| There's plenty to do in Monterey California, | | | | souls. There isn't really a single destination that is |
| whether it's going to the Aquarium, taking the | | | | called Big Sur, but to drive through is to |
| 17-mile drive, dining at Fisherman's Wharf, | | | | experience magnificent scenery on a winding road |
| browsing the art galleries in Carmel or walking | | | | between dramatic mountain cliffs and crashing sea |
| along the Pacific Grove shoreline. But if you're | | | | below. There are some very special places to |
| itching to branch out a little and explore some of | | | | dine, such as Nepenthe, which hangs out there on |
| the fabulous central coast offerings nearby, here's | | | | the ocean side of the road. There are several |
| a short list of day trip ideas to start you off. | | | | hiking trails in Big Sur, or you can go |
| 1. Pinnacles National Monument -- East of Soledad, | | | | beachcombing at one of the beaches. |
| which lies south of Salinas on the 101 is this | | | | 5. Wine tasting in Carmel Valley -- If you've had |
| magical place of stunning geographical beauty. | | | | enough of the fog, you'll often find relief by driving |
| Trails wind around bizarre rock formations that | | | | up Carmel Valley Road for about 15 minutes into |
| make you wonder if you're still on planet earth. | | | | (sometimes considerable) warmth and sunshine. |
| Don't forget to bring plenty of water and pack a | | | | Several wine tasting rooms are located in or |
| lunch. Chalone Winery is nearby, in case you want | | | | around this small village. Chateau Julien is a winery |
| to pay them a little wine tasting visit. | | | | with a tasting room found off the road before |
| 2. Point Lobos -- Just south of Carmel is Point | | | | you get into Carmel Valley proper. In the village, |
| Lobos State Reserve. It costs $8 per car, ($4 if | | | | you can visit the tasting rooms of Joullian |
| there is a senior citizen inside) and once in the | | | | Vineyards, Heller Estate, Robert Talbott Vineyards |
| park there are several small lots to choose from. | | | | and Bernardus Winery and Vineyard. If you really |
| From these lots you can access various trails, | | | | want to get away from it all, Galante Vineyards is |
| some inland and others leading to pristine beach | | | | remotely located well inland. |
| coves. | | | | 6. Steinbeck Museum -- Lastly, why not take a |
| 3. Santa Cruz -- Venture north up the coast from | | | | drive into Old Town Salinas and visit the National |
| Monterey and eventually you will be in Santa Cruz. | | | | Steinbeck Center? Inspired by the Salinas Valley |
| The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk boasts a | | | | and its people, John Steinbeck was the Nobel Prize |
| popular oceanfront roller coaster and fun zone, | | | | winning author of works such as "Cannery Row", |
| while the beach has warmer waters than most in | | | | "Tequila Flats" and "Grapes Of Wrath". The |
| Northern California and is popular with surfers. The | | | | museum holds art exhibits, cultural exhibits, a |
| redwoods studded Santa Cruz mountains area | | | | museum store and a café. Additionally, |
| has several wineries you can visit, as well as a | | | | they will soon feature the Valley of the World |
| narrow gauge steam train, which leaves out of | | | | Agricultural History and Education Center. |
| Felton. | | | | Then, when you're done with your excursion out |
| 4. Big Sur -- South of Monterey on Highway 1 is | | | | of town, head on back to Monterey and count |
| the Big Sur area, famous land of artists, writers, | | | | yourself lucky to be visiting one of the best |
| nature lovers, photographers and other solitary | | | | places on earth: the California central coast. |