Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is the best of European charm and architecture, sitting peacefully on the Monterey Bay.

Deep blue waters guided by frothy-white tips curl forward, like small waves that lap at the Plaza’s sturdy feet and with it–a welcome treasure of calm feeling and sound.

Sea lions and seagulls faintly heard in the distance are like a welcomed surround sound, beaconing visitors to devour its land, mountain, and water views with eyes, ears, and smell, creating that sensation unique to each of us that translates into inner calm. This calm ocean-fed feeling contributes to making this hotel and the Monterey Peninsula special.

It’s no surprise then that the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is in the heart of Cannery Row, and a short walk to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, where I fell in love with playful, human-like, indigenous to this area, sea otters.

The jellyfish floated as if in outer space. I felt as if I’d entered a new world, which I had just by staring.                              

As I mentioned in my last post, walking in Monterey is a colorful feast for the senses, most especially for the eyes.

Yet somehow through osmosis you pick up the energetic life pulsating around you: The Monterey Bay, nearby Pacific Ocean, sea otters, sea gulls, pelicans, mountains, trees, and the element that drew me originally here–clean air.

Monterey and the peninsula are rated one of the cleanest locations in the country, not just California, where the peninsula is considered one of a few clean air places left in the State.

Every October, Monarch Butterflies return to spend winters in the next town over called Pacific Grove, also known as “Butterfly Town, USA”.  The climate is perfect for their needs. I caught hundreds asleep in clusters on this Eucalyptus tree branch, the sun’s warmth hadn’t yet woken them.      

If you stay at the Monterey Plaza, and you aren’t up for a walk, they have a slick black Mercedes to usher you to your destination at no cost, gratuity appreciated. Kind driver at wheel.

I saw a lot of tourists, taking their photo by the hotel’s dolphin water fountain. No wall flower… Cheese!

I realize not everyone thinks they have a champagne budget to stay at the only luxury resort on Monterey Bay but think again, for they offer specials within reach for many.

Until March 31, 2008 they have a $199 special per couple, which includes a deluxe Ocean Balcony room (that’s where I stayed), breakfast for two at their award-winning restaurant, The Duck Club Grill, which overlooks the water, and seagulls fly by “hello”. You also get complimentary use of the hotel’s spa facility. They have exercise equipment and a sauna and steam room. Holidays may have black-out dates.

When I returned to my room, the bed had been turned down, and pink lilacs placed on the pillows. Classical music softly played from the radio.

I woke to soft lapping water, and the hotel facade glowed from the rising sun about to warm my day.

As I embarked for Santa Cruz, a 45 minute drive north on beautiful Highway 1, I wore lilacs in my hair.

March 2008 Update: Since I wrote this post, several California Counties are slated to be sprayed with pesticides on certain dates. The pesticide, from what I understand, can stay in the air for 30 days afterwards. Please click here to read up and plan your stays in California accordingly, especially if you’re a sensitive individual.  

I love Monterey!

It’s true I loved my visit, (besides a migraine that developed soon after arrival) which happened to be right after spray dates, which I did not know about, and I did have other negative health reactions. I’m still angry about this. Can you imagine, California government hurting its own people for a moth that hasn’t damaged one crop.

Below was my take when I’d first arrived in Monterey in November 2007. If future spray dates are canceled, I highly recommend Monterey and Santa Cruz, otherwise, check spray dates, and go at your own risk. If you’re sensitive at all, I wouldn’t go if they plan to spray within 90 days of your stay. As of this writing, the spray stays in the air up to 30 days, and they’re talking about making it last longer.

The Monterey Peninsula is #1 for clean air in California but did you know it’s one of the cleanest counties in the United States?

Despite a few environmental problems, mostly from an army base, it’s overall an environmental winner.

I could breathe very easily here. Air goes down smoothly.

Approaching Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf, I passed the beautiful Monterey Peninsula Community College tucked under trees, lucky students.

I once spent three months applying for college teaching positions. As a result, I interviewed at UC Santa Barbara but you need to be rich in order to teach there.

I enjoyed unexpectedly seeing this college, and my urge to teach rose again. I guest lectured several times in the Feature Story writing class at Cal State Fullerton, and loved it.

Will the welcome you to Monterey committee come to order?

Geese.

This was my Welcome to Monterey image, which put a big smile on my face, especially after that long drive up the 101.

Next I was greeted by a view of Monterey Bay, and beyond Seaside, a nearby community. 

I couldn’t wait to check into my hotel, grab my camera to get the best light of the soon to be setting sun, and soak in Monterey.

