Naval Postgraduate School / Hotel Del Monte, Monterey, CA

When a cousin can get you access to a military base and allow you to stay on base for the night, you don't ask questions, you get the reservation in. In this case, this "base" is on the old grounds of what was, at the time, a west-coast first. It was the first golf resort available on the west coast and really the precursor to the Pebble Beach type locations up and down the coast today. I'm no expert though, feel free to Google the history of the Hotel Del Monte.

If I have some of my history correct though, this place began in the late 1800's, hosting all manner of celebs, dignitaries, and presidents (4 at last count). In the 19050's, the US Navy decided to move their Naval Post Graduate School from the east coast to the west coast (the Pacific was becoming a much bigger field of operations and the Navy didn't want to be caught off guard). They purchased this property and moved out to it soon after. It is still a working military college/university and also uses the hotel for both military guests as well as their students.

The best part is the whole place basically has an old Hollywood feel to it, but without knowing the right people, you won't get in off the street. In fact, you have to go through a main security gate to get in anyways, so it's not easy to do for Joe Schmoe.

It is an amazing campus and hotel, with simple rooms (no A/C, but you're basically next to the ocean) and amenities, but so much history none of the rest really matters, IMO.

I am told this used to be a full-on swanky pool area, but is now only about a foot deep and considered a "reflecting pond" - lame...

Inside was just as impressive and regal as the grounds...

That's a ceiling, Folks!!!

Stairs to hidden balconies...

And hidden stairs back down to other floors...

Guests have access to their "Trident" bar on base. Great little spot in the basement of the main hall (Hermann Hall)...

And who doesn't love a "mug club"?! They had hundreds of them on the ceiling...

I think you can tell I would go back in a second. Of course, I can't say this to everyone, as you do need to be in the military or have family in the military, but if you get the chance, most certainly go.

Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey, CA

On a recent trip to the peninsula, I managed to luck into their Family Day. That means free entry for all visitors and games for kids. Though I have no family to speak of (of my own) and no kids that I know of, they still let me in.

It is a very nice, modest-sized museum with a number of different artists on display. I'm sure the selection rotates, which is the way to go, IMO.

They had a number of artists and events depicted I'd never heard of before, take a look:

Through out the building, they had curious rooms and walkways, even this interesting (to me) sunlight/window and view of their rafters. Nice place to wander around really...

If you're in town and looking to be indoors for a bit (the sun was getting to be too much the day I went), I would whole-heatedly recommend this little spot.

Visit Northern CA

If you need some reasons to come out to California for a visit, here's an excerpt of a recent email I sent to friends, helping them with ideas for their trip. If any of it perks your interest, we can work on your visit next. It's written in a pretty shorthand method, but I think you'll get the idea.

Hotels

Monterey - Portola, I've stayed once, it's decent in the rooms, much liked because of its location to the wharfs, downtown, and ocean (as in Pacific)

Carmel - Mission Ranch - likely booked up, but could be worth a call, especially if you have time to plan

Monterey - Colton Inn - no frills, but reflected in the prices. You also may not spend a lot of time in the room... too much time sightseeing! 

There are so many hotel rooms in Monterey, it's obscene

Restaurants, all in Monterey (below, for now)

Alvarado Street Brewing - see below.

Mission Ranch - see above. Even for dinner, this place has views for days. They have sheep in a meadow. The crowd does skew older, but that's likely a testament to the place's longevity and hold in the community. They have a piano bar too. I'm not kidding

Revival - like a new hipster ice cream place, but good too

Hula's - I mean, a tiki bar is fun - c'mon!

There's a pretty vibrant modest downtown in Carmel-by-the-Sea too. They have tons of places to stop in and try. Their downtown promenade makes a wonderful and simple afternoon or evening (shops, eats, etc.)

Breweries

Santa Cruz/Soquel - Beer Thirty - I have not been yet, but I do hear people love it

Monty - Alvarado Street Brewing - I very much like the food, solid brews, but sooo many hoppy ones, which I'm not a fan of

Coralitos Brewing - tiny little spot, with a great big front porch. Often has a food truck out front

Watsonville - Wooden Nickel - hole in the wall, but so choice b/c of it. Good food, normal brews on tap

Like most of the US, there are many more breweries all around, most I've never been to yet

Wineries

Morgan Hill - Clois La Chance - I've never been to one yet here/locally, but they all look good/wine-ish. This one is a fave of boss/friend. Most of them have tasting hours F-Su, if not all week.

Hiking/Nature/Etc

Monterey - Monterey Bay Aquarium!! This is a huge draw in the area, and well-worth the trip, IMO. It is pricey, about $50 for an adult ticket, but the money does go to supporting their programs and ocean research... plus the sea otters  

Pacific Grove - This city is next to Monterey (you'd almost not know it's a new town). There's a very simple flower garden walk along the ocean here, I could easily spend an afternoon sitting on or near their beach and walking the coast. They have food and beer near too

17-mile Drive - this is a toll drive along the ocean, from Monterey to Carmel. It's very picturesque and affords opportunities to get out of the car and see the ocean. The price is modest per car. It also "ends" at Pebble Beach Golf Course, which is impressive and has their own fancy restaurant as well. 

Point Lobos - picturesque hiking, I've never been yet, always heard good things, little drive south from Monterey

Carmel City Beach - it's so great! Most of the beaches here can vary in quality by day and by weather. I've never been one to hang out all day and play beach volleyball with my shirt off (insert college buddy name here), but this one is so wide and such a variety of folks, can go at anytime. Sundown is very pretty.

I can do this all day. Let me know if you need more ideas. Bring your sunblock (or buy it when you arrive, TSA be damned).

Revival Ice Cream, Monterey, CA

After a decent length ride on the Monterey Peninsula earlier in the day and a great meal at Alvarado Brewing across the street, I felt I could splurge a little and get some ice cream. I saw both a froyo store and this ice cream store on my walk to dinner, so I made a mental note for after dinner. 

This one looked the most intriguing, and it had a short line out the door. Surely, something must be going on here. I waited patiently in line, with only a t-shirt on in 55 degree weather (my fault), but I think it was worth it. They put out a great retail environment for ice cream, and from what my mouth tasted, a very good product.

They do have a unique take on flavors too, but my tastebuds normally gravitate toward traditional ice cream flavors. When I crave or am buying ice cream, I find I don't often want something that tastes like tea or flowers or even fruit really. I can see the appeal, but it's not for me, broadly. Looking at the menu below, I also axed all flavors that were dairy-free. Why? Well, dairy doesn't bother me and I want the real-deal if I'm buying ice cream. Could I be missing out on an amazing non-dairy ice cream? Possibly, but it's a risk I'm willing to take... Chocolate Praline does keep me up at night though now.

Due to some conversation in line (which helped me forget how cold I was), I was pretty sure I wanted Bee's Knees and a chocolate variant for my double scoop dish (never cones, too inconsistent and slow of an eating experience). So, that's what I got... and I paid an extra $1 to add some waffle cones crumble on top (genius-level!).

Note: They had a "Smoked Chocolate" flavor on the menu while I stood in line, which I would have chosen, but it sold out during the wait and I went with normal Chocolate. I know, boo-hoo.

When I'm back in Monterey, you can bet I'll be heading to Alvarado and Revival again - recommended!