Larkin House

No one is talking about it, but this house built in 1835 by Thomas O. Larkin is said to be the first two-story house in California. Larkin was a New Englander so when he built his house in Monterey he combined Spanish Colonial and New England building methods. On the same lot is the Sherman Quarters, where William Tecumseh Sherman stayed in 1847. Sherman at the time was a lieutenant and Larkin was the first (and only) U.S. consul to the Mexican province of Alta California. There was a lot of history going on at that time but I'll just leave it at that.

Coast Guard Pier '24

Swung by this place and it was closed for some sort of maintenance, but the resident sea lions could be seen and heard just beyond the gate and also from the other side, where they were huddled under the pier.

Monterey Harbor

What kind of sick person wouldn't love the promenade along this part of Monterey Harbor? Maybe someone who doesn't like fresh air and color? Note sea otter in bottom photo.

former Dali museum

I wasn't too surprised to learn that the former maritime museum turned Salvador Dali museum is now just an art museum, although not affiliated with the Monterey Museum of Art. With all respect to the Spanish surrealist, who I like in small doses, that museum had so much Dali that it made my brain hurt. But now Monterey still lacks a maritime museum, which seems a little incongruous in such a maritime city. Maybe they should become a museum of maritime art, like the Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard?

Portola

So you're wondering - who exactly was this Captain Don Gaspar de Portola? Well, he was the first governor of California, from 1768 to 1770, back when it was a newly formed Spanish colony. So there you have it.

the late, great Osio

Sad, and not entirely sure what happened.

church and bank

The bank that looks like a church and the church that looks like a bank. No one is talking about this, but I've noticed this peculiar juxtaposition in downtown Monterey for some time.

Alta Bakery

One of the best discoveries of this visit to Monterey was stumbling upon the Alta Bakery and its beautiful, expansive courtyard (shared with Cella, a fine dining restaurant). The historic Cooper-Molera Adobe has been around a long time as a museum and garden (managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation), but I don't remember these food venues being so well integrated into the complex. In any case it works, and injects a lot of vitality into the heart of Old Monterey.

Colton Hall Museum

Home of California's constitution, looking nice in Friendly Plaza.

Home of a Portuguese Whaler

Love all the history in Old Monterey. I never noticed this house till I walked by it on this visit in 2024 - even though it's been sitting there since the 1890s.

swan boats of PG

post Beach House stroll

PG Beach House

We returned to the beautiful Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point where we celebrated our first anniversary and - amazingly - were seated at the exact same table! In a good way - the table and view were very nice. As was the meal. Both times.

Happy (pottery) Anniversary!

First Awakenings '24

The Grove

You know you're in Pacific Grove when there are more deer than cars on the road.