served “frito misto” with a basil-lemon aioli. The batter is very light, similar to tempura. The fried lemon slices are surprisingly good and refreshing. Rating: 5/5
- Hail Caesar, the Classic Caesar is made with a dressing of egg, garlic, anchovies, tossed with chopped romaine, croutons, and topped with shredded parmesan. The dressing is creamy, but needs more anchovy, and garlic in the mix. The romaine lettuce is fresh and crisp. The croutons are light and crunchy. Rating: 3/5
- Best-Ever Clam Chowder has a slightly sweet flavor. The consistency is a little thin and not as creamy as one might expect. It also needs more clams. Rating: 2.5/5
- Special of the Day: Grilled Octopus served atop cassoulet. The octopus is grilled to perfection with chargrilled flavor on the outside and tender, sweet on the inside. Cassoulet has a good flavor but has the consistency of bean soup versus a thick, rich cassoulet. Rating: 4.8/5
- End your meal with the Campfire Pie. It is toasted marshmallow fluff, fudgy chocolate, almond ding, and Oreo cookie crust. First off, it is huge! The toasted gooey marshmallow fluff towers over the table like a Baked Alaska. Together with the melted chocolate, buttery Oreo crust, and crunchy almonds, it will remind you of the best s’mores you’ve ever had. It’s sinfully delicious! Rating: 4.8/5
After
visiting the aquarium, and if you have energy left, you can walk around the
Cannery Row. It is filled with restaurants and shops to keep you busy. If not,
head back to the hotel to relax at the pool or just hang in your room to watch
some TV or take an afternoon nap.
Monterey
also has a Fisherman’s Wharf full of shop and restaurants. Not nearly as large
as the one in San Francisco, but fun just the same. Monterey Bay has been one
of the major fishing centers along the West Pacific since the early 1900’s.
Today, Monterey continues to be one of the nation’s largest supply of squid
(calamari).
- Travel tip: The parking lot for Fisherman’s Wharf is located at 250 Figueroa Street in Monterey. If you put the actual address for any location in the wharf into a GPS, it will take you to a delivery/loading lot. You won’t be able to park in there.
Since
the early 1950’s, Abalonetti Bar & Grill popularized this delicacy and
serves over 70,000 pounds a year. Here’s a sampling of the menu:
- Fried Monterey Calamari has been voted Best Calamari since 1999 by Monterey County Weekly. The breading is different than anywhere else. They use cracker crumbs which adds a different texture unlike bread crumbs or batter. It’s crispy, light, yet neutral to the succulent, perfectly fried calamari underneath. Once you have them, you may be in agreement with the rest of Monterey. Rating: 5/5
- Monterey’s Original Antipasto Bar includes Roasted Gilroy Garlic, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Grilled Eggplant, Marinated Mushrooms, Assorted Olives, Roasted Bell Peppers, Feta Cheese, Garlic Spinach, and Marinated Monterey Calamari. This is the best plate of antipasto you will find anywhere! It has the best mix of flavors from sweet roasted garlic and bell peppers to salty olives and feta to vinegar marinated mushrooms and artichoke hearts. But the absolutely fantastic part of this antipasto plate is the Marinated Monterey Calamari made with EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil), red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, and herbs. It tastes like an Italian-style ceviche. The calamari is so tender, it just melts in your mouth. You can also order this on its own as an appetizer. Rating: 5/5
- Grilled Monterey Abalone is panko crusted, topped with a lemon butter sauce, and served with sautéed vegetables and rice. The baby abalone is farm-raised at an adjacent wharf and as fresh as can be. The abalone is tender and soft. The panko crust adds the perfect crispy texture on the outside. The lemon butter sauce is so creamy and the essence of lemon is refreshing. Rating: 5/5
- For dessert, take some homemade cannolis home with you. The cannoli shell is just crispy enough to hold in the creamy sweet cheese filling. It will be gone before you know and you will say to yourself, “I should have ordered two.” Rating: 5/5
The
beautiful fauna of the Pacific Ocean and fantastic culinary creations using the
fruits of the sea are the best things about Monterey. A good night’s sleep lay
ahead as you ready yourself for the drive back to Southern California.
For
more information:
On
San Carlos St between 3rd and 4th Ave
Carmel-by-the-Sea,
CA 93921
+1.800.221.2548
or +1.831.624.2745
886
Cannery Row
Monterey,
CA 93940
+1.831.648.4800
57
Fisherman’s Wharf
Monterey,
CA 93940
+1.831.373.1851
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