Monterey Tide Pools

Lawrence Havlick
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Recently, as I was running on the scenic recreation trail along the Monterey Bay over near Pacific Grove, I noticed how many people are meandering along the coast discovering our fabulous Monterey tide pools! Much of the rocky coastline along Monterey Bay is ideal for viewing all kinds of the oceans spectacular spineless creatures! Some of the tide pools near Pacific Grove and Asilomar State Beach are world renowned for tide pooling! As a matter of fact, just a few miles from our Monterey Bed and Breakfast is Point Pinos, known as “The Great Tide Pool”, which happens to be one of the richest tide pool habitats in the world!

tide pools in monterey ca

For those unfamiliar with this fascinating and educational past time, it is the activity of climbing around the rocky shore in the intertidal zone (the parts that are underwater during high tide) and discovering the sea life left behind in the small rock pools and crevices when high tide recedes. You will be amazed how many fish, crustaceans and mollusks thrive in this environment. It is a great (and free!) way to enjoy the ocean and the beautiful coastline! Photographers love the opportunity to capture the images of the vibrantly colored sea life in such a naturally beautiful setting.

A few rules of thumb for your tide pooling adventure:

  • Wear sturdy shoes with good traction for climbing around the wet and slippery rocks. Bare feet are certainly not recommended!
  • Clothing will, of course, depend on the weather, but dressing in layers is suggested. Shorts are a good idea so your cuffs won’t get wet. Try to wear clothing that will dry quickly (you might get a splash or two!)
  • Sun protection is important, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect from the glare off of the water (not many shade trees in the tide pooling area!)
  • No other equipment is really necessary, though cameras are a great idea, and some dry towels at the car might be nice!

Our Monterey Bay and its coastlines are part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary which provides protection for the delicate (and not so delicate) creatures in the sea. While tide pooling is a fantastic way to enjoy these coastlines, please remember to walk carefully (we don’t know who’s under our feet!), touch gently with wet hands if you are so inclined, and please don’t pick up the animals. Also, taking the animals is not permitted, and never turn your back on the waves or ocean!

With the fantastic weather we get on the Monterey Peninsula this time of year, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Ocean’s wildlife. Give us a call, our staff will get you all set up for a great day of tide pooling, picnic basket and all!

 

Monterey Peninsula :: California’s Unique Coastline

Lawrence Havlick
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The Monterey Peninsula is one of the most uniquely beautiful coastlines in the world.  As characteristic as Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, Monterey’s coastline boasts plants like the Bermuda buttercup, mariposa lily, California aster, climbing morning glory, coast paintbrush, California poppy, and a variety of grass species.  These plants are framed by the stunning backdrop of Monterey’s blue, teal, navy, and clear waves that crash along the rocky shore in ever-changing patterns.  The water draws many people to Monterey and it never disappoints.

This area is perfect for adventure: enjoy an hour drive along the world famous 17-mile drive and prepare to have your breath taken away—it is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful drives in the world.  Pack a lunch, put the top down on a rented Mustang, and buzz up and down the stunning 17-mile drive.  You’ll be done just in time to swing by our inn in Monterey for our daily wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Perhaps just watching the waves crash against the characteristically rocky shoreline just isn’t close enough for you. If that’s the case, you have chosen the right California vacation spot! Adventure awaits and requires only a little bit of planning (and we can help you with the planning!). Within one mile of the Inn, you can embark on a whale watching expedition. Recent sightings include Gray Whales, Risso Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, and Humpback Whales. Get up close and persona l to some of nature’s most spectacular mammals and then return to the Inn to soak in your very own Jacuzzi tub!

The Monterey Peninsula also offers sailing, surfing, kayaking (check out our kayak package at picturesque Elkhorn Slough!), and scuba diving.  If you scuba dive, you’re in for a real treat. The Monterey Canyon is an underwater canyon that lies a mile below the surface of the water and is close in size to the Grand Canyon.  Discover it for yourself, and you’ll be among a select few who have shared that adventure.  We are happy to help get the details all planned out for you.