The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa at 400 Cannery Row is in the heart of colorful Monterey and offers a European look and soul. It’s the only luxury resort on Monterey Bay and its elegant European architecture reminded me of Italy.

Charming.

The Monterey Plaza & Spa is in walking distance to the world renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, old sardine canning factories, which are now updated to accommodate jewelry, clothing, tourist shops, Starbucks, and fine and casual restaurants.

And it’s where I enjoyed a wonderful 24 hour reprieve from normal life.

I drove up to The Monterey Plaza’s wide entrance, and, no kidding, around seven wholesome-looking young men greeted me, Colgate white smiles.

Doors opened.

My trunk popped. 

“How may I assist you?” echoed into the driveway chamber.

I turned my head, unsure who to turn to first.

Him, him, or okay, him.

My car–poof!–vanished, my bags rolled into the European elegant well-lit entrance, and I followed, cameras and tripod in tow.

I’ve become a serious amateur photographer.

My room overlooked the Monterey Bay, and despite the fact it was inviting to hang out–a big comfy bed, bathtub, and relaxing view with the faint sounds of seal lions reminding me I’m far from Los Angeles–I had to get outside for the last of the sunlight.

Picture time!

I headed out from the multi-tiered European hotel with wow! panoramic views, and stopped for a photo in front of their dolphin fountain. A woman from Bulgaria told me she’s a great photographer.  For half pictures.

Let’s try again!

Tomorrow I’ll share more of Monterey, including the Aquarium and Monarch Butterfly sanctuary in nearby Pacific Grove.

I’m back from the Monterey Peninsula and Santa Cruz, areas known for clean air.

Look at that Santa Cruz skyline!

According to the American Lung Association’s 2007 State of the Air Report, this area receives an A for ozone pollution and an A for particulate matter pollution, meaning virtually little to no air pollution.

One of the few clean air areas left in California. Though here, clean air rarely comes cheap. Beyond pristine Nature lay million dollar and up homes.

The area has gorgeous big green leaf trees, a pristine skyline as you see in above lighthouse photo, a famous boardwalk with rollercoaster, popular surfer spots, and UC Santa Cruz, which sits atop a hill overlooking the Pacific. UCSC has a dynamite theatre program. My mom, uncle, and her friend Barkley went to see The Princess and The Pea at UCSC, which I highly recommend for its costumes, humor, acting, singing, and that make-you-feel-good feeling.

Santa Cruz is ultra-liberal and generous with homeless, which means, homeless wander around an eclectic downtown. Santa Cruz retains a 1960s hippie, purple pink hair, body piercings and art, new music, and open-mindedness vibe that mixes with natural beauty.

Breathing air felt great.

Next I went to Pebble Beach where my friend Tom stayed at his soft-spoken mom’s house, beautifully located on the famous 17-mile drive, and they invited me to stay in their guest room for a night. They live on a road which winds through a Cypress grove, grand mansions, hotels, and along a wind-swept ocean front.

Tom took me sightseeing in Pebble Beach and Carmel. Here I am near The Lone Cypress, a famous landmark. And here’s dogs “kissing” enroute to Carmel’s white-sand beach.

Massive waves greeted us yesterday on the 17-mile drive, which gave me a natural energy high like I don’t recall getting in any other way.

Crashing waves against gravel, rock, and sand, beads of salt-water bouncing in the air, birds flying and diving, and singing their song.

Energy.

Energetic waves lifted me higher and higher. I was planning to leave the area but the ocean made me feel so good I decided to go to Point Lobos State Reserve, a living museum where land and surf converge.

I took a trail leading to an old whaling station, walking on a bluff above crashing waves, rocks, and water, an evergreen blue shade, with divers emerging in black wet suits.

At one point, no other people were on trail. Lions and tigers and bears, spiders, oh my! Where was I walking alone inches away from a cliff I wondered? I prefer to walk with a friend but alas… Oh good, I made a few friends on the way.

Here’s a nice mom taking a walk with her son. He’s only 24 and already has a Master’s in Public Health and may soon get a PhD and help disadvantaged overseas. His mom is proud, and enjoys his company.I drove back to Monterey, stopping for lunch near the Cannery, and hit the road at 2:00 p.m., making it back to Los Angeles at 7:30 p.m.

I thought I’d hit a lot of Sunday Thanksgiving traffic, but fortunately there was none.

The Malibu fire was contained, and unlike last month, there weren’t several fires burning out of control.

California is beautiful. Rolling brown hills, wind swept trees, horses, cows, farms, quaint towns along the ocean.

I enjoyed being alone with my thoughts, which now includes a love for the Monterey Peninsula.

I will return.

Tomorrow, I’ll share photos and my wonderful experiences in Monterey.