Ocean View Blvd. in Pacific Grove & Goodie's Delicatessen

Many locals like to keep a close watch on high surf advisory alerts because that is a great time (if conditions are safe) to drive along Ocean View Blvd. in Pacific Grove (camera in hand) and watch the tremendous waves crash against the rocks (notice my header photo on the right is an Ocean View Blvd. wave).  Tomorrow is a high-surf advisory from 11 am -11 pm.  Even if you work nearby, drive on your lunch break and park on the street's side, then enjoy whatever you brown-bagged that day.  When a large set arrives in, snap a few pictures and roll down your window just to listen to the waves...people pay money to buy ocean wave sounds but if you're here, you practically have that sound in your backyard!  I remember during the rough adolescent years of middle school having my mom take me out to lunch this way.  She'd pick me up from school, with my favorite sandwich, and drive to Ocean View Blvd. where we'd watch the waves.  She'd encourage me though the difficult times and it was these little breaks away that encouraged me to keep going through the most challenging day.  Even as an adult, these moments of calm are helpful.  I am so thankful my mom did this...the tradition will continue.

This setting makes for a great date too.  Get sandwiches or make yourself a picnic, snap photographs together as you stop along the road to capture a wave, and hold hands.  There's just something wonderful about holding hands along the beach.

*Please do not go on the rocks during high surf warnings, or decide it's your day to swim around the ocean or convince yourself it's the day you'll take up tidepooling.  I have heard too many stories on ksbw news over the years of people being swept out to sea by an unexpected wave.  So, stay at a safe distance to watch.  

Goodie's Delicatessen, Pacific Grove:
If you hit snooze on the alarm and didn't get a chance to brown-bag a lunch, then consider the pure enjoyment of a sandwich from Goodie's.  If you're taking a drive along Ocean View you can stop here along the way.  If you'd like to avoid a wait, you can view their menu, location, and contact information by clicking here and call your order in.  I'm one of those people that has a "usual" just about everywhere because I get stuck on one delicious thing.  At Goodie's I always order the #14, without mustard, on one of their french rolls instead of the sourdough it normally arrives on (because, let's face it, it's all about the bread for me).  Something about the pickles they give you too...they're just my favorite pickles.

Monterey Bay Coastal Bike Path

Fitness and beauty meet when you take your bicycle (or your jogging shoes) out on the Monterey Bike Path.  You can also rent a surrey at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove or on Cannery Row for a date or some family fun.  Just get outside here for some fitness along the coast and enjoy yourselves!
Click Here to view Bay Bikes Rentals or Click Here to view Adventures by the Sea Rentals.  The views along this path are gorgeous.  All kinds of animals and birds to view along the oceanside and and you can stop for lunch or coffee along your route.  This Bike Path used to be the location of the coastal railroad tracks which existed from the 1930's to the 1950's in the height of the historical Sardine Factories.  Some of the original tracks remain in areas of Seaside if you want to enjoy a piece of remaining history and, if applicable, point them out to your children.  You can begin in Pacific Grove and go all around the coast and back if your body obliges.

A note of awareness: I have witnessed walkers, joggers, and bicyclists get frustrated with one another while trying to share the road.  There are some very serious bicyclists (not the majority) who get a bit of bike-path-rage.  So if you're a walker, be kind to the bicyclists and try to yield to them.  If you're a bicyclist, many walkers on the road are tourists and may not be aware of the need to walk on the dirt path so be kind and gentle.  Let's be nice to one another out there and primarily, have fun and enjoy the view!  If you're bicycling, use caution where walkers frequent the path along Pacific Grove and Monterey to avoid collision.

For more information on the Monterey Bike Path including maps and more, click here.


Another tip for those enjoying the use of their bicycles on Thursdays.  There is now a program called HER Helmet Thursdays where you may obtain discounts at various locations if you ride there via your bike with your helmet. 
"H"- Hotels/other lodging. 
"E"- Educational attractions and entertainment venues. 
"R"- Restaurants/other dining and beverages.

HER Helmet Thursday FAQ's may be viewed by clicking here.

A map including the participating venues of HER Helmet Thursdays may be viewed here.

First Awakenings also participates in HER Helmet Thursdays.

Blog Header Photographs

I have received many inquiries about the photographs on my blog header, so this post should provide any answers. 

All of these photographs were taken by my husband and I. 


     -The top left photo is the sunset view from the Dunes in Sand City.

     -The next photo is a picture of spring flowers (California Poppy and Lupine) in front of the Pacific Grove Museum.

     -The next photo is a picture taken while hiking in Big Sur on the Buzzard's Roost Trail inside Pfeiffer State Park.

     -The far right photo was taken along Ocean View Blvd. in Pacific Grove while watching the large ocean waves that arrive in the winter.

First Awakenings

This Breakfast and Lunch Restaurant is sooooo delicious!  I mean, it's really good and it has that addictive quality to it.  My husband and I order the same thing every time...almost without fail.  This is a local's spot, but if you've visited the area enough times, you'll know many tourists flock here too.  Everyone goes to First Awakenings because the food is amazing!  If you're craving pancakes...go here, and order "Pancake" because when they serve you just one, that's plenty.  I recommend their wheat-germ pancake, YUM!  Or try their summer oatmeal...the presentation is fun to play with if you're a big kid and I promise you'll enjoy it!  Their skillets are so delicious and their staff is wonderfully friendly and prompt.  One more little fact, if you enjoy their hot sauce on the tables, you may purchase some at the register when you pay for your meal.  I have only seen people enjoying themselves when they eat here and when they leave, just anxious to return.  This is a wonderful, casual breakfast place right in Pacific Grove near the Monterey border.  Their location is in the American Tin Cannery.  If you walk through the Tin Cannery after you enjoy this place there is an upstairs area, and if you have children and quarters, they can sit on the car ride with Elmo and pretend to take a drive.  Parking on the street is available if you have coins, but if you plan to enjoy your dining experience at First Awakenings, go to the parking area just up the street and let them know you'll be having breakfast there...they will give you a ticket to have stamped at the restaurant and you'll receive the first 2 or 3 hours of parking free.  The American Tin Cannery has been adding more stores to their listings but they still have many empty spaces.  I remember when this place had a store filled in every available spot.  They had a great bookstore upstairs, they had a kitchen store downstairs, clothing stores for children, all kinds of things in their hay-day.  They still have some great stores if you walk through, but you'll notice the bare feeling.  First Awakenings continues to shine there though.  No surprise why. 