Also characteristic of the Monterey coastline are the immense kelp beds.  Whether you’re scuba diving, sailing, walking along the beach or boogie boarding, you’re sure to encounter kelp that is native to California’s Central Coast.  Did you know that kelp contains high concentrations of iodine, iron, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and other vitamins and amino acids?!  Soon, kelp will be touted as a super-food alongside kale and Swiss chard!  If wild kelp is too much for you, though, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s kelp forest.  It is 28 feet deep and is full of crabs, octopus, urchins, rockfish, sardines, sharks, and (of course) kelp!  One way or another, kelp will be a part of your adventure into the coastline of the Monterey Peninsula.  Don’t worry, though, it’s not part of our gourmet breakfasts!

Once you’ve enjoyed all that the Monterey Peninsula has to offer, you might be hoping for a romantic spot to watch the sun set over the turquoise blue waves.  The coastline touts many benches for just such an evening, and at the Old Monterey Inn, we’ve taken it a step further.  We can set up a private beach bonfire for you on Carmel beach!  You’ll walk up to a crackling fire, a bouquet of a dozen red roses, an assortment of artisan meats and cheeses, freshly baked cookies, a bottle of sparkling water on ice, and a fleece blanket.  As the sun sets over Carmel beach, the lull of the waves will at once relax and invigorate you.  A bonfire on Carmel beach promises to be a spectacularly romantic evening.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Old Monterey Inn, our unique coastline, and our hearts as you embark on the adventure of a lifetime!

 

Old Monterey Inn: Reviving the Old World Charm on the Monterey Peninsula

Lawrence Havlick
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Lawrence and Katy Havlick bought the Old Monterey Inn in June 2011 and have been improving upon their Inn’s grandeur ever since.  We’d like to share some of the Inn’s improvements with you, and invite you to come enjoy our Monterey Inn in person!

As spring approaches, our acre of gardens erupts into color and thrives under Katy’s green thumb and creative genius.  We’ve planted hydrangeas, lilacs, roses, rose trees, giant impatiens, camellia, night-blooming jasmine, delphinium, foxglove, and morning glory, just to name a few.  This time of year, the early morning is steeped in fog, shrouding the garden in tranquility and wonder.  The fog lifts in the mid-morning to reveal our Monterey gardens in all of their glory!

This year we put hardwood floors in the sitting room of our Garden Cottage.  Along with a fresh coat of paint and new furniture, the Garden Cottage looks wonderful after its full-body makeover!  You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into an elegant and cozy English cottage, and your view of the gardens right outside the bedroom window will really take your breath away!

Certainly less glamorous than camellia, but important and noticeable all the same, many rooms have received a fresh coat of paint.  Mayfield’s warm yellow, Ashford’s crisp ivory, and Brighstone’s warmer earth tones are all radiant in their freshness.  Our painters painstakingly painted between each shutter and around each doorframe, and their care and artistry is a constant source of pride for us.

Stoneleigh, Chawton, Mayfield, Rookery, and Ashford sitting room have all received new bedding.  Walk into Chawton, and the handmade, tailor-made bedding will give you pause.  If you’ve stayed in one of these rooms over two years ago, come back and enjoy the improvements with us!

For the eco-conscious among us, here’s one for you: we replaced every toilet with a state-of-the-art, designer low flush toilet.  We are going green in style at the Old Monterey Inn!

The list goes on, and will continue to grow in length.  With each passing month, a new treasure finds its way to the Old Monterey Inn.  Find your way here to enjoy all that the Old Monterey Inn has to offer.

Monterey Inn

Jazzing Up the Bay : Monterey Jazz Festival

Lawrence Havlick
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People visit our Monterey Bed and Breakfast from all over the world and pack their itineraries with any number of activities. Indeed, the Monterey Peninsula has it all: whale watching, kayaking next to the sea otters, fine wine, fresh seafood, Pebble Beach golf courses, John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, Henry Miller’s library, picturesque Big Sur, the list goes on… We wanted to give you yet another reason to come visit us at the Old Monterey Inn: Dixieland Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay! coming to the city in the beginning of March.

