{"id":291,"date":"2014-06-22T05:27:20","date_gmt":"2014-06-22T05:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/a-day-with-the-locals-of-monterey\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:19:40","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:19:40","slug":"monterey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/monterey\/","title":{"rendered":"A day with the locals of Monterey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stepping onto Fisherman\u2019s Wharf in Monterey<\/a>, you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking you\u2019ve stepped into a time warp. The good old days of clam chowder and candied apples don\u2019t seem too far away \u2013 perhaps because every bright coloured building along the wharf sells one or the other.<\/p>\n

Monterey is roughly 500km north of Los Angeles but a world away from the rat race. It sits just on the end of the Big Sur \u2013 and is a common stop on the road for travellers touring the Pacific Coast. It\u2019s also a stop on the Pacific Coastal cruises, with ships sailing up and down the coast en route to San Francisco. Expedia\u2019s Aussie travellers tend to spend 1-2 days in this small city and that\u2019s just enough time to meet the locals.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are plenty of local characters in Monterey, but the most well known are the small furry ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Monterey is famous for its colonies of Californian Sea Otters \u2013 the playful creatures spend their time wrapped up in the area\u2019s kelp forests, just off the shore.<\/p>\n

Expect to see tourists peering out to the kelp, where the otters\u2019 tiny shapes can be seen often wrapped up in the kelp. If you\u2019re after an up close and personal encounter, hire a kayak and paddle out to the forests. August and September are the most popular times to visit Monterey and the warm weather makes it an ideal time to go for a paddle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Otters hunt among the kelp but they return to the surface to eat, lying on their back and devouring their catch. If you spot a group of otters together, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ve found a \u201craft\u201d \u2013 a gathering of same sex otters that stick together, often wrapping themselves up side by side in the kelp.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re keen to stay on dry land, Monterey Bay Aquarium\u2019s Sea Otters are always putting on a show, whirling through the water in their large cylindrical tank that stretches along two floors of the Aquarium.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the largest Aquariums in the world, Monterey Bay Aquarium has a lot more than otters to offer. One of the most stunning features is Open Sea \u2013 the 1 million gallon exhibit is home to Bluefin tuna, Hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, sun fish and 15,000 sardines. The 11am feeding session is not to be missed \u2013 you\u2019ll see the sardines zip through the water in perfect formation, forming whirlpools of silvery scales.<\/p>\n

In the rest of this giant aquarium are jellyfish of every shape and colour, giant octopi, baby sharks, big sharks, puffins, sea birds, and a great tide pool amphitheater which empties into the ocean.<\/p>\n

The aquarium\u2019s seaside position also makes it a great place to spot sea otters \u2013 the telescopes set out along the large balconies certainly help too.<\/p>\n

Kids will love the hands on touch pools and interactive play areas. The 8.5m tall sea kelp forests are also pretty cool.<\/p>\n

Monterey Aquarium sits at the end of Cannery Row, a tourist-friendly street that runs along the coast. Walk back towards the centre of the city and you\u2019ll pass souveneir stores selling \u201cHairy Otter\u201d t-shirts and mugs \u2013 a fun local take on Harry Potter. Lily Mae\u2019s Cinnamon Rolls are not to be missed. The giant scrolls come glazed, topped with apple maple, nuts or even sprinkles.<\/p>\n

If you’re keen to explore more of the city, think about hiring a\u00a0bike<\/a>. Walking along the unshaded footpath can get\u00a0hot!\u00a0After a long day out in the sun, an afternoon nap is always nice. The\u00a0Casa Munras Hotel & Spa<\/a>\u00a0is popular with Expedia\u2019s Aussie travellers and does boutique chic right in the centre of downtown Monterey.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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