Monterey Bay Visit

This was one of those adventures that we did not plan to do but ended up being better than our original plan which was to visit Santa Cruz.  But things happen when you least expect them and we have learned to follow the flow and it usually all works out as it did for us this time.

When we arrived in Santa Cruz, it definitely was not what we had imagined but we drove into the Santa Cruz Harbor RV Overnight Parking anyway, using the term “RV Park” very loosely…very, very loosely.   It was a parking lot next to a marina with back-in hookups.  We sort of looked at one another and then without saying a word we both got out because after all we thought we had made reservations, so apprehensively we approached the Host Site.  We were a bit put off about the growling dog tied to the steps but continued yelling hello to get the hosts attention who we thought might be inside since the door was open.  Finally he did come out, a bit on the rough side and sort of growling himself.  The conversation went south from then.  We had talked a few times in the past few weeks but we never apparently made a reservation since he did not get our credit card information and he said they were booked.  At first we were upset but then we became grateful since we did not want to spend any time at the RV Park or in the area so we moved on…

We decided since we were so close to Monterey Bay that we would go check it out after all.  What a pleasant surprise, it was exactly where we wanted to spend the next few days and we did. 

We attempted to call the Monterey County Fair RV Park but there was no answer and even though we did leave messages we became a bit worried when we pulled up and there was a line…oops this could be another bust.  We got in line and I walked up to the Host Site and she informed me that the only vacancy was in the overflow area down below which was in the dirt but were full hookups.  The fair had just ended and they were still cleaning up but we took it.  Actually it ended up being better because the sites above on the asphalt are under trees and pretty close to one another.  But in overflow there were not too many folks there so we had plenty of space in between.  Check out our separate review about the RV Park.

Our original plan was to stay just two nights, but we added another one on our stay so we could spend more time checking out the MontereyBay Aquarium and Cannery Row on Sunday.

The first day we only made it as far as the Old Fisherman’s Wharf where we spent our day in and out of shops.

Then we had lunch at Rappa's Harbor View Restaurant where the scenery was spectacular.  We were first in line when they opened at 11am and got the best seat in the house.  Check out our separate blog entry reviewing this restaurant.

After lunch we wandered around some more and then took a stroll out on the pier where many of the sea lions and other ocean creatures hang out.  It was a great day.

On Sunday we got another early start and headed directly to the Monterey Bay Aquarium where we spent most of the day just enjoying all the interesting things they have to see. 

We observed Jellyfish...

Waterfalls...

Monkey Eels...

Poinky things...

Stingrays and Tiger Sharks

More coral and starfish...

Penguins...

And, so much more where our photos didn't turn out well...

We also had lunch at Cindy’s Waterfront Restaurant that is located inside the Aquarium, please check out the separate review on our blog.  It was a very impressive place with great service, a few added specialties and great food!

After lunch we took a stroll down Cannery Row where we stopped at many of the shops...

Had a few snacks...

And, even had a wine tasting at BargettoWinery.

There were several tasting rooms but we opted for this one since they offered Chaucer’s Fresh Fruit Wines which tend to be on the sweeter side.  For $7 we were able to taste 5 different types but again nothing that stood out to us to pay the high prices for a bottle.

Eventually there may come a time that we find that absolutely best tasting wine that we will splurge for a bottle but it has not happened yet.  We always try to keep our choices under $10 per bottle and even under $5 has been a goal of ours, so it will take a really great wine to have us pay the going rate of well over $20 per bottle.

Monterey Bay area is an exceptional place to see and we would highly recommend you to put it on your list of places to visit.  Right on the Pacific Ocean with lots of places to visit and not a lot of the rundown areas and homeless that we have been noticing near the ocean areas makes it a perfect spot to hang out for a day or two or even longer.

Photos, photos and more photos, check out our Google + Web Albums for them all.