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Monterey with Kids...Beach & beer...

My family goes to Monterey 3-4 times a year.   My husband and I were married there and since we are military we get to stay on-base at the Old Del Monte Hotel (where we said "I do").

Here are my tidbits:

1) Dennis the Menace Park-  seriously the BEST park you will EVER see.   Be careful because this kid Nirvana is huge and you can't just sit with coffee and watch the littles.  Prepare to run and break a sweat.   My 6 year old is fine... let the older ones run amuck.      
Link to the park are below.

2) Beach
     -bring sand toys, a blanket, a sunshade & beer!    Best beach is Carmel State beach.   Parking is a bitch, so get there early.    The sand is perfect,  no rocks... surf is low.      My husband drops me off at he Coach outlet at the top of the hill, I shop and get lunch for all (Little Napoli), then I walk down to meet them on the sand.   We drink beer and have lunch as the kids play.        Note:  are you flying in?  There is a TARGET in Sand City (4 exits up)-- just buy all this stuff and we always pay it forward.  When we leave places we gift the crap we bought to a family who is staying.   So we don't have to LUG it back on the plane.

3) MyMuseum-   I have heard great things.. I personally haven't been yet.

4) Aquarium-  yeah-  freaking expensive.  If you are not from Cali you NEED to see it.  Phenomenal-- but my little kids could give a rats ass.   They have more fun at the park and that shit is FREE!

5)  Food-   Monterey is the land of great food & wine.  But kids are a buzz-kill.  We stick to In-n-Out, Panera, Chipotle, and of course Happy Meals!      BUT Breakfast.... First Awakenings in PG (near aquarium).  Holy shit-  amazing food!    Bring the ipad and order 1 BlueGerm pancake to share.

6)  There is a huge walking/bike trail-   runs miles along the ocean.     You can also rent a Surry and pedal around as a family.   Now this sounds like a good idea, but it actually is hard work!


Links:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32737-d144842-Reviews-Dennis_the_Menace_Park-Monterey_Monterey_County_California.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32172-d128002-Reviews-Carmel_City_Beach_Carmel_River_Beach-Carmel_Monterey_County_California.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32840-d450161-Reviews-First_Awakenings-Pacific_Grove_Monterey_County_California.html

Find your Joy,
Auggie

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