Visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Our visits up the California Coast are never complete unless we make a stop at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Located in what I like to call my "heaven on earth," The Monterey Bay Aquarium has been recently been named the Best Aquarium in the World by Trip Advisor, the worlds largest travel site.

Besides the beautiful vistas because of its location, both my hubby and I are fond of the Monterey Bay Aquarium because of its rotating special exhibits.

On our recent #UnminivanMoments #CaliforniaGold road-trip, the Monterey Bay Aquarium had recently unveiled their Tentacles Exhibit and still had the Jellies exhibit, which we had seen on our previous trip.

Whereas our previous trip up the California Coast was scheduled for the earlier part of the day, we spent the later part of the day at the Aquarium and saw different sea animals than on our previous trip.

The one thing we did miss this time around was the live feeding. Instead, we got to see the sea otters frolic as they usually do and the giant octopus.

A few other exhibits that are always a favorite of ours include the sea otters and penguins, and of course we always grab a quick bite at the aquarium restaurant. Which, surprisingly, has a big food selection, most sustainable and fresh.

I also noticed, rather we noticed, that later in the day although it seems more crowded, it really isn't. There's less kids and families, and more adults and couples. This environment allowed for, mind you, some romantic gestures without worrying that we'd scare the toddlers. It was actually quite beautiful to see all the handholding as we gazed into the large tanks full of beautiful creatures.

Our afternoon at the Aquarium was only made more beautiful when we walked outside to gaze at the Monterey Bay. Stunning. Absolutely stunning.

We ended our day by taking the shuttle, rather the tram, directly outside the Monterey Bay Aquarium, it was easy to head back to our hotel before getting ready for dinner and after dinner drinks.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Details

886 Cannery Row 
Monterey, CA 

831-648-4888 (information) 
831-648-4800 (main number) 

Hours: Open every day except December 25
Cost: Check current admission prices + add-on tours 

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Peter B's, Monterey's ONLY Award-Winning Brew Pub

Peter B's, Monterey's ONLY Award-Winning Brew Pub

When on vacation, hubby and I tend to gravitate in two directions when choosing restaurants: high end/foodie faire or local dives. We rarely, if ever, dine in the hotel restaurant unless it's for breakfast. 

But on our recent #UnminivanMoments #CaliforniaGold road trip up the California coast, the lovely folks at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey invited us to enjoy after dinner drinks and appetizers at Peter B's brew pub.

A mainstay of the Monterey Peninsula for more than 30 years, Peter B's is recognized for being Monterey's first craft brewery and the 2014 Open Table Diner's Choice Winner. 

The family-friendly pub was recently renovated and added 18 Hi-Def TV's, pool table area, and renovated the outdoors space -which is also dog friendly-.

With Brew Master Kevin Clark and Executive Chef Jason Giles at the helm, Peter B's has developed an extensive menu that goes beyond the traditional bar faire.

Let's first talk about the beer...

Unlike other brew pubs that bottle their bring beer into their establishment, Peter B's brews EVERYTHING on-site; and while many of the fave's are available year round, others, like the absolutely YUMMY Raspberry Ale is only available during, well, raspberry season. So hurry on up, you MUST get it while in season!

Now, for those of you that are a little more adventuresome or like me, not sure what you like, trying a Flight of Beer is a perfect choice! The flight includes six small beer glasses (I'm guessing around 3-4 ounces) selected by Peter B's, or you can select the beer yourself. Price? ONLY $6.50!

While if you know what you like and travel to Monterey often or lets say you live there, another great option is joining the Mug Club. 

This $50 membership (renewed for only $15) includes a personal 25 oz. beer stein that is displayed at Peter B's and yours to use when you come back. You also get discounts off the price of beers as well as exclusive invites to sample new beers and invites to Peter B's monthly Brewer's Dinners and mug club mixers. This is truly an opportunity to mix and mingle with a community of home brewers, beer connoisseurs and enthusiasts.

Now lets talk about the food...

