This is a post written by me for
Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hofsas House. All opinions are my own.
Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hofsas House. All opinions are my own.
One extended weekend in October
we took a road trip to the Central Coast of California. It’s about a 5.5 hour
drive from Orange County, and it has been on our bucket list for a long time. We love scenic drives, and driving up the central coast was like nothing we have seen before. There are miles and miles of beautiful rocky cliffs and
gorgeous tide pools great for exploration, biking, and hiking.
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CARMEL WINE WALK BY-THE-SEA PASSPORTS
Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a unique
self-guided walking wine tasting tour which includes vouchers to 9 of the 14
tasting rooms all within the 1×1 square mile. You’ll be able to sample local
estate-grown still and sparkling wines. Passports are available for purchase at
the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. (We got ours at our hotel).
Note: The Passport does not expire and you can use it over several days, weeks,
or months. For more information, please visit their website at
www.CarmelWineWalk.org.
self-guided walking wine tasting tour which includes vouchers to 9 of the 14
tasting rooms all within the 1×1 square mile. You’ll be able to sample local
estate-grown still and sparkling wines. Passports are available for purchase at
the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. (We got ours at our hotel).
Note: The Passport does not expire and you can use it over several days, weeks,
or months. For more information, please visit their website at
www.CarmelWineWalk.org.
ATTRACTIONS
TIP: Also check their calendar for local events. While we were there, they were hosting their 54th Sand Castle Competition on Carmel Beach.
17-Mile
Drive at Pebble Beach
Drive at Pebble Beach
Take a scenic drive along
the dramatic Pacific Coastline and through Del Monte Forest. Here you will also
find the infamous Lone Cypress Tree. Note: There is a park fee that they will
waive if you dine or shop within Pebble Beach. Just show your parking receipt
to the merchant. (No entry fee for cyclists).
the dramatic Pacific Coastline and through Del Monte Forest. Here you will also
find the infamous Lone Cypress Tree. Note: There is a park fee that they will
waive if you dine or shop within Pebble Beach. Just show your parking receipt
to the merchant. (No entry fee for cyclists).
Big
Sur Coast Drive
Sur Coast Drive
www.bigsurcalifornia.org
One of our favorite
things to do on this road trip was drive along Big Sur Coast. The views are
spectacular, amazing, and breathtaking. Our kids’ reactions varied, but we plan to do this every few years and make it a
tradition.
things to do on this road trip was drive along Big Sur Coast. The views are
spectacular, amazing, and breathtaking. Our kids’ reactions varied, but we plan to do this every few years and make it a
tradition.
TIP: We recommend doing
this as part of your drive on your way in so you’re not backtracking. Allow a
full day as you’ll be stopping often to walk around and take pictures. Bring
binoculars! (You might see sea lions, dolphins, and whales.) We’ve highlighted some
spots, however, there are several others to explore.
this as part of your drive on your way in so you’re not backtracking. Allow a
full day as you’ll be stopping often to walk around and take pictures. Bring
binoculars! (You might see sea lions, dolphins, and whales.) We’ve highlighted some
spots, however, there are several others to explore.
·
Rocky Point (There is also a restaurant. More info below.)
·
Point Lobos
Cannery
Row
Named in honor of John
Steinbeck, the historic Cannery Row offers attractions, recreation, dining,
shopping, and nightlife. www.canneryrow.com
Steinbeck, the historic Cannery Row offers attractions, recreation, dining,
shopping, and nightlife. www.canneryrow.com
Carmel
Mission
Mission
3080 Rio Road
Carmel, CA
(831) 624-1271
www.carmelmission.org
Built in 1771, the
Basilica showcases the architecture of early California. The tomb of its
founder, Father Junipero Serra, is displayed and preserved in their original
décor and artifacts.
Basilica showcases the architecture of early California. The tomb of its
founder, Father Junipero Serra, is displayed and preserved in their original
décor and artifacts.
Dennis
The Menace Park
The Menace Park
Located by El Estero
Lake. This park is designed by
Cartoonist, Hank Ketchum, who lived in Pebble Beach. Free admission.
Lake. This park is designed by
Cartoonist, Hank Ketchum, who lived in Pebble Beach. Free admission.
Monterey
Bay Aquarium
Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA
(831) 648-4888
www.Montereybayaquarium.org
The aquarium’s
award-winning Splash Zone exhibit (much like a children’s museum) includes
three ocean habitats: the Enchanted Kelp Forest, Coral Reef Kingdom, and Rugged
Rocky Shore. There’s also a unique jellyfish exhibit, “The Jellies Experience,”
a very cool outdoor tide pool amphitheater, touch pools, and great Sea Otters
viewing.
award-winning Splash Zone exhibit (much like a children’s museum) includes
three ocean habitats: the Enchanted Kelp Forest, Coral Reef Kingdom, and Rugged
Rocky Shore. There’s also a unique jellyfish exhibit, “The Jellies Experience,”
a very cool outdoor tide pool amphitheater, touch pools, and great Sea Otters
viewing.
