Our trip to Monterey and the Bay Area!

We recently visited my little brother who is living and working in Silicon Valley.  We spent the weekend in the Monterey Bay area of central California.  Monterey is a city on California’s rugged central coast. We loved exploring the area and it was the perfect little getaway to take with family.

Around every bend is a pretty view of the Monterey Bay.  On our drive to Pebble Beach we stopped at Lover’s Point Park, it wasn’t quite warm enough for a swim, but we definitely want to come back here and stay a while longer.

We decided to take a journey and experience the “17 Mile Drive” from Monterey to Carmel by the Sea. I really enjoyed taking in the amazing views, looking at the homes perched on the cliffs, and watching the sea lions and wildlife that live off the coast.

Pebble Beach Golf Course was one of the stops along the 17 Mile Drive and definitely a highlight.  I just wish Mark was with us (he’s an avid golfer, and this course is definitely on his bucket list).

Hudson had a great time walking along the fence and taking in the views, especially after being in the car for quite some time.  We stopped at the gift shop and picked up some 2019 US Open Memorabilia, and of course that included a gift for Daddy who wasn’t with us!

Along the 17 Mile Drive is a unique stop called “Crocker Grove”.  Behind Hudson and Uncle Adam is the Oldest Monterey Cypress grove in the world!

There was quite a breeze when we visited, and although not officially summer yet, we thought it would be warmer.  The coast of Central California is quite unpredictable, so next time we will bring more sweaters!

The Lone Cypress is one of the most photographed trees in the entire world.  It really was spectacular to see!

Monterey is a 2-3 hour drive from San Francisco, and definitely worth the trip!  Next time when we have longer we will make the drive all the way to Big Sur.  This trip just gave us a little taste of this gorgeous region!

The town of Monterey is super charming and steeped in canning history.  The Monterey Pier is lined with seafood restaurants, all sampling their chowder to tourists on the boardwalk.

We stumbled upon this beautiful succulent garden that had so many different types.  The Monterey Aquarium is apparently one of the best in the world, so next visit this is definitely on our list!

Downtown Monterey had great restaurants and hotels with beautiful little courtyards. We also made a stop in Carmel by the Sea, an absolute gem of a place!  We can’t wait to go back here, as our stay wasn’t long enough to properly explore it.  Carmel Beach was so pretty and there were fairy-tale-like cottages everywhere!

On our way back to San Francisco Airport, we spent the day in Santa Cruz – a city on the central coast known for it’s long pier and vintage rides on their beach boardwalk!

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s vintage rides include the 1911 Looff Carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster. It was so busy and the crowds were a bit much for my liking, but we had fun walking around.

We loved visiting Adam, and Hudson spent some great quality time with his Uncle while he’s here living in California!  We don’t get many palm trees back home, so it’s always nice to see lots of them while in California!

Traveling with a 14 month old to California was great!  He loved taking in the new sights and sounds, and spending time with his mama, uncle, and the grandparents of course!  We can’t wait to go back!

Have you been to the Monterey Bay region of California? What were your favorite spots to visit?

XO, Candice Renee