Monterey Bay is Pretty Special

Anyone who has visited knows Monterey Bay is pretty special, where sparkling tides meet rocky shorelines rich with colorful sea glass. Where abundant aquatic life plays in the sun. On this recent trip, we didn’t skip a beat when it came to revisting all the Monterey Bay has to offer.

Blue skies with waves crashing on rocks at Asilomar State Beach — *Van Life: Monterey Bay is Pretty Special*

The Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

It was a miracle we found RV parking anywhere on the 4th of July weekend anywhere in the Bay Area. We landed at our old home, the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA. It is really a prime spot tucked away in a peaceful setting, only a short walk on abandoned rail road tracks to Manresa State Beach.

Lazy summer days in crystal clear blue pool with kids on a unicorn floatie at the Santa Cruz KOA — *Kids on a unicorn floatie at the Santa Cruz KOA*

It’s only a 45 minute drive (in good traffic) to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and about the same to our favorite sea glass collecting beach, Asilomar State Beach. The KOA is even closer to our favorite kayak spot, Moss Landing State Beach.

It was so good to see old friends! However, our short stint in Santa Cruz validated why we left so quickly in the first place. Crazed traffic tops the list, a place where afternoon rush hour literally starts right “after” noon. Sometimes the kids would lay in the back of the van and read books in dead-stop traffic trying to get home to the KOA from Monterey Bay Aquarium. Plan accordingly. But, the traffic is worth it to visit these phenomenal places I’ll highlight below.

*Sea lions sunbathing on rocks at Elkhorn Slough*

Sea Life at Moss Landing State Beach

Moss Landing is a pretty special place to kayak. At the Elkhorn Slough estuary, you exist among the sea lions, sea otters and seals. It is “one of the ten top wildlife viewing destinations in the nation” according to Kayak Connection. The furry and blubbery ocean critters will not disappoint as you watch them eat, play, and sleep from a respectful distance. Teeming with life, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary “is one of our nation’s most spectacular marine protected areas.”

There is no question every time we are in the neighborhood with a kayak on the van we will drop it in Elkhorn Slough for a paddle. After checking tides and other safety information, of course. It is about as adventurous for ocean kayaking as our family gets. Where Elkhorn Slough‘s freshwater flow meets the powerful ocean tides at Moss Landing. And ending with a brilliant ocean-side sunset.

Blue waves crashing against rocks at Sunset Moss Landing State Beach with golden sunset in the background — Sunset at Moss Landing State Beach

Sea Glass Hunting at Asilomar State Beach

Sea glass hunting on the west coast is more challenging than the east coast, but our best luck spot definitely is Asilomar State Beach. We stumbled upon the beach, and love the stumbled colorful sea glass that is challenging to find but well worth the reward.

Kids sea glass hunting on the ground below at Asilomar State Beach with waves crashing against rock in the background — *Kids sea glass hunting on the ground below at Asilomar State Beach*

Dog friendly, we love taking our German Shepard and hiding amongst the rocky coves, laying down on the pebbles and finding some sea glass treasure. She doesn’t necessarily like staying on the leash.

German Shepard yawning at Monterey Bay with beach rock in background — *German Shepard yawning at Monterey Bay*

As it is a State Beach, you can’t collect anything but the colorful ocean-tumbled glass litter. Climbing 15 feet up the jagged rock outcropping towering above the crashing waves is always a thrilling past time at our favorite Asilomar State Beach hideaway.

Mom and Dad on top of a rock outcrop at Asilomar State Beach with Monterey Bay in background — *Mom and Dad on top of a rock outcrop at Asilomar State Beach*

Sea Education at Monterey Bay Aquarium

We did manage to take a few last trips in, to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Located on Cannery Row, a quaint historical shopping experience in itself, this Aquarium’s educational opportunities are unmatched. We have gotten lost in the Aquarium for full days.

Its mission, to inspire conservation of the ocean; is without question met. The Aquarium has sea critter feedings, back scene tours, amazing auditorium programs interesting for all ages, hands-on exhibits, and even a walk-through tunnel wave crash, always fun over, and over, for the kids.

Holding sea star in small hands at Monterey Bay with ocean rock in the background — *Small hands holding seastar at Monterey Bay*

You can take it a step further and research the extra educational programs for children in the summer months. Our oldest did Underwater Explorers, an unforgettable kid’s scuba diving adventure.

We have easily gotten lost in the aquarium for hours and the Aquarium’s nonprofit status makes it even more worth the ticket price. Conservation is everything at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Speaking of conservation, it is worth a mention to help the oceans, the Aquarium’s own Seafood Watch where you can make sure you are eating the most sustainable sea food possible. Get the app!

Cold winter day at Asilomar State Beach with frothy waters of the Monterey Bay — *Cold winter day at Asilomar State Beach*

Planning the Monterey Bay Trip

The Monterey Bay is one of those special places in California. But, the traffic is not. If you roadtrip out through Fremont, which I have dubbed the corridor from hell, you might hit rush hour at 10 pm. But with good drive time planning, it’s sure to be a perfect trip.