What are some fun things we could do traveling from San Francisco to Monterey and Monterey to Fresno?
We are going to spend a few days in San Francisco then drive to Monterey and go to the Aquarium. We will then drive back to Fresno. We have never been north of Fresno and are unfamiliar with the area. Is there anything major to do in between San Francisco and Monterey and also between Monterey and Fresno? We will have our two children with us ages 9 and 1. Thanks for any help!
San Francisco - 2 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Children's Discovery Museum, San Jose www.cdm.org Marriott's Great America, Santa Clara www.greatamericaparks.com Santa Cruz Mystery Spot www.mysteryspot.com Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk www.beachboardwalk.com Vision Quest Exotic Animal Ranch, Salinas www.visionquestranch.com Cannery Row Imax Theater, Monterey www.bellacinema.com Monterey Pier...you can buy fish and feed the walrus. There isn't much of anything between Monterey and Fresno, though.
Answer 2 :
SF to Monterey is a gorgeous drive down Hwy 1. Highway 1 will become Mission Street at one point as it goes thru Santa Cruz . As you're going thru town there's a bakery on your left (Emilys, 1129 Mission St). If you're there anywhere near breakfast time, stop and get some muffins. The apple muffins are amazing! You might also want to stop at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. There are rides for little kids too as well as the bigger amusment park rides, games, and the beach is right there. You'll see an exit for Ocean Street after you've passed by Emily's and it starts to look like freeway again. Just turn there and follow it to the Boardwalk. Doesn't cost anything to walk around & you pay just for whatever rides the kids do. There are lots of restaurants on the wharf right there too. Or, if you like seafood, you might want to stop at Moss Landing (you'll be passing by it anyway about 30 min south of Santa Cruz) & have lunch at Phils Fish Market. It's not expensive, casual dining - great for kids. The aquarium is great - kids will love it and you won't be bored in Monterey. From Monterey to Fresno there's not much to see. I would guess you'll go over Pacheco Pass (Hwy 152) to get over to I5 and go to Fresno. If so, you could stop at Casa de Fruta for some snacks and to let the kids stretch their legs. It's pretty and clean, and a nice place to stop. There's a small train, a little petting zoo, coffee shop, wine shop, and a store with lots of produce, sell gifts, dried fruits, candy, etc. There's not much of anything between there and Fresno!
We are going to spend a few days in San Francisco then drive to Monterey and go to the Aquarium. We will then drive back to Fresno. We have never been north of Fresno and are unfamiliar with the area. Is there anything major to do in between San Francisco and Monterey and also between Monterey and Fresno? We will have our two children with us ages 9 and 1. Thanks for any help!
San Francisco - 2 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Children's Discovery Museum, San Jose www.cdm.org Marriott's Great America, Santa Clara www.greatamericaparks.com Santa Cruz Mystery Spot www.mysteryspot.com Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk www.beachboardwalk.com Vision Quest Exotic Animal Ranch, Salinas www.visionquestranch.com Cannery Row Imax Theater, Monterey www.bellacinema.com Monterey Pier...you can buy fish and feed the walrus. There isn't much of anything between Monterey and Fresno, though.
Answer 2 :
SF to Monterey is a gorgeous drive down Hwy 1. Highway 1 will become Mission Street at one point as it goes thru Santa Cruz . As you're going thru town there's a bakery on your left (Emilys, 1129 Mission St). If you're there anywhere near breakfast time, stop and get some muffins. The apple muffins are amazing! You might also want to stop at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. There are rides for little kids too as well as the bigger amusment park rides, games, and the beach is right there. You'll see an exit for Ocean Street after you've passed by Emily's and it starts to look like freeway again. Just turn there and follow it to the Boardwalk. Doesn't cost anything to walk around & you pay just for whatever rides the kids do. There are lots of restaurants on the wharf right there too. Or, if you like seafood, you might want to stop at Moss Landing (you'll be passing by it anyway about 30 min south of Santa Cruz) & have lunch at Phils Fish Market. It's not expensive, casual dining - great for kids. The aquarium is great - kids will love it and you won't be bored in Monterey. From Monterey to Fresno there's not much to see. I would guess you'll go over Pacheco Pass (Hwy 152) to get over to I5 and go to Fresno. If so, you could stop at Casa de Fruta for some snacks and to let the kids stretch their legs. It's pretty and clean, and a nice place to stop. There's a small train, a little petting zoo, coffee shop, wine shop, and a store with lots of produce, sell gifts, dried fruits, candy, etc. There's not much of anything between there and Fresno!
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