11/13/2023 0 Comments Monterey scenery![]() They went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and had the best chance of seeing whales and other marine animals. ![]() The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about marine life. If you're visiting Monterey, California and looking for a memorable experience, I highly recommend going on a whale watch tour with Monterey Bay Whale Watch. Overall a wonderful playground for all ages. However, there would most likely be plenty of street parking. I imagine parking may be harder when there is a ball game happening at the attached ball field. There is a decent amount of parking but only a small bike rack. Mainly the areas where a more traumatic fall would occur, there is the rubbery, flat material. Majority of the play area is covered with mulch with the exception being some of the areas around the actual play structures and slides. This definitely helps ease anxiety for those with a runner or multiple kids since it helps to keep them contained. The entire playground area is fenced with only 1 gate for entrance and exit. There are also a few swings.īeyond the playground itself, there is a small pond with paddle boats for rental, picnic tables, and a small skate park. There is a rock climbing wall, a suspension bridge, water fountain, various things to climb on, a boat/water play area for smaller kiddos, two very large play structures, a roller slide, a small hedge maze with a lookout tower, and this rotating/spinning play structure that is like a crazy and modern take on a merry-go-round. It has a little bit of everything and clean restrooms! My kids, 7,5,&3, love coming to this park. We smiled as wide and laughed as hard as the kids who were also transfixed. We stood watching them nap, clamour over each other and brawl a bit for probably a half hour. Should note that the sea lions piled up on the shore right at the entrance to the wharf were a delight. We did enjoy the salt water taffy we picked up on our way out from one of the candy stores that sold it individually rather than in $15 bags. Will update my review if we find ourselves here again. Saw some gorgeous views available from within the restaurants and certainly seafood here would be □□□. I do think that if we had been more in the mood for a tourist trap and feeling spendthrift our experience would have been different. We scrolled through reviews for the restaurants on the wharf and did not think any of them seemed worth spending the money they were charging. A quarter of the store fronts were boarded up and pricing on the food was incredibly steep, even at grab and go style spots. ![]() My husband (who usually abhors tourist traps) has enjoyed it in the past so wanted to bring me for the first time in September 2022. I have the sense that The Old Fisherman’s Wharf is struggling post pandemic and with inflation. It is a great place to build awareness of the wonders of the marine world and our need to conserve them. I really enjoyed myself and glad for all they do there for the preservation of ocean life. Keep in mind parking will come at a premium with many all day spots nearby for $15. There is also a coffee bar where one can buy coffee or espresso drinks for under $5. They have a large cafe with excellent choices for grabbing lunch at a reasonable cost. There are a couple of places where one is allowed to reach in to touch and feel the animals. Some exhibits made me wish I was a little kid because I was much too tall to fit in some of these. Many special exhibits are designed especially for kids to play with and adventure around in. This is a great place for little children. I took the time to sit in on one of the free 15 min videos presented in their auditorium. The Kelp forest and otters are the two main attractions. There are several exhibits throughout the whole area encompassing 3 floors. A beautiful aquarium with majestic views of Monterey Bay.
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