Posted on

Morro Rock (Morro Bay)

Spread the love

Address: 60 State Park Rd. Morro Bay Ca. 93442

About 23 million years ago, plugs of long-extinct volcanoes formed the Morro Rock which is a State Historic Landmark. It is located in the City of Morro Bay and is part of San Luis Obispo County. Morro Rock had been designated as a bird sanctuary for the Peregrine Falcon and other bird species.

We drove for about 30 minutes from Pismo Beach. And we took US Highway 101 north to CA-1 north towards Morro Bay/Hearst Castle. Our drive to CA-1 North was very relaxing and scenic. We drove through Morro Bay Blvd all the way to Morro Rock. And we had to pass through a powerplant with three 450 foot tall smokestacks that were visible from miles away. There was ample free parking, walking trails, and public restrooms. We watched and enjoyed the different species of birds, sea otters, and other marine animals throughout the area while we ate our lunch. Some tourists watched and took pictures of a few sea otters that played in the water. The weather was very nice and sunny but became windy in the afternoon.

We saw a few warming signs posted on Morro Rock stated that there is no climbing on the rocks permitted and you can’t walk around the Morro Rock the entirety. During our first visit, we ate at Giovanni’s Fish Market Galley and had their delicious BBQ oysters, fish tacos, and halibut burritos. But this time we decided to eat at Tognazzi’s Dockside Restaurant and had their famous clam chowder soup with sourdough baguette, and calamari. They even had a local band performed and played music for the customers.

Overall, it’s a good place to hang out, enjoy the view and wildlife, walk around, eat and shop around the local stores and restaurants. It’s a good place to bring your family and just enjoy some quality time outdoors. But please make sure that you bring a jacket since it can be windy some days.

Tips: Since my daughter loves apples we went to Crill’s Salt Water Taffy candy store and bought a few varieties of candied caramel apple which is near Giovanni’s Fish Market and Galley. Make sure that you wear your masks, practice social distancing and wash or sanitize your hands. If you like seafood check out Kicker’s Seafood Restaurant in Morro Bay.

Let me know if you have any questions and what you think about the Morro Rock Hotel after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you

Click here to find a hotel/room close to Morro Rock in Morro Bay Ca.

Posted on

Meritage Resort and Spa (Napa Valley)

Spread the love

Address: 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa, CA 94558

The Meritage Resort and Spa along with Vino Bello Resort a timeshare property opened its doors in July 2006. The Meritage Resort is located in Napa Valley which is known for its wide-ranging mix of charming B&B’s, chic luxury hotels, restaurants, and a wide variety of wineries. The resort offers a high-end 322 room property located in the business with free bottles of wine. Some of the rooms have a patio with an amazing view of the outdoor swimming pool, underground cave, and the vineyard situated on the hill.

It took us about 1 hour and 10 minutes (53 miles) to drive from San Francisco to Meritage Resort and Spa via I-80 East, CA-29 North/Sonoma Blvd, exit 19 from CA-37 West. We were surprised to see that they also have a unique, and vintage dining car restaurant on the premise. Some of the Hotel’s amenities are a spa treatment on an underground estate cave called Spa Terra, a winery vineyard, heated outdoor vineyard pool, bowling alley, farm-to-table restaurant Olive and Hay, fitness center, and a wine tasting room.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a friendly front desk attendant and was checked into our room. I contacted the hotel a few days earlier and asked them if they can set up something for our Wedding Anniversary. I let my wife and daughter open the room and were surprised, happy, and speechless to see a complimentary plate with a wide variety of cheese, crackers, and a free bottle of champagne for our Wedding Anniversary. Our room had a really nice Tuscan style decor with an outdoor patio overlooking the beautiful vineyard, underground cave, and the clear blue water outdoor pool. There was even a complimentary slice of delicious chocolate cake with a note saying “Happy Anniversary. Our room was moderate size with a very relaxing and cozy ambiance.

After we checked in our nice room, we went out to check most of the property amenities. The one that caught our attention is the “Spa Terra” which is the world’s first underground spa. We didn’t get a chance to go inside the cave but were informed that it has soaking pools, water walls, steam grottos, and private treatment rooms. We then proceeded upstairs or up the hill that led us to the 9 acres, a sloped vineyard located on top of the underground spa cave. My daughter’s eyes widen as she saw the two large outdoor heated pools with private cabanas. We passed through a few corn holes along the walkway closest to the outdoor pool by the vineyard.

