April 15, 2016: Monterey: Food, Fun & The Sea Otter Classic

(credit: www.oc.nps.edu)

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING TO: MONTEREY

Monterey here we come!

​Hey guys!
It's time for another trip!
Woo to the Hoo!

Yup folks, this is already my 7th trip of 2016 and I'm as excited as if it were my first!!
(Comes with the addiction to travel) lol 

And just in case you haven't noticed, I'm heading to Monterey, CA.
This trip was originally planned all around the HUGE cycling festival - The Sea Otter Classic.

Dave had mentioned to me a year or two ago how he'd like to go sometime (we couldn't do it last year, because the festival overlapped our Cousins Trip to Yellowstone)...well anyway the rest is history - or at least it's gonna be...

Let me tell ya a wee bit about the Sea Otter Festival:
Known as a sprawling and energetic “celebration of cycling”, Sea Otter is cycling’s North American season opener. Professional and amateur athletes alike make the annual pilgrimage to Sea Otter to participate in some of the sport’s most competitive and enduring events. Hundreds of pro cyclists, including national, world, and Olympic champions attend Sea Otter to race and meet with fans.

Most of cycling’s racing disciplines are represented including mountain bike cross country, downhill, dual slalom and short track racing. Road cyclists compete in circuit, criterium, and road racing. Also offered are cyclocross and a number of non-competitive recreational events for riders of all ages.

The Sea Otter Classic also hosts the largest consumer bike exposition in North America.

The Expo holds hundreds of vendors who display new products, distribute free samples, and offer great bargains. The four-day, action-packed festival includes an international food court, entertainment, bike demos, stunt shows, and carnival activities for children.

credit: procyclingphotos.com

So keep in mind that ya better watch out what you wish for in front of me, because you might just get it!!
That's right, any mention of a trip and I'm all over it - especially if it's a trip to a place that I'd like to go!

Well since I didn't make a trip page for this one, I'm gonna share the details of our trip right here:

DAY 1 (Today) -
Long Drive, check into hotel, Dinner, and rest up for tomorrows Gran Fondo - Coastal Route.
DAY 2 -
Pick up race packets at the Laguna Seca. 
7:30am Gran Fondo Coastal Route start time. ​

Here a little about our ride:
This out-and-back route departs from Laguna Seca and heads for the coast. Once there, the route follows along the Monterey Bay shoreline. We’ll enjoy breathtaking vistas and, most likely, some sea otters as you bike the popular Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. I can't wait to see these adorable little guys!!
The ride along the coast starts with the northern community of Marina, then heads south through Sand City, Seaside, Monterey, and Pacific Grove. 
In Pacific Grove, the route passes the Point Pinos Lighthouse, then continues to the Coastal Route’s southernmost point: the Pacific Grove gate into Pebble Beach, just after Asilomar State Beach. 
After reaching the route’s 25-mile mark at the Pebble Beach gate rest stop, this route heads back to Laguna Seca. 

DAY 2 (cont.) - 
After the ride, we'll clean up and then head out to lunch at Alvarado Street Brewery where from what I hear - they have one of the absolute BEST vegan burgers ever! I not a huge burger fan, but when I get reports like this I've gotta go check it out for myself!

(c)travelin cousins

And since they are located only a few short blocks from the famed Old Fisherman's Wharf - that's where we'll be heading next!
While checking out the "must see" location on everyone's list while in Monterey the Old Fisherman's Wharf is full of opportunities to view wildlife on the Monterey Bay. You know I like that sound of that!

(c)travelin cousins

There's also a myriad of:
• Great Restaurants • Unique Shops • Whale Watching • Sailing • Bay Cruises
While we are there we're also gonna check out:
Water and Leaves to try their hand selected teas and their vegan/organic ice cream sandwiches.
I love how mainstream vegan is becoming!!

