Spring break on the Monterey Peninsula

The Monterey Peninsula is one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in California. It has been one of my favorite places in the world ever since I went to graduate school here 25+ years ago. While it’s not exactly around the corner from where I live now, it’s still a relatively easy 3½ hour drive—perfect for a long weekend or, in our case, part of our spring break vacation.

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The Monterey Peninsula consists of the towns of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel, as well as the gated community of Pebble Beach, one of the most exclusive enclaves for the wealthy in California. I’ll have several posts later on about Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel; today I just want to show you some teaser photos to whet your appetite.

The climate on the Monterey Peninsula is mild year round. It virtually never freezes, and it virtually never gets hot—perfect for succulents like aeoniums, which seem to be planted in front of every other house and commercial enterprise.

Enjoy these photos and look for more very soon!

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Ice plants in bloom along Ocean View Boulevard in Pacific Grove

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Ice plants in bloom along Ocean View Boulevard in Pacific Grove

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Aeoniums and Agave attenuata ‘Boutin Blue’ in Carmel

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Creative use of an old tree stump, seen in Carmel

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Carmel Beach

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One of the many fine houses looking out over Carmel Beach

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Life is good in Carmel—if you have enough $$$

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Jelly fish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

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Kelp Forest at Monterey Bay Aquarium

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Comments

  1. A dream climate! Tuberous begonias grow in the ground year round there and agaves thrive. What a great place to spend spring break! Can't wait to see more. When we win the lottery...

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    1. Lottery money would certainly be handy on the Monterey Peninsula, LOL. I stopped outside a realty office in Carmel and looked at the listings in the window; saw a 530 (!) sq.ft. cottage for $500,000. Gasp!

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  2. Such soothing images, even though they have the exact opposite weather as we do (always freezing or hot).

    LOVE the jellyfish photo!

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    1. I love that jellyfish photo, too. My all-knowing kids told me the phone in the picture is an iPhone with iOS 7.0, LOL.

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  3. Beautiful memories! We used to go over frequently and drive around the point then wander through downtown Carmel. All the neat nooks and crannies! And I always liked going by the Frank LLoyd Wright house!

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    1. I could spend a couple of days doing nothing but walking through Carmel. I loved looked at the houses and the landscaping. We saw that Frank Lloyd Wright house on Sunset Dr :-).

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  4. I really should have been born to a rich family, it suits my tastes so much better than lower middle class..

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