People, as creatures of habit, tend to frequent the same stores,
the same restaurants, even the same vacation spots.
People, as creatures of habit, tend to frequent the same stores, the same restaurants, even the same vacation spots.
But this summer, why not break out of the mold? Maybe this can be your summer of adventure, the summer you go someplace new and exciting. And we’re not talking about going to Madagascar to hang out with the lemurs.
Right in this area, within a couple hours’ drive, there are numerous destinations that maybe you haven’t heard about. Or maybe you’ve thought about visiting one or two, but haven’t pursued it any farther than that.
Well, now’s your chance. We’ve got a few good ideas of places to check out that aren’t too far away or involve too much planning. We’ve even included phone numbers and price ranges to make things easy on you.
So, go ahead, give a new place a shot. You never know, you might end up with a new vacation spot to return to.
Just remember, don’t drink the water from the streams, no matter how clear and cool they seem.
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center
The center is a Soto Zen Buddhist monastery in the Ventana Wilderness near Carmel Valley that provides a tranquil respite for the harried urbanite or a peaceful setting for the spiritual seeker.
From September through April the center is closed to serve as a monastery, but from May through August, the center opens its gates to those who want to learn more about Buddhism or those who just want to relax and enjoy the Santa Lucia Mountain valley.
There’is a swimming pool, hot springs and hiking trails, and three vegetarian meals served per day. But there’s no electricity and no cell phone reception, so be prepared to really get away from it all.
Room rates vary depending on the accommodation, from $84 per night for a dormitory bed from Monday through Thursday to $312 for a stone or pine room from Friday through Sunday. Charges also vary for participating in Zen practice sessions.
Call (415) 865-1899 for reservations, which are required, even for day visitors.
Nepenthe
Back up Highway 1 along the famed Big Sur coast is Nepenthe, a restaurant nestled between the Pacific and the Santa Lucia Mountains.
The family business, which also includes Café Kevah and the Phoenix Shop on site, has been a mainstay of the Big Sur area for more than 50 years, and remains a lovely spot to relax, eat some good food, and take in the sights. And the sights are spectacular: fiery sunsets, and on a clear day, 40 miles of rugged coastline.
The restaurant serves food ranging from an Ambrosia burger to homemade desserts.
It’s a great place to stop by and rest after a day of hiking at the numerous nearby state parks: Point Sur, Pfeiffer Big Sur, Andrew Molera, Julia Pfeiffer Burns, Garrapata and Limekiln, or after visiting the Henry Miller Library. (Miller used to hang out in the area.)
For more information, call (831) 667-2345 or visit www.nepenthebigsur.com
Wilder Ranch
Farther up the coast, just north of Santa Cruz sits Wilder Ranch, a 4,505-acre park with 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails.
The land used to belong to the Wilder family, and several of the buildings that once belonged to them have been restored and preserved. The ranch was once the main supply ranch for the Santa Cruz Mission, and its grounds now include a Victorian home, gardens and a historic adobe.
It’s a great place to take the kids for living history demonstrations to see how early ranchers along the Central Coast lived. It’s also a great place for hiking or a mountain bike ride without getting too far out off civilization.
For more information, call (831) 426-0505 or visit www.parks.ca.gov
Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel
Imagine soaking in a hot tub on a point overlooking the Pacific, watching the moonrise, as a lighthouse beacon cuts a swath across the water.
You can. All you have to do is make reservations at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse hostel on Highway 1 in Pescadero.
The lighthouse, the second-tallest on the West Coast at 115 feet, is still used today. It was lit in 1872 – 19 years after the clipper ship Carrier Pigeon, bound from Boston to San Francisco, ran aground there.
A youth hostel – which actually serves up to 50 people of all ages – is now occupying the lighthouse’s surrounding buildings. The hostel has shared facilities and a hot tub that can be rented in the evenings.
Although the lighthouse itself is closed to the public – corrosion of the upper iron works, estimated to cost several million dollars to fix, has shuttered it indefinitely – it’s still a cool place to stay. Año Nuevo State Reserve, where the elephant seals hang out, is nearby, as is Butano State beach.
For reservations, call (650) 879-0633 between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Moss Beach Distillery
From Pigeon Point Lighthouse, it’s not too far to the Moss Beach Distillery for some dinner and to watch the sun set.
The restaurant, just north of Half Moon Bay, dates back to the 1920s, and even has its own ghost, The Blue Lady, a beautiful young woman who died 72 years ago in a car accident. Legend has it the married Blue Lady used to come to the distillery to meet with her lover. Apparently, she still comes to the Distillery to search for her lover.
Come to see the ghost. Or come to see the sunset from the large patio overlooking the Pacific.
The menu ranges from Santa Barbara-farmed abalone to seafood pasta to prime porter house steak.
Entrees range from $19 for coastal pea and smoked bacon linguini to $37 for Jalisco prawns. The price for certain meals varies with the market price for the cut of meat.
For reservations, call (650) 728-5595.
