Monterey Archives - Jen is on a Journey

Itinerary for the Perfect Weekend in Monterey and Carmel by the Sea

June 22, 2016 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Friends and, more recently, strangers have been asking me about where to go and what to do in Monterey and Carmel. They see my social media posts when I’m in the area and know I have some insider knowledge of the fun stuff going on there. In the past few years we’ve made the area a go-to destination for family trips to the beach, a day out wine tasting, or a romantic staycation for my husband and I and have written numerous articles pointing out some of the great parts of the area. I love the opportunity of checking out new spots when we visit but also feel comfort in the familiar as well. Here is an itinerary for the Perfect Weekend in Monterey and Carmel by the Sea that we recently followed.

Friday Evening: Arrive in Carmel by the Sea and check into the Hofsas House hotel. A unique and lovely stay each and every time, we can now count the number of times we’ve visited on two hands. Ocean view rooms with the Dutch doors and patio access are my favorite for that open air feeling with stunning sunsets. Opt in for the wine and cheese package ($30) and have a lovely spread of local goodness when you arrive to curb your hunger pains. Also, with an overnight stay you can grab the Wine Tasting Passports at a discounted rate that will have you within walking distance of over a dozen tasting rooms. After snapping your sunset photo, put on your walking shoes and head a few blocks to Vino Napoli and put those Wine Walk passes to good use! This spot is one of our favorites for great red wine flights and the yummiest meatball lollipops. Remember when you’re walking in Carmel by the Sea, there are no address numbers or street lights. Locations are by street and cross street, and packing a keyring or pocket flashlight at night can be helpful.Saturday Morning: Hofsas House offers a complimentary continental breakfast with your stay, so head to the lobby and get some danish, fruit, yogurt, juice, and coffee. They’ll even prepare a carafe for you with a tray to take back to your room if you prefer to crawl back into bed. Cool mornings beg for lighting the fireplace, so make sure you choose a room with one!Hang out by the heated pool, take some time in the sauna, but when you’re ready for a picnic at the beach I have a great idea for you!

Saturday Afternoon: Grab a blanket or towels, sunscreen, and your swimsuit and head out for some great food and even better views. The 5th Avenue Deli is where you need to go and pick up some delicious dishes for a great afternoon out with just a myriad of items to choose from. Just a couple blocks from the hotel, we decided to drive since we had our arms full of paraphernalia. Wine, soft drinks, water, box lunches, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, meatloaf, salads, a full taco bar, soups, fresh baked goods, local Lula’s Chocolates fare, and so much more fills this jam-packed shop. We literally were in the shop for about 20 minutes before we decided on a boxed lunch (sandwich, chips, soda, fruit, and a cookie) and a hot chorizo burrito, all made to order! The burrito had the right amount of egg to sausage and a perfect spicy kick after each bite. My husband’s “school lunch box” was just what he wanted and we headed to the beach just off 10th Avenue. Parking is free around the area, and it’s a short staircase down to the sand. The view of Pebble Beach and the famous golf course is just to your right and if you’re lucky you’ll see a surfer catch the perfect wave.Back to the hotel to rinse off the sand, then it was time for some more wine and more exercise. We walked to two spots including one new location recently added to the Wine Walk, Paraiso Vineyards, by {Alexander} Smith Family Wines. Off of Ocean between Lincoln and Monte Verde, you need to walk from the street back into the pathways to find it, it’s a hidden gem for sure. A cozy courtyard sits outside the boutique style tasting room with cushioned window benches and a nice bar area. Their 2011 Irie Zinfandel is my favorite and I think I need to get back over there for a bottle sooner than later! A few bottled waters and a good walk to San Carlos and 7th, we arrived at Scheid Tasting Room. It was packed, but we found a two-top table by the window that had us served last at every round, but proved to be the most photogenic place in the house.Their Odd Lot Red wine is an “everything and the kitchen sink” kind of blend of 9 different varietals, and my favorite. Good thing we were doing a lot of walking, we were eating and drinking our way through Carmel by the Sea and we had reservations for dinner coming up next! We catch the beautiful light from our patio and do a quick change of clothes before dinner.

