Travel Blog – Page 40

Accommodations, Architecture, ART, Decorative Arts, DESTINATIONS, Road Trips, TRAVEL, Travel Planning, United States

The Sportsman’s Lodge – Studio City CA

January 28, 2015August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

Maserati, Venice Beach, CA — **And yes, that is a Maserati we’re driving!**

WHERE TO STAY IN LA

Now we’re on our way to LA, the last stop in our 2014 California Adventure. Our accommodations were quite unique. Let me tell you about them.

THE MASERATI

Have I mentioned that we have the coolest nephews in the world? I know I told you all about the one in San Fran – you know Jack’s dad. Well, I have another nephew. Bassem lives in LA, across the street from Hollywood and Highland Shopping Center. At least he did until a few weeks ago. And that Maserati? Well, it’s Bassem’s.

One of the primary reasons we were in LA was because several members of Bill’s family were going to be visiting, including a niece and grand-nephew from Egypt. Usually, we’d just bunk with Bassem, but he already had a houseful. Since he couldn’t offer us a place to stay, he insisted on giving us his car to drive while we were in town. That would be kind under any circumstances – when the car in question is a Maserati, well, it’s more than kind.

BUT WHERE TO STAY?

With Bassem’s home full to capacity, we needed to find a place to stay. Some other family members chose The Standard, but it just wasn’t what we were looking for. Even though we wanted to be close to everyone, we really didn’t want to be in Hollywood. And besides, there was just something about a hotel with an upside down sign that irritated my OCD tendencies.

THE SHORT LIST

You have two choices when it comes to hotels around Hollywood – expensive and bedbug bait. I spent two days on Trip Advisor and other sites trying to come up with realistic options. The Sportsman’s Lodge was very high on my list for several reasons, but I was afraid Bill would think I was nuts. So, I included it on the short list and waited for Bill to give me his favorites.

He came back to me and asked for more information about The Sportsman Lodge, so I knew I hadn’t been crazy at all. It was both geographically and financially desirable, with just enough edge to be interesting. I booked a room and looked forward to our stay.

COOL AND FUNKY

The reason I thought Bill might assume I’d lost my mind, if I suggested this hotel, was that it had (shall we say) unique decor. Sort the Jetsons meet John Wayne. The lobby had odd things like a rack of antlers (painted white BTW) juxtaposed with chrome stools upholstered in orange and glass tables with lime green accessories. We’re usually more into French antiques. The whole thing was sort of upscale meets resale. The parking lot was definitely upscale and our Maserati fit right in.

Everything in LA costs a whole lot more than it should – and The Sportsman’s Lodge is no exception, but once you get past the sticker shock, you can really enjoy yourself. The rooms are sparsely furnished in a minimalistic way, but you have everything you need. The bed was comfortable, but the view was the parking lot. There were rooms which overlooked the pool, but since it was crowded 24/7, I think I was very satisfied with the parking lot vista. And speaking of the pool, I wish I’d gotten brave enough to spend some time there, but everyone seemed so cool that I was a little intimidated.

Still, if I were to need another hotel room near my nephew’s place, I’d probably just return to The Sportsman’s Lodge – and who knows, I might get brave enough to hang out at the pool.

I had a great time with our family in LA, beginning with a trip to the Getty Malibu. Come back next week and I’ll tell you all about it.

DESTINATIONS, Restaurants & Bars, Road Trips, TRAVEL, United States

The Upper Crust in San Luis Obispo

January 14, 2015August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

TRAVEL THERE: THE UPPER CRUST TRATTORIA IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA

No, I’m not talking about the Central Coast‘s social elite. The Upper Crust is a great little Italian Restaurant on Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obispo.

LOVE AT FIRST BITE

One thing led to another. After I moved to the San Luis Obispo area I researched churches and discovered Grace Church in SLO. At Grace Church, I met Marilyn, who invited me to Bible Study. After Bible Study we went to the Upper Crust. All three of these were pivotal events. Grace Church and Marilyn were foundational to my life in SLO and Upper Crust was my go-to restaurant.

When we wanted pasta, we’d go to Upper Crust. When we wanted a pizza, we’d go to Upper Crust. If we wanted a a salad, a quick bite, a romantic meal, a glass of wine, to entertain clients, to entertain guests… The bottom line was, we went there a lot. Since this was beach country, we went to seafood restaurants quite often too, but for everything else, it was Upper Crust.