The best part was when we visited the “Crush Lounge” with 6 luxurious bowling lanes, foosball, pool tables, and shuffleboard games. We ended up playing bowling and ordered a few food items on the bowling alley menu. My daughter was surprised and danced when they turned on the disco lights in the bowling lanes which made it exciting. The food that we ordered was good and was delivered into our lane.

Overall, we enjoyed our short stay at the Meritage Resort and Spa which is a hidden gem in the Napa Valley area. It was a one-of-a-kind experience for my family to sleep inside a genuine train caboose with modern amenities in a rustic setting. It was fun waking up in the morning with the stunning view of an underground cave, swimming pool, and a vineyard. The gardening landscape was very colorful due to its colorful flowers. It’s a great unique and romantic place to stay with your family and loved ones while enjoying tasting wine. It was a fun and memorable experience to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary in a luxurious, Tuscan Themed style resort in the heart of Napa Valley.

Tips: The resort’s vineyard on the hill is a good spot to watch the sunset. There were several fire pits with outdoor seatings available throughout the property. The resort is about a 15-minute drive to Oxbow Public Market, Napa Valley Train, Napa River Inn, Morimoto Restaurant, and a wide variety of local restaurants. There is also a premium shopping outlet located near the Resort. And don’t forget to visit the “Grape Crusher” sculpture located on top of the Vineyard on the hill. Vista Collina Resort is located adjacent to the Meritage Resort. There is a farm-to-table restaurant located at Meritage Resort called Olive and Hay.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about the Meritage Resort and Spa after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Click here to find a hotel/room at Meritage Resort and Spa or around the area close to the Resort.

Posted on

Yosemite National Park in Winter Season (Mariposa County)

Spread the love

Address: 7403 Yosemite Park Way Yosemite National Park Ca. 95389

Yosemite National Park is such a magical place with different places to highlight each season. But I will be writing about our first-time experience at Yosemite National Park during the winter season. Our goal to visit Yosemite this year in all four seasons is finally accomplished and checked off from our bucket list. But visiting Yosemite in the winter season is very unique and magical. We choose to visit Yosemite in winter by using a Tour Company called Incredible Adventures. We were picked up around 7 a.m. in one of the designated hotels in San Francisco by our Incredible Adventures driver/tour guide. The tour is for one day about 14-15 hours and the cost is $169 per adult and $139 for kids 12 years old and under. The tip and food are not included with the one-day Yosemite Tour package. There were a total of 9 passengers on the tour. Our travel time took us about 4 hours from San Francisco to Yosemite via Hwy 140 El Portal. And there was no ice or snow on the road in the El Portal area.

But everything changed after we passed the park entrance for a few miles and saw ice/snow on the road and on the side. The scenery suddenly changed into a beautiful mystical winter wonderland. My daughter’s eyes widened and were full of excitement as she saw all the snow on the side of the road. There were a few people on the side of the road cheerfully playing in the snow. Our first stop was the Tunnel View and there were a lot of visitors, crowded and the parking lot is full of melted slushy ice. We took a lot of great pictures with the view of the waterfalls and the valley being covered with snow as our background. We then drove through Yosemite Valley at around 1 p.m. and parked at the Yosemite Valley Market as our meeting place. Our knowledgeable tour guide/driver gave us an overview, tips, and places to explore for our 3 hours of free time. We separated with the group and explored the Lower Yosemite Falls, Cook’s Meadows, and Sentinel Bridge.

There were a lot of people at the Lower Yosemite Falls area but the amazing view of the gushing waterfalls and rocks covered with snow was well worth the effort getting there. It took us about 20 minutes to walk from the Marketplace. After the falls, we then proceeded towards the Cook’s Meadow and Sentinel Bridge. We were in awe as we saw the view of the Cook’s Meadows which was so magical and it’s like a winter wonderland. We played in the snow, threw snowballs at each other, made a snowman while my wife explored the area and took amazing pictures. What’s more interesting are the beautiful pictures that we took of both the Cook’s Meadows and Sentinel Bridge with the waterfalls and the half-dome in the background. The reflection of the half-dome in the water by the Sentinel Bridge was very serene and beautiful. The entire Cook’s Meadow and Sentinel Bridge were all covered with bright, white powdery snow. We then walked and arrived at the Yosemite Market at 4 p.m. to prepare for our departure.

