Monterey, CA

Not doing the huge summer trip like we have for the past 3 years, but still want to get away for a few days so we've decided on the west coast. Out to Monterey, where none of us have been before, and San Francisco, for the boys first trip.

Uneventful flight until we land at San Francisco.  American have lost my bag somehow.  It amazes me that we dropped off 4 bags at the same time, going on 1 flight, and 1 bag doesn't make it.  Of course it's mine.  Anyway they said they'd drop it off at the hotel in Monterey tonight.  With that sorted (?) a quick trip over to Sixt and pick up the rental.  We've been upgraded from a Toyota Camry to a Buick Encore - the luck is changing already.

We leave the airport and head out to Half Moon Bay.  The 45 minute drive is picturesque but when we arrive in town, we can't find access tot he beach, and most importantly a place to eat on the water.  We end up driving up to Miramar Beach and having lunch at Miramar Beach Restaurant.  This 107 year old institution was a great first meal of the trip, as we sat by the oceanside window.  One of the reasons we picked northern California was to escape the heat, so the walk along the beach after lunch was a cool, windy 65 degrees, not the 90+, high humidity we get in Charlotte.  We could see Mavericks on the walk, but it's not the season for the world famous big waves.

Back in the car for the should be 2 hour drive to Monterey, we hit some traffic through Santa Cruz and and the CA1 put us closer to 3 hours before we go to the Portola Hotel just before dinner.  First impressions of the hotel are great.  A real light lobby and a well kept property.  Pretty sure we are going to enjoy our stay here.  We wander up and down Alvarado Street to find dinner for B&L.  A&I still can't eat after lunch, but 2 teenage boys have no end to their stomachs.

We did walk down to Fisherman's Wharf in the "freezing cold" to have our tradition summer vacation daily ice cream.  This area is full of restaurants with people desperately trying to get you to come in and touristy shops.  I think we've done our time here and not sure we need to be back.

Back at the hotel and we all sleep well.  Let's hope we wake up to my luggage.