Before visiting Monterey I had been told numerous times about its aquarium and beauty. What surprised me most was its size. Charming, world famous, albeit tiny. There is the harbor, Fisherman’s Wharf, a couple of streets packed with shops, boutique hotels & restaurants and the aquarium Monterey is so well known for, beyond these lies a small, mellow, residential town.
Walking along the ocean I came across some seals lounging on rocks close to the shore completely oblivious to the beach goers nearby. Clearly, they feel at home and safe.
About a couple of miles north from the harbor is a very rocky area of the beach called “Lovers Point”. I walked around in vain looking for a placard that would explain the name, so on that cloudy, gloomy day I imagined it must had gotten its name after a tragic romantic story of young forbidden lovers who chose to end their lives off of those cliffs. Later though, I found out the name comes most likely after Mormon settlers who were considered “lovers of Jesus”.
Lovers’ Point ↓
Monterey is very popular with divers, there were some coming out from the water when I was walking by the Coast Guard Pier. Apparently this spot is liked so much because of the quick drop in depth near the shore and the kelp forest which is home to a variety of fish, sea lions, seals, sea otters, and depending on the season, dolphins and whales. Several local companies offer diving courses and certification, lasting from 3 to 5 weeks, with prices starting around $500.
On the coast between Monterey and Carmel lies Pebble Beach, a private enclave of homes circled by a road known as the “17 Mile Drive”. Access to the heavily guarded gated community costs $10 per vehicle and is only payable in cash. There are several vista points set up along the 17 Mile Drive, of which the most famous is probably the Lone Cypress, the almost 250 year old tree perched on the rocky coast, which has become a symbol of this community. Pebble Beach has three golf courses all open to the public, including the Peter Hay Golf Course where the 100th U.S.Open was held in 2000.
“The Lone Cypress” ↓ is not so alone after all, there are some others pretty close to it
Just south of Monterey is the heavenly coastal town of Carmel or Carmel by the Sea. It was at a pit stop along the coast when a very lovely German lady who had been living there for a few decades informed me that the jewel of the area is actually Carmel.
How right she was! It is a place out of a fairytale, the houses here are so unique, it truly felt I had fallen into a storybook. Then there is the beach, oh the beach in Carmel! White sand, crystal clear turquoise water and green rolling hills in the background! Such divine loveliness! The only downside is, it very rarely gets warm enough for sunbathing, with summer temperatures hovering in the low 70s. Still, it is a spectacular spot for a few days of leisure.
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