THREE WORDS – RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE SALAD

The pizza was good. Their pasta was great. The Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad – to die for. Fresh greens, candied walnuts, out of this world dressing, add chicken if you need protein – OMG. If a had a nickel for every time I ate it, I would at least have enough to buy several more.

I heartily recommend anything on the menu. You can’t go wrong. However, if you leave without someone at the table ordering a Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad, you’ve made a huge mistake. My friend Marilyn always maintained that another place had a better Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad, but she was wrong. In all other things, I thought Marilyn was one of the smartest people I ever had the opportunity to befriend, but she didn’t know her Raspberry Vinaigrette Salads.

CENTRALLY LOCATED

Wherever you live or visit in San Luis Obispo County, no one outside SLO county residents will recognize the name of it. Mention Heart Castle or Cal Poly and some people might say, “Oh yeah” – or you might have to resort to explaining it’s halfway between LA and San Fran. The whole county doesn’t have as many people in it as Garland, a suburb of Dallas.

When I lived there, I sold real estate all over the county and Highway One was the main thoroughfare. The Upper Crust is right off Highway One on Los Osos Valley Road. That was an intersection I passed almost daily for one reason or another, so that made eating there or meeting there that much easier. It also means that wherever you go in the area, you won’t have any trouble including the restaurant in your itinerary.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Do not miss The Upper Crust! If you’re driving between LA and San Fran, it is just about halfway and it is worth the stop.

From SLO we drove on to LA. I’ll tell you about that next week.

Attractions, DESTINATIONS, Road Trips, TRAVEL, United States

Montana de Oro

January 7, 2015August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

MONTANA DE ORO STATE PARK IN LOS OSOS, CALIFORNIA

Though few people actually know it exists, no trip to the Central Coast of California would be complete without a visit to Montana de Oro.

WHY HAVEN’T YOU HEARD OF MONTANA DE ORO?

This is a question I ask a lot. Sure, I love Moonstone Beach and it’s just around the corner from Hearst Castle, but Montana de Oro is only about an hour away. So, why aren’t the tour buses going there? In many ways, Montana de Oro is much more spectacular. It doesn’t have the B&B’s or restaurants, but that’s part of what makes it so marvelous.

I think California is trying to hide it from the rest of the world. Google Montana de Oro and check out the California State Parks Website. You get a picture of a few people on horseback. If I was trying to decide if the park was somewhere I wanted to visit, the page wouldn’t get me there. With a little persistence I found a brochure on the site which made the place a little more desirable, but nothing they show or tell you says, “HELLO! THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SPOTS ON EARTH!”

So I’m telling you – THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SPOTS ON EARTH!

EXCUSE THE BORROWED PHOTOGRAPH

I have gorgeous pictures of Montana de Oro, but they are all pre-digital and they are all packed away. Please go Wikipedia and enjoy the rest of what they have to say about this gorgeous stretch of the California Central Coast. I’ll leave the history of the park to them and just tell you about my love affair with Montana de Oro.

HOW WE GOT THERE

The way in which we decided we wanted to live in San Luis Obispo County is a very long story that includes a visit to the Red Lobster at LBJ and Greenville Avenue in Dallas. On our maiden trip to the Central Coast we somehow hooked up with a Morro Bay real estate agent who I can’t even find on the internet now. They took us to see a couple of available houses out in Los Osos and then said we should see Montana de Oro. They loved the park so much, they actually drove us out there themselves.

That trip to the Central Coast was actually just an exploratory visit, but once Bill saw Montana de Oro, the exploration was over. We started looking, in earnest, for a lot to build on. We found the lot and made the offer on our way out of town. We set a moving date without even having a place to live.

Back in Dallas, with an accepted offer in hand, we needed a place to live while the house was being built. It was a no-brainer. Since we didn’t buy the lot in Cabrillo Estates, we decided we’d enjoy living there while the house was built. We rented a house sight unseen.

I very vividly remember walking into that rental house. We unlocked the front door and the view was so gorgeous my knees almost buckled. I sat down on a step into the den in utter amazement. You could see all the way from Montana de Oro to the Morro Rock. My amazement continued for the next three years. Yes, I said three years. That’s how long it took us to build that house in Pismo Beach.

