imsnow's Passport
 | Been to 184 Attractions |
 | 181 Reviews |
 | 88 First to Review |
 | 2327 Photos |
 | 37 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
I’m a single mom with a 4 yr old boy. My two passions are traveling and raising my son. I love being a mom; there’s no place I’d rather be then with my son. I work full time and love to exercise.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, curious, quiet, cautious, relaxed, simple, independent, energetic, spontaneous, sophisticated, easy_going, social_butterfly
We Just Got Back From
Cancun
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Carmel, CA
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Petite St. Vincent
Favorite Vacation Memory
Half Moon Bay, Carmel, Manhattan Beach, Cancun, Maui.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
I’ll never forget flying home from Honolulu with my 1.6 month old son on Delta. The plane did not have milk for the flight and even though I boarded early, not one person thought to inform me that the plane was not stocked with milk. My son was still drinking from a bottle at this time and freaked out over having to go 5 hours without a bottle. This old cranky lady behind me was loudly complaining the whole flight about how she was tired of hearing my son cry (as if I wasn’t.) I wanted to scream (but did not) at every employee on the plane for not informing me the plane was out of milk until we were up in the air.
Websites I Like:
Weekend Escape in Monterey and Carmel with Kids
If you live in Northern California but you haven't spent a weekend in Monterey with the kids, well, you haven't really lived. Monterey and neighboring Carmel are amazing places to take your family. My son and I love to explore the great state of California and our weekend in Monterey and Carmel was one of our best trips ever.
At the end of Ocean Avenue
Carmel, California
reviewed on: September 18 2012
"One of the best beaches in California"
Carmel Beach is one of the best beaches in California. I love that it's legal to light a fire on certain parts of this beach! (Bring on the s'mores!)Carmel Beach is so beautiful; you can't really put it into words. I walked away from this beach insanely jealous of the lucky people who live in Carmel and who are able to walk to this beach every day.
Carmel is a quirky, charming town. A weekend here is a weekend well spent. When you’re able to, pack up the family and spend a weekend in fantastic Carmel. The fresh ocean air is medicinal. My 3 year old son spent the day running around this beach in his undies, chasing the surf up and down the shore. It was a GREAT day.
7250 Carmel Valley Road
(just 3.5 miles east of Highway 1) Carmel, California
3RD AND 4TH ST ON SAN CARLOS
Carmel, California
reviewed on: May 21 2012
"S'mores on the Beach"
Large families wishing to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea need look no further than Hofsas House Hotel. I stayed in the roomy Family Suite with two adults and three children under the age of six. Would I stay here again? You betcha. FAMILY SUITE
This suite contains a king bed in one room and two queens in the second room. There are two spacious bathrooms, each with bathtubs and a vanity area. Suites include either a fireplace or a dining area and either a full kitchen or a microwave and a refrigerator.
The bedspreads are pastel and flowery, the headboards are brass, and the lamp shades have tassels. If you’re into modern décor, as I am, Hofsas House may not be for you. However, with that being said, I still enjoyed my stay here tremendously. I especially loved the Dutch front door. It kept the children amused all weekend!
QUIRKY CARMEL
In Carmel-by-the-Sea, (otherwise known as Carmel) businesses and houses have no street numbers, rather houses have names! On the last day of my trip, I took the kids for a leisurely drive around Carmel’s unique neighborhood; the house handles are fabulous! With names like Dog’s Breath, Carmelized, Woof House, The Sandbox, Somewhere, and Little Sur; a Tour ’de Suberb will leave your wee one’s giggling all the way home.
FUN EXTRAS
Hofsas House offers its guests a s’mores kit complete with everything families need to build a fire to cook them with! Did I mention that it’s legal to build a fire on the beach in certain areas in Carmel?
My room came with a complimentary bottle of wine and yummy cheeses from a local shop. Delish!
BREAKFAST
Your stay at The Hofsas House includes a continental breakfast with or without complimentary concierge service (they can bring breakfast to you.) If Hofsas House Hotel was just a camper shell with a mattress thrown inside, I would still book a stay here for the morning pastries from Paris Bakery. My advice to first time visitors, wear pants with large pockets. Stuff your pockets with as many pastries as possible, and then drive them over to my house immediately. Got that?
HEADS UP
The Hofsas House is a four story building without an elevator. If you need help with your luggage or a stroller, someone from the front desk will gladly assist you.
While the hotel is just a short walk from Carmel’s main attractions, on the way to dinner, my two youngest children demanded piggy back rides after just 4 minutes of walking. If you have young children, bring a stroller.
Disclosure: I received complimentary lodging as a guest of The Hofsas House. The Hofsas House did not request that I express any particular point of view and my reviews always reflect my honest opinions.
