Ask:
We are going to Monterey this weekend because my dh will be getting back from Iraq tomorrow (hopefully.)
We've never been but have heard lots of great things about it. I'd love to hear any suggestions on budget friendly things to do there. The hotel is expensive, the aquarium is expensive ($25 a ticket), the restaurants will be, too, I'm sure. All of that's fine with me, but we also need to have some things to do that will cost less money, or better yet, free.
I'm very excited, but could definitely benefit from some tips if anyone has been there.
TIA
Answer:
I just googled "Monteray, ca on a budget" and there are some great links and ideas. I haven't been there since 1978, but it looks really cool from the websites.
I hope you have a great time
Answer:
If you stay around Munros st, it is MUCH less expensive. It's mostly Days Inn kind of places. Check out the monterey website. A few years ago, I got a great deal on the hotel through there. It means you'll have to drive to get to cannery row and fisherman's wharf, but the hotels are cheaper and there is a mall right there with restaurants and such all geared toward the locals.
Whatever hotel you decide to go with, also check their website for deals. At some of them, you can get the aquarium tickets at a discount. We did this in February. Our hotel sold us our tix at a discount and they were good for 2 days instead of just one- which was great since ds pooped out half way through on the first day.
If you are taking the kids, there is a giant sandbox full of toys on Cannery row, right in front of Bubba Gumps. It's free! And if you go to Fisherman's Wharf, all the restaurants have menu's posted outside. You'll be surprised. There are some very nice, very swanky restaurants that are REALLY affordable. Make sure, at each place, to check the special of the day. We found fresh salmon much cheaper on special than almost anything else on the menu at one place. It was the same price as fish and chips, and it was fantastic!
Also, just up the road is the town of Pacific Grove. They call themselves something like "The Butterfly Capital of the world". The monarch butterflies migrate through there every year and there are tons of them. The town itself is really cute: lots of tiny shops full of unique little items. Its fun window shopping. The parks to see the butterflies are free to get into. I don't know what part of the year they come through though, so you might wanna check that.
Good luck! If you have any ideas or any questions about attractions or anything, feel free to PM me. We don't live too far from Monterey and have been several times.
-Lucky
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What a fun trip I did it a few years ago. The aquirium was definately worth the price. I say one of the best ways is to not eat out. I say find a grocery and get some sandwich fixing for a picnic meals. When we were down there we also visited Carmel, there is a wonderful beach. I would take only a cash budget that way you can't over spend once the cash is gone its gone. I loved all the shops in the area though couldn't afford most of them.
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Come to think of it, Rachael Ray did an episode of $40 a Day for Monterey.....you might wanna look that up. he always has good tips.
-Lucky
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We always pack a lunch and picnic on the beach. They have picnic tables. We bought a season pass to the aquarium, it's a little pricey but if you plan to go more than once then it is definately worth the price. Plus you get to go in and out as you wish, that's good if the kids get tired. Also, you get to go in the side entrance with no line. We go a couple of times a year as day trips, so as far as the hotel I'm no help. I hope you have a great trip.
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"If" the kids are going you must go the "The Dennis the Menace Park" It is free and you could stay for a long time without the kids getting bored.