As astounding as my first sight of that view was, it was only the beginning. Imagine the same view with about fifteen deer grazing in the backyard or with a family of quail strutting from one side of the yard to the other. I can sincerely say that living with that view is one of my favorite things about my life so far – even if it was in California.

DAILY VISITS?

We didn’t actually make daily visits to Montana de Oro while we lived in Los Osos, but we were there a lot. We’d pass the entrance sign and roll down the windows to smell the eucalyptus trees. Seems as if there was some good reason they’d transplanted the trees to the area, but I’ve forgotten it. I just know they smelled great.

We’d drive directly to Spooner’s Cove for the picturesque view. Then we’d walk around the Bluff Trail and let the awe roll in with the crashing waves.

Montana de Oro is pretty well known with Californians who hike and ride horses, but other than that, it’s truly a hidden gem. I never hiked to the peak or rode a horse there, but it’s still one of my favorite places on earth and maybe I’m glad that no one really knows about it – that is except for you and me.

From Montana de Oro we drove into San Luis Obispo to have lunch with some friends at one of our favorite eateries. Come back next week and I’ll tell you about The Upper Crust Trattoria.

Architecture, ART, Attractions, DESTINATIONS, Road Trips, Shopping, TRAVEL, United States

Revisiting Los Osos

December 31, 2014August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

A NOSTALGIC VISIT TO LOS OSOS, CALIFORNIA

Happy New Year! I hope 2015 holds much happiness for you and yours, as well as lots of travel!

Now onto our journey to the West Coast. We called Los Osos home while our house was built in Pismo Beach. In fact, we almost bought a lot in Los Osos rather than Pismo. I wonder what turn our life together would have taken if we’d gambled on that steep outcropping rather than the more sedate hilltop in Pismo.

Sally and The Great Skin Company

One of the first things I did when I moved to Los Osos was join South Bay Women’s Network. I loved that group of women and had the honor of serving in several offices for them – from Historian to President. It’s through SBWN that I met the lovely Sally Brooks and made my way to The Great Skin Company. In Sally I found a wonderful friend and at her salon I enjoyed some of the best facials I’ve ever had. Should you happen to go to the Central Coast, book something at The Great Skin Company and tell Sally I sent you.

On this particular morning, I didn’t have an appointment for a facial, but Sally had arranged for several of my friends from SBWN to drop by for coffee. I loved that the group is still doing great things for the South Bay area. I have to confess that I was proud that my presidential year still holds some record accomplishments, but I was lucky, I was working with an amazing group of women.

Cabrillo Estates

I hugged a lot of necks and loved catching up at Sally’s, but the road was calling. We had lunch plans in San Luis Obispo and things we wanted to see before that.

First we stopped in Cabrillo Estates, a subdivision of homes at the edge of Los Osos. That’s where we hung our hat for a few years. We particularly liked Cabrillo Estates because the streets were all named after heroes of the Alamo. Not sure of the reason, but when we lived there our house was on Bowie Drive.

When we were looking for lots, there was one we loved in Cabrillo Estates, but we ended up choosing a lot in Pismo Beach. The lot in Cabrillo Estates had the most dramatic view by far, but Los Osos is a sleepy little bedroom community, while Pismo was a happening beach town. We chose the beach town, but lived in Los Osos while the house was built.

Looking back, I was much happier in the Los Osos rental house than I was in the luxurious home we built in Pismo Beach. There are many things which contributed to my season of discontent, but I can’t help but wonder how life would have been different if we’d built in Los Osos instead.

The lot in Los Osos was intimidating – virtually a sheer wall cliff to hang a house on. Some one did eventually build a very contemporary home virtually made of glass and it had nearly a three million dollar price tag. Crazy for a house with less than 2000 square feet, but the view, as you can see, is out of this world.

The top of the hill was also for sale when we were looking for lots, but it was an acreage we knew we couldn’t afford. Here’s what they built up there.

From Cabrillo Estates we went to an old favorite, Montana de Oro State Park. Come back next week and I’ll tell you about it.

Accommodations, DESTINATIONS, Restaurants & Bars, Road Trips, TRAVEL, Travel Planning, United States

Fireside Inn at Moonstone Beach

December 24, 2014August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

TRAVEL THERE: PLEASANT STAY AT FIRESTONE INN ON MOONSTONE BAY

Well Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope this is a holiday to remember. I’ll continue with my travelogue.

