Archives for July, 2009
Posted on Jul 21, 2009 under Archives |
Monterey Bay Aquarium
During my big driving trip to cover a coastal getaway story, I was on my way from Pebble Beach to Half Moon Bay and decided to stop off at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Located on the site of a former cannery on Cannery Row in Monterey, it is the second largest aquarium in the world, holding over 35,000 plants and animals.
I was lucky to visit just after the “Secret Lives of Seahorses” exhibit opened.
Secret Lives of Seahorses exhibit
The exhibit features more than 15 species of seahorses, sea dragons, pipe horses and pipe fish. Here are some pics of the cute creatures:
Baby seahorses
seahorses
The aquarium is huge. My favorite part was a million gallon tank which features one of the largest single-paned windows in th world. On exhibit in the tank are stingrays, jellyfish, otters, giant kelp, sharks and other sealife. Here are a few pics:
one million gallon tank
scary eel
Shark
big orange fish
The aquarium also has a second floor outside terrace area that offers beautiful ocean views.
Outside view
On my way out I caught two animals waiting for their close up – here are pics:
Otter
Penguin
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Cannery Row, 110 miles south of San Francisco, 330 miles north of Los Angeles, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, tickets range from $18 to $30.
Posted on Jul 21, 2009 under Archives |
Hole 7 at the Lodge at Pebble Beach
My stay at Pebble Beach Resorts ended with a visit to the infamous Lodge at Pebble Beach. Golfers around the world plan trips here years in advance just to walk and play on the same greens as legends Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
The entrance to the Lodge is next to the putting green and shops.
Lodge at Pebble Beach putting green
Adjacent to the green is a wall of past winners and history about the resort and course.
history of lodge sign
The Lodge overlooks the famous course and dramatic ocean surf. The 161 luxury suites and rooms feature Jacuzzi tubs, wood-burning fireplaces and oversized baths. The Lodge also offers four restaurants, an equestrian center and a full-service spa and salon. My room was situated in front of the most famous hole in golf, the 18th.
Famous 18th hole
I enjoyed sitting outside on my patio and watching all the golfers enjoy playing on the famous course.
If you can’t afford the steep nightly rate to stay at the Lodge, make a stop on your way up the coast to have a drink or appetizers at the Lodge’s lobby, where arched windows frame magnificent ocean views.
Posted on Jul 08, 2009 under Archives |
17-mile drive
Stretching from its origin in Pacific Grove through the affluent Pebble Beach community, the loopy 17-mile drive winds past wind-swept cypress trees, world-class golf courses, multi-million dollar homes and numerous scenic spots along the forested and rocky Monterey coast. You can get into the drive via five entrances and a $8 per car fee and the drive will take about one hour.
I made quite a few stops on my way from the Inn at Spanish Bay to the Lodge at Pebble Beach.
Cypress Point
Cypress Point, stop 14 on the drive, provides a nice view of the Pacific coastline.
Cypress Point view
Stop 15, Crocker Grove, is a 13-acre nuature reserve housing numerous species of native pine and gnarly cypress, including the Monterey Cypress. The grove is part of the 5,300 Del Monte Forest.
Crocker Grove
Crocker Grove
Crocker Grove
The next stop was 16, the famed Lone Cypress. The twisted tree, believed to be 200 to 300 years old, clings to a rocky point and is one of the most photographed trees in the world. I felt sorry for this little tree, away from the others it must get lonely.
The lonely Lone Cypress
The drive houses some of the most incredible and expensive houses in the world. I found my dream house, below, right before I drove into the gates for a stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach.
my favorite home on 17 mile drive
Posted on Jul 08, 2009 under Archives |
Inn at Spanish Bay
I recently was lucky enough to visit the Pebble Beach Resorts for a golf story I was working on. Pebble Beach Resorts, housing Pebble Beach Golf Links, the mecca of American golf courses, includes three resorts. My first stop was the Inn at Spanish Bay.
Inn at Spanish Bay
The 269-room Inn features views of the Del Monte Forest, famed golf course and Pacific Ocean. Rooms include gas fireplaces, sunken tubs, marble bathrooms and outdoor decks. I particularly liked the four poster bed with comfy down comforter.
Room at Inn at Spanish Bay
The Inn sits along the golf route of the Links at Spanish Bay, a classic 6,821 yard Scottish-style course where almost every hole provides an ocean view. At dusk, a bagpiper strolls the coastal path and guests sit outside patios to listen to the music and see the spectacular sunset.
Bagpiper
The view at sunset from my room was beautiful.
Sunset at Inn at Spanish Bay
In the morning I met PR Director Aven Wright McIntosh for breakfast at the Inn’s Roy’s Restaurant, serving Euro-Asian fare. I had the egg hash and Aven had the blueberry pancakes, pics below, before we set off to view the famous 17-mile drive.
Roy's Restaurant
I had the egg hash, delicious
Aven had the blueberry pancakes