(c)travelin cousins

Next up we will stroll Cannery Row - in January 1958, the City of Monterey officially re-named Ocean View Avenue "Cannery Row" in honor of John Steinbeck and his novel that described a colorful past set amid the cannery culture of the time.  Now, Cannery Row's buildings are updated, shinier versions of turn-of-the-century canneries. They house an eclectic blend of specialty shops, local artists' galleries, with it's picturesque charm and colorful history, Cannery Row captivates visitors from all over the world. The unique appeal of this fabled street is what makes Cannery Row the most popular vacation destination on California’s Central Coast.

Eventually working up an appetite for our dinner reservations at Julia’s (see Elisa's column for details).

DAY 3 - 
​Breakfast will be at Tillie Gort's Cafe (see Elisa's column for details)
Then we will head to do the GORGEOUS 17-Mile Drive - a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California, hugging the Pacific coastline and passing famous golf courses, mansions and scenic attractions, including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees. Of course stopping for many pictures along the way - you know how I am!

Lunch is next Ike's Love & Sandwiches (see Elisa's column for details) - so I was busy chatting with Elisa before the trip about all the eateries that I had planned on going to and this one had yet to be on my list - since I had no idea that they had a Monterey location. A short while later I was bouncing out of my seat with excited to find out that Ike's has a location in Monterey!!! 
I LOVE IKE'S - their original location is in SF and it always had a line out the door - but you just didn't care about the wait, because the unique sandwiches were soooo worth it!
Now with a bustling 21 locations in California, plenty more people can try these amazing sandwiches!!

Wearing my Ike's t-shirt! (c)travelin cousins

Following lunch we are heading back to the Sea Otter Classic Festival & Expo to go check things out and catch a few races and see a few shows!

It'll then be time for a snackiepoo and this time we will check out Happy Girl Kitchen (see Elisa's side for details) - hopefully I walk out of there a very Happy Girl! ;)

Following our snack off we go to tour Point Pinos Lighthouse (which we ride past on Day 2) - lit in 1855 to guide ships on the Pacific coast of California. It is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States and even the lens is original.

credit: wiki

Lastly and certainly not least will be dinner and although I had originally had something else on my itinerary, when Elisa told me about Ambrosia India Bistro (see Elisa's column for details), and knowing how much Dave LOVES Indian food, it was a shoe-in...that and the menu looks pretty delish too - so of course that helped!

Now for 16 facts (for 2016) about Monterey:

• Monterey County is 120 miles south of San Francisco, 70 miles south of San Jose and 345 miles north of Los Angeles.
• The oldest standing public building in California is Monterey's Custom House built during California's Mexican era in 1827. It was here that Commodore John Drake Sloat of the U.S. Navy raised an American flag in 1846 claiming California for the United States.
• The City of Monterey, in January 1958, officially re-named Ocean View Avenue to "Cannery Row" in honor of John Steinbeck's popular novel based on the popular stretch of road.
• The widely acclaimed Monterey Jazz Festival occurs each September and is the longest continuously running jazz festival in the world.
• 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach is one of only nine private toll roads in the country, and the only one west of Mississippi.
• Castroville is known as the Artichoke Capital of the World. In 1947 Norma Jean was crowned Castroville's first Artichoke Queen. She went on to become the famous actress Marilyn Monroe.