March 1st through March 3rd, the Monterey Peninsula will come alive with this Monterey Jazz Festival featuring more than 26 live acts featuring youth bands, big bands, and a program that highlights trends in jazz: traditional jazz, zydeco, swing, gypsy jazz, blues, and ragtime. There’s something for everyone in that musical lineup!

Dixieland Monterey was founded in 1980 and begun as a humble addition to the annual Monterey County Fair. Since then, it has become its own main event and brings jazz enthusiasts from all over the world together to enjoy traditional jazz and swing bands and more!

John Keller, the founder of Dixieland Monterey explains the success of the event: it is in a “prime location: who can resist the beauty of the Monterey waterfront? The real reason people return each year is because they love the music. Dixieland Monterey offers them the opportunity to experience live jazz performed by some of the world’s most talented musicians. Essentially, Dixieland Monterey continues to thrive because it gives people what they want — great music — and great music never goes out of style.”

The Portola Plaza, in historic downtown Monterey, is a 10-15 minute walk from the front door of our Inn. Picture this: your morning starts with a gourmet Old Monterey Inn breakfast; then you enjoy a leisurely stroll through our flower gardens and the traditional English-style hedge garden, maybe even catching a glimpse of a deer or a buck; you retire to your room for a soak in the Jacuzzi tub or a mid-morning nap. Around noon, you walk downtown, stopping for a quick bite on your way to Dixieland Monterey. You enjoy hours of exquisite live music and afterwards, you enjoy a fantastic dinner at one of our local gourmet restaurants. Night falls, and you nestle up close to your own personal fireplace and relive the magic of the day. That is Dixieland Monterey. That is the Old Monterey Inn.

Monterey Jazz Festival

Monterey Bay Aquarium Special Events

Lawrence Havlick
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Monterey Bay Aquarium Shark EventFor the first three months of this year, the Monterey Bay Aquarium will be having a series of special events that will benefit its member card holders and fascinating exhibits for all. Last month, the Aquarium held members’ night (Gray Whale edition). It is a special extension of the Aquarium’s hours held exclusively for dedicated members of the world famousMonterey attraction. They are having another this month on the last Saturday and Sunday of February, but this one is for sharks! In addition they have a new behind-the-scenes tour of the Jellies. They show you the life cycle of these mysterious floating wisps and they even show you where they get the ones that are behind the glass! Some of our guests have stayed with us solely to attend these events and we are happy to accommodate them!

If you have already visited the aquarium and want a closer look at theMontereyBaywe also offer kayaking packages to our guests that allow a more natural visit to the kelp beds or theElkhornslough’s sea otter reserve. Just let us know when you want to paddle away and we will take of the rest! For a more relaxing experience, try our Sunset beach bonfire package and you can observe the ocean from a safer distance as the twilight sun vanishes into its own oceanic reflection.

It always seems like there is not enough time when you are here in Monterey. So why not go all out and visit our Monterey bed and breakfast and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The sheer number of adventure options can be overwhelming. Here at our award-winning bed and breakfast we can help you narrow it down. Our knowledgeable innkeepers are adept at planning day trips, local excursions, and meals that will fit your style of holiday. If you are coming to Monterey Peninsula and need help with an itinerary, call us at the Old Monterey Inn, we will be glad to help!

AT&T Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach

Lawrence Havlick
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Tradition and elegance are some of the trademarks of the Old Monterey Inn, so it’s only natural that we are excitedly anticipating this year’s annual AT&T Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach! Originally known as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am Golf Championship, Pebble Beach has been host to this renowned event since 1947! Every year, as winter grips most of our nation, the sporting spotlight focuses on the small slice of paradise known as the Monterey Peninsula, and the Pebble Beach Golf Courses. The name alone is enough to make the golf fan’s heart skip a beat!

From February 4th through the February 10th, 2013 the AT&T National Pro-Am golf events will take place at three of Pebble Beach’s pristine golf courses: Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and the unequaled Pebble Beach Golf Links. This week long celebration of golfing tradition originally offered a mix of participants roughly summed up by four parts professional golfers to one part sports celebrities and show biz stars. Now the field is comprised of 156 pros, and 156 amateurs. Being a charity event, the atmosphere is very upbeat, fun and social, with anecdotes and stories dating back to 1937 (see more event history and fun stories on the website at attpbgolf.com )! Noteworthy events during the festivities are Tuesday’s Chevron Charity Shoot-Out, where the San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers battle it out head to head, and Wednesday’s 3M Celebrity Challenge with twelve of the most famous celebrities playing for charity prize money. Tickets are available on the Pebble Beach website!