Fireside Inn at Moonstone Beach in Cambria is now on my list of favorite bed-and-breakfast inns. I think you’d like it, too.

TRIP INTERRUPTED

Several months back I explained how this trip to California went through several permutations before I actually got to take it. Though pretty much everything about the trip changed several times over, I guarded my night on Moonstone Beach with a vengeance. It was one of those experiences that I’d wanted for a long time and I was determined to keep it on the itinerary.

I wasn’t so sure about the accommodations. Though I’ve been doing my booking with Expedia for years, recently I’ve begun to do a lot of research on Trip Advisor. Their reviews seem to resonate with me more than the Expedia crowd’s and I love using the Saved Trips feature for things I want to see while I’m researching. And of course there’s an app, so I can get to the items I’ve saved when I’m out on the road.

There was one small problem with Moonstone Beach. Every single inn sounded perfect. Oh, there was usually one or two people who ranted about smelly rooms or noise or something, but those grumps were sprinkled pretty evenly among my choices. Each time I got online I’d change my mind and Bill wasn’t much help either. Eventually, I chose Fireside Inn, but I have no reasonable explanation for it. I just had to make a decision, so I did.

GREAT ROOMS AND BETTER SERVICE

It was late afternoon, almost evening, when we arrived and the desk clerk made it seem as if he’d just been dying for us to get there. He was friendly in a genuine way, not in a corporate mandate way. He was full of restaurant suggestions and well wishes. He acted like he hoped we’d have a reason to call him so he could visit with us again.

With that kind of reception you want to like your room and we did. It was huge and felt more like a suite. The bathroom had plenty of room for two people and was perfectly appointed. The room itself was down right luxurious. Not in an expensive over the top sort of way, but it made me want to curl up on the sofa in front of the fire.

Speaking of the fireplace, it didn’t work at first, but when I called my friend at the desk he hurried over and jiggled whatever needed to be jiggled. The flame lit right up. My desk clerk fan explained that it would be safe to sleep with the fire going, so we did.

MOONSTONE BAR AND GRILL

Right next door to the Fireside Inn is the Moonstone Bar and Grill. My desk clerk friend endorsed it as a great place for dinner. I remembered having at least one meal there and reviewers had raved about it, so that’s where we had dinner.

The place was jammed and it had been redecorated since our last visit. The menu had also been completely revamped. We were looking to grab a bite and they wanted us to go the full monty. We were tired from driving all day and the noise level was extreme.

So it was not our favorite dining experience of the trip, but I think that had more to do with us than them. The last meal we had there was earlier in the day, so we got to enjoy the view out of the big picture windows overlooking Moonstone Beach. I’m thinking this is a “go-there-for-lunch” place – at least for us.

BACK TO THE ROOM

So after dinner we chilled out by the fire. My only regret about the Fireside Inn is that I only had one night there. I think it deserves at least a three night stay. I lounged on the sofa before the fire jotting down notes from the day. Notes which, by the way, are now packed away in some box while I’m waiting for my house to get finished. I’m writing this from memory rather than my copious notes.

One thing I wanted to be sure everyone understood. This is a casual seaside inn. For me this was a plus – and the rooms are out of this world. However, this is not the Taj Mahal. There’s nothing fancy about the exterior or the hallways. There’s nothing wrong with them either. The lobby is pleasant, but not opulent It’s clear everything is meticulously maintained, but there are no frills. They save the good things for the room and have extreme hospitality instead of Louis XVI antiques.

BREAKFAST WAS AMAZING

We woke up refreshed with the fire still blazing. It was one of those memories that sticks with you long after you’ve forgotten what you ate at that expensive restaurant. We got ready for another day on the road and wandered over to the breakfast room.

What a nice experience! Breakfast was served buffet style, so you could get whatever you wanted. They didn’t have anyone cooking fresh eggs and such, but they did have a fresh pancake machine. I thought that was cool, because most places have a waffle machine. I ate with a growing appetite and everything was delicious.

The room itself is next to the pool and the day was warm enough for them to have the french doors open. Crisp linens covered the tables and I liked the ladderback chairs. Everything felt comfortable and homey. Did I mention the food was delicious?

We climbed in our car and continued down Highway One, exiting at Morro Bay. We were about to wander down memory lane. Come back next week and wander with us.

