Fort Ord Dunes State Park...............a little hard to find but worth the effort

The path to Fort Ord State Park Beach

Prior to our visit, we did a little research on Fort Ord Dunes State Park.  According to one recent reviewer, it is the most difficult state park to find in the entire California State Park system.  Since we haven't visited all 280 state parks in the system, we can't verify that this is true.  After visiting, we can confirm that it's a little hard to find, but also that it's worth the effort.

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

The park is located on Monterey Bay, just a short 20-minute drive from our Pacific Grove home.  The difficulty in finding it isn't due to its location, but a lack of signage.  Thankfully, Google Maps guided us in perfectly, although for a minute or two as we passed abandoned structures, we weren't sure if we were on the right track.

From the parking area there is a boardwalk that leads to the sandy path to the beach.

The land that makes up what is now Fort Ord Dunes State Park was purchased by the military in 1918.   It was named in honor of Union Army Major General Edward Ord.  It was known as Camp Ord from 1918 until 1940.  In 1940, adjoining land was acquired, and the now 2,000-acres area was re-designated to Fort Ord.

From 1940 until it's closure in 1994 the fort served as a training facility for infantrymen and home to the Army's 7th Infantry Division.  Because it had been used for live round ammunitions training, operating at times with as many as fifteen rifle ranges, extensive cleanup effort was required.  In 2009, assured that the area was safe, it became part of the California State Park System.

The amenities are minimal.  There are some interpretive exhibits about the history of Fort Ord, as well as the plants and animals that live on the dunes and in Monterey Bay.  The main feature of Fort Ord Dunes State Park is the four miles of beach.  We enjoyed relaxing on the beach, listening to the crashing waves and enjoying the views.

.........more sand, more sand and more sand........

.......finally!  You can see a few neighbors in the distance, but the beach was practically empty!

From this observation area on top of the dunes we spotted several pods of whales close to the shore.
 

Maybe it's because it's a little hard to find or maybe because it was a weekday afternoon, but we could have easily counted all the people we could see on the four mile stretch of beach on our fingers.  An uncrowded beach and spotting pods of whales offshore made Fort Ord well worth finding.

Weekends=Family Fun Time!

Soaking up some family fun time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

We're loving our time here in Pacific Grove.  We picked this location because we had enjoyed it so much on previous visits.  We also picked Pacific Grove so we could spend time with Sarah, Joey, James and Emma on the weekends.  Memorial Day weekend they came to us in Pacific Grove.  This past weekend we went to their place, which is just a short drive north of San Francisco and about two and a half hours from here.

Memorial Day weekend family fun kicked off a little early.  James was out of school Friday and Sarah and Joey were able to arrange their schedules so they could arrive Thursday afternoon.  We started the festivities by meeting them at Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey.  The kids had slept most of the drive down so after a few hugs and kisses they were off and running, burning off some energy and working up an appetite in the huge kid's park.  We enjoyed a picnic, and more playtime after eating before calling it a day, just as the sun was setting.

Emma enjoying the big slide at the Dennis the Menace Park

In addition to the Dennis the Menace Park, there is a small park near our house.  James enjoyed swinging, while Emma enjoyed hovering over the woodchips.

 

Dennis the Menace Park 

We spent a good part of Friday enjoying the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  James and Emma loved spotting different fish, marine mammals, birds and other animals that call the aquarium home.  Emma was a little intimidated when the big fish would swim directly toward her.  That afternoon Beth and I enjoyed keeping the kids.  This gave Sarah and Joey time for a "date" to celebrate Joey's recent graduation from the Master's program at Gateway Seminary.  Joey worked hard, balancing being a student, father and husband with full time employment.  Well done Joey, we're so proud of you!

Daddy & Daughter time at the Kelp Forest Tank.

Sarah and James looking for sharks!

James had a whale of a good time at Monterey Bay Park.

James and Emma enjoyed the Sea Lions at the Old Fisherman's Wharf.

Treat time!

Maybe we should have gone with the Kiddie Cone?  What she didn't end up wearing, she enjoyed eating and she cleaned up nicely afterwards!

