Monterey Bay Aquarium...

[fishrdan]

I'm taking the family to the Monterey Bay Aquarium this summer and wondering how long we should devote to checking out the aquarium? There are 5-6 special programs each day that will eat up some time, but I'm not sure if we can see everything in 1 day, or if we should plan 1.5 days, 2 days, half a day.... I've never been there before, so not sure what there is to see. The kids are 8 and 11 and we will be staying there 2 days, but planning some time at the beach, even if it's cold out (kids don't care about cold water).

Oh yeah, anything else we should see (kid oriented) while in the area.

Thanks!

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Monterey Bay Aquarium...

I haven't been there since the late 80's, so I don't know what they've added since then, but at that time you could spend 3/4 to a full day there easily, depending on your level of interest.

Your kids should love the "touch" tank(s) where you can actually touch and hold some creatures (if they still have them). Everybody loves the sea otters, too. Hope you enjoy your visit. I have heard the MBA is now one of the better aquariums in the country.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Monterey Bay Aquarium...

I haven't been there since the 1970's when I was in the Navy, but I think one day should do it for the Aquarium, but there's lots around the area.

The Monterey Bay Dock/Marina area has nice food places on the pier, right on the water, offering catch of the day. You could get a Prawn Burger. It was one Prawn (giant shrimp) on a bun - it had more meat than a quarter pounder! Back in the 70's there were jugglers and an organ grinder with a monkey. If you tossed the monkey a penny, he would give you the finger!

The pier/jetty area has lots of Sea Lions and Otters. It looks like Alaska or something. Me and my (now) wife were looking at them, thinking "Awww, look at the little Sea Lion" Then the little baby sea lion rolled over on his back, and revealed a boner about 1/2 his size! We cracked up! Very educational for the kids.

If you're checking out the beach, check out Carmel Beach. It has a small parking lot right next to the beach. Very picturesque.

If you're careful, a bit south of there are some cool spots. In the Big Sur area, there is a really picturesque bridge you drive over, spanning a huge drop off. Just a bit north of that bridge, pull over and park. You should find several foot paths through the iceplant leading to the beach. Poke around and you can find your own private, secluded beach surrounded by rocks and such. Low tide reveals octupus and other oddities.

 

[mscher]

Re: Monterey Bay Aquarium...

Check out Pebble Beach and then drive 17 mile road, Pacific Coast Highway and see the Lone Cypress.

Beautiful area.

They used to have a reasonable priced deep sea fishing excursion boat, that was great fun, near Fishermans Pier.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Monterey Bay Aquarium...

Right! I totally forgot about 17 mile drive. On the North-ish side of Monetery. It runs right along the ocean, very twisty and turney. Pebble Beach Golf Course on one side, cliffs and ocean on the other.

I really wouldn't bother tracking down that Lone Cyprus. The "Lone Cyprus" is an extremely famous photo of a single twisty tree at the beach on a cliff side. The actual tree (in 1978) had a fence around it, and wires attached to it to keep tourists off and to keep it from falling off the cliff. Big Sur and Carmel Beach and anything along 17 mile drive have Cyprus Trees just as picturesque.

If you're in the area when a big golf tourney is going on, like the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in the spring, you will see the Goodyear Blimp puttering about overhead.

This was my best Navy post, ever.


One thing I remember. Even in August, that ocean water was friggin cold.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Monterey Bay Aquarium...

Thanks for the replies! We are taking the PCH/route 1 up from Morro Bay, so the kiddies should get a good view of the ocean for a couple hours. This will be the first time they have seen the ocean, that they can remember. 17 mile drive sounds cool, I think I drove that a loooong time ago. I've been to Monterey before, but never had time to see anything. We will be hitting the wharf and stopping by the Fishermans Grotto for a couple meals, love the chowder at that place.

They used to have a reasonable priced deep sea fishing excursion boat, that was great fun, near Fishermans Pier.

Ohhh, I only wished. I'm not getting away with fishing on this trip...

 

[jdlough]

Re: Monterey Bay Aquarium...

A couple dozen miles south of Monterey, at Big Sur. That big, short, tall arch bridge. It might not look like much if you're just driving over and not paying attention. All the interesting stuff is hundreds of feet below the road surface. I'm pretty sure it has a pull off on the north side.

Stop to stretch your legs. It's a several hundred foot drop down to the beach. Kids will be impressed.

 

[Stephenatx]

Re: Monterey Bay Aquarium...

I think they have boats you can go out on for whale watching.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Monterey Bay Aquarium...

That big, short, tall arch bridge.

LOL... I was "virtual driving" on google earth looking for that bridge and pointing out all the bridges to my wife.

Hey Honey...
What!?! Another bridge...

I saw several pull offs going under several of those bridges and they are on the possible to-do list. We are thinking of Hearst Castle (maybe, maybe not) but the beach and pier there looks interesting, good place for lunch and let the kids run around.