Attractions, DESTINATIONS, Road Trips, TRAVEL, United States

Magical Moonstone Beach

December 17, 2014August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

Moonstone Beach, Cambria CA — The Sun Sets on a Highway One Road Trip

TRAVEL THERE: A VISIT TO MOONSTONE BEACH IN CAMBRIA, CALIFORNIA

While living on the Central Coast of California, Cambria was one of our favorite places to spend a Sunday afternoon. It’s a cute little village with wonderful shopping and some good places to eat. We thought the best part of Cambria was Moonstone Beach.

TOURISTS GALORE

We aren’t the only ones who like Moonstone Beach. During a stroll on the boardwalk you can hear languages from around the world – and why not? Cambria is right off Highway One, just about halfway between LA and San Francisco. Hearst Castle is virtually around the corner. And Moonstone Beach? Gorgeous.

THE PHOTO DILEMMA

I wish I had a beautiful picture of Moonstone Beach to show you, but I messed up. I didn’t take many pictures on my trip, because I knew I had plenty in my scrapbooks. The problem is that since I took the trip I’ve sold my home and am living in a rental. All my scrapbooks are packed away in boxes waiting for the house we’re building to be completed. So you’ll just have to use your imagination.

Moonstone Beach Drive is a small two-lane street. On one side of the street is a row of some of the cutest little bed-and-breakfast inns you’ve ever seen. On the other side of the road is a rocky beach, protected by gnarled junipers. Between the squatty trees and the rocky beach is the boardwalk. Just off shore, seals bask in the sun atop outcrops of rock. Nearby, otters cavort with one another and seabirds reel in the air. The clean air is scented with salt, pine and just a hint of seaweed. Along the beach you’ll find large pieces of driftwood smoothed by wind and water. Yeah – I love it.

THE OTHER DILEMMA

As I planned this trip, I had visions of getting to our inn in the early afternoon. I thought we might pick up a bottle of wine along the way and relax by the fire. Then just before the sunset, we’d walk over to the beach and stroll along as the sun went down. That’s not how it happened.

We were a little later than I expected getting away from San Francisco. Then we took a little longer than I’d planned on in Monterey. And who could blame us for lingering at Nepenthe and Ragged Edge. As a result we blew into Cambria as the sun was going down. I had to virtually drag a very reluctant husband across the street to capture the last few moments of the setting sun…but you know what – it was worth it.

Though he’d begrudgingly trudged across the street in the gathering darkness, we were in the right place to capture the last glimmer of the sun as it disappeared into the sea. Even he had to admit that it was worth the effort.

Something else totally worth it was our accomodations. Come back next week and I’ll tell you all about it.

Attractions, DESTINATIONS, Restaurants & Bars, Road Trips, Shopping, TRAVEL, United States

Beautiful Big Sur CA

December 10, 2014August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

Nepenthe, Big Sur CA — Sculpture at Nepenthe in Big Sur

BEAUTIFUL BIG SUR

You don’t need me to tell you that Big Sur is a beautiful place to visit. There’s a reason it’s one of the top destinations in California. However, I do need to tell you about a few of my favorite places along the way.

Nepenthe

Nepenthe is at the northern end of Big Sur, a little ways south of Carmel. I have a hard time explaining this place to people. It’s mostly a restaurant, except that it’s not just a restaurant. The view is remarkable and the food is good, but it’s more than that. When I pull off the road and into their parking lot I always feel like I’ve been granted entrance into another world. There are all sorts of legends attached to the place and at least one movie was filmed on site. You just have to go. That’s all that I can say.

A part of the attraction, for me, is the Phoenix Gift Shop. It’s bigger than a mere gift shop or at least it seems that way and they don’t carry your average souvenirs. I’m sure you can buy t-shirts and ball caps with Big Sur splashed all over them, but that’s almost beside the point. They have handcrafted musical instruments, artisan jewelry, lots of books, unique wind chimes and the list goes on. Don’t neglect to go downstairs. That’s where they have the clothes.

I aspire to buy all my clothes at The Phoenix. Everything is handmade, unique, unusual and/or exotic, but none of it is weird. Does that make any sense? It’s the sort of thing that makes people want to ask where it came from, but not for the wrong reasons. It’s all out of my price range – not in the sense of couture pricing, but it costs more than it makes sense for me to spend, when I don’t have any room for anything else in my closet. It’s like if my house burned down, I’d go there with my insurance money to start all over, because most of what I’d buy doesn’t go with what I have.

