STAGE COACH LODGE

Carmel-by-the-Sea, often called simply Carmel, is a small city in Monterey County, California which is situated on the Monterey Peninsula.  The small town is known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history and scenic coastal beauty. Carmel-by-the-Sea is rugged coastline, featuring both sandy beaches and rocky, cypress-covered outcroppings, has provided inspiration for artists of every stripe.

The town is known for being dog-friendly, with numerous hotels, restaurants and retail establishments admitting guests with dogs. With its quirky artistry and culture, Carmel offers numerous boutiques, inns, and parks making it a wonderful town to spend an afternoon and stroll.  One of the nicest white sand beaches in California gleams along the Carmel Coast. It an amazing experience to watch Sunset here with your partner and spend some memorable moments with them.

Carmel is only a short five minute drive from the Stage Coach Lodge.  Simply exit our driveway and hop back onto Highway 1 and you’ll be in Carmel in no time.

Lake El Estero is a citywide park in central Monterey. Originally a salt-water lagoon, its outlets to the bay were cut off because of over flooding. The 24.7-acre (100,000 m2) park has become an estuary to many migrating birds and ongoing improvements have been made into preserving the park. Lake El Estero offers several activities with its baseball diamond, skate park, and the world famous Dennis the Menace Park. Many parks and attractions have been developed in Lake El Estero to attract both tourists and locals. The most popular of these is the Dennis the Menace Playground.

Lake El Estero is also an important ecosystem in and of itself that supports large amounts of life and is home to a countless number of birds, fish, and plants. Over 300 species of birds live in or pass thru Lake El Estero Park. Many birds migrating south stop at the lake to rest such as the Ring-billed Gull, the Western Gull, the California Gull, the Mud hen, the Black-crowned Night Heron, and the Great Blue Heron. During the summer the Brown Pelican comes in from the south. Many ducks live there year round such as the Mallard. The park opened on November 17, 1956. With a variety of children’s play areas, the park became a great success.

If you are looking for hotels in Monterey, do visit Stage Coach Lodge offering you with free continental breakfast at very affordable price. For you reservations click: http://www.montereystagecoachlodge.com/reservations

Pebble Beach is an unincorporated community in Monterey County. It is part of the 17-mile drive, that beautiful twisty coastal drive that bends around the scenic coast with dramatic ocean-hitting-rock vistas and ocean-that-goes-on-forever views.

With having location so stunning it makes visiting there at least once. Pebble Beach has seven public and private 18-hole golf courses. The Pebble Beach Company also owns a nine hole par-3 course in Pebble Beach called the Peter Hay course, and Del Monte Golf Course a few miles away in Monterey, which is the oldest continuously operating course in the Western United States.

The tournaments are held throughout the year including Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational, Frist Tee Open, etc. by Pebble beach, attracting much attention of the visitors.

The Stage Coach Lodge, located right off Highway 1 in downtown Monterey, makes a perfect place to stay when visiting the golf haven of Pebble Beach for a round of golf or viewing the professionals when they come to Pebble Beach for Pro-Ams and tournaments.

To maintain its uniqueness, the Monterey Bay Aquarium adopted a natural habitat sea ecosystem and coastline. It’s not just the display, but a real replica of sea life.

Awesome surroundings are designed for displays containing acrylic-enclosed tanks, a gemstone jellyfish container, a large giant-kelp forest in a 335,000-gallon three-story container, and a million-gallon shark tank. The Monterey Bay Aquarium also displays sea turtles, stingrays, sea otters, giant pacific octopus, sea horse, and penguins just to name a few.

To maintain its realistic habitat, all the possible ocean conditions are taken care off. Water is directly drawn from the bay itself allowing the natural organisms that nourish the bay to be produced in the tanks during evening time. During the day, the water is strained for more clarity. Every tiny detail has been accounted for, to provide visitors the benefit of experiencing the sea without getting wet.

If you are planning your visit, the Aquarium is open every day except Dec. 25^th – Christmas Day. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with slightly shorter hours in the winter and longer during the summer. The entrance fee is about $29.95.

A free smartphone app is available as well which provides all the latest updates, assists you in exploring the aquarium, and plans your trip. Even pictures can be shared with your friends and family using this app so be sure to download it before your arrival.

Explore Monterey’s finest tourist attraction – The Monterey Bay Aquarium. 2 Day Tickets for The Price Of 1. Buy now: http://bit.ly/10EgoqB

Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey, California – Fun for all ages!

