Everything good is happening in Monterey County right now: wildflowers, waterfalls, and wildlife giving birth! Are you there yet? Make it a Monterey weekend away!
The Real Jungle Boat Cruise
You might be a little nervous if somebody said, “Meet me at a white van down by the docks and I’ll show you things you’ve never seen before.” But trust us, you’ll want to meet at the van. It’s the starting point for the Elkhorn Slough Safari, a real-life Disney Jungle Cruise, where you’ll see some stunningly rare wildlife in their natural habitat—including endangered sea otters (this is probably the best place in the world for viewing them in their true environment). Captain Yohn Gideon has been leading this safari for over 20 years and knows this important water habitat like the back of his hand. On board a 27-foot pontoon boat you’ll cruise past sea lions piled on top of each other, harbor seals about to give birth lounging beachside, and—as a migratory flyway zone—a boon of feathered beauties, including the fastest living thing on earth—the peregrine falcon—along with Brandt’s cormorants with their dark feathers in stark contrast to their bright emerald-green eyes. Only a few thousand sea otters exist, and you’re bound to see more than a handful on your trip—making it the highest concentration on the West Coast. Everywhere you look there’s wildlife: Dapper great blue herons preening, young brown pelicans, curlews (identified by their l-o-n-g curving bills), and egrets stalking and striking their prey like a snake on the shoreline. It’s a jungle out there—and it’s fantastic.
TIP: Upcoming spring specialty tours include the Marine Mammal Babies and Behavior Tours on April 27 and May 4.
The Elkhorn Slough Safari leaves from the Moss Landing Harbor: 7881 Sandholdt Rd., Moss Landing. The tour is 90 minutes to two hours and goes seven days a week. The cost is $35 per person. A parking permit is $5. Meet at the white Safari van to check in. Binoculars provided at a $2 charge. No dogs.
Activity: Water ,Relax
Region: Points Beyond
Big Sur Threesome
The three habits of highly effective weekend wanderlusters: 1. They start things off with a tasty breakfast. 2. They stretch their legs on a short and lovely hike. 3. They head to the beach for a little downtime! And it can all be done by 1:00 p.m. in beautiful Big Sur! Sitting down for breakfast on the edge of the redwood forest at Deetjens Big Sur Inn is like being transported to something from The Hobbit. This beloved bohemian icon is a low-ceilinged wood-structure enclave decorated in black-and-white photos depicting the pioneering days of Deetjens’ past. The granola is homemade, the huevos rancheros are a tasty staple, and the strawberry cream stuffed French toast is a fantasy come true for those with a sweet-tooth. Now that you’re fueled, head down the road to nearby Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for an easy, scenic, and well-marked 3-mile (round-trip) hike through coastal redwoods up to Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View Overlook. The 60-foot falls are a gentle oasis flowing light or strong depending on recent rains, but it’s the vista from the Valley View Overlook that inspires the most awe. Take a break on the lone bench and gaze across the valley to the Point Sur Lighthouse set on a jutting volcanic rock and backed by the big blue Pacific. After the hike it’s time to see the lilac-colored sand at nearby Pfeiffer Beach (pictured). This beach is quintessential Big Sur (and dog-friendly!). Two giant sea stacks dramatized by gaping keyholes are favored by both serious photographers and those who just want to gawk at the mass of waves forcing their way through the keyholes in a spectacle of surly splashes. There’s plenty of room to roam the purple-tinged sand, so stay and stroll a while. You’re on Big Sur time now.
Deejens Big Sur Inn, (831) 667-2378, is located at 48865 Hwy. 1. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is just off Hwy. 1, 3.6 miles north of Deetjens. The signed trailhead is opposite the Big Sur Lodge. Follow the trail to Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View Overlook for a 3-mile hike. The road to Pfeiffer Beach isn’t marked and can easily be missed. From Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, go south on Hwy. 1 for 1 mile, and turn right on Sycamore Canyon Rd. Drive 2 miles to the beach. No dogs on hiking trails, but Pfeiffer Beach is dog-friendly!
Activity: Hike ,Relax ,Overnights ,Dog-friendly
Region: Points Beyond
Inspiration Points
Monterey is all about the coast. So here’s a classic hike that will literally put the spring in your step. Walking from one beach to another, you’ll go 1.25 miles (one-way) from Lover’s Point to Cannery Row on the paved multi-use Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Lover’s Point Park and Beach is an east-facing grassy knoll overlooking Monterey Bay, and one of the West Coast’s only spots for watching the sunrise over the ocean. The beach here is favored by kite-flyers, surfers, and sandcastle builders. Head east on the path as it parallels the coastline for most of the way, packing in highlights from spring’s burgeoning bloom of pink ice plant and multiple vista point benches overlooking the craggy shoreline. Keep an eye out for resident harbor seals, perfectly camouflaged against a protected beach at the Hopkins Marine Station (pupping season is April and May!). Continuing on past the Monterey Bay Aquarium, you’ll enter the thick of Cannery Row. The walk concludes at McAbee Beach, tucked behind Louie Linguini’s (ehhh, I’m trying to eat here!), a small sandy haven that’s great for tide-pooling.
BONUS: Finish this easy adventure staying warm at a firepit overlooking the ocean and enjoying cocktails at the InterContinental, The Clement Monterey (next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row). There are multiple firepits. If the one at the C restaurant is full, continue around the building in favor of two other firepits directly overlooking the bay. Try the champagne flight—four bubblies ranging from dry to sweet, with strawberries too.
Start this hike at Lover’s Point Park and Beach (map). Follow the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail east. Turn left on Prescott Ave. (at Cannery Row Brewing Co.) to reach Cannery Row, McAbee Beach, and The Clement. Dog-friendly!
Activity: Hike ,Relax ,Overnights ,Dog-friendly
Region: Points Beyond
Redding for an Adventure?
We say we live in the Golden State but how many of us have ventured to the gems north of San Francisco? It’s like another world up there, and Redding is the star! Ranked the second sunniest city in the country, Redding is at the top of the affordable adventures list. With Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen both visible from town—and the sublime Sacramento River running right through it—there’s no better setting for hiking, biking, fishing, sightseeing, and outdoor events. Redding’s Sacramento River National Recreation Trail, named one of the most scenic in the state, is a multi-use trail that runs for 17.4 miles from the historic Shasta Dam to the famous Sundial Bridge—the largest working sundial in the world! Discover Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, with its sapphire blue lake surrounded by mountain peaks, its 70 miles of trails, and its 4 waterfalls! (Pick up a free Waterfall Challenge Passport at the visitor center and hike to all of the falls—Brandy Creek, Boulder Creek, Crystal Creek, and Whiskeytown Falls—then return the passport for a special gift!) Ever wanted to enjoy the artistry and tranquility of fly-fishing? With the Sacramento River running right through it, Redding is the place. Forbes ranks Redding as the only Top 10 North American fishing destination on the West Coast, and this weekend marks opening day for the fishing season (for guided trips check out flyshop.com). Are you Redding yet?
Redding This Weekend? Redding Unrestricted is this weekend! Why “unrestricted”? Because you can do it all: Downtown Wine Walk, Kool April Nites classic car show, the Nor-Cal Jazz Festival, Opening Day of the fishing season, and the Whole Earth and Watershed Festival. It’s the best of Redding, and it’s this weekend!
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