Location: Monterey, CA
Visit: June 2018
Our friend Anna is an Assistant Director on the acclaimed HBO show Big Little Lies. They shoot some of the scenes in the Monterey Area, about an hour south of the Bay Area. Since we hadn’t been there in many, many years – and never together – we figured why not go for a quick weekend and see the sights?
In this post, we will tell you about some of the things to do in Monterey and some of the great food and wine options, as well as tip for saving some serious money on airline tickets.
One of the reasons this trip was added to an already packed summer, was the price. Southwest Airlines has a program whereby you can earn points by flying or spending on their credit card (Rapid Rewards Program). If you get 110K points in a year, you qualify for a “Companion Pass” where a designated person can fly free with you for the year you qualify and the following year. We applied for the Southwest Airlines Credit Card (actually we got two, which is no longer allowed) with total sign on bonuses of 100K points. Combined with some existing points collected through work-related trips, we had already hit the Companion Pass threshold in May, so this trip could be book for David on points and all Patricia had to do was pay the tax on her ticket. Total cost of two round-trip tickets from Burbank to San Jose: $22.
We left Burbank early Saturday morning and flew into San Jose, rented a car and were in Monterey by 10am. After getting settled an organized, we headed into town and attended the Montery Wine Festival, an annual wine (and food) event, celebrating local wineries and restaurants. The festival is in their 42nd year, so it’s very much a part of the history and fabric of the town. A lot of the people we talked to had been coming for decades. Highly recommended if you visit in early June, next year (www.montereywines.com). After the festival we headed back to our hotel to relax and rest up for what promised to be an epic dinner at the famed Sardine Factory.
The Sardine Factory was opened in 1968 and quickly rose in the ranks of some of the best restaurants in the area. Over the years, wine became a more and more integral part of the Sardine Factory experience. Legendary Master Sommelier, Fred Dame worked there for many years and during his tenure, acquired a bottle of 1870 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, considered one of the rarest and most expensive bottles of wine in the world. Over the years, many celebrities, dignitaries and political figures passed through the Sardine Factory, including local resident Leon Panetta, who had served in state and national politics for years. Panetta became a regular fixture over the years, with a private locker in the Sardine Factory’s cellar, along side the likes of Arnold Schwartznager. At the time of this story, Panetta was the Director of the CIA. As the story goes, Panetta, owner Ted Balestreri and several others were in the cellar dinning room of the restaurant, celebrating New Year’s Eve (going into 2011). Panetta mentioned (tongue in cheek, we’d imagine) that they should open up the 1870 Lafite. Balestreri brushed him off, saying “We will open the wine when you capture Osama Bin Laden.” Fast forward five months and Panetta calls Balestreri and says “Watch the news and have Fred (Dame) get his cork screw ready.” The rest is history. Bin Laden was killed on May 1, 2011. A few months later, at the Pebble Beach Golf Club, approximately 30 VIP guests each got about one ounces of the $10,000 bottle of wine. Although the wine was drunk elsewhere, the bet was made at the very restaurant we dined at. A little piece of history, right there in Monterey!
The next day, we had an option of either visiting the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium (widely considered one of the best, if not the best in the world), or driving down the coast and visiting a couple of wineries. Knowing us, you can probably guess the outcome.
A short drive down the coast takes you to the 17 Mile Drive, which is both the name of the road and the description of what you are doing. Starting in Pacific Grove, we stopped by the Red House Cafe to fuel up and grab some brunch. From there it was a short drive to the beginning of the Drive, which winds it’s way down the coast, passing through the famous golf courses and hotels of Spanish Bay and Pebble Beach, along the Pacific coast line. We had perfect weather, so the views were even more spectacular that usual. At the end of the drive, we headed to Folktale Winery, one of the few stand-alone wineries in the area that has a tasting room. There are several that just have tasting rooms, but grow the grapes elsewhere. Service was fanatastic and the wines were delicious. We couldn’t recommend this place anymore than we do. Really great experience! From there it was back to the hotel to drop off Anna and then back to the airport to head home. Overall, it was an amazing weekend, made all the more relaxing by saving some serious money on flights!
The Champagne Life on a Sparkling Wine Budget
“Top 100 Travel Tips” included in this post: More Cards = More Points (#26), Plan Your Own Trip (#45), Eat Well (#65), Earn Points When You Fly (#88)