We arrived at the Marina Dunes RV Resort in Marina, CA at noon on Friday after a short 2 hour drive up the coast from Pismo Beach. It was great to be back at this beautiful little RV park that sits right opposite Marina Dunes Beach. All we have to do is walk out of the gate and head down the sandy trail over the dunes to the beach.
This is the spectacular Marina Dunes Beach by our RV Resort
We took our time getting all setup and after a quick bite to eat we headed off to the trail that would take us across the sand dunes and down to the beach. To us, this is one of the most spectacular beaches on the entire west coast – and, it’s also one of the quietest it seems. Mostly, it’s other residents of the Marina Dunes RV Resort who we happen to run across while at the beach.
We walk out of our park gate down this sandy trail over the dunes
Looking towards our site from the gate to the trail and beach
Here’s Rylie chasing pool little Molly down the beach again!
Molly and Rylie once again had a terrific time on the beach and ran for miles although it was mostly Rylie chasing Molly. We spent about an hour on the beach and then went back to our rig for a rest and a short siesta. The hitching and unhitching plus the drive and long walk on the sandy beach had taken its toll for sure.
There are many, many spectacular viewpoints in Monterey
By 4pm we were all rested up and ready to do some sightseeing. The last time we were in this area was 2 years ago and somehow we missed taking the famous 17 Mile Drive around Monterey Peninsula which also includes admission to one of the Mecca’s of Golf – the Pebble Beach Golf Course.
We enjoyed another perfect weather day here in Monterey
The Lone Cypress viewpoint on Monterey’s 17 Mile Drive
We drove over to Monterey which is only 15 minutes from Marina Dunes RV Resort and soon were driving along the awesome coastline with the Pacific Ocean pounding up over the rocky shores and also the pristine sandy beaches. As we temporarily left the coast and entered a forested part of the road we encountered a guard gate! To continue along the 17 Mile Drive would require paying a $9.75 toll.
What the heck, we’d come this far and we figured what’s another $10 so we paid the toll and carried on down the road. Paulette and I were glad we did because the great part of the 17 Mile Drive was just beginning. There are over 20 point of interest along this drive and most of them feature great scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. A lot of them have short walking trails too.
A few of the very modest homes along the Monterey drive
Of course, the rich and famous live here in this private enclave and they have built massive castles, mansions and villas. A lot of these folks seem to favour naming their properties Casa del Rich or Villa del Filthy Rich. A lot of these joints are built right on cliffs that look out over the Pacific Ocean and these homes are palace sized.
Now, how’d this guy get in here?
Out of the blue, we turned a corner and there was the strange looking little house above sitting all alone on a huge piece of land with an absolutely stunning view of the ocean. Interesting place. I’d love to know who owns it and what the story is.
As close to heaven as any fanatical golfer will ever get!
Near the end of the 17 Mile Drive we came across the entrance to Pebble Beach Golf Course. I turned our big diesel Silverado right in and drove up to main lodge where I parked in the huge visitor parking lot. I had no idea if I’d be able to go in and see anything but I thought I’d give it a try. It was no problem at all and I had a free run of the entire Pebble Beach Lodge that looks out over the course.
Lucky golfers finishing up a round at Pebble Beach
In fact, I was able to walk across a large lawn and right down to the 18th green to watch as golfers putted out to end their rounds. A small fence kept us spectators a respectable distance from the golfers who had paid a small ransom to play there. I’d seen the #18 hole of Pebble Beach on TV a thousand times but it was even better to be there and see it for real. What an impressive finishing hole.
Driving down Cannery Row in Monterey
From Pebble Beach, we drove into Carmel for a quick tour of Ocean Avenue and Carmel Bay – it’s a stunning beach. We drove up the main drag with all the expensive touristy stores but we couldn’t find a spot to park our tank! Besides, the nauseating smell of money was making us queasy so we just hightailed it back to the confines of our nice little RV Resort in Marina.
The surf rolling in at Marina Dunes Beach
We picked up a pizza for dinner on the way back. The rest of our evening was spent with computer stuff and watching a bit of TV before heading to bed early as we’d put in a long and busy day.
Have a great Saturday, and thanks again for visiting!
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