<p>Ahhhhhh… well, we might be able to afford lunch…</p>
<p>Bookiemom,
Lunch is definitely the way to go at Post Ranch Inn…the price of some of the rooms would buy lunch for an entire freshman class of 100 kids…LOL…I would do lunch and walk the grounds and then stay at a less pricey spot…
Also, I rented a convertible for our trip… Sebring…so there was enough room in trunk for suitcases…definitely worth doing if you are driving down the Coastal Route 1…</p>
<p>MaineParent, well, TheMom, D, and I will be in Cambria for a few days in August. Need to get that nailed down soon. The D wants one of her friends to come along and we’ve got to hit the window after San Francisco Ballet’s summer program is over but before D shifts into “back to Smith” mode.</p>
<p>I, otoh, will be in Boston in about four weeks. Which is where I’ve met my friend from Maine the only time I’ve met her…a <em>long</em> on-line relationship. She’s an Egyptian nautical archeaologist of all things.
At least that’s her degree.</p>
<p>We used to be members of the Aquarium. For $100 2 adults and the kids can go as often as you want. Might check the website, this might be cheaper if you go more than once. They also have a special members line when it is busy. $75 of the $100 is considered tax deductible per the website.</p>
<p>
And she ain’t kiddin’, sometimes it is real busy!</p>
<p>Oh heck, now we can start a competition between the ultrarich (alumother) and the aging hippie (me)…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/[/url]”>http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/</a></p>
<p>H and I were married in Monterey and honeymooned one night in Carmel before making our way south along Hwy 1. Someone mentioned Steinbeck’s East of Eden (set in the Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay area), you might also read his book, Cannery Row. That area was revitalized some years back. I second the suggestion of visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium. If it’s artichoke season, stop by Castroville (just north on Hwy 1) and get some big ones. Carmel, PG (Pacific Grove) and Monterey get foggy and overcast and can be quite chilly in the summer, so bring a light jacket. Just inland a few miles from Carmel is a sunny valley, aptly called Carmel Valley. Carmel Valley Ranch has a gorgeous hotel on a hilltop overlooking this valley and ocean in the distance. My mom lives in Carmel Valley and I don’t get to enjoy the sights as much as I’m required to dine and relax (?) at Chez Mom’s.</p>
<p>TheDad,
well, I wish I had a trip to California in my future, but not too likely…
someone from Maine who is an Egyptian nautical archaeologist… sounds like a job title where you randomly pick words from Column 1, Column 2 and Column 3 to come up with a career. It is definitely fun to use the links to see some of these sites…I have passed Big Sur several times but it was sooo foggy we never saw the view that patient provided with the Nepenthe Big Sur link…phew…just gorgeous I even used their little web cam link to see the view from today… almost felt like I had 3 D glasses on there was such depth in the colors. Maybe it was the aging hippie comment that made me think of 3D glasses? </p>
<p>nice view at end of day…thanks for the link patient…</p>
<p>Post Ranch Inn = paradise!</p>
<p>Hello - I need to right away disabuse anyone of the ultrarich theory. I will tell everyone, I come from a large family fortune, but by the time it got to me other people had had way too much fun for me to be ultrarich. For my family of origin I am the first to be “in trade” in a long time. You got it, I work for a living now. It’s a good living, I’m not complaining, but hey, I just like to <em>look</em> at the Post Ranch Inn website…And I too am an old hippie. Went to college with a bandana on my head and patches on the knees of my jeans.</p>
<p>And macrame belts! And granny skirts and peasant blouses! And huaraches that hurt your feet! And ponchos! And bells hanging on strands of beads! And octagonal wire-rim glasses! And hair EVERYWHERE!</p>
<p>I still love it. :)</p>
<p>And army-navy surplus, tie-dye, VWs.</p>
<p>Every pet I ever had as a kid came from a cardboard box in People’s Park. My mother taught hatha yoga, guitar, & Sanskrit. My Dad was “the man,” a corporate lawyer. So I am a hybrid.</p>
<p>But hippies can like 350 thread count sheets, too. ;)</p>
<p>Actually the Hippie aspect of the Post Ranch Inn (besides the really yummy homemade granola) is the absence of phones, along with the fact that your room is either in a cave or in the trees, like a fort. It is a really deluxe version of the hippie summer camp I attended in for 10 years, up in the Santa Cruz mountains.</p>
<p>Hi, Bookiemom –
I’d also recommend PACIFIC GROVE. For many years, it’s been our family’s August destination, an end-of-the-summer peaceful time together before the school *!@#! starts! 