Hotel food, by nature of what it is, is usually never palatable, let alone worthy of a return visit. Then lets talk about pubs, which usually have greasy faire that's basically meant to absorb liquor. Now get this out of your mind before visiting Peter B's.

Their menu is actually quite extensive and welcoming to various tastes. From your mainstay bar food, like cheese sticks, to their dinner and lunch plates, everything on the menu has been recreated with Peter B's gourmet touch. The sauce is seasoned perfectly allowing the flavors of the tomatoes swirl with the flavorful cheese - that is not just your basic mozzarella.

Being only steps away from the ocean, it was quite fitting that we also taste one of my favorite bar foods: fried calamari rings.

Perfection doesn't quite begin to describe the yummy batter that covered these just-fished-today calamari. Crispy, flavorful, and just all around amazing. A MUST TRY whether you stop by for a beer or dinner.

I wasn't excited to try to japaleno poppers. Mostly because they taste the same everywhere I order them. This time? Absolutely not!

The FRESH jalapenos were filled with Mexican cheese (not cream cheese!) and covered in this amazing beer batter and fried to perfection. The jalapenos actually had a crunch while the cheese oozed out.

Life changing I tell ya, life changing!

Peter B's is a MUST STOP next time you're traveling to Monterey. Trust me - you will have an amazing time and eat yummy food while enjoying one of my favorite cities. Or, as I like to call it: Monterey - My heaven on earth.

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Peter B’s Brewpub

2 Portola Plaza
(Behind Portola Hotel & Spa)
Monterey, CA 93940
Direct & Reservations: (831) 649-2699
Email: peterbsbrewpub@portolahotel.com

Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 4:00pm to 11:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Friday – Saturday: 11:00am to 1:00am
Happy Hour Everyday: 4:00pm to 6:30pm

Follow on Twitter:  @peterbsbrewpub
Like on Facebook
Follow on Google+

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Our Visit to Ostrich Land USA

Our Visit to Ostrich Land USA

When planning our #UnminivanMoments #CaliforniaGold road trip up the California Coast, we made a choice, almost immediately, to stop by Ostrich Land USA. I mean, really, who doesn't want to see an ostrich or emu up-close?!

Ostrich Land USA is located near Solvang, off the 101 Freeway in Buellton. It's a great first stop when you’re headed to Solvang or any of the Santa Ynez Valley wineries.

You are greeted by the friendly staff as soon as you arrive, and can poke around the gift shop before your self-guided or staff-guided tour. From ostrich eggs, to ostrich feathers and other ostrich-themed items, it was a kitschy start to our tour.  

Ostrich Land USA is a zoo or wildlife reserve of sorts, that allowed us to get up close and personal with these big birds. The land on which they roam is quite lovely; and seeing them walking about on the plain that resembles their native desert gives you the sense that you are somewhere else other than in the middle of the California Central Coast. 

The highlight of a visit to Ostrich Land is feeding the ostriches and emus. These big birds are a rare and unique sight in this part of the world, so I had no idea how they would react: Trust me when I say this: use two hands to feed the birds and keep the phone away from them - they will try to eat it!

We were also in the right season to meet the newest arrivals to Ostrich Land, baby emu's and ostrich's! O.M.G! Absolutely adorable!!!  

Our tour guide Sonya mentioned that many folks ask to buy the babies - but of course they are not for sale. But you can view them during the summer months. They grow quickly and will be "juveniles" by the time winter arrives.

Before we left, we were also introduced to an outdoor "shop" within the Ostrich Land USA property that sold local fruits, nuts, honey and even ostrich meat. If you are planning on continuing your trip or in the middle of a road-trip like we were, it was a nice place to stock-up on healthy snacks for the road.

We look forward to our next visit and hope that when traveling to California's Central Coast, you make the time to stop by Ostrich Land USA.

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Ostrich Land USA
610 E Highway 246
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-9696

Hours:
Open Daily, 9am to Dusk

Admission:
Age 12 and below: $1 + Ostrich/Emu Food
Age 13 and above: $4 + Ostrich/Emu Food
NOTE: Contact Ostrich Land before planning your visit with 15 or more travelers/tours

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