July 4th in Monterey

We will be going to Monterey on July 4th and was wondering where is the best place to park so that we won%26#39;t have to be stuck in bad congestion afterwards. We want to enjoy biking and other activities before they display the fireworks in the evening. What else can we do in that area as a group of 8 with one toddler. Are there any restaurants where we can eat and enjoy the fireworks?

July 4th in Monterey

I%26#39;ll start with your last question. I think your best bet for eating and seeing the fireworks would be Schooner%26#39;s Bistro at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. They have a large patio area (with heaters). Parking can be a problem. I think your best bet is to park on one of the streets that are up the hill from Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey (Drake, McClellan, Prescott). You%26#39;ll have to park a few blocks up from Lighthouse to find parking with no time limit and then walk down to the area around the Wharf and Cannery Row (where the Monterey Plaza is). I%26#39;d suggest that you park there sometime in the afternoon to secure a spot. Before that, you might enjoy visiting Point Lobos State Reserve, about 5 miles south of Carmel on Hwy 1. There are easy trails to walk and spectacular views, as well as great tide pools. You%26#39;d probably want a back-carrier for the toddler. Of course there is the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row, which is wonderful. It will be very busy on the 4th, so if you decide to go, get your tickets in advance on the aquarium%26#39;s website to avoid the long lines.

July 4th in Monterey

We just had a nice lunch at Schooner%26#39;s last month, it is very family friendly and the views of the ocean are gorgeous there. Maybe you could plan a late dinner and enjoy the fireworks from the outside patio there, they have Valet parking at the Plaza, when we were there last month it was under construction, so the valet parking was off to the side of the hotel.

Have fun in Monterey and welcome to the travel forums! :)

Last year on July 4th the hotel had a ';picnic'; on the large outside patio area where the fountain is located. That was fun with lots of food and they had live entertainment. You might want to ask about that event if it is being held this year.

As was previously mentioned there is the aquarium which is an easy walk from the hotel but will definitely be busy on the holiday. There are several cute little shops that you%26#39;ll pass on your walk to and from the acquarium.

Thank you for all your advices!!

I was going to ask the same question as we will be staying in Monterey for the 4th of July. What time is the fireworks show and does Schooners take reservations?

Fireworks begin around 9:00. I%26#39;m sorry--I don%26#39;t know about Schooner%26#39;s.

I think Schooner%26#39;s takes reservations, we usually just walk right in with no wait, even on a busy Sat. last month we were fine with a group of 5 without one. I would make them for the 4th, tho. :)

Thanks to both of you. I called and there are no reservations for Schooners but they are having a buffet type dinner ($5-$12) with seating if you can find a table. The Duck Club takes reservations but we don%26#39;t want a fancy restaurant that night.

We are looking for a nice small restaurant with excellent food for Thursday night though if you have recommendations. Thanks.

If you want something small, quaint and charming with excellent food, I highly recommend the Red House Cafe in downtown Pacific Grove. www.redhousecafe.com

I also like Max%26#39;s Grill (www.maxgrill.com) and Taste Cafe and Bistro (www.tastecafebistro.com), also in Pacific Grove. Max%26#39;s is in downtown, on Forest Ave., and Taste is up the hill at the top of Forest Ave. at the corner of Prescott. Don%26#39;t let the strip mall location of Taste fool you--it%26#39;s beautiful inside, and the food is great.

In Monterey, on the Coast Guard Pier, Massaro and Santos (www.massaroandsantos.com) is excellent. Every table has a harbor view.