California - To the Coast Part 1

While on our trip to California we took the kids on a day trip to Monterrey then stayed in a hotel half way between Monterrey and Santa Cruz on the way back.  Jones loved staying at the hotel because pool and just lots of things to explore.

In Monterrey we hit the aquarium, I am all for these types of places but I must say at $50 for adults I would have skipped this if we went again because seeing the wildlife in the wild was just as fun to Jones and I actually enjoy that better.  But it was overcast and foggy when we got to Monterey so it gave some time for the haze to burn off while we toured the aquarium.

Jones liked the otters the best, well that and the little kid play areas.  Thea she just wanted to be carried so she could see things and stuff. 

After some quick lunch at what proved to be an overpriced so so taco place we went to see the sea lions on the coast guard pier.  Jones loved this he was so excited to watch them however we wished we had brought the stroller because he needed carried on the way back.  

We stopped at the beach and stuck our toes in the ocean Jones was so excited for this right up until his feet were mushing in the sand and then he was a not so amused.  Thea she slept thru it!

He did like picking up the sand however and was thrilled with seagulls.

As the kids napped we headed up the coastline to our hotel it's a beautiful drive along route 1.  We stopped at Swanton Berry farm and bought strawberries and stretched our legs it was actually a good pit stop with the kids even there was a groundhog that entertained us and the cutout strawberry for entertainment, as well as a little vintage you area inside.

And we also saw Pigeon Point Lighthouse.  It was a gorgeous day by the lighthouse we even saw a surf off the rocks nearby.

And then we hit our hotel, ordered pizza and took a dip in the heated pool, we had the place to ourselves which was nice.  We may have gone to bed super early too like 9:30.  

Aunt Thea and I did a similar drive with similar stops way back in like 2010 or 2011 as well - however now that I'm looking to find this post I can't find it.  But it's still fun with kids and if they were older they may have enjoyed it more as well.  

Part 2 coming soon.