622 Lighthouse Avenue
Monterey, California
reviewed on: April 26 2012
"World's Best Mac & Cheese"
On route to Monterey Bay Aquarium, I swung by Hula’s Island Grill for lunch with two adults and three children under the age of 6. Hula's Island Grill and Tiki Room is a fun Waikiki themed restaurant offering a Polynesian inspired menu. The food at Hula’s is very good. I would return again in a heartbeat. LOCATION: Hula’s is just two blocks from Cannery Row and 6 blocks from the beach. There’s convenient, free two hour street parking along Lighthouse Avenue and a CVS next door which may allow you to park there.
THE HIGHLIGHTS: Hula’s fun tiki décor is a visual delight. If you do a little research before your visit you might be able to sneak in a history lesson on Hawaiian tiki gods.
WHAT TO ORDER: For just $6, Hula’s kids menu offers the best Mac & Cheese known to man. You have to try it! I also recommend the Cajun Shrimp Caesar Salad.
This review is based on a complimentary visit to Hula’s Island Grill. I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view. The opinions I express are entirely my own.
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, California
reviewed on: June 07 2012
"Best Bleachers in Monterey!"
On two separate occasions I’ve made the mistake of taking my young son to the Monterey Bay Aquarium before he was old enough to appreciate it. His first visit at age 2, lasted only an hour (of which 30 minutes were spent in the gift shop). During his second visit at age 3, he spent most of his time running up and down the Aquarium's bleachers like Rocky Balboa.Though worth every penny, tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium are not cheap. After my three-hour commute, the struggle to find parking, and the cost of admission tickets - being forced to leave after only 2 hours by a bored 3-year-old was a kick to the groin! In order to get your money’s worth, hold off on bringing your child until they're old enough to appreciate the aquarium. Unless of course, you’ve got money to burn and live around the corner.
When my son is older, we will for sure participate in the Aquarium’s summer sleepovers and New Year’s Eve Celebration. I'm also a huge fan of the aquarium's Romance Tours and experiences geared toward couples that may want to "pop the question."
Possibilities include a private ocean-view room with champagne and treats or an elegant breakfast in front of the Kelp Forest exhibit. Rates vary from $100 to $4,400, depending on the experience selected.
This review is based on a complimentary visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I received no other compensation and was not asked to express a particular point of view. My opinions are entirely my own.
7th AVE San Carlos Street
Carmel, California
reviewed on: April 26 2012
"Bite Sized Tapas for Pint Size Eaters"
Mundaka is a sophisticated Spanish restaurant in downtown Carmel serving tapas. The food is gourmet and the crowd is hip. Mundaka is my kind of place; though not so much my toddler’s. I arrived for dinner with two adults, two boys, ages 6 and 3, and a girl, age 3. Of the three kids, only one did not care for Mundaka’s delicioso menu and that's because he refused to try any of it. If you have a picky eater, as I do, skip Mundaka’s or carry chicken fingers in your purse. If you’re blessed with a child who eats a variety of food, by all means bring your lucky self down!
THE FOOD
The food is superb! Originally, a tapa was a hunk of bread set on top of a glass of wine to ward off hunger and bugs. Boy, have tapas come a long way! A few of Mundaka’s “knock your socks off” tapas can make a full-fledged meal. Mundaka's lacks a kids menu but the children favored:
• Mini lamb burger, pickled cauliflower, tarragon aioli, fries (we told the kids they were sliders)
• Bravas (fried potatoes, tomato sauce, aioli)
THE RESTAURANT
Mundaka is nestled in a courtyard on the east side of San Carlos Street. Keep an eye out for it; it’s easy to breeze past if you’re a tourist who’s also trying to visually track your wandering youngsters.
Mundaka’s is very swanky. A characteristic I’m normally very fond of, but I was a little worried Mundaka’s was too cool for the kids. Everything turned out ok though, this story ends well.
We were seated by a piano in a cozy corner table which offered us some privacy and a black and white movie projected on a wall helped keep the children distracted and quiet.
It's a rare pleasure for me to dine in a restaurant without an attached playground. While sadly, I was not able to stay for the after-hours club scene (movies and videos are projected on the wall in the bar and live music plays after 10:00 p.m.) At least for 40 minutes, I felt part of the “in crowd” again.
Mundaka is open for dinner daily at 5:30pm, as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Call 831-624-7400 for reservations.
Disclosure: I received complimentary dining as a guest of Mundaka’s. Mundaka did not request that I express any particular point of view and my reviews always reflect my honest opinions.
271 Bonifacio Pl
Monterey, California
reviewed on: June 27 2012
"OMG GOOD"
I stayed at Hofsas House Hotel for the weekend. Paris Bakery provides Hofsas House the pastries for its continental breakfast. The almond croissants are to die for. I was able to sample several different pastries from Paris Bakery and each one was delicious. I'm actually trying to get some overnighted to my house in Sacramento, they're that good!
from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south
Monterey, California