We made a few stops such as the El Capitan Meadow which was another beautiful place overlooking the famous El Capitan. And lastly, our final stopped was at a popular spot called the Valley View where you would see a picturesque view of the El Capitan, Merced River, Bridalveil Falls, and the El Capitan Meadow. There were a lot of photographers gathered since it is one of the popular spots for picture taking with the entire view of the Valley. It’s also a recommended area to take pictures during sunrise and sunset with El Capitan’s beautiful reflection on the water. The Valley view is the last tourist area for taking pictures before you exit Yosemite Valley via highway 140 El Portal. We arrived at our San Francisco Hotel drop-off area at around 8:30 p.m.

Overall, it’s one of our memorable trips to Yosemite National Park as it transformed the entire park into one magical winter wonderland. Its winter scenery is like a scene from one of the famous 2005 Fantasy film movies called “Chronicles of Narnia”. We can’t wait to go back again to this beautiful, mystical winter wonderland place called Yosemite.

Tips: Always check the road conditions and weather in Yosemite via the park’s website. Bring tire chains in case it is needed and an ice trekker for your shoes to minimize or prevent you from slipping or falling due to wet ice or black ice on the road or throughout the park. For food and souvenir needs visit the Yosemite Village Store with lots of parking. Bundle up and bring gloves, scarf, hand warmers, beanie, snow pants, waterproof snow or hiking shoes, lip balm, snow jacket etc. There are ample public restrooms available in the Valley.

Things to do in Yosemite during winter: Cross-Country skiing, snowshoeing, the outdoor ice skating rink at Curry Village, snow tubing, sledding (Crane Flat area), snow playing area (near the south entrance, and strawberry near Sonora pass), stargazing, and visit the museums, etc.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or what you think about Yosemite National park in the winter season after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Click here to find a hotel close to Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County.

Posted on

Chateau Montelena Winery (Napa County)

Spread the love

Address: 1429 Tubbs Lane Calistoga, California 94515

*** On your visit please mention to Chateau Montelena Winery that you’ve seen the review via our travel blog at www.explore2places.com

The Chateau Montelena Winery was founded in 1882 by Alfred Tubbs and built the famous stunning French inspired Stone Castle that was carved into a hillside overlooking the vineyards, Chinese Garden and Jade Lake. The winery is one of the oldest six wineries in Napa and is located in Calistoga and grows good quality wine grapes and award winning wines. Chateau Montelena is a French inspired castle and California grown wines. It won the Paris Wine Tasting competition in 1976. The winery is about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours (85 miles) from San Francisco via US-101 North. It is open 7 days a week from 9:30 am- 5 pm. Reservations are highly recommended but also accepts walk-in customers. All visitors must be 21 years old or older.

I contacted the winery the same day and was informed that they accept walk-in customers only until 3 pm. The scenic drive to the winery was very relaxing with the gorgeous view of the mountains and beautiful wineries. But be careful as you drive through the Petrified Forest Road as it is a two way winding road. We arrived at Chateau Montelena at around 3:15 pm and the weather was a mix of light rain, cloudy and sun. The property grounds are beautiful, clean, and relaxing with lots of trees and colorful flowers. The amazing view of the famous Stone Castle on top of Jade Lake was so picturesque, beautiful and rustic.

As we arrived at the door of the Chateau, we were immediately greeted by the friendly and welcoming wine tasting room staff members. They were very knowledgeable, professional, friendly, fast, and provided us with an excellent service. The architectural design inside of the wine tasting room is very modern with French influenced. And their semi-private wine tasting rooms were renovated and previously living quarters. Since we arrived late and they usually stop taking walk-ins at 3 pm. We just purchased their 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon based on their recommendation. My wife purchased a small (37.5 liters) bottle of their popular 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon wine for $120. The friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating Tasting Room Assistant Manager “Mark” provided us a brief history of the winery and showed us around. Mark took a picture with us and signed our wine bottle that we purchased for our travel blog.

As per my wife, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon’s flavor is robust but not overpowering and deceptively soft on each sip. She paired the wine with a hearty harvest salad with balsamic dressing.