(Gee, I think it’s starting to show that my last child is almost out of high school!) </p>
<p>We’ve always stayed at the ROSEDALE INN, right across the street from ASILOMAR. You probably know about Asilomar, but in case you don’t, check out one of their websites. Asilomar is part of the California State Park system. It is a 107-acre conference grounds designed by architects, Julie Morgan (who designed Hearst Castle), and John Carl Warnecke (who designed the grave site memorial of JFK), and it is located just across the highway from the Monterey Bay National Marine Life Sanctuary. It’s surrounded by pine trees and beautiful sand dunes. The main lobby is a spectacular example of Arts & Crafts architecture. It has a piano and a big fireplace where guest gather in the evenings. Even in August, it’s chilly in the eves. A good excuse to buy a sweatshirt at the Asilomar store! </p>
<p>There are non-conference rooms available at Asilomar, but oh-my, they are pricey. Let’s face it, everything in that area is going to be pricey. We’ve always stayed at the Rosedale Inn because it is right next door to Asilomar, and the accomodations are less sparse than what Asilomar has to offer. Even when our kids were little tikes, the Rosedale Inn was more comfortable because of the suites: king-size bed, jacuzzi tub w/a phone and a tv in the bathroom :); a pull-out sofa in a large, separate living room; a fireplace; a small, private patio; and a mini fridge/sink area for coffee and snacks. They put out a good Continental breakfast for guests to bring back to their rooms. The managers are always friendly, and we like the bear scultures around the courtyard/parking area. </p>
<p>Our favorite thing to do is to walk across the street through the grounds of Asilomar, stop at the little store for popcorn, and then, walk the boardwalk paths and watch for the famous green “flash” at sunset when the sun sinks just below the horizon. It’s fun, romantic, refreshing, and a big spiritual shot in the arm. </p>
<p>We like to have dinner at the FISHWIFE Restaurant, which is just down the road from the Rosedale and Asilomar. A ten-minute walk. Casual, yummy seafood. Stuffed pillows that look like big, tropical fish. You’ll need to make reservations. ;)</p>
<p>There are a lot of fun things to do in town. Just park your car on LIGHTHOUSE AVE and start walking. There’s a good bookstore and some great shops along the way. In fact, there is a walking tour that will take you down Lighthouse past the historic buildings, including the Gosby House and the Hart Mansion, two of the beautiful, old Victorians in town. Go down a few blocks to Forest & Central (I think), and visit the PACIFIC GROVE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, a great little local museum, well worth an hour or two. It has a lifesize, whale sculpture out in front. Admission if free, and it’s open Tues - Sat.</p>
<p>In Monterey, we like to eat at THE GRILL AT LOVER’S POINT. It’s not fancy, but it’s a nice place for lunch. Can’t beat the view of the ocean, and it’s in a touristy area, so expect lots of humans. A lot of newlyweds like to have their pictures taken at Lover’s Point, and there are a lot of seals and otters to look at while you’re having lunch. </p>
<p>Once you’re in that area, you’re really in the heart of Montery, close to CANNERY ROW and the MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM. Cannery Row is mostly tourist traps, but lots of fun if you’re in the mood for a kitschy-touristy day. There’s a fun wax museum and Bubba’s Shrimp place is there, too. We like Bubba’s for a fun, casual place to cool our heels and have lunch. A good souvenir: a stuffed shrimp from Bubba’s. :p</p>
<p>Somebody already mentioned that the aquarium is crowded, so get there early for tickets. It’s expensive, too. We’ve been there a few times, but honestly, the crowds take the enjoyment out of it for me. The otter tank is pretty neat, but if you don’t want to spend a buttload of money and end up exhausted and cranky, go explore some of the other places in and around Monterey and Pacific Grove.</p>
<p>Be sure to make time for the 17-MILE DRIVE and see the beautiful Cypress trees that grow at the top of the cliffs. Movie stars’ houses are hidden back along the drive. Don’t miss seeing the PEBBLE BEACH GOLF COURSE. We’ve never been in there (too rich for our blood & we’re lousy golfers), but we’ve seen it from Asilomar. If you walk down to the beach from Asilomar, you can explore the tide pools. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a starfish. A couple of hours walking along the beach will get you a pretty good sunburn, so wear sunscreen, even if it’s a cloudy day.</p>
<p>RELAX and have a great time!</p>
<p>I don’t know if you can still do this but when I was growing up I was able to ride my horse on bridle paths that run in and amongst the golf course (Warning: there was a $5 per hoof-print penalty for riding on the greens.) You could ride through woods all the way to the beach, following a “cross country” course, and then ride along the beach & out to the sand. Absolutely spectacular scenery.</p>
<p>If they have stables there still that might be a fun thing to do.</p>
<p>SBMom, the Post Ranch Inn a luxury hippie treehouse. Must be why I liked it so much. A college friend sent me there for my 40th birthday several <em>ahem</em> years ago. It was wonderful.</p>
<p>Check out Point Lobos state park. IMHO, one of the most glorious places in the world.</p>
<p>Our family is traveling to SF for a ten day vacation. Currently we have 2 nights booked at the Pacific Hotel in Monterrey. Would we be better off staying in Pacific Grove? Thanks!</p>
<p>Depends on the ages of your kids. Young kids will probably be happier in Monterey - the honky tonk can be good fun. Pacific Grove is more serene and more hippie. I don’t know the Pacific Hotel - is it walking distance to the Aquarium?</p>
<p>Heck, some of the people at my party in Pacific Grove last year walked to the Aquarium! It’s not really <em>that</em> far, if the weather’s decent.</p>
<p>Recently spent a weekend in Carmel with a group of people who know it well. We had an excellent dinner at Little Napoli and an even better one at Grazings Restaurant (6th and Mission). It has to be one of the best restaurants in town and there are many great ones. It’s fun to check out the Cypress Inn around cocktail hour - a dog friendly hotel owned by Doris Day. The lobby/ bar is full of people and their dogs enjoying cocktails.</p>