My generous father-in-law bought our family a membership to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium in November. Since then we have been twice. The first time, we stayed at an AirBnB a half an hour away, the second trip we decided to save on boarding and just wake up super early and leave just as my daughter was ready for her nap.
Both times were fun! The first was because our host kept fresh homemade bread in her kitchen and had such a cozy home, it was also nice to have a full day of adventures where we went to the aquarium, Santa Cruz, and an off the beaten path local beach. The second trip was special because we saved over $100, discovered Pacific Grove, and had In-and-out. What we realized is, we CAN have loads of fun on a shoestring budget with good planning and a bit of luck. That day, (already having the passes paid for) we spent $43.00 on gas and $15 at In-and-out.
Biggest Tips:
- Get membership passes. It is so worth it. It pays for itself after three visits, is tax-deductible, and you get in via a special membership line that is rarely busy. Another perk is, it’s a great base for your day adventure and much more educational than spending the same amount on rides and tickets at the boardwalk.
- Travel while your baby is sleeping. It can be tempting to leave when normal people are awake or get there just as the venue is opening up but getting there early allows your family to discover what locals do.
Visiting the local park is always fun. Plus, it is exhausting to entertain your child for a few hours in the car and giving them a cell phone the whole trip is terrible according to scientific research on brain development. We arrived an hour early and hung out at the McDonald’s ordered two hash browns, changed Erin’s diaper, stretched our feet, went potty, and freshened up.
In beautiful places, even the McDonald’s is picturesque. The one in Monterey was right next to the water, it was modern inside, clean, and very friendly. - Incorporate a side trip. The first time we visited Santa Cruz after the Monterey, which is 30 minutes away, but just as easily we could have taken in Carmel, Capitola, or Pacific Grove.
Santa Cruz is great if paying $15 for parking is no big deal. There’s tons of activity here, is often crowded but the beach has the softest sand that your little one will totally enjoy.
Capitola is a little more quaint than Santa Cruz but still crowded, it’s so fun to buy pizza by the slice, take it down to the beach and eat, or stroll around town on foot. Lots of small shops and boutiques.
Carmel is upscale, beautiful, clean, and pet-friendly. With long stretches of beach you and your little one can stroll for awhile, build sand castles, and enjoy the natural beauty that is Carmel. The town is geared towards adults and their pets but if your child is well-behaved, you’ll be welcomed.
Pacific Grove is an attractive small town adjacent to Monterey, it has Lover’s Point which is a popular walking trail and look out the to the Bay. There is a direct path that is stroller friendly from the Museum to the Point. During November and December, Monarch butterflies come and hibernate in it’s trees, so during the warmest part of the day visit the city’s Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, parking is free and it you’re there during the weekend the adult school grounds has a fabulous playground for little ones but signs all around says “please do no leave your child unsupervised” - Bring their favorite lunch foods, snacks, and water. Taking in a picnic is so pretty in towns such as these and saving on food is great. The advantage is choice. You will have food but if something strikes your fancy, you can eat there too. Children are finicky sometimes and the seafood diner may sound interesting to you, but for your child, their peanut butter and honey sandwich is much more delicious.
- Take photos and write notes. Adventures with your family are precious gifts. Sometimes meltdowns happens, other times the day goes off without a hitch. Documenting these moments helps us relive it once decades have gone by and your children are starting to have children of their own. Don’t overdo it and create stress but a few pictures and thoughtful words in a family adventure journal is a beautiful thing…
May your adventures be many and your joy infinite!
With love and appreciation, KC