Pacific
Grove Museum of Natural History
Grove Museum of Natural History
Located at corner of
Forest and Central Avenues in Pacific Grove. Free Admission.
Forest and Central Avenues in Pacific Grove. Free Admission.
Exhibits include local
birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and Geology.
birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and Geology.
Point
Pinos Lighthouse
Pinos Lighthouse
Located near the intersection
of Lighthouse and Asilomare Avenues in Pacific Grove.
of Lighthouse and Asilomare Avenues in Pacific Grove.
$2 donation is
suggested. It’s West Coast’s oldest working lighthouse.
suggested. It’s West Coast’s oldest working lighthouse.
ACCOMMODATIONS
With 45 inns located in
Carmel-by-the-Sea, you’ll be able to find something to meet your liking. For a
complete listing of places to stay in Carmel, please visit their website at www.StayInCarmel.org.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, you’ll be able to find something to meet your liking. For a
complete listing of places to stay in Carmel, please visit their website at www.StayInCarmel.org.
Hofsas
House
House
We stayed at the
family-friendly Hofsas House which is a unique boutique hotel family-run with a
Bavarian-inspired flare. With free WiFi, kitchenettes, fireplaces, spacious
rooms, a heated pool, dry saunas, and free continental breakfast, it is
centrally located to everything you need within walking distance. If you call
ahead, you can order in-room Monterey wine and cheese pairing service ready
when you arrive. Other offerings include:
family-friendly Hofsas House which is a unique boutique hotel family-run with a
Bavarian-inspired flare. With free WiFi, kitchenettes, fireplaces, spacious
rooms, a heated pool, dry saunas, and free continental breakfast, it is
centrally located to everything you need within walking distance. If you call
ahead, you can order in-room Monterey wine and cheese pairing service ready
when you arrive. Other offerings include:
·
Champagne
& Cheese Pairing
Champagne
& Cheese Pairing
·
Beach
Fire & S’mores Bundle with blanket and flashlight
Beach
Fire & S’mores Bundle with blanket and flashlight
·
In-Room
Couples Massages
In-Room
Couples Massages
·
Beach
Fire Set-up
Beach
Fire Set-up
·
Golf
Discounts to (6) Golf Courses
Golf
Discounts to (6) Golf Courses
·
Monterey
Bay Aquarium “2 Day Pass for Price of One” Discount.
Monterey
Bay Aquarium “2 Day Pass for Price of One” Discount.
Carrie Theis, the General
Manager and the original owner’s granddaughter, is super sweet and helpful. She
is very knowledgeable about the area so don’t hesitate to meet with her and ask
her questions. We loved that she has binoculars for the children to borrow.
Hofsas House is located
on San Carlos between 3rd and 4th Street. (800) 221-2548 www.HofsasHouse.com. Note: it may be hard to find at first because
all the street signage are on posts. Look for a pink hotel!
on San Carlos between 3rd and 4th Street. (800) 221-2548 www.HofsasHouse.com. Note: it may be hard to find at first because
all the street signage are on posts. Look for a pink hotel!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING
Carmel offers a wide
range of dining experiences. We’ve shared where we’ve visited below. For a complete
listing, please visit their website at www.carmelcalifornia.org.
range of dining experiences. We’ve shared where we’ve visited below. For a complete
listing, please visit their website at www.carmelcalifornia.org.
5th
Ave. Deli & Catering Co.
Breakfast & Lunch.
Gourmet Deli.
Gourmet Deli.
Located on 5th
between San Carlos and Dolores.
between San Carlos and Dolores.
(831) 625-2688
Note: There are no
dining tables. Great for take-out for beach or park picnics.
Il
Fornaio
Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner.
Dinner.
Located at Pine Inn on
Ocean at Monte Verde.
Ocean at Monte Verde.
(831) 622-5100, www.ilfornaio.com
Il Fornaio offers a
family-friendly Italian menu.
Rocky
Point Restaurant
36700 Hwy 1
Carmel, CA
(831) 624-2933
We stopped here for a
delicious brunch. It was en route to Big Sur, and we were in amazement. The views
are spectacular so even if you don’t stop for dining, stop to take in the
views!
delicious brunch. It was en route to Big Sur, and we were in amazement. The views
are spectacular so even if you don’t stop for dining, stop to take in the
views!
We loved our visit to
California’s Central Coast and hope to visit every few years to explore more. The only thing we would do differently is drive up the coast on our way there so we’re not taking another full day to back-track. Thanks for the warm hospitality, Carmel-by-the-Sea! For more information,
please visit the Carmel Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.carmelcalifornia.org.
Tags: Aquarium, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Family Travels, Food, Hofsas House Hotel, Monterey Bay, Travel