- Joined
- Mar 27, 2008
- Messages
- 2,193
- Reaction score
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- Location
- California
- Resorts Owned
- Hyatt Highlands Inn, Hyatt Pinon Pointe
As most of you know, I live in Northern California and am a happy owner at Hyatt Highlands Inn in Carmel, CA.
During a recent week spent there, DW and I just marinated ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of the place.
We visited Point Lobos State Park, only about a mile from Highlands Inn, and considered the crown jewel of the California State Parks system, which is the most extensive of any state in the Union. Point Lobos is stunning, and well worth a visit for anyone in the area, where you'll see otters playing in the bay, harbor seals sunning themselves, cormorants and seagulls, whales off in the distance, and even the occasional visit by orcas if you're there during the right time of the year.
We spent an enjoyable afternoon at the very touristy Monterey Fisherman's Wharf, where we had an absolutely delicious bowl of New England Clam Chowder at Delmonico's, with a window seat view of the otters and seals. We were mesmerized watching an otter diving down to get mussels, cracking them on his chest as he floated on his back, and having to fight off two seagulls who planted themselves near where they thought he would come up from his fishing ventures to try to steal his lunch! Free entertainment along with a great meal.
We spent a whole day at the incomparable Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is the centerpiece of the research and restoration effort to make and keep the Bay vibrant and beautiful. It's definitely a highlight and should not be missed by anyone visiting the area.
And we even got to visit some of the tidepools below Pebble Beach and watched some of the immense preparations for the just-completed U.S. Open, which was held at that venerable and revered golf course.
What struck us during our visit is how alive, healthy, and strikingly beautiful Monterey Bay is. It was not always so. During the first half of the 20th century--and continuing all the way into the 1970's--the Bay was a dumping ground for the fish canneries that were stationed along what is now known as Cannery Row. Not only that, but other industries as well as the military (where a naval air base existed during World War II and beyond) were also guilty of dumping chemicals and effluent into the Bay.
Beginning in the late 70's--and accelerated by and with the help of the Aquarium and many who love the Bay and the area--Monterey Bay has been lovingly and spectacularly restored. It is now a place with a vibrant ecosystem, filled with hundreds of species of sea life and birds and plants, all interacting to support life in this beautiful place. The water is crystal clear, the air is clean and refreshing, and the pure enjoyment of taking it all in and immersing oneself in it is indescribable.
For anyone interested in learning more, I recommend this book: The Death And Life Of Monterey Bay by Stephen Palumbi and Carolyn Sotka, published in 2011.
Better yet, get yourself a reservation at Hyatt Highlands Inn and get yourself marinated, like we did
During a recent week spent there, DW and I just marinated ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of the place.
We visited Point Lobos State Park, only about a mile from Highlands Inn, and considered the crown jewel of the California State Parks system, which is the most extensive of any state in the Union. Point Lobos is stunning, and well worth a visit for anyone in the area, where you'll see otters playing in the bay, harbor seals sunning themselves, cormorants and seagulls, whales off in the distance, and even the occasional visit by orcas if you're there during the right time of the year.
We spent an enjoyable afternoon at the very touristy Monterey Fisherman's Wharf, where we had an absolutely delicious bowl of New England Clam Chowder at Delmonico's, with a window seat view of the otters and seals. We were mesmerized watching an otter diving down to get mussels, cracking them on his chest as he floated on his back, and having to fight off two seagulls who planted themselves near where they thought he would come up from his fishing ventures to try to steal his lunch! Free entertainment along with a great meal.
We spent a whole day at the incomparable Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is the centerpiece of the research and restoration effort to make and keep the Bay vibrant and beautiful. It's definitely a highlight and should not be missed by anyone visiting the area.
And we even got to visit some of the tidepools below Pebble Beach and watched some of the immense preparations for the just-completed U.S. Open, which was held at that venerable and revered golf course.
What struck us during our visit is how alive, healthy, and strikingly beautiful Monterey Bay is. It was not always so. During the first half of the 20th century--and continuing all the way into the 1970's--the Bay was a dumping ground for the fish canneries that were stationed along what is now known as Cannery Row. Not only that, but other industries as well as the military (where a naval air base existed during World War II and beyond) were also guilty of dumping chemicals and effluent into the Bay.
Beginning in the late 70's--and accelerated by and with the help of the Aquarium and many who love the Bay and the area--Monterey Bay has been lovingly and spectacularly restored. It is now a place with a vibrant ecosystem, filled with hundreds of species of sea life and birds and plants, all interacting to support life in this beautiful place. The water is crystal clear, the air is clean and refreshing, and the pure enjoyment of taking it all in and immersing oneself in it is indescribable.
For anyone interested in learning more, I recommend this book: The Death And Life Of Monterey Bay by Stephen Palumbi and Carolyn Sotka, published in 2011.
Better yet, get yourself a reservation at Hyatt Highlands Inn and get yourself marinated, like we did
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