However, I usually buy something. This trip it was a t-shirt. It had been marked down enough times for me to feel like I stole it. Now that I’m home I love wearing my find. People always comment on it and when I tell them where I bought it, they’re always jealous.

Ragged Point

At the southern end of Big Sur is Ragged Point. It’s sort of an inn/restaurant/gas station/snack shop/photo opportunity. Call it what you will, I always stop. I’m usually in need of a break and Ragged Point has an absolutely jaw-dropping view.

I have eaten at the restaurant, but I didn’t on this trip. It’s been an uneven experience. Great one time, horrid the next. While we were there, someone said it had new ownership/management and was going through a sort of Renaissance, but don’t hold me to that.

There’s a nature trail that wanders down to the edge of a cliff – that’s where your jaw will become unhinged. We sort of stroll down there and back. A nice little break.

San Simeon

Most people go to San Simeon to visit Hearst Castle and that’s a darned good reason to go, but I saw the sprawling estate frequently when I lived on the Central Coast, because everyone who came to town wanted to see it. The tour takes a lot of time and the price of admission discourages casual visits.

Just north of the Hearst Castle is a scenic overlook that looks over more than just sand and sea. Elephant seals have chosen it as their home. They aren’t very pretty and the smell is somewhat foul, but the sight of all the huge animals laying on the beach is pretty amazing.

The Day Draws to a Close

We woke up in San Francisco and at day’s end we were drawing close to Cambria, where we had reservations for the night. Come back next week and I’ll tell you about one of my favorite places in the world: Moonstone Beach.

DESTINATIONS, Restaurants & Bars, Road Trips, TRAVEL, United States

Can You Say Ghiradelli?

December 3, 2014August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

Bill enjoying a Cannery favorite in Monterrey.

Winning and Losing In Monterey’s Cannery Row Restaurants

One of the best things about Cannery Row might just be the food. With twenty-five dining possibilities to choose from, we still struck out – but dessert was delightful!

The Desperation Dilemma

We made a mistake. You shouldn’t wait until you’re starving to pick a place to eat and you certainly shouldn’t make that decision while staring into a Ghiradelli Ice Cream Shop.

We’d stayed too long in the Turkish Bazaar. We wanted a Ghiradelli chocolate shake. We needed to have lunch – but we couldn’t drag ourselves very far from the ice cream shop.

Louie Linguini’s

Yes, we should have eaten seafood. We realized that while we were trying to make up our mind. We even walked over to The Fish Hopper, but it was crowded and loud – and there was a wait. We settled for Louie Linguini’s.

You know me. I can usually find something good about every place we go. Sometimes that’s just not possible. I confess, we went because the price seemed reasonable, there was no waiting list and Ghiradelli was downstairs. Our first clue should have been the lack of a waiting list. People were hanging off the rafters a few feet away at The Fish Hopper. Maybe we thought Louie’s was a rare hidden gem or an undiscovered treasure. It wasn’t. The view was good, but the ambiance was wasn’t. The price would have been reasonable if the food had been better, but it wasn’t. And the service…or should I say, “What service?”

Drowning Our Disappointment in Chocolate

We love Ghiradelli. We love Monterey Bay. We love Cannery Row. Therefore, enjoying a chocolate shake on the Cannery Row Ghiradelli Ice Cream Shop Patio, overlooking Monterey Bay, was like heaven squared. Bill’s happy face in the picture above tells the whole story.

We had one of those vacation moments. You know – where all the hassles of travel melt away and you think, “This is worth the effort.” The day had been a little chilly and grey, but the sun came out long enough for us to enjoy our shake. Someone selling CD’s filled the air with Mayan native flute music. Every where we looked were examples of the local flora and fauna. People were laughing and kids were playing chase. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

Heading on Down the Highway

As much fun as we were having, we needed to get on down the road. We’d already paid for our room on Moonstone Beach and we were at least three hours away. So, we walked back to our car and headed south on Highway One, driving right past Carmel, another favorite of ours on Highway One. There’s never enough time to do everything that you want.

Come back next week and I’ll tell you about some things we did make time for.

