Travel Time
Travel Time
66 - California Coast's Feathered Wonders! Monterey Bay and Beyond
A long weekend exploring the area around Monterey to find birds and just enjoy hikes in nature!
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Monterey Birding Trips
Hey there, fellow adventurers, and welcome back to "Travel Time"! I'm your host, Jennifer, and today, we're visiting the stunning coast of California. I recently headed out for some glorious time in nature, focused on birding and hiking along the beautiful Monterey Bay area.
My journey began with a convenient stay at the Hampton Inn San Jose Airport. It was a good launchpad for our coastal explorations, getting me ready for the natural beauty to come.
Coastal Gems: Natural Bridges & Seacliff
Our first full day led us to the breathtaking Natural Bridges State Beach. This place is absolutely beautiful, living up to its name with those iconic natural rock formations. We explored the Moore Creek Trail, which offered incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, stretching out as far as the eye could see. And, of course, it was a fantastic spot for birding, with plenty of coastal species to observe. Following that, I took in the relaxed vibe of Seacliff State Beach, rounding out a perfect day of scenic beauty.
For our stay, we next checked into the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley. Honestly, this hotel was a real gem! It was absolutely beautiful, perfectly located near the sites I was visiting, and our room was incredibly nice and comfortable. I honestly wished I was staying there even longer – it was that good!
Elkhorn Slough: A Birder's Paradise
The next day, we made our way to Elkhorn Slough, and let me tell you, it was absolutely beautiful! This place is a birder's dream come true. Elkhorn Slough is one of California’s last great coastal wetlands, and it truly lived up to its reputation. It was absolutely teeming with birds of all kinds – I saw so many species, from shorebirds to raptors, all thriving in this vibrant ecosystem. It was a truly great day out for wildlife observation, and I highly recommend it for any nature lover.
Pelaegic Tour: Blue Whales and Rare Birds!
The highlight of the trip, however, was heading out to Monterey the next day for a Pelagic tour in Monterey Bay. For those unfamiliar, a "pelagic" tour means you head out into the open ocean, specifically looking for seabirds and marine life.
And what a day it was!
We had a ton of great sightings and an absolutely amazing day on the boat. The conditions were perfect, offering clear views. We were fortunate enough to have several rare bird sightings, which is always a thrill for a birder. But the true star of the show was something even bigger: we even saw a Blue Whale! That was my first Blue Whale ever, and it was an absolutely magnificent sight to behold – these colossal creatures are truly awe-inspiring.
I went out with Monterey Seabirds, and I can't recommend them enough. They have a top-notch crew who are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate. It was a really great experience, not just for birding, but we also encountered lots of dolphin pods and a couple of other whales besides the Blue Whale. They offer 8-hour trips for $170 and 12-hour trips for $210, and I opted for the 12-hour tour, which was well worth every minute for the incredible encounters we had.
This trip to the California coast was a spectacular reminder of the rich biodiversity and stunning natural beauty our world holds, especially when you step out onto the ocean.
And that's all for this episode of Travel Time! I'm Jennifer, encouraging you to look closer at the wildlife around you, no matter where your travels take you. Our next episode starts a series sharing our family adventures on a 7 night Eastern Caribbean Cruise.
Until next time, Happy Travels!