Overall, we were very satisfied with the quality of the wine and the outstanding service of the Assistant Tasting Room Manager Mark Rettig and the entire staff. The unobstructed view of the beautiful vineyard, outstanding service, the beautiful Chinese Garden, and the Jade Lake made our wine tasting experience very memorable. The best part of our experience was getting our wine bottle signed, saw the ice snow on top of Mount St. Helena and the beautiful white swan swimming in the middle of the beautiful Jade Lake with the Pagoda in the background. It was like a scene from a famous Movie.

Tips: Don’t forget to visit the Jade Lake which is located near the customer parking area. They have a large parking lot area made up of sand and gravel for their customers. Chateau Montelena is about a 15-20 minutes drive from Safari West. Drive safely as you pass through the Petrified Forest (about 8 miles) as the road is winding. The winery is also close to a few wineries such as Tamber Bey which have horses in the winery, Newton Winery and the Old Faithful Geyser.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments or what you think about the Chateau Montelena Winery after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you. Please don’t forget to subscibe to our blog.

Click here to find a hotel/room close to Chateau Montelena Winery in Calistoga Ca.

Posted on

Bruce Munro Light at Sensorio – Field of Light & New Light Towers. (San Luis Obispo County)

Spread the love

Address: 4380 CA-46 Paso Robles Ca. 93446

Bruce Munro Light at Sensorio is located in the town of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo County. The place started in May 2019, owned by the Hunter Family and created by locals Ken/Bobbi Hunter. It offers visitors amusing, vibrant and colorful kinetic experiences with their fiber optic colorful bulbs. The Field of Light is a 15 acre walkthrough experience that was created by acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. Light at Sensorio is about 3 hours and 20 minutes drive (202 miles) from San Francisco via US-101 South. It’s only open from 7-10pm and only on a few selected dates. The costs of General Admission is $43 per person, while for the child (3-12) is $22. They also offer premium packages for a Private Terrace with food platter $112 per person, and Private Terrace only $87 per person. Paso Robles is about 45 minutes away from Pismo Beach.

We ate at the Alchemist Garden Restaurant and explored the Paso Robles Downtown area. It only took us about 15 minutes to get to Sensorio from Paso Robles downtown and the free parking lot area is made up of sand and dirt. We arrived at Sensorio Field of light at about 6:45 pm and there was already a long line formed at the main entrance. Luckily, the line went fast and got in within 15 minutes but we had to pass through a security check point. We saw the beautiful sunset from the field while waiting for the lights to turn on. There were fire pits, live entertainer, tables to eat, food trucks and indoor food court (to order food) in the middle of the pavillion/lawn located in the main entrance.

There were a few benches and hays located everywhere on a large field with narrow walkway for people to sit and relax. The VIP sections were all located on top overlooking the field of lights with private terrace, fire pits, foods and warmers. The best part was when it got darker and the Field of Lights were lighted. The entire field was very colorful, illuminating, amazing, breathtakingly beautiful and turned into a magical place. We decided to walk the winding pathway and enjoy the unique experience as we saw each bulb dims and changes color. Each bulb, fibers were artistically placed and the entire field looked like a scene on a fantasy/adventure movie such as the Disney Movie “The Troll”.

It took us about an hour to walk around, enjoy and explore the entire field of lights. But they added an area for the “New Light Towers” which are colorful fiber optics inserted inside a lot of bottles that were formed like a pyramid. It was very relaxing to look at all the different colors that illuminates all the wine bottles. It felt like we were trap on a maze with colorful bottles trying to find our way out. But be careful as you walk through the dark pathways as it gets crowded with too many people walking both ways. We used our phone light to guide us through.

Overall, it was a fun, unique, memorable, mesmerizing and exciting family adventure experience. There were lots of areas that were good photo opportunity. It is a different experience for us to see the entire field with colorful lights and amazing, artistic display of fiber optic. We would highly recommend the Sensorio Field of light to the whole family, singles and couples.