Attractions, DESTINATIONS, Road Trips, Shopping, TRAVEL, United States

Cannery Row on Monterey Bay CA

November 26, 2014August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

Shopping Cannery Row,Monterey Bay, Monterey CA — This almost came home with us from Monterey Bay

TRAVEL THERE: CANNERY ROW ON MONTEREY BAY

Monterey Bay is one of my favorite destinations and Cannery Row is one of the reasons. Whatever you like to do, you’ll find ways to entertain yourself.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

If you’ve never been to Cannery Row, then the Aquarium should be at the top of your list. We’ve been many times, but on this visit to the area, we were short on time. Still, you should go, because but kids of all ages (including Baby Boomers and the Greatest Generation) will be fascinated by the amazing exhibits, including the one of a kind otter tank.

The John Steinbeck Factor

Had John Steinbeck never lived in Monterey, it would still be a beautiful place to visit. However, his novel Cannery Row, added to the area’s mystique and helped make it the destination it is today. To completely appreciate the Steinbeck factor, it’s well worth the drive over to Salinas for a visit to the National Steinbeck Center – especially since it’s not far away. In fact, here’s an itinerary you might enjoy for a three-day Steinbeck Immersion Weekend.

Shopping Cannery Row

Two words: Outlet Mall. I love them and Cannery Row has one. It’s called American Tin Cannery and it’s across the street from the Aquarium. But that’s only the beginning. The whole area if rife with shopping opportunities. Truth be told, a lot of these opportunities are just tourist traps filled with junk.

Two shops, Turkish Fine Jewelry and Fine Art Turkish Grand Bazaar, were new to us and they were also exceptions to the tourist trap trend. I know, the names of the shops are less than creative, but OMG what gorgeous things they have inside. I’d give you a link, but they don’t have websites! And I’ll tell you this too: Don’t judge the places by their exteriors. Without Bill I wouldn’t have walked into either one and that would have been my loss.

We stepped into the jewelry store first. The pieces in the window were out-of-this-world gorgeous. GORGEOUS! Not your usual stuff. Exotic, but not so weird you wouldn’t wear it. Frankly, I wanted one of everything I saw in the window, but I knew I couldn’t afford any of them. I was glad Bill wanted to see more, even though we weren’t going to buy anything. The decor of the store is pretty boring compared to what’s in the showcases. What I’m saying is that this is not one of your premiere shopping experiences, but if you’re looking for beautiful jewelry, it’s the right place.

Along one wall they display hand-crafted mosaic chandeliers – jewelry for your home. I’m sure the proprietor could tell we weren’t serious jewelry prospects, but he quickly picked up on the fact that we might buy a chandelier. He and Bill chatted for a bit. That’s how we found out about the Grand Bazaar across the street. It’s owned by the same people.

As I said, the jewelry store was not exactly a premiere shopping destination, but the bazaar looked like a place I would avoid altogether. The front of the store was crowded with cheap imported knick-knacks, but they did have dozens of the beautiful mosaic chandeliers, so in we went. Ignore the chotckies! This place is a treasure trove. Stunning pottery, unique clothing, hand-embroidered boots!! I loved it. Bill got me in there and without his restraining influence I would have broken the bank.

In the end we left empty-handed. Bill couldn’t negotiate the owner down far enough on the chandeliers to justify carrying them all the way back to Dallas and I really didn’t need another pair of boots. But my-oh-my, did I ever want a pair, and about four of the outfits, and several of the plates, and some jewelry, and…well, you get the drift.

(Psssst! Dallasites! Since this trip Bill and I discovered Another Place & Time at The Shops at Legacy in Plano. They don’t much of a website either, but they do have a facebook page and they do have the same kind of gorgeous stuff the Monterey store has, though they’re in no way related. The store has been in the mall for a while now, but it didn’t used to have all this cool stuff. They also just moved off Bishop, but I promise, it will be worth the effort to find them.)

Did Someone Say Lunch?

It’s amazing how long we lingered in the store admiring the chandeliers, but eventually hunger pangs overwhelmed our urge to buy. I’ll tell you about that next week.

Accommodations, DESTINATIONS, Road Trips, TRAVEL, United States

Where to Stay on Monterey Bay

November 19, 2014August 11, 2015 Jane Sadek

TRAVEL THERE; BEST ACCOMMODATIONS ON MONTEREY BAY

Did you miss me? Yes, I know I said I’d be back in a week, but for the last month or so, life has been interesting. I’ll save the details for another post. Now let’s hit the road! The Pacific Coast Highway to be exact.

