Tags
Big Sur, Fish Hopper, Ghirardelli, Monterey, Monterey Bay, Photography, San Francisco, Sand Dabs, travel
We left San Francisco early morning, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and headed south, along the most beautiful coastal road through Big Sur and towards Monterey. The 129 miles took about 21/2 hours with perfect photo stops along the way. The scenery was simply stunning.
The city of Monterey in Monterey County is on the southern edge of Monterey Bay in California. Monterey Peninsula and its beautiful bay surrounding is a great place to visit year-round. There is lots to do and see, and great reasonably-priced restaurants. Monterey Bay itself is a beautiful location with lots of craggy rock formations, nice sandy beach at the Coast Guard jetty, and beautiful deep blue water. This really is a wonderful intersection of land, sea and sky.
We arrived in time to explore some of the shops on Fisherman’s Wharf before stopping for lunch. Fisherman’s Wharf is an historic wharf lined with many restaurants ranging from casual, open-air clam bars, to formal indoor dining with views of the bay.
There is a good choice of restaurants however we chose the Fish Hopper Restaurant which is within walking distance to the Aquarium and main part of the town. Part of the restaurant juts out in to the bay but there are great views of Monterey Bay from almost every table. When I first saw the Fish Hopper, I did not have high hopes as it looked very touristy and maybe it is, but oh man! Fantastic with friendly staff and excellent customer service, so don’t let the appearances fool you…this place is super and I highly recommend it for anybody visiting Monterey.
We chose the Sanddabs – Fresh Filets of fish, which are breaded and grilled and topped with Diced Tomatoes and Light Basil Sauce. The meals were excellent and so was the glass of Pinot Grigio which went down very nicely.
We decided not to have dessert here and left for a wander around the wharf in search of the “dessert” place.
It did not take long for us to find and decide where to enjoy dessert. Ice cream on the Bay, at Ghirardelli. Ghirardelli chocolate and ice cream in the states is super famous. The shop in San Francisco was always very busy with ridiculously long lines of people waiting to be served. We were delighted to find this store in Monterey and get almost instant service.
They have many different kinds of ice cream fixed different ways. There is seating inside and out with once again those amazing views of the bay.
Not long after our ice cream it was time to head off.
Visiting Monterey was a wish for me since my days of living in Hawaii – I was not disappointed.
Great town.
What a wonderous place. Looks so nice and so did that ice cream yum.
Thanks again for sharing x
Thanks Donna, it was another great day. and yes the ice cream was excellent xx
Beautiful coastal scenery and an icecream to boot. What a way to go!!!!!!!yum!!!!!!!
Thanks Gail, it was pretty awesome
I’ve been to Monterey since it is next to Carmel. I had an aunt who was a nun at the Carmelite Monastery. It is right off the ocean highway and a bit secluded. Lovely ocean views.
Thanks Susan, I was happy to finally visit it
Sand dabs followed by Ghiradelli ice cream sounds wonderful! Beautiful pictures of Monterey!
Yes thanks Linda it was wonderful On 23/11/2015 5:55 PM, “Travelling Italy with Lyn” wrote:
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Well I love this blog reminds me of so many years ago thank you Lyn you have done it again. Xx
Thanks Leah, happy to rekindle your memories. It will certainly be a lovely memory for me for a very long time xx
The PCH is such an awesome drive! I did it way back in the 80’s. From San Francisco to San Diego (with overnites along the way of course) but it is just stunning – especially around Big Sur and Carmel. I do remember how long it takes because there is something more beautiful around every turn to take a photo of. It is something I would like to do again. So glad you got the chance to do it and enjoyed it.
Great photos!!
Yes Rae, I am so so pleased that I finally got there. I will always have wonderful memories, such a gorgeous area.
Monterey is such an interesting little town, I’m glad you got to see it. Our recent Panama Canal cruise stopped in there on the way down the coast from San Francisco and we enjoyed visiting there too.
Yes thanks, I am also glad. It was a wish for a very long time.
we loved Monterey and Carmel, visited during our road trip last Summer and only regret we had only booked one night and could,’t stay longer!
I am also sorry that I did not spend longer there as I will probably never have the chance to return. Anyhow, I am so happy that I did see the area as I loved it forever before I even saw it.