Monterey is our next stop in the US. If you travel along the west coast of america a MUST SEE is the highway one. The journey is the destination. This saying comes true if you have traveled along this magnificent coast. First I really thought that I would hate it.Sitting in a car – the whole day – two hole days – while it is sunny outside. I was so wrong!
I went to Japan, Thailand, Russia, most of Europe and Kazakhstan in my live. And this coast view was one of the most amazing experiences. The view on the way from San Francisco to Monterrey is nice. And it gets only better until L.A.
The drive alone should take you about 3-4 hours. Make a day out of it. Stop where you can and take an extra day in Monterey. On your way you can find a beautiful (but expensive) café with a great gift shop. There are signs everywhere (you can´t miss it). Have a look…
Monterey is a historic American town which was the capital of Alta California under Spain and Mexico and a famous vacation spot for Americans, foreigners and even some Hollywood stars.
I didn´t like the historic district of the town, which was somehow boring. But a little, cute and free bus can take you to the industrial district Cannery Row where large canneries where operated and packing sardines until the 1950s. You can find the Aquarium of Monterey there, which might be the most famous attraction in Monterey. And again the entrance fee is about 50$. We didn´t go inside, but we had still a great day eating a lot of fish..:
I read a great article about Marilyn Monroe in a journal while I was in Monterey. This small city used to be one of her favorite vacation spots. I used the pictures to remember our trip and created a small collage – all in the DIY spirit. ART is also big in Monterey. They have a lot great galleries…if you want to spend some money 😉
Here are some practical tips for your Monterey trip:
-The weather might still not be so good in Monterey so think about what you want to do there if you can´t go to the beach: Do you like Art, when is the famous Jazz festival, do you want to spend 50$ on the Aquarium or do you want to go to another Fisherman´s Wharf?
If the answer is either, maybe just cancel your hotel last minute on booking.com and have a longer drive in order to spend more time at Santa Barbara for example.
-Be flexible..between Monterey and Santa Barbara even the motel get really expensive, maybe it´s best to get something outside these city´s…we for example had a stop at the motel One in Santa Maria, where there is really NOTHING to see, but a lot of other smart tourists:)
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