Coast Line and Oysters

My car checks out the view.
see all photos »

The drive up the coast was incredible! It reminded me of driving through Costa Rica, where every turn brought a view more spectacular than the last, and you werent sure when to pull over and take a picture. But I did pull over, several times. Its amazing that cliffs, rocks, and crashing waves can come in so many combinations, and each one is absolutely amazing to see.

One place I stayed to observe the action was a huge cliff where a surfer was trying to catch a wave amongst hundred of seals. All of the seals looked like driftwood, until you notice that theyre all moving slightly. There are huge colonies of seals up and down the coast, which are usually barking so you have a constant reminder of their presence.

Oysters and Rocks

see all photos »

The Pacific Coast Highway is only two lanes, with occasional pullouts for the slower traffic. I had to be in Monterey for a cooking class at 4 p.m., so I started to stress about making it on time, even though it was only about a 90 mile drive. There are lots of twist and turns and mountains where you have to slow down. I got stuck behind a few RVs that apparently didnt exceed 40 mph, ever, and a really old, 1920s style jeep that refused to pull out and let me pass. But eventually, I reached Monterey, to stay with my Coronado roommate, Audrey, and her husband Terence, who have an incredible apartment right on the bay!

see all photos »

We did a quick wine tasting at Taste of Monterey, and then headed to the Monterey Culinary Center for our class, Fundamentals of Red Meat. It was a 4 hour class where we learned an awful lot. First all the cuts of red meat, how its constructed (the protein, collagen, fats, and connective tissues), and most importantly, the best way to cook each cut. By the end of the class, we were extremely full and a little bit tired after all eating all the meat.

Today we checked out the Monterey Seafood and Jazz Festival. The entire festival could be experienced in about an hour, but we did have amazing grilled oysters, fried calamari and artichoke hearts, and root beer floats.

Audrey, Terence and I at the cooking class.
see all photos »

Later we did the 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, which is half on the bay and half through the Cypress Forest. The vistas inside the $8.50 drive were no more spectacular than the free ones along the rest of the bay. We did get to see some huge mansions, all with their own names. One for sale had a huge price tag: $8.5 million, and it wasnt even on the water.

For dinner, we went to the Monterey Fish House, where we sat at the bar for oak grilled oysters and beer. They were really phenomenal. I couldnt believe how big the oysters are here! Some were even bigger than my hand.

A view along the 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach
see all photos »

We finished the evening with carrot cake and port. It was a great weekend with my foodie friends! Thanks, Audrey and Terence.