Joey had to head back home after their date for a Saturday morning project with his youth group.  We enjoyed park and beach time with Sarah and the kids on Saturday and Sunday morning.  On Sunday afternoon we met Joey in San Jose, said our goodbyes and headed back southward while they returned back to their house.  Beth and I were in 100% agreement that it was a fantastic time and we were already looking forward to seeing them again in a few days.

Sarah and James reaching new heights at Lover's Point Park.

Emma and I taking in the scenery from a lower level.

On Memorial Day we attended the Monterey County Pops concert in downtown Monterey.  In addition to the Pops Symphony, there was a Barbershop Quartet and College Choir.  The music was filled with patriotic songs honoring those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  I've attached a link below to a blog I wrote a few years ago about my two uncles.  They were both killed in action during World War II.

There was a nice crowd on a beautiful, sunny Memorial Day afternoon.

Honor, Sacrifice and Keeping Their Spirits Alive

The week passed quickly and our second family fun weekend was at Sarah, Joey, James and Emma's house.  We drove up Saturday, arriving early afternoon.  Joey, was excited to show off his new Blackstone Outdoor Griddle and we were excited to taste his version of Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches and grilled sausages.  As usual, the food was amazing!

James just finished his second year of T-Ball.

After church Beth and Emma were playing beauty parlor.  What started with one bow ended up with all the bows in her hair.  Every time Beth put one in Emma would smile and say "more Mimi, more"!

Sunday morning we felt fortunate that we were able to listen to Joey preach at his church (there's a link to his message below).  Shortly after lunch we said our goodbye's for the week and headed back towards Pacific Grove.  We'll get together again this upcoming weekend.  We're already looking forward to it!

Hillside Church of Marin      

On our way back to Pacific Grove we stopped by Santa Cruz and Capitola.  This is the Santa Cruz Boardwalk (taken from the Santa Cruz wharf). 

The boardwalk was busy on a Sunday afternoon with folks enjoying the rides, games and eating all sorts of fried foods.

Beyond the beach volleyball courts is the Santa Cruz Wharf.  It's over a half a mile long, making it the longest open ocean wharf in North America.

An adult sea lion and a bunch of pups under the Santa Cruz Wharf.

The surf was up at Capitola Beach!

It was late in the day when we got to Capitola Village.  In addition to the colorful houses, there are plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy.  We may make a return visit later this week.

Exploring the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur by foot and car

Point Pinos Lighthouse has been guiding ships since February 1, 1855.  It is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast.  It's just a short walk from our Airbnb.

 

The Pacific Grove/Monterey area is a paradise for exploring on foot.  The daytime temperatures are pleasantly cool (high's have been around 60 degrees), the California sunshine is abundant, and the scenery along the Pacific coast is amazing.  While enjoying time exploring the coastal trails, we are constantly spotting seals, sea lions, and sea otters.  Additionally, there are several species of whales that reside or pass by Monterey Bay throughout the year.  Right now, the most common ones are the Humpback Whales.  We've enjoyed spotting their spouts of water vapor as they come to the surface for air.  Making the coastal trails even better is the fact that there are plenty of benches along the way.  These trails were designed to be savored. So instead of making any attempt at land speed records, we're certainly doing a lot of savoring.

The Magic Carpet of Pacific Grove.  In 1943 a local resident and gardener named Hayes Perkins began to clear poison oak that was spreading along the shoreline.  He replaced it with groundcover that he had brought back from a trip to South Africa.  He hand watered and nurtured the plants for years.  His care resulted in what has become close to a mile long "magic carpet" that blooms in April and lasts through May/early June.

Another view of the Magic Carpet along the Monterey Bay Trail. 

Sometimes the wildlife comes to us.  This little guy is peaking through our living room window.

Mom in the backyard.  The baby is behind the tree,
 

From our Airbnb we've enjoyed heading off in different directions.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, going three different directions (north. west or south) we'll be along the shoreline in about fifteen minutes.  Going eastward isn't bad either.  Following the pedestrian friendly, Lighthouse Avenue and Pine Avenue leads us into downtown Pacific Grove which is filled with numerous shops, restaurants and a Monday afternoon Farmers Market.