Who knows who you'll spot when you eat here. 

Have you ever seen an episode of I Love Lucy?  There was one episode where Lucy got starstruck after running into William Holden.  My friend and I had an experience just like this (well, at least the first 50 seconds). There used to be a youtube link to the clip from the show but it is no longer available. Either way, below is the story.

So, I met my friend for breakfast at yummy First Awakenings.  We sat outside on a sunny day and then Paul Walker was seated behind my friend...just like Ethel, I whispered to let her know who was behind her.  Now, I understand Paul Walker is not of the same William Holden fame, but still.  Paul is the guy who hasn't shaved in a few days (Picture below, courtesy of my wonderful friend).  She got a little starstruck and I could not stop playing the I Love Lucy episode in my mind while all this unfolded.  That was probably one of my favorite times eating here.  I don't blame her for being a little starstruck and taking a picture of him...I thought it was great!

*In 2006, Rachael Ray dined at First Awakenings for her $40 a Day show.  This restaurant was featured on the show and Rachael enjoyed crepeggs...something I admit I haven't tried yet because I'm so stuck on my "usual" here!  Click here to see the link to the food network's website. 

Visit http://www.firstawakenings.net/ to view locations, hours, menu, and more. 

The Inn at Spanish Bay: Lobby Lounge and Outdoor Terrace

If you don't often take advantage of the Pebble Beach Resorts nearby, start enjoying them little by little.  Here is a relaxing date idea, and the plus side is that you don't need reservations.  Go to The Inn at Spanish Bay on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evening (preferably in the late afternoon).  If you'd like, stay indoors and sit by a warm fireplace, but I recommend that you try to get there as early as you can (4 pm would be best).  Find a cozy seat around one of the fire pits on the Outdoor Terrace.  Between 4 and 6 pm daily the bagpiper will complete their performance near the Terrace, providing the feel of St. Andrews' golf course in Scotland.  Enjoy your view of a lovely green golf course with ocean waves just beyond.  Watch the sunset and relax as you wait for the beautiful fog to roll in or on a clear night for the stars to begin appearing.  Listen to the waves, request a blanket from a server if you get cold, and order some delicious appetizers then share dessert.  This date can be incredibly romantic.  All of the lounge menu items come from Roy's Restaurant...so they're going to be delicious down to every last bite.  I recommend stopping here on a Thurs, Fri, or Sat because they will have live entertainment.  If you want something quiet, then choose a Sunday thru Wednesday evening.

Click here to view The Spanish Bay Lobby Lounge online and scroll down to open the pdf of their menu.  They have a Spanish Bay Half-Pound Burger, some sandwiches, and a salad if you want something more substantial than appetizers.  This is a great date out of the norm.  No sitting in a restaurant, looking across the table from your date, no reservations, just sitting next to one another, in front of a fire, watching the ocean and sunset, as you wait to stargaze.

*The menu for the Lobby Lounge and Outdoor Terrace begins at 12 pm and ends at 10 pm.

Del Monte Shopping Center

This post is primarily for those who recently moved to the area or are longtime residents who, like myself, just discovered this tip.  While living in the beautiful Monterey Bay area, you will likely be traveling to Del Monte Shopping Center a time or two.  So, be it meeting friends for Chipotle, having dinner at LALLAgrill, crowding the Hallmark store before a holiday, keeping the Apple store packed almost always, or seeing a movie...hopefully you benefit from this tip.

FYI: If you're on vacation here and decide to walk around the mall, bring a jacket since the fog can rush in at any given time and this mall is outdoors.  If you have children, there is a fountain and they'll likely want to run around there...bring some pennies and make a wish (they'll love that).

Finally, here's the tip: Del Monte Shopping Center has a rewards card.  If you shop or dine at this mall, you should get one of these.  You can request one at the mall guest services office located in front of the Macy's handbag entrance or online at the Del Monte Rewards website by clicking here.  This card promotes two rewards promotions: their "Everyday Values" which can be viewed by clicking here and their "Favorite Values" which can be viewed by clicking here.  They do change the rewards from time to time so keep the website bookmarked to your favorites.  Currently the "Favorite Values" reward is 1 free bottle of water (upon availability) when you present your card at guest services.  Last time I went shopping here, I got really thirsty...I was shopping with an energetic (yet adorable) toddler, need I say more?

Another tip for shopping here or at most shopping centers is to peruse their website before you go.  They list out their Events and include current sales or promotions.  To see your current listing of Del Monte Shopping Center "Events" click here. 
Here's a few details I discovered when I looked at their "Events" webpage:

Century Theatres has a "Military Night" on Thursdays.  Bring your military ID and get matinee prices all day.
Williams-Sonoma is offering complimentary "technique" classes led by culinary experts.  Hmmm...maybe they can help me improve how I flambé? 
Pizza My Heart has "Kids Night" on Tuesdays from 4-8 pm.  Kids make their own mini pizzas and get a small drink for $5.

When in Monterey, enjoy yourself, and if you like...do as the locals do.