Saturday Evening: 10-15 minute drive from the hotel will have you at Monterey’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf. A few dollars to park and you amble down the wharf past gift shops all the while weaving through the sweet aromas of caramel corn and cotton candy along with seafood and salt water. At the very end of the Wharf, we approach Big Fish Grill.This spot was always known as Rappa’s to me growing up, we’d come here a few times a year for special occasions. The views from the deck or even from the tables inside had you searching for loud sea lions or mysterious jelly fish. I hadn’t been to the wharf in a while, so we were eager to try this spot out. We started with Bang-Bang Shrimp as our appetizer. No kidding there were probably 30 pieces of seafood on that platter and it was SO good. The creamy, spicy aioli had just the punch I love! Something for everyone on the menu, we placed our order of the Crispy Fisherman’s Platter (shrimp, cod, scallops and calamari with fries) and Pasta Primavera (fettuccini, grilled vegetables light cream sauce) and made a mental note we could bring our kids here on a future visit. My husband enjoyed the fried assortment especially the cod! The dish was plentiful, fries not even necessary. We typically share plates, but we wanted to try a little of everything this evening. My pasta was perfection. I think I would have preferred a lighter sauce, or maybe just less of it because the eggplant and squash really held their own.

Sunday Morning: Sleep late because you deserve it! Then grab breakfast down in the lobby and enjoy it by the fire. We crack the blinds to let some light in, but it’s peaceful… Just outside our room day welcomes us and we do have to check out but not before we make plans to hit the 5th Avenue Deli yet again for a different set of goodies! This time a sandwich on sourdough and chips for me, and my husband decides on the tuna salad. Packed in a bag we check out and head on a road trip down the coast.

Sunday Afternoon: We know we have to get home at some point on this day, but we take advantage of how close we live and decide to drive to the Bixby Bridge on Hwy 1 towards Big Sur. We take in a few scenic vistas and enjoy the beauty of California’s Central Coast. We live here, but we often take it for granted. Not today.

We stop to each our lunch and swap a little of both for good measure. It’s so easy just fall in love with that Deli all over again! If you’re visiting in the area, this itinerary is a good one, for more great spots in the Monterey Bay area, read my posts linked here: http://jenisonajourney.com/tag/mbarea.

This post is my 100% our honest opinions despite the hosted press trip. We love where we call home, period!

Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey: Portola Pirates, Loyalty Program for Kids

September 19, 2012 by The Mom Jen 4 Comments

Hotel loyalty programs are nothing new, but it’s not often that a hotel offers a rewards program for kids. Portola Hotel & Spa is leading the way by launching a loyalty program for children—the Portola Pirates Program.

Portola Pirates is a complimentary program providing kids with a fun and educational experience. Children are greeted upon check-in with a pirate themed goodie bag that is complete with pirate-inspired toys and a scavenger hunt map to a hidden treasure. Portola Pirates was created to introduce children to Monterey’s historically-rich culture and the program is inspired by Gaspar de Portola, the late 1700s Spanish explorer after which the hotel’s surrounding area was named.

The Portola Pirates loyalty program offers additional rewards for returning guests. After children experience the Portola Pirates scavenger hunt during their first visit, families will receive complimentary tickets for two children to visit My Museum, a hands-on museum offering a variety of exhibits and activities for young children to explore. During a third visit, families receive a complimentary Portola Pirate t-shirt or sweatshirt. On a fourth visit, Portola Pirate sleeping bags are provided at check-in for children to use throughout their stay and bring home. After a fifth visit, the last leg of the adventure, children win the All-Nighter Pirate Party. Kids can invite up to 10 of their friends under the age of 12 to enjoy this “suite” sleepover (parent supervision required). This experience includes a pirate-themed kids snack buffet, Wii game and other fun amenities. Two connecting guest rooms are available for chaperones.

Portola’s Jacks Restaurant and Peter B’s Brewpub offer an exciting Portola Pirates Kid’s Menu with pirate-inspired items such as MacAAAARRRoni and Cheese, Captain Jack’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Black Beard Pasta and Portola Barnacle Burger. All items are served with a choice of Scallywag Fries or a Jolly Roger Fruit Cup and a Landlubber Root Beer Float or Matey Scoop of Ice Cream. Each item on the Portola Pirates menu costs $4.99 and includes a beverage choice of lemonade, milk, juice, or soda.

