After spending the weekend in LA, we had the pleasure of driving up I-5 through the San Joaquin Valley to Monterey.
We stayed at the Marina Dunes Resort, a beautiful property just north of Monterey. The rooms are spacious, have gas fireplaces, and open right onto the beach.
On the recommendation of a friend who lives in the area, we had dinner at Hula's Island Grill and Tiki Room. The place is decorated in an over-the-top Hawaiian theme, complete with Christmas lights and surfer videos playing behind the bar and seems to be a favorite with the local population. We had the Seared Ahi Wontons on wonton chips with a wasabi-ginger cream sauce ($8.50) followed by Ono - Pan-Fried with shitake mushrooms and our miso soy glaze ($19.95) andMahi Mahi - blackened, with wasabi mashed potatoes, wasabi cream sauce ($20.95). The wines are all reasonably priced from $20 - $50.
The next night we ate at the considerably more ambitious Stokes Restaurant and Bar. Make sure to have the Duck Flatbread and the Carmelized Onion Tarte.
During the day we visited the huge Aquarium and hiked around Point Lobos.