Tips: Paso Robles is a small town known for it’s wineries and arts. Here are a few places we had visited such as the Sculpterra Arts and Winery, Estrella Warbird Museum, Alchemist Garden Restaurant, Opolo Winery, Downtown Paso Robles and Negrani Creamery. Bring your jacket, flashlight and warmers due to cold weather. You can purchase food, drinks, wines and hot chocolate inside. Clean restrooms are available onsite and drive slowly since the parking lot is made up of sand and gravel. Arrive early as the line gets longer but VIP will get you in earlier. No flash photography and no selfie sticks allowed.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments or what you think about the Bruce Munro Light at Sensorio after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you. Please don’t forget to subscibe to our blog.

Click here to find a hotel close to the Sensorio Field of Lights in San Luis Obispo County

Posted on

Holiday Ice Skating Rink at Meritage Resort and Spa (Sonoma County)

Spread the love

Address: 875 Bordeaux way Napa Ca. 94558

The Meritage Resort and Spa along with Vino Bello Resort a timeshare property opened its doors in July 2006. The Meritage Resort is located in Napa Valley which is known for its wide-ranging mix of charming B&B’s, chic luxury hotels, restaurants, and a wide variety of wineries. The resort offers a high-end 322 room property located in the business with free bottles of wine. Some of the rooms have a patio with an amazing view of the outdoor swimming pool, underground cave, and the vineyard situated on the hill.

It took us about 1 hour and 10 minutes (53 miles) to drive from San Francisco to Meritage Resort and Spa via I-80 East, CA-29 North/Sonoma Blvd, exit 19 from CA-37 West. We were surprised to see that they also have a unique, and vintage dining car restaurant on the premise. Some of the Hotel’s amenities are a spa treatment on an underground estate cave called Spa Terra, a winery vineyard, heated outdoor vineyard pool, bowling alley, farm-to-table restaurant Olive and Hay, fitness center, and a wine tasting room.

Since we didn’t want to drive back to San Francisco late at night. We checked in at one of the nice and quieter rooms at Meritage Resort and Spa. After checking in at around 4pm we immediately proceeded to the Ice Rink and Christmas Tree Lighting area which is located across the street of the Meritage Resort and Spa. The place was like a Winter Wonderland with a 40 foot Christmas Tree, Carolers singing, Mimes entertaining the guests, vendors selling their holiday items, Famous Disney Characters such as Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, Tinker Bell, and Santa Claus walking around taking pictures with children and families. It was a very festive atmosphere with lots of visitors and happy families.

The Christmas Tree lighting happened at around 5:30 pm and it was such a magical moment when the 40 foot Christmas Tree was lighted with colorful bright lights and holiday ornaments and decorations. All the visitors happily cheered loudly during the Christmas Tree Lighting. We enjoyed the fun performances on stage by the local caroler and local band entertainer. The Ice skating rink was situated in the middle of the lawn area facing or adjacent to the beautiful lighted Christmas Tree. There were a few VIP fire pits and special igloos for rentals available surrounding the ice rink area. We had to reserve a time slot online for a 1 hour and 30 minutes skating experience. There was a long line of excited skaters on the ice skating registration booth. The line was moving quickly as they have a lot of available staff to help with the registration and skate rentals. My wife and daughter enjoyed the awesome experience and took nice pictures on the ice skating rink facing the Lighted Christmas Tree in the background. There were lots of staff members that facilitate or watched over the skaters for safety precautions.

The best part was when we ate a late dinner at the “Crush Lounge” with 6 luxurious bowling lanes, foosball, pool tables, and shuffleboard games. All the food that we ordered was good and delivered promptly on our table. Our host server Lizabeth was very attentive, fast and helpful in serving our table. We ordered Buffalo Wings, Cheese Nachos, Fish tacos and chicken quesadilla. My daughter had the delicious Oreo Milkshake while my wife had a Margarita cocktail drink. All the bowling lanes were already reserved that night so we end up not bowling. But we had the opportunity to play bowling during our first stay in the resort.

Overall, we enjoyed our short stay at the Meritage Resort and Spa which is a hidden gem in the Napa Valley area. It was fun waking up in the morning with the stunning view of an underground cave, swimming pool, and a grape vineyard. The gardening landscape was very colorful due to its colorful leaves. It’s a great unique and romantic place to stay with your family and loved ones while enjoying tasting wine. It was a fun and memorable experience to celebrate a Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting, Ice Skating and Wine Tasting in a Tuscan Themed style resort in the heart of Napa Valley.

