Coastal Traveler - Spring 2008 - (Page 63)

coastaltraveler Monterey By Peter Jamison Monterey is three-quarters coastal charm, one-quarter tourist trap that hasn’t been entirely manicured into submission. Bright orange nasturtiums drape quaint, unmowed hillsides within blocks of Cannery Row, where cheap T-shirts and velveteen otters abound. In other words, there is a little something for everyone, and fame has yet to destroy this seaside town. The historic waterfront and piers welcome visitors, and a walking tour of the old part of town highlights many of the aging adobe buildings. The ocean, where otters can be seen playing in the seaweed and whales sometimes surface, is an amazing shade of blue. From a long waterfront promenade, visitors and locals can enjoy the view, and wander onto the pocket-sized beaches tucked into a rocky shoreline. Otters, seabirds, jellyfish and scuba divers can all be seen up close at the amazing Monterey Bay Aquarium. And for children and families, the Disneyfied Cannery Row offers a shopping-oriented glimpse into the industrial past of the town. Monterey, once the capital of California, is a vibrant part of the state’s history. The fishing life, exemplified by sardine canneries and processing plants, was immortalized by John Steinbeck in the 1940s. Other parts of the town’s history – such as the fact that it was also the capital under Spanish and Mexican rule, or that the Californian constitution was written there – are less renowned. Today, Monterey peninsula’s good looks and charm have driven it upscale, though Monterey is less pricey than neighboring Carmel, and it isn’t uncommon to see sun-browned vagabonds sharing a beer on the promenade. Due to its upscale nature, quality food and hotels are not hard to find – though for those on a tighter budget, there are some decent hotels along Munras Avenue for under $100 per night. For a little over twice that amount, visitors can stay in the lovely Momerath room at the Jabberwock Bed and Breakfast, which also has spacious common areas, including a garden. For dinner, enjoy fresh seafood at of the Fishwife’s three locations, or try some French-Californian cuisine at Fresh Cream. © 2002 Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation/Randy Wilder Where to Stay Jabberwock Bed and Breakfast 598 Laine St • 831.372.4777 Old Monterey Inn 500 Martin St • 831.375.8284 Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa 400 Cannery Row, Monterey • 831.646.1700 Where to Eat The Fishwife 1996 1/2 Sunset Dr, Pacific Grove • 831.375.7107 Fresh Cream 99 Pacific St # 100C • 831.375.9798 Stokes Adobe 500 Hartnell St • 831.373.1110 Where to Play Monterey Bay Aquarium 886 Cannery Row • 831.648.4800 • www.mbayaq.org spring coastaltraveler © Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation/Craig Racicot © Monterey Bay Aquarium © Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation 63 http://www.mbayaq.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Coastal Traveler - Spring 2008

Coastal Traveler - Spring 2008 Contents Coastal Connoisseur Coastal Picks Coastal Scenario Coastal Art Coastal Driver Coastal Roadkill Coastal Eco Coastal Hotel Coastal Desert San Diego La Jolla Laguna Beach Malibu Santa Barbara San Luis Obispo Big Sur Carmel Monterey Santa Cruz San Francisco Sausalito Mill Valley Stinson Beach Bolinas Olema Point Reyes Station Fairfax Inverness Marshall, Tomales Sebastopol Petaluma Sonoma Coast Redwood Coast

Coastal Traveler - Spring 2008

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