Monterey Peninsula

[woody64]

I have had to travel to the Monterey area several times in the last 6 months. I always take my camera as an outlet...plus the area is unbelievable.
Here is a small sample of some of my better shots. Please give me any feedback.

I usually fly into SF and decided to get some pics before driving down to Monterey.

Drive from SF to Monterey on US 1

The rest are from the Monterey/Big Sur area

The Pebble Beach Lone Cypress in the fog

Sunset at Carmel beach

Famous Bixby bridge

 

[woody64]

And now for my creature pics
Crab Lunch

Another couple of otter pics

Seals?

Mother's Day Whale watch

Starfish on piling

Seagull

Jellyfish spotted during whale watch

The best for last. Just 2 weeks ago I was driving south of Big Sur and came upon a pull off where there were 9 Condors. There is a total population of 330 (8/08) with 153 in the wild. This is the second time I have seen them at this spot so feel very lucky. At the pull off I was within 10'-15' of them. Amazing and thanks for looking at my pics.

 

[ukcatfan]

I am pretty sure those are sea lions. Seals do not have an ear flap. Also, very nice shots! That area is like no other place in the country. I have been out to SF a couple times for work, but only made it out to the coast for a very brief time.

 

[El Nebuloso]

Love your pics!

Here's one of mine from Monterey from a rare moment that I managed to escape from work while I was out there a couple of years ago. I liked the splash of color against the otherwise industrial background...

The area is amazing and offers many opportunities. Thanks for your pics and for the revived memories!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

It's one of my favorite places to shoot. We go out to Pacific Grove for Spring Break most years.

Here are a bunch of shots I've taken in the area:

If you are interested, I have several slideshows from trips to the area:

2003
2004
2005
2006
2008

 

[gulf breeze]

Is it just me or is this guy smiling???Great shots!

 

[tink6137130]

Your pictures are amazing!

 

[orchjoe]

This is a cool shot ! I like it very much.

 

[woody64]

Thanks everyone for the compliments and looking.

Mark-it was some of your shots that inspired me to try and explore the area. Unfortunately I have limited time in the evenings for sunsets but will try. I work for the company that opened the IMAX theatre on Cannery Row across from the parking garage so next time check it out. Look for the condors south of Big Sur at a pull off where a house is under construction. It's before you get to the waterfall. That's where I've seen them twice.

El Nebuloso-great shot. I never thought to look at things like that because there are several areas where it definately looks industrial.

 

[jann1033]

nice shots everyone

 

[MOMTOCUTESTDOGEVER]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE sea otters and will be visiting Monterey in 2 weeks. The photos you took are amazing. Please share with me where you took them as I hope to spend some time otter gazing outside of the aquarium. Thank you so much!!

 

[KCmike]

My family is also planning a trip to Monterey (big part of the trip is to Yosemite) but would love to know where would be a good hotel to stay at? We would love to walk right out to the beach. Location, location, location!

Where was the shot of the Yellow building looking like a bed and breakfast?

I absolutely love ALL of these shots. Please send more!!!!!

Any other advice about this area would be very helpful. We are struggling to find just the right spot for visiting. Tripadvisor just hasn't been kind to us for this trip.

 

[KCmike]

I can't seem to open up your slideshows Mark B....can you post more photos from your 2008 trip here on this thread?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Here are a few more photos.

This was at Sunset Point in Pacific Grove

This was at the beach by Lover's Point in Pacific Grove

This is Hank Ketchum Park in Monterey. If you've got little ones, you might stop by there. Just be careful of the train...it's not a particularly safe thing to play on.

This is the rocky coast along the Pacific Grove shore, somewhere near the end of Monterey Avenue. It's not actually mist; it's a long exposure (15 second) shot of waves.

This is a random surfer dude near Lover's Point in Pacific Grove.

This is a protected beach in Pacific Grove very close to Monterrey.

This is another long exposure shot of the surf.

This is a shot looking up the coast from Julie Pfeiffer Burns.

Here is a closeup of Pfeiffer Burn's iconic waterfall on the beach.

Here's a shot at some big trees in Big Sur State Park.

Here's a shot of Carmel Beach.

This is my youngest watching the waves at Carmel Beach.

Here is a jellyfish at the Monterey Aquarium.

Here is Master Mason at Point Lobos.

Here is another shot of Point Lobos.

Here is the Point Sur Light Station.

You can see bunches more of my pictures of the region here. I also have stream video slideshows here. Finally, I have downloaded versions of those slideshow (they only work on a Windows PC) for 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003.

The yellow B&B I showed is the Seven Gables Inn. Their policy forbids pre-teen children, so we haven't ever stayed there. OK, even without the kids, we probably couldn't afford it anyway. I've also noticed the Green Gables Inn a few blocks up the coast. I can vouch for either of them. My parents rent a house a few houses up one of the side streets (the monthly rental rates are insanely cheap) and we just stay with them. We don't have ocean views, but it is only about a hundred yards to the coast.

There is a lot to do in the area. There are tide pools to explore, whale watching trips, kayak rentals, the aquarium, lighthouses, missions, Point Lobos, 17-mile drive, Pebble Beach golf course, Carmel, Carmel beach, Big Sur, and so much more. If you have any other questions about the area, I'll answer what I can. We've only been there in February and March, so I don't know anything about what it is like at other times of the year.

 

[boBQuincy]

My family is also planning a trip to Monterey (big part of the trip is to Yosemite) but would love to know where would be a good hotel to stay at? We would love to walk right out to the beach. Location, location, location!

Where was the shot of the Yellow building looking like a bed and breakfast?

I absolutely love ALL of these shots. Please send more!!!!!

Any other advice about this area would be very helpful. We are struggling to find just the right spot for visiting. Tripadvisor just hasn't been kind to us for this trip.

I highly recommend Green Gables, we have always enjoyed staying there. The food is really good (the wine too) and the innkeepers are just great. Eat dinner at PassionFish in Pacific Grove, the best!

The view across the street:

For some trip ideas, check out:
http://www.suzieandbob.com/ under the "California" heading

 

[KCmike]

Thanks for all the great shots. Can't wait to see it in person in June!!!!

 

[KCmike]

We've booked Yosemite and Monterey for a vacation this summer.

In Monterey we are staying at the Sanctuary Beach Resort just a few minutes north of Monterey. Anyone been there?

Anyone have any more pictures of Northern California? San Fran, Monterey, or Yosemite Natl Park?

 

[pointandshoot]

All:

I am headed out in a few weeks to Monterey. How much zoom do you recommend for the creature shots. I have a Canon 100-400mm and a 70-200 2.8 IS. I would prefer to take just the 70-200. I can be lazy about lugging gear. will that be enough reach? Should I add a 1.4X. I shoot on a 40D.

Thanks for any replies.

Chuck

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Awesome photos of the Monterey area everyone! It's so beautiful. Love all the nature shots. I haven't been there since '97 and would love to go again...

 

[NostalgicDad]

Here's a few from a trip to Yosemite in '07.......


(click this one for a slightly larger view)

Lots of others can be seen in these galleries. Have a great trip!