This is a wonderful place for kids! Don’t miss out on all of the great things that your children can do while visiting this small but fantastic park. When you first come into the park you will see a very large southern pacific railroad engine that you can climb on, go inside of, and not to mention have a unique photo of the beautiful smiling faces of your children. Since this is so close to Monterey Bay Aquarium, it is really a great place to stop by and relax while you let your kids play. There are many things there that they will enjoy, but the most popular spot is the large red slide under a yellow arch. The swinging bridge get s a lot of kid’s attention too, along with the rock climbing walls that are fun no matter what age you are. Not only is this a wonderful place to let your kids run and play, but it is also a way to relax for a nice picnic before heading off or just getting done visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium, after a nice walk at Lovers Point, or even the casual stroll down Cannery Row. There have been many children that have played in the Dennis the Menace Park, and they always beg to stay longer. Come enjoy all the great things about Dennis the Menace Park, and make the memories that you can cherish forever! Price: FREE for all ages Hours: 10am – Dusk *** Note: The Dennis the Menace Park is CLOSED every Tuesday from September to May.

How wonderful would it be just to see what life was like for the underwater creatures that are around this world? Well, if you want to get a clear place to see all of the gracious activities that are hidden underwater, then the best place to go is to Monterey, California. The Monterey Bay Sanctuary attracts divers from around the world, and in one year alone there will be more than 65,000 visitors.

Scuba Diving

There are always debates about if a wetsuit is needed when you are scuba diving. Although the waters do hit around sixty degrees on occasion, when in doubt bring a wetsuit. The water temperatures have been known to get very low, as with any area that you would scuba dive in. however, no matter how cold the water is, the view of the ocean thirty feet below the water is breath taking.

There are many places in Monterey that you are able to scuba dive at. Some of the most popular places for all levels of divers are:

• Bluefish Cove
• Whalers Cove
• Point Lobos
• Lovers Point
• Pacific Grove
• Monterey State Beach
• San Carlos Beach
• McAbee Beach

For those of you who are more advanced divers the most popular places to dive are at Monastery Beach and Carmel River State Beach. Monterey has actually been rated as the best beach dive in the USA by Scuba Diving Magazine. Come enjoy a day full of fun, and a life full of memories.

Monterey Scuba Diving

Memorable and Beautiful Scenery in Monterey, California

Have you ever wanted to take a few days and relax in Monterey California? Well there are a lot of different things that you can do when you are visiting. You can visit beaches, go scuba diving, or visit the Monterey Aquarium just to name a few. Also, if you are wanting a little bit more unique trip, that you can really remember, there are always some great activities going on at many different times of the year.

The beaches in Monterey are fun for every age and every member of the family. One of the most well known beaches in Monterey is Point Lobos State Reserve. It has been called “the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world” and “the crown jewel of the state park system”.  Not only is this a great view and wonderful place to allow all of your troubles to drift away, but it is also the home to sea lions, harbor seals, elephant seals, sea otters, and orcas. For those of you that get sea sick, or just do not wanting to ride on a boat, Monterey’s Point Lobos is one of the few places that you are able to whale watch without stepping foot on a boat. There are many different types of birds that you can see on Point Lobos beach as well. This is the place to go and sit with a bird watching book and point out all of the different birds that you can find. There will be many for you to see, and it is as easy as sitting down.  However, the one thing that you cannot miss when visiting point lobos is the amazing visual wonders that lie beneath the water. This is one of the most common places to scuba dive because there is such a huge variety of sea life that lives at point lobos. Not only will you see fish of all sorts, but it is common to see sea lions and otters under water as well.

Another place that is a wonderful place to visit is Lovers Point Park and Beach. Because of the location of Lovers Point, this is one of the only spots on the West Coast where you are able to watch the sun rise over the water. It is a great place for a picnic, swimming, and just recently you will see surfers out there on the water. However, the one thing that attracts people the most to this amazing beach is all of the scenic photography that is available while you are enjoying your day.  This is also a place that you will see a lot of locals lounging, climbing the rocks at the point for which it is named after, or even playing a game of volleyball on the beach.

Come and enjoy a beautiful room at the Stage Coach Lodge in Monterey California and be just minutes away from the many wonders that you will be surrounded by. This is a wonderful place to get away, or enjoy a family vacation. No matter what you interests are or how long you are staying for. It is guaranteed to be a phenomenal experience.

Hearst Castle is known for many different things, but perhaps the most known is the wine cellar and the zoo that was once a huge attraction for its visitors. In 1865 George Hearst purchased 40,000 acres of ranch land and by the time that his only son William inherited the land it had grown to 25,000 acres. Hearst castle was originally known as “Camp Hill” where people could come and enjoy camping trips with family and friends. They were not necessarily roughing it however. They had separate tents for dining and sleeping, and there was also very comfortable accommodations including small beds and comfortable seating, but after a while they decided that they were tired of camping, and they wanted to build something that would be even more memorable. By 1947, Hearst had built an estate with 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, pools, and gorgeously decorated walkways.