Portola Pirates is offered year-round to any and all children up to age 12. For local parents, schools and educational organizations interested in the Portola Pirates children’s program for birthday parties, educational groups, or field trips, please call (831) 649-4511 and ask for Sales or visit the hotel website, http://www.portolahotel.com/.

Central Coast, CA: Top 5 Fun Activities for Kids (and Parents too)

April 5, 2011 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

1. Hike it up

The most well-traveled parents catch their breath when they hike Big Sur cliffs, explore the Point Lobos tide pools or roam the talus caves of Pinnacles National Monument. Kids can teach us a thing or two about the joy of exploring in these natural wonders.
In addition to self-guided nature activities, Monterey County’s parks have plenty of ranger-led excursions that cater to the whole family. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park’s Campfire program runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with multiple ranger-led hikes and walks daily. Tweens can get a taste of independence with hour-long “Junior Ranger” activities, giving Mom and Dad a chance to kick back at the campsite.
Edu-vacation bonus: The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District offers weekend hikes and nature exploration activities designed for kids from tots to teenagers as well as their parents. Introduce your toddler to butterflies in the morning, your tween to the adventure sport of geocacheing on an afternoon exploration, or your teen to owls on a special evening hike. Tweens and teens can even learn basic first aid skills at all-weekend classes.

2. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Who doesn’t like fast cars? Kids will rev up to the auto races, while mom and dad can get up close and personal with the cars of their dreams.
For parents, one of the best elements of a race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is the relaxed atmosphere. Mom and Dad can bring in food and drink for the kids, set up camp chairs on the grass, and have a family picnic while watching the action. Children can also burn off steam with a trip to the playground near turns 5 and 6. For a totally immersive experience, reserve a campsite at the raceway and set up your home away from home.
At many of the races, children will have the opportunity to meet racecar drivers or, at the Red Bull Grand Prix, motorcycle riders. Younger children can participate in family activities in the racetrack infield, while older kids may want to browse the merchant booths and watch the live bands.

3. Down on the Farm

Get dirty. Harvest honey. Pick organic vegetables. The best way to create a memorable experience with children is to get down and dirty alongside them, and several of Monterey County’s farms offer endless options for “quality time.”
The Farm, located in Salinas, is a working farm designed to tell the story of Monterey County’s agricultural heritage. Giant sculptures of farm hands are scattered throughout the fields, illustrating the acts of growing and harvesting food. Families can tour The Farm, meet real farmers, and learn how vegetables are grown. Kids can even visit farm animals such as goats, chickens and rabbits at The Farm’s miniature zoo. Events throughout the year celebrate the seasons with activities and educational events.
Families can also explore gardens from pioneering organic food producers Earthbound Farm. Earthbound Farm’s Carmel Valley Farm Stand is surrounded by the Cut-Your-Own Herb Garden and a Kids’ Garden. Throughout the year, the Farm Stand has activities designed to educate children and their parents about organic farming and gardening. Reward your family after class with delicious local produce, organic ice cream and organic frozen yogurt from the Farm Stand.

4. Monterey Bay Aquarium

We know why this gem is great for children — but the Monterey Bay Aquarium is also a big draw for adults. Parents also giggle with abandon at the sea otters and gasp in awe at the Kelp Forest exhibit while learning a thing or two about our global commitment to ocean life. The family can take turns, first participating in child-focused hands-on activities, then enjoying some of the more tranquil and exotic exhibits.
Meals in the dining room are several cuts above average zoo and aquarium fare; the Monterey Bay Aquarium Restaurant features grownup, sustainable cuisine devised by celebrity chef Cindy Pawlcyn as well as some of Monterey County’s best views of Monterey Bay.

