Sunday

Candy Cane Lane in Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove Candy Cane Lane 
 
Candy Cane Lane: Nutcracker by nicandres
Robo nut. by nicandresCandy Cane Lane is an institution in Pacific Grove Ca and really the whole  Central Coast of California. People come from far and wide to see this neighborhood all lit up and decorated for Christmas. I know everyone decorates their neighborhood for Christmas but at Candy Cane Lane it's just I don't know different. Sort of like how going to your grandmas for Christmas was different than staying home. What do I mean? I mean it's just bigger and more magical I guess. If you have never been to Candy Cane Lane for Christmas before then you will be awed by the creativity of the residents, there are giant soldiers and Elvis just like every year and then there are just the whimsical cutouts of peoples favorite Walt Disney Characters. One of the additions that I especially like is the high school kids singing every night after six pm. Everything that you see is put together by volunteers and residents of this neighborhood. It's a tradition passed down from homeowner to homeowner as homes sell often times one of the things talked about is, oh by the way in the shed in the back are all the Christmas decorations. This house is very famous for a such and such decoration and you have to do it every year. LOL how would you like to get that in the contract when you bought a house. If you are a resident and have been coming since you were a kid this is a great place to bring your kids or out of town guests. If you are from out of town and happen to be here during the holidays get out of the hotel and come check out candy cane lane. The soldier has always been my favorite yard decoration. I don't know why since I was a boy he has just always fascinated me. What is your favorite and why?
photos by nicandres on Flickr.







Christmas Events in Pacific Grove

Chrismas Events in Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove City Tree Lighting Ceremony

The tree lighting will be held at Jewell park in Pacific Grove on December 3rd from 5:30 -7:30 there will be singing by local choruses and childrens groups as well as well as caroling and refreshments and Santa will even be in attendance.

The 11th annual Holiday Parade of Lights

Downtown Pacific Grove December 6th 6 to 9 pm this is a great parade there will be everything equestrian, floats banners, school bands you name it. If it belongs in a holiday parade it will be here. The great thing about this parade is all the downtown stores stay open late so have your lists ready do do some shopping for that person that is just hard to buy for. There is something in the PG downtown for them.


So if you are in PG on the 3rd and the 6th that will keep you busy and keep you in the holiday spirit. I will be posting soon on Candy Cane Lane which is my favorite PG Christmas event.

Saturday

Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Tours

Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Tours
Monterey_18 by PharmPhotoI have lived in the Monterey area for years and I have kayaked many many times up and down the Elkhorn Slough. I have seen the beauty that is Elkhorn Slough first hand and seen the Elhorn Slough Safari Nature Tours pontoon boat taking the same journey as me several times. Although when they go they can take a larger group and they don't have to paddle. Not to mention the fact that that the captain gives them coffee and cookies. Trust me on a cold morning kayak coffee and cookies sounds great.
Elegant Tern by Vicki & Chuck RogersHappy Otter by sgraceOne of the great things about the Elkhorn Slough is that you can get up close and personal with the wildlife. You know how when you are on the dock in Monterey and you see the sea otter and it's way out there and you see it barely poking it's head out of the water. Well, with the Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Tours you are right out there cruising slowly along and you can get right up to these animals yet still you are able to keep a safe distance. One of the nice things about this as well especially for the kids is there is a naturalist on board usually a college student to tell them about all the different animals they are seeing along the way. Besides seeing sea otters and other sea mammals this is one of the best places for birding in Monterey County. Just some of the birds you might expect to see on your tour are the Acorn Woodpecker, Brown Pelican, Caspian Tern, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Plover, and the White Tailed Kite. So, as you can see there are a great many different types and species of birds to see here. For some reason I put this off and always meant to do it and finally when some friends came from out of town I finally booked the trip and had a great time

 Monterey_18, a photo by PharmPhoto on Flickr.
 Elegant Tern, a photo by Vicki & Chuck Rogers on Flickr.
 Happy Otter, a photo by sgrace on Flickr.










Map of Monterey California

Map Of Monterey Ca
It seems people are always asking me why there is not a map of Monterey on my blog and I suppose when you have a blog about Monterey there should at least be a map of Monterey on the page right. So this is my map of Monterey page and the nice thing about it is that it's a google map so you can do everything with the Monterey map that you can do on Google Maps. You can see just a road map, go 3 D view or Satellite view whatever you like. But some people would rather have a paper map and I have am never without one of those in fact I usually buy one wherever I go. So if you would like to Purchase a paper map of Monterey Carmel and Salinas you can do so at the link.  So without further ado here is my Monterey map.




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