Tips: The resort’s vineyard on the hill is a good spot to watch the sunset. There were several fire pits with outdoor seatings available throughout the property. The resort is about a 15-minute drive to Oxbow Public Market, Napa Valley Train, Napa River Inn, Morimoto Restaurant, and a wide variety of local restaurants. There is also a premium shopping outlet located near the Resort. And don’t forget to visit the “Grape Crusher” sculpture located on top of the Vineyard on the hill. Vista Collina Resort is located adjacent to the Meritage Resort. There is a farm-to-table restaurant located at Meritage Resort called Olive and Hay.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about the Holiday Ice Rink at Meritage Resort and Spa after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Click here to find a hotel/room at Meritage Resort and Spa or around the area close to the Resort.

Posted on

Kaneohe Sandbar (Oahu)

Spread the love

Address: 47-86 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Kaneohe Bay is located on the East side (windward) on the Island of Oahu. The Kaneohe sandbar is a natural formation and a collection of exposed islets surrounding coral reefs. The Kaneohe Sandbar is one of the unique, best-kept secrets, and exciting places to visit in Oahu. The sandbar is only exposed during low tides in Kaneohe Bay. The Kaneohe Bay is the largest bay of the main 8 Hawaiian Islands. The bay is protected by reefs from the waves of the open ocean. From the shoreline, the beautiful sandbar is about a mile away and only accessible by boat or kayak.

We drove for about 35 minutes (16 miles) from our Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel to Kaneohe Bay via HI- 63 North. We arrived at the He’eia kea Boat Harbor at around 9 am and parked in front of our boat. We paid and reserved a tour under Captain Bruce Kaneohe SandbarTour company. There is also a public restroom available onsite and a small Cafe, that serves snacks, ice cream, and sandwiches. We were early enough to find a parking space in front as parking is limited. We checked in with the staff members and decided to take pictures while we were waiting for the others. We were given safety instructions and basic information by the friendly, fun, and knowledgeable Captain Crystal and her staff members. We were also instructed that we had to remove our shoes, slippers or aqua socks before boarding the boat. There were some snacks, drinks, fruits and water games, and snorkeling gears for guests to use.

The boat ride from the harbor to the sandbar only took us 10 minutes. We were all in awe as we approach the Kaneohe Sandbar with its clear deep teal blue color and white sand. The boat anchored at around 9:50 am and we were informed that it was free time and our departure will be at 12:15 pm. We all jumped into the pristine clear blue water and proceeded to the other boat that stored all the free use of kayaks, (SUP) stand-up paddle boards, floaties, tubes, and many more. We choose to use the tubes and stand-up paddle board and took pictures with the background of the mountains. The bay water was warm, clear, and shallow (knee deep). After an hour, we were all called and were asked who wants to participate in snorkeling on the reef to see some fish and turtles. We decided to not do snorkeling since we already had experience with snorkeling. The best part of the tour was when it started to rain just for a few minutes followed by the sunshine. It was an amazing, memorable, experience for me and my family to enjoy the tropical rain in the middle of Kaneohe Bay.

All the guests were busy either kayaking, snorkeling, having lunch, playing beach volleyball, taking pictures, or just simply enjoying the beautiful, picturesque panoramic views of the Koolau Mountains and nearby islets.

Overall it was a great, memorable, and one-of-a-kind experience for me and my family. It is our first time visiting a sandbar and was a good treat or surprise for my daughter’s 13th birthday celebration. We even saw a few turtles (honu in Hawaiian) swimming through the clear blue turquoise water in the bay.

Tips: Ensure that you pack lots of bottled water to stay hydrated, and wear aqua socks or just barefoot since the sand is fine. You can bring your own snacks or food but the tour company provided us with some snacks, drinks, and water gears for us to use. Be at the dock or harbor earlier since parking is limited. There is also a small cafe with outdoor tables that sells sandwiches, snacks, and ice cream in the Harbor area. There were plastic cubbies available to use underneath each seat. The common tour hours that are being offered are either 9:30 a.m. and 1 pm.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments or what you think about Kaneohe Sandbar after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Click here to find a hotel or place to stay near Kaneohe Sandbar in Oahu.

Click the banner below to book the Kaneohe Sandbar Experience in Oahu.