Here in our Monterey bed and breakfast, we can do you one better!  We are in a perfectly convenient area, located within walking distance to two shuttle stops for the golf tournament.  Consider staying at our award winning 4-diamond Monterey Bed and Breakfast.  We offer a serene and relaxing environment to offset the bustle of the tournament days.  In addition, we also serve a two-course gourmet breakfast in the morning to give you that boost of energy you need to enjoy this prestigious golf event.  Enjoy!

 AT&T Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach 2013

Monterey Events – Live Music at our Elegant Inn

Lawrence Havlick
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Cool winter evenings here on the Monterey Peninsula make wine and hors d’oeuvres hour especially cozy at the Old Monterey Inn. Join us for incredible Monterey events this 2013. The enormous fireplace burns warmly each evening while guests gather around, relax and get to know each other over a glass of our house wine produced locally in the Carmel Valley. To complete the scene, we have lately had the pleasure of enjoying our 100 year old grand piano being played by Mr. Marco Antonio Vazquez. With just the right mix of selections and the delicate touch to make the background music seamlessly smooth, Mr. Vazquez provides an elegant backdrop to many of our weekend evenings. Several of our guests have commented that they find it difficult to want to leave the ambiance of our living room to go to their dinner reservations!

This is definitely the time of year that makes one want to linger over a glass of wine or a cocktail and enjoy live music in a warm, cozy spot! Several other locations around the Peninsula offer an opportunity to do just that! A few that come to mind, and are very close to our luxury Monterey Bed and Breakfast are Cibo Italian Restaurant in downtown Monterey, right by the famous Fisherman’s Wharf. Cibo offers fabulous Italian dining and live music six nights a week. Their evenings include Soft Jazz, R & B, and even an occasional Salsa or Reggae night (if you feel like dancing, this is your spot)! Next on the list would be Bistro Beaujolais right in the heart of downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Bistro guests listen to live music Fridays and Saturdays, and enjoy alfresco dining in a beautiful outdoor courtyard complete with fire pits and heat lamps of course! Last, but certainly not least, would be the famous Mission Ranch Restaurant. Built in the 1800’s and overlooking Point Lobos and the Monterey Bay, this piece of Carmel history boasts a long established tradition of excellent American Cuisine and one of the coolest Piano Bars around! They don’t take reservations here, but what a great place to wait for your table!!

Come join us at the Old Monterey Inn, we will get your itinerary for a weekend of live music enjoyment all set up for you!

Old Monterey Inn Live Music & Wine - Couple on a Couch

 

New Years in Monterey and Enjoy a Getaway at our Monterey B&B

Lawrence Havlick
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New Years in MontereyHappy Holidays everyone! There is always a lot happening on the Monterey peninsula, and this winter is no exception! This season in Monterey brings a myriad of events. The yuletide joy of the winter holidays is fading, but that brings us to the final holiday of this year and the first of next: New Years in Monterey! We have a delightfully active cultural community, and it shows with the fantastic variety of events scheduled for the New Year’s holiday.

This particular blog entry is about our grand event called “First Night Monterey.”  Monterey’s 20th annual New Year’s Eve celebration of the arts is a variety event with different clubs and community groups each contributing towards one common goal: celebrating beginnings and ends, uniqueness, and commonalities. The festivities include 9 hours of entertainment starting at 3:00 pm for the kids, 5:30 pm for the twilight parade, and 11:00 pm for the Grand Finale and Countdown!

This year will feature three core cultural representations: Art, Dance, and Music. Local art galleries participate and show some of the finer pieces of visual art. There will be music that ranges from country music to jazz to slam poetry. And of course, there will be dancing!! The festival offers folklore dance to traditional cultural homages to pop. So if you feel the urge to bust a move on the last night of 2012, you will have every opportunity. There are two Grand Finales, both indoor starting at 11:00 pm. You can go online to buy a First Night Monterey button for entrance in advance or to find out more details of this big Monterey event.