Pacific Thai Cuisine (nice lunch spot)

Pacific Grove Farmers Market

The coastal trails are the Monterey Bay Recreational Trail and the Asilomar Trail.  Both trails are flat, are accessible to the other, have plenty of parking along the way and are equally spectacular. The Monterey Bay Recreational Trail connects Pacific Grove to Monterey, making accessing the Monterey Aquarium and Cannery Row by foot easy and fun.  A little further down is the Old Fisherman's Wharf, which is a smaller version of San Francisco's Pier 39.

Mom and baby harbor seals relaxing along a protected section of the beach.

Berwick Park.  This wood carving is from a tree trunk(s).

Our Airbnb host told us about the Coast Guard Pier earlier this week.  It's a little hidden from view between Cannery Row and the Old Fisherman's Wharf.  There were only a few other people on the 1,000 foot long walk way when we visited.   As recommended, we planned our visit at low tide and enjoyed standing just a few feet above several sea lions that were taking a break from the water to catch a little afternoon sun.  Thanks Dick, we appreciated this and all of your recommendations! 

The Coast Guard Pier can easily be missed, but it's a great place to walk, especially at low tide.  You never know who you might find basking on the rocks..........

............like this very relaxed sea lion!

All this walking calls for a little occasional indulgence!  There's a Ghirardelli's on Cannery Row.

The Asilomar Trail is a 3.6 mile out and back trail that passes sandy beaches interspersed with rock formations that are constantly being pounded by the crashing waves of the Pacific.  From the south end of the trail, it's easy to continue along, passing Spanish Bay Beach, Point Joe, China Rock, Bird Rock, Seal Rock and much more of the Pebble Beach community.  

This memorial to John Denver is located along the shoreline between the Monterey Bay and Asilomar Trails.  He died when the plane he was piloting crashed about 150 yards offshore on October 12, 1997.

While we enjoy leaving the car parked as much as possible, the 17-mile drive is also a highlight of the Monterey Peninsula.  This drive is along the main road through the gated community of Pebble Beach.  For non-residents there is a toll of $11.25 to make the drive, which follows the coastline and passes by both the golf courses and various other points of interest.  It's well worth the price of admission and is reimbursed if you spend $35 or more at a Pebble Beach Resort restaurant.  We enjoyed a nice outdoor lunch at the Gallery Cafe which overlooks the first tee of Pebble Beach Golf Club.  

This lone cypress tree has withstood the elements for over 250 years.  It is the logo for the Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Pebble Beach Company.

The Gallery Cafe is open to the public and overlooks the first tee of Pebble Beach.  The Wall of Champions honors not only the winner of the annual tournament but also those who have won major championships here.

This young buck is guarding the 14th green at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club.

The appropriately named "Bird Rock".  It's covered with pelicans, sea gulls and cormorants......and whitewashed with ..................

Pebble Beach Golf Links

My brother encouraged me to rent a set of clubs and tee it up at Pebble Beach.  It sounded like a great idea but that's a big price to pay (greens fees are currently $595) for drowning a few golf balls in the Pacific Ocean!

Yesterday we did a second, but shorter, drive southward down Highway 1.  Our turnaround point was at McWay Falls in Julia Pieffer Burns State Park.  There were a few stops along the way including the Garrapata State Park, Bixby Bridge, Big Sur River Inn and lunch with a view at Cafe Kevah before finishing the day with a beach walk at Carmel by the Sea.  In 1986 Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of this small beachside community, beating the incumbent in a landslide (2,166-799).  He served as mayor for two terms and is credited with leading numerous initiatives that brought the city back from near bankruptcy.  I guess you could say he made their day!

Along the Garrapata State Park Bluff Trail.

The views along the Big Sur section of Highway 1 are spectacular.

June is typically the foggiest month.  We have had very little fog until yesterday, which happened to be June 1.  The fog made for a nice picture of the Bixby Bridge and it lifted shortly thereafter.

Much of California has had several years of drought conditions but the water is still flowing from McWay Falls.  At high tide the water falls directly into the ocean.

The chairs in the river behind the Big Sur River Inn were calling..........

........so of course we answered the call!

Our final stop of the day......... Carmel by the sea.