inspired
Carmel-By-The-Sea This small beachside city is known for it’s scenic ocean views and art galleries galore. I’m not surprised countless films and television shows have used Carmel as their backdrop. It’s gorgeous and charming to say the least. Make sure not to miss it when …
The city of Monterey is a popular weekend getaway for those living in Northern California. However, the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium attracts visitors from all over. Possibly because it’s the best aquarium in the world! And I’ve heard this said by an oceanography professor, so it must be true.
Activities & Sightseeing
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is “your window to the wonders of the ocean.” There are so many cool exhibits that you could never be bored here. I’ve noticed the favorites among many visitors are the sea otter and jelly fish exhibits. The Kelp Forest is my personal favorite because I feel like I’m at the bottom of the ocean with all the sea creatures around me.
This is the only aquarium I’ve been to twice and would go for a third time in a heartbeat. If you are in Monterey, you HAVE TO go to the aquarium. It would be a crime not to.
Something that I have yet to do in Monterey Bay, but is also very popular, is whale watching. A variety of whales swim through the Monterey Bay year round.
Peak seasons:
Humpbacks and blue whales are July and August
Gray whales are January and March
Killer whales are April-May and August-October
A lot of people are really into whale watching so I decided it’s important to include even if I haven’t done it here myself. My mothers friend actually goes whale watching in Monterey Bay every weekend! I don’t think I’ve ever loved something as much as she loves whale watching to be honest. But it must be spectacular to be spending the time and money to go every week.
Dining & Shopping
After you’re done staring at aquatic animals for a few hours, you may want to grab something to eat. Perhaps some seafood?
There are plenty of restaurants at Old Fisherman’s Wharf and on Cannery Row that have amazing seafood. If you want something that’s a bit upscale with great views of the bay, I would recommend The Fish Hopper.
Something a bit more affordable but still popular is Bubba Gump Shrimp. It’s also right on the water with outdoor seating.
My friend highly recommends the clam chowder bread bowls from Old Fisherman’s Grotto. It’s a great restaurant to go to after whale watching since it’s right on Fisherman’s Wharf.
If Cannery Row didn’t provide you with enough food and shopping, the Del Monte Shopping Center is a good place to go. It’s ideal if you are visiting from another country and want to shop in some popular American stores.
Hotel
The hotel we stayed in was the Stage Coach Lodge. It was nicer than I was expecting for the price!
→Very affordable rates
→The rooms were clean and well decorated.
→I loved that each door had a unique name that were places in the area. If guests aren’t sure what to see/do in Monterey Bay, they can walk down the hall looking at all the door!
→Another plus, it was a short drive from the main attractions!
I hope you enjoyed looking through my small list of things to do in Monterey Bay. Next week I’ll be sharing even more photos from some nearby towns. Can you guess what they are? 😉
-Ayla♥
If you’re not from the Bay Area, or have been living under a rock your whole life, the Conservatory of Flowers is a greenhouse located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park filled with rare and unusual tropical plants and holds special exhibits. I went during …
Castello di Amorosa, or Castle of Love, was chosen as one of the 10 most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley by NapaValley.com. It’s an authentic take on the 13th century Tuscan-style castles but was built from 1994 until its completion in 2007. You may remember a …
Ah, the famous Alaska Cruise. It seems inevitable for every American. Everyone I’ve spoken to who religiously cruises has been on an Alaska cruise. Sometimes even a hand full of times. I don’t blame them. It’s close to home (if you’re American) and the views from sea are just as beautiful as the views on land.
I was worried about going on this cruise at first because I have seen Titanic so many times. When my parents told me we were going on a cruise where ICE will be ALL AROUND us, I was sure we were going to sink like the Titanic. Maybe even quicker than the Titanic. It is a smaller ship and all.
The cruise I took was the Norwegian Pearl, but there are a few different cruise lines that go on this same trip. They do vary in days and ports slightly.
Cruise Ports
Seattle, Washington (EMBARK)
At Sea
Juneau, Alaska
Skagway, Alaska
Glacier Bay (Cruising)
Ketchikan, Alaska
Victoria, British Columbia
Seattle, Washington (DISEMBARK)
Juneau
The first must see spot in Juneau, Alaska, is the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. It’s a large moving river of ice that you can stand right beside as the ice drifts past you. Some people even go into the caves of the glacier and walk around inside!
I love how you can see different shades of blue on each layer of this glacier.
Glacier Gardens Rainforest is a unique Alaskan gardens with beautiful flower covered trees and plants in the shape of hearts. My photos, unfortunately, do not do these gardens justice. A majority of my pictures had my family in them or were too blurry and exposed to post. Our little digital cameras may have been acting strange due to the moister in the air or freezing cold temperatures they were exposed to. If you are curious to see how beautiful this place really is, check out their website or do a quick google search.
Skagway
The most popular excursion in Skagway is the White Pass Railway. It’s a 40 mile roundtrip journey on the narrow-gauge railroad to the Klondike. I highly recommend it for train lovers or those looking for an easy but breathtaking activity. The views from the train were beautiful (and a little frightening when were on bridges or narrow cliffs). For the people that like more physical or thrilling excursions, there are many different options for them in and around Skagway.
Glacier Bay
This is technically a sea day but the cruise sails through some of the 3.3 million acres of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It’s worth stepping outside to enjoy. Make sure you walk around to both sides or stand in the back so you don’t miss some stunning views.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan was a shorter port stop but we did have time to walk around and go inside of shops near the port after an excursion. I greatly enjoy the experience of shopping in small towns. The history and Native American culture made Ketchikan even more interesting. Try to visit Totem Bright State Park and Tongass National Rainforest if you make a stop here.
Victoria
Victoria is one of my favorite places in Canada because of its British feel and historic charm. While we were in Victoria, we went on a highlights of Victoria tour and visited Craigdarroch Castle. The castle was built in the 1800s by Robert Dunsmuir and it felt like I stepped back in time as I walked through the rooms. I’m also convinced spirits are still occupying the castle because the photos of every room (on two different cameras) had orbs in them. It was actually difficult for me to find pictures without orbs. You’d think I bokehed my photos if you saw my camera roll!
Walking around Victoria in the evening felt so magical with all the lights and horse-drawn carriages on the streets.
Seattle
After leaving the cruise, we had some time to kill in Seattle before our flight. I had always wanted to go to Seattle and imagined what it would be like to live there. I actually love the rain and overcast weather which made Seattle seem like a dream location for me. Sunny Los Angeles? No, thank you. Put me in rainy Seattle.
& let’s not forgot the coffee culture in Seattle. Can this place get any better?
Has anyone else been to the Gum Wall and were kinda grossed out? haha
I hope I get an opportunity to return to Seattle at one point and go inside more museums.
I know some of you live in Seattle. What are your favorite places in the Emerald City? Please don’t say the Gum Wall.
-Ayla♥