5. For the Love of Wine

In Monterey County, making first-rate wines is a family business — and Monterey’s wineries understand that families involve children. Some wine tasting rooms host play areas, video rooms, and kids activities to ensure the kids are entertained while the adults enjoy a Cabernet or Chardonnay. (The one place children are not allowed, according to California state law: the actual tasting bar.)
In the Cannery Row area, check out Pierce Ranch Vineyards, A Taste of Monterey or Scheid Vineyards. In the Salinas Valley, stop by the Scheid Vineyards tasting room in Greenfield, where kids can play bocce ball as their parents taste on the patio.
Edu-vacation bonus: For an experience as educational as it is delicious, bring the children on a tour of Chateau Julien, where children can learn about the wine making process. Kids can taste grape juice (sometimes even the unfermented juice of wine grapes) and play on the lawn while their parents taste wine. Who knows? You could inspire your child to embark on a career of wine making.

Ready for a trip to the Central Coast? The original version of this article, Top 5 Fun Activities for Kids (and Parents
too)” can be found at http://www.seemonterey.com/tourist-activities/family-adventures/5-fun-
activities-for-kids-and-parents SeeMonterey.com.

Islands Restaurant: Fine Burgers and Drinks. A Dinner Review

January 25, 2011 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Last week we tried a new restaurant. It had me sold at their tagline “fine burgers and drinks.” When you have 3 young children, the extent of our fine dining consists of a drive-thru and not getting out of our car. Please don’t peek in our car windows. About 35 miles away from home in beautiful Monterey, you’ll find Islands Restaurant at the Del Monte Shopping Center. I checked out their menu online and it was perfect for our family, children’s menu to boot. A chain that has restaurants in Arizona, Colorado, Las Vegas, NV, and mostly in Southern California, your first impression is that it’s a place you can relax, yet get top quality food!

The Service
We were greeted with a smile, the host seated us and gave us the name of the waiter (Frank) who’d be serving us. Frank showed up within seconds and let us know he was going to take care of us. Throughout the night he was always checking in, even other servers and the host stopped by to make sure we were enjoying our dinner. It was a weeknight, though the place was pretty crowded, so we were impressed!

The Atmosphere
The restaurant curved around a neatly designed bar area, but it wasn’t loud. Televisions hung around the bar and from two angles from our table and again, not loud or intrusive. Basketball was playing as well as surfing documentaries, so it was visually active. The walls contained the coolest photographic art of beach activities and it was a really comfortable space.

The Food

We started with a quesadilla appetizer. There were enough slices for 4 people with a side of chunky pico de gallo and sour cream. It wasn’t too much so that we’re full before our meal comes. My youngest daughter used most of it as her dinner, she eats like a bird! We were happy to see a kids menu which includes a drink and choice of fries or applesauce and carrots as the side dishes along with all the kid favorites.

For the main course I chose the Baja tacos which are filled with fajita-marinated chicken, peppers and onions. They were amazing. Chicken fajitas are one of my absolute favorites, and the seasoning was perfect. I love the flavor or onions, but I did pull them out of the taco, leaving the meat and the bell peppers in the taco. On the side I had mildly seasoned beans that I stuck right into the taco and added the salsa. I couldn’t eat those fast enough. Choice to get 2 or 3. Two was perfect for me.

My husband got the basic burger, Big Wave with Cheese and it came with fries. It was a man-size burger and it was cooked medium well and he said it was “better than Mission Burger!” which is huge! That’s the place where we had found the best burger locally…until now!! I’ll definitely have to test that claim next time we go. My son had the Jr. Tiki Tenders from the “Gremmie” Menu (little surfer) and he said they were delicious!

Dessert

There’s a small but delicious menu of desserts and smoothies available if your stomach can take it after all that great food! The prices were right for the ice cream sundae ($2.99) and the brownie sundae ($1.99) so we couldn’t pass up ordering one of each. I was in 7th heaven when I took the first taste of the brownie, it was WARM and the contrast of that and the cold vanilla ice cream was divine.

The kids shared the ice cream sundae with 2 scoops of ice cream, chocolate syrup, nuts and a cherry. It was a perfect ending to a fabulous dinner. I was thrilled to learn that our meal was price at just $44 for the four of us (my oldest daughter had dance class). It was reasonable and often our drive-thru meals can cost us up to $30 for the five of us, for low quality food and service.

