California Travel Agent Expert

California

California has a soul, a laid back, classy & friendly soul. Where you can feel at peace & and find the notes of luxury hidden around every corner. It's an amazing destination.

Monterey County on the central l coast of California bordering the Pacific Ocean and the southern part of Monterey Bay and just two hours south of San Francisco. 

Highyway 1 is a significant road for road-tripping around California, with long stretches and a peaceful freedom that comes with driving and the open road it's amazing to see the surrounding vast land & waters. It's along the coast where you can take in the views & get some amazing snapshots. Big Sur, along the coast, is a rugged mountainous stretch that meets the water and the ocean, and is simply stunning to see. The ocean is beautifully blue like a painting. 

Then you cans see the Bixby Creek Bridge it's the most amazing photo spot around Big Sur. It's simply stunning, and then there is McWay Falls, a beautiful waterfall that drops on to the beach, they have a trail there but, it's been closed for a few years, McWay Falls is a breathtaking hot spot that you just need to see on a trip to California. It's a magical place. Nearby there is a lot to do from hikes, shopping & restaurants. You can find what you need or want on this journey. If time is a constraint, I'd recommend driving and seeing the sites. 

There is a gorgeous patio restaurant on Big Sur, called Nepenthe. The view is unreal. They serve amazing drinks. Their Basket of French Fries is amazing, they make excellent Margaritta's and have great Wine. Their Grilled Chicken Sand-which is amazing yet, healthy option. 

Carmel is an upscale beach town and it's a famous destination for the celebrities. It has a beautiful laid back vibe & there are art galleries everywhere.

Dur Ling Lane Art Gallery is one of my favorites and has once served as an studio to artist Thomas Kinkade. You can see a lot of his artwork displayed here. It's beautiful.

You can, surf, bike, play some volleyball, take walks with your furry family member, & I cant stress this enough surfing here is popular among locals & tourists alike. I enjoyed watching the surfers catch their waves. The views of this place is pure magic.

Carmel & Monterey are right next to each other & you can feel the vibes of each place. Carmel is upscale & has beautiful cottages whereas, Monterey is all about the legacy of the fishing industry & a humble town. 

Fisherman's Wharf, in San Francisco is known for it's seafood stands and bustling atmosphere and marine-time history. There's cotton candy & popcorn stands and it's a family friendly place. Whale watching is a fun activity and it's something I enjoy when I am in the area. Discovery Whale Watch is right there along the pier like area,they take you out on the water to see the whales. You even see the dolphins in the water. It's amazing. You can possibly see Gray Whales & Humpback Whales. I usually get food before I take the tour.

Fishing is fun to do here, there are people that fish off of the pier. Pier 39 is famous for its vocal sea lions and street performers, and there's the Aquarium of the Bay which is a nice Aquarium for families to check out, and I would recommend going because it's fun to see for people of all ages, I thought it was quite charming.

Another Eatery to check out is The Sardine Factory, they are a bar, The Lounge area it's good for drinks and happy hour, & they have a garden like conservatory where you can dine & enjoy an amazing meal. They are very seafood friendly here. The Calamari is so soft and decadent & their sardines are cooked perfectly, It's garlic, tangy & acidic. They even have a berry sorbet delivered to you in an ice swan sculpture for dessert. Their Dungeoness crab is delicious, and their oysters, jumbo prawns and Ahi Ahi tarter is spectacular. This is a place where celebrities have dined like Clint Eastwood, where he has wine stored in his own locked box in the Wine Cellar. 

Carmel Mission Basilica is stunning, the elements of Spanish architecture is simply stunning. The missions system was a chain of religious and colonial settlements along the coast & were founded by the Spanish to spread religion to indigenous peoples. It was built by a Catholic priest and missionary who is laid to rest on the church land. In settlement there are different living quarters, admin, & just unique structures to see. St. Junipero Serra is buried under the sanctuary floor here alongside fellow missionaries.

Not far from the church there is Mission Ranch, a local hotel & seafood restaurant that's in & outdoors set against a beautiful coastal backdrop. You can see meadows & sheep grazing to the beach. I'd recommend getting the ribs, it's one of my favorites. 

Black Bear Diner is All American chain restaurant, with American comfort food. Their portions are amazing & their chicken fried steak is the ultimate comfort food. 

 California is a beautiful unforgettable destination that I love and hold close to my heart.