The best part of all of this is that our Monterey Bed and Breakfast is just a short walk from the festivity areas. The children’s events take place at Colton Hall, which is the next block down on our street! If you would like to join Monterey’s First Night, consider our award winning bed and breakfast for your lodging. A joyful new year’s event combined with a warm and cozy place to stay is a first class experience.

We would love to have you join us at our Monterey B&B to ring in the New Years in Monterey, but no matter where you choose to celebrate, we wish you your best New Years ever!

 

Romance and Christmas Magic Found at our Monterey Bed and Breakfast!

Lawrence Havlick
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Romance at our Monterey Bed and BreakfastA few months ago we at the Old Monterey Inn posted a blog about the cutest couple who had just gotten engaged at our romantic Monterey Bed and Breakfast. This past week, we were honored to have them return to enjoy a luxurious Honeymoon in the very same room that they had gotten engaged in, the Brighstone Suite at our Monterey Bay Bed and Breakfast. The newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Joel and Paula Hamilton, were treated to our fabulous Ultimate Luxury Package, which includes an unforgettable limousine driven Wine Tour through the beautiful Carmel Valley, a romantic Couples Massage by firelight in our elegant Spa Room, fantastic dining packages, and more! I believe their Honeymoon Getaway was a huge success, and a memorable event for the new couple. We will certainly look forward to seeing them on an anniversary in the years to come!

I also would like to thank everyone who made our “Christmas at the Inns” event such a wonderful success. Our Monterey Bed and Breakfast is beautifully decorated for the holidays, and we received innumerable compliments on the decorations, ambiance created by the elegant Christmas songs played by Mr. Michael Martinez (the celebrated pianist from the Big Sur Marathon for you runners out there!), and of course, our freshly baked cookies! With the holiday decorations in place, and our warm fireplaces awaiting you, this is the perfect time to get away from your holiday stress, and enjoy a little pampering at the Old Monterey Inn.

We are currently offering our lowest seasonal rates, and we would love to have you keep us company this winter! Please give us a call or check our website for availability.

Don’t forget what a great present it would be for the people on your list to receive a Gift Certificate from the Old Monterey Inn!! We will take good care of them, we promise!!

Have a wonderful Holiday Season,

Katy

 

 

Monterey Events: “Christmas at the Inns”

Lawrence Havlick
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Monterey Events: Christmas at the InnsWe hope everyone enjoyed a fantastic Thanksgiving Holiday. We at our Monterey Bed and Breakfast had plenty to give thanks for this year, most importantly all of the wonderful guests who spend time with us at our beautiful Old Monterey Inn throughout the year. The holidays are steeped in traditions for most families, and for us at the Old Monterey Inn one of our favorite traditions is, of course, the long awaited opportunity to deck the halls.    

In the first week of December, Monterey is home to an event called Christmas at the Inns. During this festive event, participants are chauffeured around to the numerous inns and bed & breakfasts that host Monterey’s international clientele. During the week between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas at the Inns, we go all out!  Along with our traditional Christmas décor, we also break out the winter recipes!  Expect delectable Christmas themed cookies and refreshments, elegant and nostalgic holiday music, and a breathtaking adorned pine in our cozy living room. Nothing warms the soul like curling up with a loved one next to our wood burning fireplaces with a steaming mug of herbal tea or a great glass of wine from one of our fantastic local wineries from the Carmel Valley.  

Christmas at the Inns is a great way to get in the holiday spirit, and it is one of our favorite holiday Monterey events! If you are fortunate enough to be a resident of the area, this is a great opportunity to check out your local hospitality businesses in full swing!  The dates for this memorable event are December 4th and 5th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm each evening; the Old Monterey Inn is participating on Wednesday the 5th. The Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce website provides ticket and registration information!

If you’re looking for yourself or for another, we do have gift certificates available for purchase. Giving the gift of ultimate elegance and relaxation is truly priceless! Keep an eye out for our monthly specials and our low seasonal rates!!