Monterey CA
Browsed in LA went to Sunset Blvd. we didn't find anything out of ordinary but ,overpriced old houses . A common observation from a (Dallasite), there are no new houses. Most of houses are old and relatively small. Sunset Boulevard was not impressive as its fame may imply.
Then we went on to our second destination Monterey, that is a (6-7 hour drive about 280 miles). We took the scenic highway101 which was awesome. Then we arrived at Monterey at the first part of the city you would think that it is a very small town but it wasn't a small town, the population is 60,000 people. The beaches are so beautiful, that you would think no one has ever swum in it before (it's so fresh).
There is a tourist office has a big city map every hotel has a flag and a number. There is a courtesy phone next to map where it does for you speed dialing according hotel number, and you can make a reservation, or check availability of a room. Being first timer and have no idea where to go, direction for me was a little bit challenging. I wanted to browse and have dinner then, make a reservation.
We went to have dinner, found International and Middle East Restaurant . Kind of fast food, we ate Falafel. It turned to be, the owner is from Iraq, his name is Alex. Talked with him this town. He explained Monterey, it is 2 parts: Marina, which is expensive, and Bay Area which is affordable. Drove to Bay area, and we found a nice Motel for a nice price. Motel Castle for $ 50.00. It was only for one night . The whole town is sold out because of Jazz Festival
Monterey has about 150 Middle Eastern families mainly from Egypt who work in University. So we met a lot of Arabic speaking people in this town more than we usually meet in every day. By night we had a nice dessert (watermelons) at Lebanese restaurant, Mohammed Hamada is a nice character.
We came all the way to California to enjoy beach and water. We carried swimming suits, and water shoes, to be told that water here is so cold. Just come and enjoy scenery!!!....No way...My wife and my son wanted to enjoy the water. My wife tried to test the water with one bare foot. As soon as, she touched cold water she ran back :"It is very cold" !! she cried. Marina is very nice to walk on beach.
Following day we browsed in different areas in gift shops and souvenir area Fisherman Warf , Cannery. We had lunch in a floating boat restaurant. We went to a beach in Bay area my son had better luck to keep his feet a little bit longer in water. A junior high school students were there and they wore body suits in order to swim in water. My wife and my son had a humble share with Monterey COLD WATER.
More hyperlinks to Monterey:
http://www.monterey.com/home.html
http://www.bestlodgings.com/state/ca/bb/monterey_bb.html
http://www.monterey-reservations.com/
http://www.gorp.com/happydogtours/itinerary.htm
Pictures from Monterey CA:
1-http://www.3dexpo.com/gallery_mont.htm
2-http://cyberdog.apple.com/people/jav/Monterey.html
3-http://graphics.stanford.edu/~lucasp/pictures/bike/Monterey/bike.html