Hey bay area people!

[JeepFreak21]

My GF and I are taking a little 4 day trip at the very end of april and we're looking for ideas. We're thinking of going to Monterey, but we need some other stuff to do in the area. Anybody got any suggestions?
Thanks,
Billy

 

[Big Red]

I'm not from the Bay Area as you know, but I would suggest going to Hollister Hills for a day or so. It's only $4 a day or a year pass is $40 & then you could could go to any off-road park in California I believe. Hollister is on the way to Monterey/Santa Cruz area. The Best Western in Hollister (San Benito) is $59/night and has an outdoor pool, but it is still a little cold to go swimming outside. There are a few real small motels in Hollister, but the Best Western has a continental breakfast. It was nice wheeling for 1/2 a day and then staying at the hotel and then wheeling 1/2 day in the morning the next day and then getting a late noon checkout and then heading out to Monterey. There is always people out in Hollister to team up with, but I know that Brian C offered to go with me when I want to go back to Hollister. You could see what he or other xj guys are doing. I saw at least a 1/2 dozen or more xj people who haven't heard of naxja. Monterey is alot of fun. You can see Sea Lions & Seals by the wharf area, fish canery off the large pier. My wife and I found a 55 gallon drum of fish guts and we shoveled this out to the sea gulls & sea lions below us. We were causing quite an animal riot, it was a lot of fun. We didn't get down to big sur, but that is a beautiful area just a bit south of Monterey. My wife and I got back to Citrus Heights in around 2-1/2 hrs taking 101 north, to 680 to 80 to 50. I wouldn't mind going on a trip with your gf & you with my wife if you'd like to in the future. We could then let the women sleep in the 2nd day & wheel from 8 to 11:30 or so and then check out of the hotel. I like Hollister, but would probably only wheel it again with a big naxja group and/or if I was going to Monterey etc. and sight seeing.

 

[Kejtar]

My GF and I are taking a little 4 day trip at the very end of april and we're looking for ideas. We're thinking of going to Monterey, but we need some other stuff to do in the area. Anybody got any suggestions?
Thanks,
Billy

Plan at least a day for the Monterey Bay Aquarium..... Depending on what they have going on at the time it might take as much as two days. Kayaking in the bay is also fun and if you're a diver.... well, the kelp forest is an awesome experience.

 

[Big Red]

Plan at least a day for the Monterey Bay Aquarium..... Depending on what they have going on at the time it might take as much as two days. Kayaking in the bay is also fun and if you're a diver.... well, the kelp forest is an awesome experience.

How is the Monterey Bay Aquarium? I've been past it a few times, but never went in. Do they have salt water & other fish or more local pacific coast fish? I'm from Chicago and have been to Shedd's Aquarium there and they have whales, dolphins, seal, salt water fish etc. there. I'm a fish enthusiast so I'm really interested. I currently have a 125 gallon african chichlid tank & a 70 gallon tall fancy goldfish tank.

 

[Kejtar]

How is the Monterey Bay Aquarium? I've been past it a few times, but never went in. Do they have salt water & other fish or more local pacific coast fish? I'm from Chicago and have been to Shedd's Aquarium there and they have whales, dolphins, seal, salt water fish etc. there. I'm a fish enthusiast so I'm really interested. I currently have a 125 gallon african chichlid tank & a 70 gallon tall fancy goldfish tank.

I haven't been there in a couple years but it's mainly local stuff (salt water), although I remember at one time they had a "traveling" shark tank (around 95??) and they also have a really nice display of some exotic fish. Anyways, there is no whales there, no dolphins but the sea otter tank can be a lot of fun (You can observe sea otters from the surface and from the underwater glass windows which run along the full height of the tank). It's definately worth checking out!

Kejtar
P.S. Cichlids rock

 

[Big Red]

P.S. Cichlids rock [/QUOTE]

What kind of Cichlids do you/did you have? I strictly had central & South American Cichlids like Salvini's, Nicarguenses, Areums, Severums, Jack Dempseys, etc. Now I have a ton of Mbuna African cichlids with a few peacocks, Lamp Brichardi, plecos, etc in a 125 with lots of rocks. I have about 60 or so fish about 3" long in there. I like how active they are and there colors. The central american are nice, but they're not quite as active usually and they get big so you cannot pack into a tank like the Africans. I like to see that people have other hobbies besides xjs and wheeling those xjs. Although it is real fun.

 

[Kejtar]

Oh.... I have a crazy mix: Jack Dempseys, Convict, Firemouth, Jewel, African Yellow, Electric Blue, Red Devil, Kribensies and two striped ones I don't remember the name of.... On top of everything I think one of my Plecos will lay eggs as in the past week it grew to the point I think it has swallowed a ping pong ball....