Next time we’ll remember this place for date night as Monterey is somewhere we go regularly. I’d love to sit in the bar and sip a few cocktails, enjoy a new appetizer and make it a different type of night. Check out their great menu, friend them on Facebook, and find a location near you!

We were given gift cards to pay for our meal. The opinions expressed are our honest tried and true experience.

Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf: Cafe Fina and Dominico’s Restaurant Reviews

September 20, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

For as long as I can remember, the Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, CA was a place we’d go on the weekends to see sea lions, shop like tourists and where my parents would eat fine seafood. As a picky child, I would order burgers and grilled cheese, and I’d look forward to the sweets at the two fabulous candy stores, but now that I’ve extended my palate I love heading to the wharf and taking in the fabulous cuisine of all the restaurants that are there.

Last week my husband and I had the amazing opportunity to dine-around two awarding-winning restaurants that I look forward to sharing with you and venturing back to in the future! Midway down the wharf you will find Cafe Fina, known for it’s homemade pasta and seafood specialties, this restaurant was also made famous on the Food Network when Rachael Ray stopped in and dined on her show $40 a Day! Walking into the restaurant you find a cozy, yet welcoming space with photos on the walls that include Ray and many other celebrities, you immediately know you’re in a great company.

We were taken upstairs to a corner table that overlooked the sunset on the harbor and we were delighted with a sea lion show below and were amazed at the millions of jelly fish visible. It was a Thursday night and the restaurant had quite a crowd, another good sign. We were greeted by the wonderful Roxanne who let us know that we’d be enjoying our first few courses there then would be taken over to Domenico’s across the wharf for our next selections and dessert. Roxanne was a delight, very attentive and full of rich history of the restaurant as well as the food preparation.

We were started with fresh french bread and homemade garlic butter they make in the restaurant, and sadly do not sell. If they had, I’d buy it in bulk, spread on warm bread the scent was pleasantly pungent and the taste creamy and delicious. Soon after our Heirloom Caprese came out, and I was shocked at the size of the home-grown tomatoes! Topped with soft fresh mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, basil, oil and an anchovy, I immediately dipped my bread and soaked up all the goodness before I took to the tomato which was juicy and perfectly ripe. My husband headed straight for the anchovy that was a signature salty touch to this italian favorite.

Knowing much more was coming our way, we held off on too much bread and soon the Mussels arrived. Cooked perfectly, the mussels were tender not chewy and were in a tasty wine and tomato sauce with a kick, perfect for bread dipping as well!

So this ended our visit at Cafe Fina, next we walked across the wharf to Domenico’s and were introduced to James, who gave another fabulous table with a gorgeous night view!

This restaurant has a great bar and lounge area for those wanting to start the night off with a drink, if you’re a sports fan you can also sit on a couch by the fire and watch the game before or after dinner! Both restaurants are so relaxed, you need not be dressed to the nines, but can expect high quality service throughout your evening. My husband ordered some local wine from the gracious Burgess, and our next course was served, Pasta Capri, a Domenico’s original featuring baby bay shrimp, fresh tomatoes, black olives and green onions over linguini in a butter and clam broth. This dish was light but full of flavor with a generous portion of shrimp, and felt like a hearty soup. I will order this dish next time!!

Our last course was something that was new to me. My dad has been making, smoking, and eating salmon for years and I have never had it until this evening. We were treated with the Cedar Plank Wild Sockeye Salmon, which by this time of the evening we were feeling really full from all the fabulous dishes. Cooked directly atop the cedar plank above rosemary and topped with a honey glaze, my first experience with salmon was amazing. The fish was so moist and melted in your mouth. I anticipated a “fishier” flavor, but experience the complete opposite. Lastly, Roxanne returned from the sister restaurant and delighted us with more history of the dessert we were presented, cream puffs, a recipe given to the owners from a local bakery that has since closed.

Our experience could not have been any better, we sampled some of the two restaurant’s best dishes and left satisfied in more ways than one. The service was impeccable and the food was fresh and has made us fans for life. We’re proud to have had the experience and hope you will visit on your next trip to Monterey, CA!

Our meal was compensated in exchange for our tried-and-true experience, thank you David, James, Roxanne, Burgess and the staff of Cafe Fina and Domenico’s.