HawaiiActivities.com - Top Hawaii Tours & Activities

Posted on

Hazel Hill Restaurant at Montague Resort in Healdsburg

Spread the love

Address: 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Hazel Hill Restaurant in Montague Resort is an indulgent French-influenced California style cuisine that is perched on a hill in Healdsburg with an amazing view of the mountain and vineyards. The restaurant is nestled in the 258 acres of rolling vineyards with heritage oak groves. surrounding the property. It is also an exclusive and expensive resort with two beautiful swimming pools, private rooms with a view and lots of amenities onsite. The restaurant is located minutes away from historic downtown Healdsburg. Hazel Hill Restaurant is about an hour and 40 minutes ( 79 miles) away from San Francisco via US 101- North. Hazel Hill is open 7 days a week and the breakfast hours are from 7:30 am-10:30 am, lunch is from 11:30 am- 2:30 pm and dinner is from 5:30 pm- 9pm.

We were impressed and in awe of the exclusivity and modern decor of the property. We had to passed through the main lobby with a fireplace in order to get to the restaurant. The Restaurant is by reservation only and it’s usually difficult to reserve a table due to it’s popularity. We arrived for lunch at Hazel Hill Restaurant at around 1:30 p.m. and was amazed by the ambiance and unobstructed views of the mountain and vineyard. We drove slowly up on a hill for about 3 minutes on a narrow winding road. As we arrived on top, we were immediately greeted by a friendly valet attendant, who opened our car doors, gave us a claim stub, and parked our car for free. (The valet service was free only on the day we visited). We noticed a lot of very expensive and exotic cars parked in front of the hotel. We checked in with the friendly host and were seated right away.

We were seated in the outdoor patio/terrace which we had requested with an unobstructed view of the mountain and vineyard. The server provided us with a fresh bread with olive oil and butter. As for our drinks, we started off with non alcoholic beverages. We ordered Manzanita with lemon, honey, sparkling apple cider for $8. And Spring Bloom with pomegranate grenadine, lime and soda for $8. As for our main entree, my daughter ordered the famous Westholme Wagyu Steak frites with ramp vinaigrette, bearnaise for $38. While my wife had the JB’s Spicy Squid Salad with arugula, white beans, and taggiasca olives for $21. As for me, I ordered the savory Southern BBQ Shrimp with grits, white cheddar and tasso for $36. And finally for our dessert we had the Donut Holes (12 pieces) with vanilla cream anglaise and chocolate sauce for $13 (its similar to Beignet). To our surprise, we were also served a free complimentary Meyer Lemon Tart meringue with sable breton and fresh berries for our Wedding Anniversary.

Overall, we were satisfied with the quality of the foods that we ordered. The amazing view of the vineyard, the great service and the beautiful sunny warm weather made our experience special and memorable. We would highly recommend the Hazel Hill Restaurant due to the quality of food and the amazing mountain and vineyard view.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments or what you think about Hazel Hill Restaurant after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Click here to find a hotel or place to stay near Hazel Hill Restaurant/ Montague Resort in Healdsburg, Ca.

Posted on

Lanikai Beach (Oahu)

Spread the love

Address: Mokulua Dr Kailua, HI 96734

Lanikai Beach is located on the windward eastern side of the Island of Oahu. The word Lanikai means “The Heavenly Seas” in Hawaiian. Lanikai Beach is a beautiful, stunning beach on windward OĘ»ahu, with the famous twin Mokulua Islands, which has an interesting history. The beach is about half a mile long and it’s one of the most scenic stretches of coastline on Oahu. The Lanikai area/community is considered an upscale neighborhood in Hawaii.

We drove for about 40 minutes (16 miles) from our Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel to Lanikai Beach via HI- 61 as we passed through Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, Buzz Steakhouse, Kailua Town, and Kailua Beach. We arrived at the famous Lanikai Beach around 9 am and were lucky enough to find parking in the residential area. There was only limited parking on the street and lots of “No Parking” signs.