Heavenly Highway One

This Texas girl wasn’t crazy about life in California. During the six years I lived there, all I wanted to do was move back to Dallas. Now that I hang my hat in the Lone Star State, I do love visiting my old West Coast stomping grounds. Even though I didn’t love living there, I appreciate the scenery – especially on Highway One.

Every mile of the PCH is remarkable, but some miles are more remarkable than others. My favorite bit hugs Monterey Bay. When I lived on the Central Coast we would frequently drive the shorter inland route to Monterey and then return via the glorious Pacific Coast Highway. If we had to, we could make it home in time for bed – but we didn’t always hurry home.

Rooms By The Beach

One of our favorite places to stay back in the day was the Marina Dunes Resort. The resort has changed hands and is now called Sanctuary Beach Resort. The reviews suggest that it’s even better than it used to be. So, if you’re inspired to visit Highway One, Sanctuary Beach Resort would be a good place to start.

We love it because it’s very different from your usual hotel experience. When you check in, you’re assigned your own golf cart. You see, cars aren’t allowed down by the sandy beach where the rooms are. I have fond memories of those golf carts. On bright sunny days they’re a blessing, but they can also be a curse.

One night we arrived quite late and it was cold, rainy and windy. Thankfully we found the logistics of it all hysterical. We were drenched as we loaded the luggage from the car into the golf cart. Then we maneuvered the less than powerful cart through the thick darkness, because lights are frowned upon down at the beach, also. Had it been our first visit, we might have given up and moved to the Holiday Inn, but we knew what was waiting for us.

The rooms at the resort are elegant and comfortable – fireplaces, french doors to the beach and luxurious linens. One of those places where you’re tempted to just live in your room. On the cold, rainy, windy night we were also hungry and the weather discouraged going very far. So, we decided to eat at the hotel’s restaurant, which was all the way back up the hill near registration.

The golf cart almost didn’t make it. It was going so slow that Bill actually got out and pushed, while I kept my foot on the gas and steered. The hotel was all apologies when we finally got to registration and assigned us a new cart. That might have been the same stay where we woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of a beach creature wandering around in our dresser.

If we still love the place, in spite of the faulty golf cart and the midnight invader, you can imagine how wonderful the place is. We’ve also stayed at the Holiday Inn in Seaside, just a few miles from the Sanctuary Beach Resort. The budget accommodations reminded us that you really do get what you pay for.

More Rooms By The Beach

This trip we didn’t stay in Marina or Seaside, because it was too early in the day and we were on a tight schedule – not so tight we couldn’t drop by Cannery Row. We love Cannery Row. Author John Steinbeck made it famous, but I doubt he’d recognize it today. The sardine canning facilities have been “re-purposed” and the whole area has been “re-vitalized”. I’m not sure that re-vitalized is the correct term. Maybe “tourist-ized” would be a better one. Still, we enjoy spending time there.

Our first stop was the grand old Monterey Plaza Hotel. We love this place and we refer people to it all the time. Funny thing is, we never stayed there. We fell in love with the resort in Marina and made it “our” place, but we’ve always promised ourselves that we’re going to correct the oversight.

Monterey Plaza Hotel is right on the bay, but it’s beach is rocky rather than sandy. Of the two resorts, I’d say MPH has the more dramatic views. The rooms aren’t on the beach, they are overlooking the ocean. It’s also a part of Cannery Row, more congested and busy than Marina. Though both hotels give you a great peek at nature, MPH has a lot more wildlife and nightlife. I don’t say any of that to criticize MPH, it’s a great hotel. I’m just trying to give you a feel for the differences.

Here’s my confession – the main reason we dropped into the MPH was to use the restroom. In fact, that’s the only thing we ever do at MPH. We park near by, stroll the the hotel and hang out on the balcony, but so far we’ve never so much as ordered a drink in the bar. Still, we’ve sent them so much business that we don’t even feel guilty.

You Can’t Lose

The bottom line is that you should go visit Monterey and both of these places are wonderful. In fact, you should go and stay at both and then tell me which one you liked best.

After our MPH potty stop we did spend a few hours hanging out on Cannery Row. Come back next week and I’ll tell you about it. I promise – my sabbatical is over and I will be here next week.

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