![\"\"](\"http:\/\/lisankevin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/IMG_1600.jpg\" "\\"Monterey\\"")
<\/a>Looks like Lola on her first day of school!\u00a0 Her bag was packed with lots of goodies to share with her friend Bailey.<\/em><\/p>\nWe were recommended by C&S to drive down Highway 1 and we were glad we did.\u00a0 Such a gorgeous drive along the coast.\u00a0 Sure makes us appreciate this amazingly beautiful state of ours!\u00a0 We stopped off for a quick visit to Pigeon Point Lighthouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before checking into our hotel <\/a>we drove down to Carmel <\/a>to get some lunch at Carmel Belle<\/a> (yummy food but super small portions and a pretty hefty price tag).\u00a0 We did some window shopping and then walked down to the beach<\/a>.\u00a0 There were TONS of doggies out and about and it was such a gorgeous day.\u00a0 We enjoyed walking along the beach and taking a break to soak in the sun.<\/p>\n Then it was time to check into our hotel<\/a>!\u00a0 Our hotel was just a block up from Cannery Row so it was nice to be so close to all the action.\u00a0 Although working across from Fisherman’s Wharf in SF and knowing that I would never recommend anyone stay in a hotel out that way, I couldn’t help but get excited about being in the middle of this tourist trap in Monterey!\u00a0 Haha.<\/p>\n Gorgeous mural of a whale around the corner from our hotel<\/em><\/p>\n Random old-school scuba gear on display<\/em><\/p>\n When Kevin saw this banner of John Steinbeck he jokingly asked me, “Why do they have a picture of Saddam Hussein up?” Hahah.<\/em><\/p>\n A really neat mural of fishermen along the beach.<\/em><\/p>\n No, we didn’t spend our money at the wax museum (they were closed, haha).<\/em><\/p>\n After the mandatory stroll down Cannery Row, we ate dinner at Paradiso Trattoria<\/a> (pretty yummy food, especially the cilantro spread they have for their fresh baked bread…amazing!)<\/p>\n On Monday we woke bright and early, ate the continental breakfast at the hotel, and then checked out to go out and enjoy a drive and a walk along Ocean View Blvd. and the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail–by far the highlight of our trip!<\/p>\n Lots of breathtaking views to be had…<\/p>\n And then, as we were looking out at the rocks and crashing waves, we spotted a furry thing scurrying across the rocks…who knew squirrels lived in the rocks along the beach?<\/p>\n They came up really close to us, probably looking for some eats.<\/p>\n Not only did we see lots of squirrels, we also saw harbor seals basking in the sun on some rocks!<\/p>\n And tons of seagulls to look at and take photos of…<\/p>\n<\/a>Somebody’s a major fan of the lighthouse with their “I Love Pigeon Point Lighthouse” license plate frame<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>I love old, run-down buildings<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Thar she blows! Unfortunately you couldn’t go inside the lighthouse itself.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>View off the coast<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Ahoy matey!\u00a0 Kevin sporting his binoculars.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Me sitting on a nicely decorated Pigeon Point Lighthouse barrel (aka a trashcan with a lid, gross).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>This was our view from the restaurant.\u00a0 Gorgeous.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>It’s a long way down!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Beautiful rock formations<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Kevin taking a photo of the ocean<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Seagull in action, leaping across the rocks!<\/em><\/p>\n