I love me some Artichokes! (c)travelin cousins

• Monterey celebrated its Quadricentennial in 2002. Spanish merchant Sebastian Vizcaino was the first European to set foot on the Monterey Peninsula in 1602 and christened Monterey after the viceroy of New Spain, Count de Monte Rey. In March, 1776, Captain Juan Bautista de Anza arrived, shepherding 240 soldiers, settlers and their families. After changing hands a few times, Monterey eventually served as the original capital of California when the state constitution was signed here in 1849.
• The Bixby Bridge in Big Sur was built by prisoners eager to earn "good time" off their prison sentences. It is one of the world's highest single-span bridges at 714 feet long by 260 feet high.
• The Monterey Peninsula is a world-renown golf destination with 26 public and private courses. Three courses located in Pebble Beach—Spyglass, Poppy Hills and Pebble Beach itself—are consistently ranked among the top ten courses in the nation.
• In 1919, green fees at Pebble Beach were $2 for gentlemen, and $1.50 for the ladies. Rates now range from $350-$400 per 18-hole round.
• Neon signs, billboards and hot dog stands are prohibited in the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and a permit is required to wear high-heeled shoes.
• The Lone Cypress tree located on 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach and a scenic landmark for the Peninsula, is nearly 300 years old. Cypress trees are a species native only to this region, and can live up to 4,000 years.
• A pygmy tree forest can be found in the Morse Preserve at Pebble Beach.
• Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel hosts a geologic wonder: rocks of four "ages" can be found there, including the unusual Carmel formation dating back to the Paleocene age (over 60 million years old).
• Robert Louis Stevenson modeled Treasure Island's Spyglass Hill after Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel.
• In Pacific Grove near Monterey, there is a law on the books establishing a $500 fine for molesting butterflies. 

Doesn't that last one make you wonder how that came to be?! Crazy!

Anyhoo, it's time for me to be on my way. I'll catch ya back here tomorrow from Monterey!
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY VISITING: Green Festival Expo, NYC

Great Vegan Eats and Otters in Monterey, CA

Hello, Hello!

Well, it's an exciting Friday here on TC!

I'm headed into New York City for the Green Festival Expo at the Jacob Javits Center and my dear cousin, Tanya is traveling up to Monterey to participate in the Sea Otter Classic. 

Here on the home front, I've still got Gianna home - this kid just can't shake the little illness she has going on!  The nausea apparently was caused by the sinus infection...but now that she is on antibiotics, her stomach is a mess and the nausea is still there. WTH!  

I'm going to call the doctor later and see if there is another remedy because this anti-biotic may be too strong.  UGH - always something.

Onward and upward...LET'S GET DOWN TO THE FEATURE OF THE DAY...MONTEREY, CA!

I love Monterey!  This lovely city on the central coast of California is a must-visit, if you haven't already.

Its Cannery Row, one-time center of the sardine-packing industry, was immortalized by novelist John Steinbeck. Today, Cannery Row is a popular strip of gift shops, seafood restaurants and bars in converted factories.

Popular attractions are the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf and the annual Monterey Jazz Festival.

BUT, I'm going to leave the fun facts and info to Tanya, as she is going to mesmerize you with a 16 for '16 about Monterey.  Check out her blog today!

Monterey Bay (c)travelincousins.com

As for your's truly, I'm going to tantalize you with some tidbits about the hottest Vegan eateries in Monterey!

I know that my baby cousin will be eating at most of these and reporting back to us in future Foodie Friday segments about her dining experiences!

For now, let's take a look...
​
Chai  Vegan Cafe
This is quite a unique cafe which has yet to open (awe, sorry cuz!) Offering Vegan Foods &  Live Music as well as Vegan Deserts like Hemp Ice Cream, it's sure to become a hot spot in Monterey.

A Silent Reflection Room for meditating, as well as  on-site yoga classes, Medical Qigong and Breathwork therapy session all while enjoying a selection of vegan foods. Vegan food prep classes are on the agenda as well as organic Green Smoothies , local Coffees, Chai tea and Vegan Ice Cream.
206 17th St., Pacific Grove. 
www.chaivegan.com

El Cantaro  (Vegan)
With menu items varying from crispy potato tacos to huaraches (a large corn tortilla topped with beans, cactus, mushrooms, onions and salsa), this vegan Mexican restaurant has become the new safe haven for the vegetarians and vegans of Monterey County. They also offer various drink selections from carrot juice to soy-milk smoothies and even a vegan mint chip ice cream.
4-1/2 stars on Yelp
791 Foam St., Monterey. 646-5465.
www.elcanterovegan.com
​
Julia’s (Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly)
This restaurant has limited hours—i.e., only weekends and an ever-changing set menu and dubbed "a plant-based eater’s playground."  

Since the menu changes every weekend, calling  ahead is recommended to see what’s being offered (and to make a reservation, as it fills up). Their coconut curry and fresh pasta are among some of the items often available, according to Yelp.  