It rained for a few minutes when we arrived and the sun came out right after. We grabbed our backpack and packed all the essentials as there are no restrooms or showers available on the beach. We just walked for about 10-15 minutes from the parking to the main entrance which is a residential area. We had to pass through a narrow area and were surprised at the stunning view of Lanikai Beach. The amazing, panoramic view of the clear blue water, cool breeze, and white sand were very relaxing. There was even a coconut tree (good for taking pictures) right in front of the entrance to the beach. We had to set up our beach blanket, beach towels, sunblock, and spam musubi for our snack. The beach sand was very soft and golden. We played in the ocean water and explored the beach including the reef area. My daughter enjoyed swimming in the water with the view of the two islands from afar called “Mokes” while my wife took a few pictures of the fishes near the reef. We only stayed for about 1-2 hours on Lanikai beach as we have to visit other places.

Overall it was a fun experience for us to be able to visit one of the most famous, beautiful beaches in Hawaii with Turquoise clear blue water, soft sand, and a cool breeze. It’s a place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle lifestyle in the city such as Waikiki. I would highly recommend this place when you visit the Island of Oahu.

Tips: Get to Lanikai Beach as early as possible (before 9:30 am) due to the limited parking spots. Bring everything to the beach (chairs, towels, sunblock, bottled water, snacks or spam musubi and there is no public restroom available. Pay close attention to the “No Parking” signs as they will tow your car. There is also a closer beach called Kailua Beach which is more developed and has public restrooms and picnic tables available. Some people park their car in Kailua Beach and just walk or hike to Lanikai Beach as these two beaches are not connected.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments or what you think about Lanikai Beach after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Click here to find a hotel near or around Lanikai Beach.

Click the banner below to book your Hawaii activities or tour packages.

HawaiiActivities.com - Top Hawaii Tours & Activities
Posted on

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail (Oahu, Hawaii)

Spread the love

Address: Makapuu Lighthouse Rd. Honolulu Hawaii 96825

Makapu’u Lighthouse is located on the East side of the Island of Oahu. The Lighthouse is built in 1909, Makapu’u Lighthouse is a shining beacon situated on a 600-foot seacliff. The place is open 7 days a week from 7 am- 6:45 pm. The Lighthouse is colored red and white and it is off limits for safety. The famous movie “50 First Dates” by Adam Sandler was filmed in the Makapu’u Lighthouse. The walk or hike to the Lighthouse is about 30 minutes one way or 60 minutes roundtrip. The elevation gain is 500 feet and is warm, windy, and humid as you ascend towards the top.

We drove for about 30 minutes (14 miles) from Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel to Makapu’u Lighthouse via HI-72. Our drive to the Lighthouse via HI-72 was a very scenic, winding road, relaxing and fun. We arrived in the parking lot of the Lighthouse at around 1 pm. We drove our Mustang convertible slowly as the free parking is made up of gravel and sand.

We forgot to bring our walking /running shoes so we end up using our slippers to hike up the lighthouse. We were surprised and intimidated as we saw the uphill paved trail leading up to the Makapuu Lighthouse. We had packed some bottled water, sunscreen, and a hat as we ascend the gradual uphill climb to the top. The weather was sunny, and warm with the cooler wind. We drank water constantly and had to stop a few times to get a breather and water break. The gradual steep climb to the summit was challenging but doable. There were a lot of people (families, pets, etc.) climbing the hill that day. We stopped at a few lookout areas with guard rails to rest. The view from the lookout was beautiful, picturesque, and panoramic with the clear blue sea in the background. We were told that we may be able to see Humpback Whales from the month of November to May.

Overall it was a great memorable experience for us to be able to hike up to the Makapu’u Lighthouse with our slippers. LOL. My family and I felt accomplished and proud as we completed the challenging hike to the top of the lighthouse trail. I would highly recommend this place when you visit the Island of Oahu. We also learned a few things about the history of the Makapuu area as we read some of the informational signage along the way.

Tips: Ensure that you pack bottled water to stay hydrated, sunscreen to prevent sunburn, and wear comfortable walking shoes. There is another trail or route with sand and gravel that will lead it to the Makapuu Tidepool. Halona Blowhole and Halona Beach Cove are about a 6-minute drive via HI-72 from the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail parking lot. There are a lot of great spots to take a picture or selfie. Pay attention to people that are walking near the parking lot area.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments or what you think about Makapu’u Lighthouse after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Click here to find a hotel, tour, and activities near Makapu’u Lighthouse

Click the banner below to book your Hawaii activities or tour packages.

HawaiiActivities.com - Top Hawaii Tours & Activities