The wine cellar was added on to the basement of Casa Grande; the main house located at Hearst Castle, and was located below the north end of the Assembly Room. This was not anywhere near the main kitchen and was in fact very inconvenient. But the location was critical to the wine. Wine need to be stored at 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit, and by having the wine in this location, they did not need to use as many cooling equipment. Hearst enjoyed wine very much, but he was by no means a heavy drinker. He was known only to have a glass of wine with meals, and rarely any more than that. Although he was not a heavy drinker, he still opposed the prohibition of manufacturing, selling or transporting of liquor in the United States, and he continued to serve alcohol to his guests throughout the prohibition. However, he has iron vault doors put on the cellar and at all times kept the vault locked to keep any wine being stolen. However, the wine cellar isn’t the only thing that kept people coming to Hearst Castle.

Hearst created the largest private zoo known. The constantly changing collection of different animals was first established in 1923. This provided guest with a very rare visual display because most of the animals were at free range of the ranch and there were more than 300 different species of animals that passed through Hearst Castle’s property, so you were sure to see something extravagant. The dismantling of the zoo began when William ran into some financial instability and was forced to cut expenses on the ranch. Most of the animals were placed by the death of William Hearst in 1951, but many of the animals were permitted to free range on the ranch and you can often see zebra grazing on the hills of Hearst Castle along Highway 1. This is a wonderful and historic place to visit, and there is always something to see. No matter how young or old you are, you will enjoy learning about all the things that happened at Hearst Castle. In the words of Lord John Julius Norwich “Hearst Castle is a palace in every sense of the word”. Hearst Castle is a memorable visit worth taking.

Whale Watching in Monterey, California

One of the things that really attract people to Monterey is all of the sea life that you are surrounded by. There is one thing in particular that is very popular among not only visitors, but locals as well. The Monterey Bay Whale Watch is a wonderful experience for the whole family. The whales that are seen on this three hour boat ride differ depending on which season that you decide to go in. during the winter season there are several species of dolphins and porpoise that are very well seen this time of year. However, one of the things that most people really enjoy about the winter season is the killer whales that you can see. This is something that most people do not usually experience, because in the winter people are less likely to go due to cold weather. If you are one that doesn’t mind bundling up with a thermos of hot coco then this is one thing that you cannot miss.

This boat ride is a three to three and a half hour ride. This gives you plenty of time to spend looking for whales and seeing them. Since the trip is so long, there is more of a chance for you to see a whale, and you will not feel as rushed in finding one. Taking your time and making the best of the experience is what this trip is striving for.

Winter trips run daily at 10:00 am and again at 1:30 pm starting on December 17^th, 2012. There is also a 7:00 am “Wake up with the Whales” available on the weekends. This is when the ocean is a little bit steadier and there aren’t as many boats out. The “Wake up with the Whales” also offers a complimentary breakfast with coffee and hot coco.  It is very peaceful and a great way to start your day in Monterey.

Prices:    $40-Adults

$27-Children

FREE-Children under 3 years of age.

***Reservations are required. You can make your reservation by calling (831) 375-4658 with a credit card to hold your spot. Pregnant women are not allowed on trips.

Many of our guests at Stage Coach Lodge are making their way up to San Francisco, so we figured we’d share some details on a favorite San Francisco attraction.  We find many guests end up missing out on booking their Alcatraz tours because they wait till the last minute–book your Alcatraz tour early since they sell out quickly!

Alcatraz

About Alcatraz

For any age, the former federal prison Alcatraz is the best place to visit when you are in the San Francisco area. Alcatraz is an interesting, fun, and historic place to visit. Located just one and a half miles offshore of San Francisco, this National Historic landmark is just a short ferry ride away. Alcatraz is known as “the rock”, but is better known as one of the most dangerous prisons in the history of America.

This former federal penitentiary was designed to hold the constant trouble makers, the prisoners that would be continuously causing fights or trying to escape the life behind bars. At 9:40am on August 11, 1934 the very first group of one hundred thirty-seven prisoners stepped foot on Alcatraz grounds. Most of the prisoners who were there were murderers, infamous robbers, and sodomites. So, for the protection of everyone involved, the prison purposely had one hundred fifty-five staff member. None of which were trained in any kind of rehabilitation, but extensively trained in security.

During the twenty nine years that the prison was in use, Alcatraz held some of the worst prisoners in America’s history. Al Capone, Robert Franklin, and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis who served more time at Alcatraz than any other inmate. Although this prison was well equip for keeping these inmates locked in cells, there were thirty six prisoners that made fourteen escape attempts, two men trying on two separate occasions. Twenty three were caught in the act, six were shot and killed, two drown, but probably the most interesting was the five that came up as missing. Since the prison will never admit to having someone escape the prison, they were assumed dead, but it was never proved and no bodies were ever recovered.

Discover the wonders of history and enjoy a day full of interesting facts that surround one of the most dangerous historic landmarks in California. A day at Alcatraz is one of the best ways to enjoy a family trip with something to learn.

The Rock

To purchase tickets you can go to:

http://www.alcatraztickets.com

When visiting San Francisco, we recommend staying at the Adante Hotel, which is located near Union Square.  A great boutique hotel which is centrally located in San Francisco, The Adante Hotel offers its lowest rates on its website at http://www.adantehotel.com.