​I was personally intrigued by the Garden Burger (a black bean patty on a warm roll with cucumber, lettuce, tomato, caramelized carrots, & a vegan red pepper aioli) and Mushroom Raviolis.
4-1/2 stars on Yelp
1180 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. 656-9533, www.juliasofpacificgrove.com

Ambrosia India Bistro (Indian Vegan) 
Their Menu Voted Best Indian Restaurant by Monterey Post Weekly,  the Carmel Pine Cone, and Monterey County Herald.  
I was very impressed with the menu - a full vegan menu with everything from Vegan Samosas to Vegan Tofu Masala and Vegan Aloo Capsicum. Not to mention, an assortment of vegan desserts as well!!  I know that Tanya just added this to her itinerary after her older and wise cousin discovered it!
4 stars on Yelp. 
565 Abrego St., Monterey, CA (831) 641-0610
www.ambrosiaib.com

Tillie Gort's Cafe (Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly)
A favorite since 1969, they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner - with vegetarian, vegan and even gluten free menu items.

Vegan breakfast items include Vegan scramble, veggie stir fry and even soy strips and options galore for lunch and dinner with four different "veggie" burger options and tacos with either organic veggie patty, chipotle seitan or soy strips.
3 stars on Yelp
111 Central Ave
Pacific Grove, CA (831) 373-0335 
tilliegortscafe.com

​Alvarado Street Brewery (Vegetarian/Vegan)
This restaurant/bar eatery has a full menu with vegetarian and vegan options.  They use local vendors and organic and sustainable ingredients wherever possible.
426 Alvarado St. Monterey, CA (831) 655-BEER
http://www.alvaradostreetbrewery.com

Happy Girl Kitchen
Happy Girl works closely with area farmers, as all products are all made with organic farm fresh produce. Offering an extensive menu of teas as well as bowls, sandwiches and breakfast specials.
173 Central Ave., Pacific Grove, CA (831)373-GIRL (4475)
www.happygirlkitchen.com

Ike's Love & Sandwiches
Serving over 50 different sandwiches, with many vegan options, this is one of Tanya's favorite places!
570 Munras Ave, Ste 70, Monterey, CA   
(831) 643-0900 
www.ilikeikesplace.com

As I mentioned, Tanya is going to be participating in the Sea Otter Classic, which is a bicycling and outdoor sports festival and exposition held each spring since 1991 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, California.

This year it's being held from April 14-17 -- please read more about this event on Tanya's blog!

And speaking of Otters - I just LOVE these adorable creatures!! They truly are the cutest things!

These playful and cute animals live in shallow coastal waters off the northern Pacific. Sea otters can be found in Canada, Russia, Japan, California and Washington, but the majority of all wild sea otters are found in Alaskan waters.

MOTHER SEA OTTER AND HER BABY (credit: montereybayaquarium.org)

The heaviest members of the weasel family, sea otters are also the second smallest marine mammals. Unlike other marine mammals, they do not have a layer of blubber to help them keep warm.

Instead, sea otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom, ranging from 250,000 to a million hairs per square inch, which insulates them. This was the characteristic that made them desired by hunters for many years - almost to the point of extinction.

Their role to the environment is monumental for keeping balance of the near-shore kelp ecosystem.    Without sea otters, the undersea animals they prey on would devour the kelp forests off the coast that provide cover and food for many other marine animals.

Sea Otter (credit: otterproject.org)

Sea otters also indirectly help to reduce levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a prevalent greenhouse gas, as kelp forests play an important role in capturing carbon in coastal ecosystems.

At one time sea otters numbered between several hundred thousand to more than a million. But due to the fur trade, worldwide numbers plummeted down to a total of 1,000-2,000 in the early 1900s. 

Today, with conservation efforts, there are estimated to be just over 106,000 worldwide, with just under 3,000 in California.


I'm off to a day in The Big Apple!!
See ya back here tomorrow!!

-E
xoxo