Tuesday, June 9, 2009

FFV: Monterey Bay Aquarium







For most a trip to the aquarium might connotate memories of your rigid second grade teacher, your bologne sandwich that got smashed in your brown lunch bag, or in my husband's case, the smell of his bus buddy's regurgitated lunch on his lap.  Once thought of as a dark and musty smelling place, an aqaurium is not always the first place an adult wants to visit, but in the new milenium it should be high on your list; now that we're all adults we can choose our exploration buddies, safeguard our lunches and no more Miss Nelson (if only she could stay missing forever).
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a state of the art facility with a contemporary and open design.  Full of discoveries for the whole family (and I do mean ALL ages) we at SFPP are impressed at the scope of activities for children.
Should I take my baby?
It's tough to know where to take your baby and what to expose him/her to...in this family we tend to try things out and if it's not working we just leave. (most of the time it works out well) It's kind of like when you have a new baby and you try to go shopping alone, sometimes you just have to ditch your cart!  It is our philosophy that children should be allowed to explore the world with guidance.  CC is 9 months old and LOVED the aqarium. He toured along with us in his kelty kids pack. This facility is stroller friendly, it has wide aisles and stroller designated parking for smaller spaces but we find it's easier to keep CC happy in the pack where he can see above most people and he typically just takes a nap in it when he's ready.  When out of the pack he loves to trace his hand on the glass to follow the fish and laugh with the speedy penguins. I am confidant that he will continue to enjoy and his enthusiasm will build each year that we visit.

A SPACE FOR BABY - Splash Zone
Coral Babies (0-1)
This area is gated and carpeted, a safe place for babies to get out of the stroller and relax on their backs or crawl around and explore things at their own level.
Waterbed Play Area (0-3)
Few people have a waterbed anymore but here at the aquarium babies can discover all the wonder of this retro furniture concept and experience the feeling of a wave without having to get wet!
Touch Pool - (Enchanted Kelp Forest)
At 40 feet long this exhibit gives participants of any age the rare opportunity to sea and touch the creatures of the ocean. Bonus points for the nearby anti-bacterial cleansers.

Another great baby friendly feature is changing stations in both male/female bathrooms for diaper duty. Breastfeeding  and Bottlefeeding parents are still in need of a quiet space for mealtimes so you'll have to get creative, snag a quiet moment when it presents itself! If it's warm enough there's a beautiful outdoor area where you multi-task and watch the sea otters



Kelp Forest
Diver


Sandy Shore & Aviary




Secret Lives of Seahorses
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Monday, June 8, 2009

Family Friendly Vacations: Monterey, CA Part 1


For any parent, but especially for a new parent, finding the right "get-away" is a difficult mix.  I put "get-away" in quotes because traveling with kids can be challenging and you're never fully on vacation;let's face it, taking care of the little ones is a full time job :-) Planning, packing, and traveling can be overwhelming and that's just getting there. SF Peninsula Parent will assist you in the planning stages with our Family Friendly Vacation Features, this month we start with Monterey, California.

At just 90 minutes from the peninsula Monterey provides a misty beach haven and a deep breath of fresh air. No work. No Chores. No Local Drama.  It's close enough that any parent, even with a tiny newborn or rambunctious toddler can make the drive and yet far enough to be a world away from the chaos of home.  Room service anyone?

Monterey is no different from any other city in that it's undergone changes and growth in the past decade and even the past year...check out how it's changed since the last time you've visited.


Major Landmark: Monterey Marriott Hotel
I love the feel of downtown Monterey, it has everything I need but regardless of our week day or week end arrival, it never feels congested.  You can easily load up your stroller and pick up your morning coffee, the necessary family rations, (you know the drill, bottled water, maybe a few sodas and beer to keep in the room to save money, more baby wipes because you left the new pack on the roof of your car when you pulled away) take-out dinner, the works! Here are a few of our favorites:
Ocean Suishi -165 Webster Street
Great Suishi for a great price! There's not much room for a stroller here but we put our BOB in a nearby corner.
Rosine's - 434 Alvarado Street. 
A great family resturant with FABULOUS desserts. Send your husband next door for a beer/espn break.
Brittannia Arms - 444 Alvarado Street
24 draft beers plus all the favorite imports and domestic beers in a bottle. Keep this pub in mind when your husband is dragging his feet because vacation plans collide with his major sporting event that he just can't miss!
If you have a babysitter (or get one through the Intercontinental, see our review on Wednesday!) Check out:
Cibo - 301 Alvarado Street
Fine Dining but still business casual, live music until 1 AM Tuesday through Saturday and until 10:30pm on Sundays.
Doc Rickett's - 180 E. Franklin Street
Live Entertainment, DJ Spin, Comedy and More...




Portola Plaza - 2 Portola Plaza
If you're in the area for a conference, you'll likely end up here.  The largest landmark of the upper wharf area, the portola plaza is a welcoming hotel with large banquet facilities and a great Thanksgiving Feast!
Beautiful turn of the century buildings, and an easy to follow walk with yellow cylinders in the sidewalk!
Great for biking,jogging or strolling with the little ones!
On the back side of the plaza, just opened!
Pino's Italian Cafe - 211 Alvarado Street
Italian Deli and Coffee Shop
Our favorite coffee shop and sandwich deli, especially good after a massage. (Check out the spa at The Clement, featured on Wednesday this week!)






The ultimate place to stay in Monterey!
Check back on Wednesday for a full feature
Check back tomorrow for a full feature!
MyMuseum - 425 Washington St.
8500 sq ft. of hands-on exhibits! Great for PreK-3
Every time I walk in to this shop I feel like I'm in heaven...a little kid in a candy shop who can't make up her mind, so I get a sample size of just about everything!
The Chart House - 444 Cannery Row
Fine Dining Perfection with a view of the bay. Sign up for their consumer program and get mailers for free desserts on your birthday and other special offers.
Bubba Gump's - 720 Cannery Row
My favorite chain resturant with the family - there's something FANTASTIC about putting up the stop sign anytime you need something!!!





All Photos Courtesy of Cuevas Photography. All Rights Reserved.
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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Back from the Birthday Bloggin' Hiatus


We're back from Monterey, still unpacking but trying to  hold on to what's left of our little escape.  Look for our family friendly vacation,  guide to Monterey coming soon!

In the mean time, we'd love to hear your feedback on our new logo (still in progress!)
Email us at SFPeninsulaParent@gmail.com 



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