Archive for the ‘Family Fun’ Category

Aquarium for Two Package

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

Photograph Monterey Bay Aquarium©

It’s easy to find adventure when you are traveling by yourself, with your significant other or with friends, but finding something exciting to do with your family that keeps your interest can become an adventure in and of itself. That’s why the Monterey Bay Aquarium is such a great choice. Not only is it located right on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, on historic Cannery Row, but it is chalk full of amazing and educational exhibits and interactive activities for kids and adults alike.

The fabulous Jellies Experience is now open and there are countless other interesting this to experience and explore. There is the Splash Zone that allows kids of all ages to engage with ocean inhabitants and feedings at each of the exhibits and countless other things to do. The Portola Hotel & Spa offers a wonderful Aquarium Package for Two. Not only is the Portola within walking distance to the Aquarium, but this package has it all! With the Portola Hotel Aquarium for Two Package, you get a nautically inspired and elegantly appointed guest room of your choice, two adult Aquarium tickets good for two consecutive days and the Portola’s famous warm homemade chocolate chip cookie upon arrival. Additionally, you also receive a delicious breakfast buffet for two at Jacks Restaurant and complimentary use of the fitness center. Guests can also purchase additional tickets right at the front desk and the Portola’s friendly and knowledgeable staff has a host of other activities and family-friendly things to do. It’s important to remember that the Monterey Bay Aquarium is more than just a place to look at the creatures of the ocean. They are one of the foremost research facilities in the world and are the stewards of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® Program.

So the next time you are looking a fun-filled family getaway that gives back, look no further that the Portola Hotel & Spa’s Aquarium for Two Package. You’ll be glad that you did, and so will the fish!

Tags: Aquarium, Events, Family, kids, Monterey, Package, Specials
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Holiday Survival Tips from the Portola Hotel & Spa Team

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

Before you know it those sleigh bells will be ringing and the holidays will be upon us. When searching from some fun, yet useful tips, I decided to look no further then the dynamic team at the Portola Hotel & Spa, so…don’t fret, no need to stress, the team at the Portola has got you covered.

Check out these fun tips from the best of the best to help you survive the hustle and bustle of the season.

Try to avoid peak travel times. The worst are Monday through Fridays between 7am-10am and 4pm-8pm. The best days to travel are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Timo, Sales Manager
Save for the holidays all year long, that way you will have plenty of funds throughout the season! Cristy, Group Rooms Coordinator
Don’t drink and drive. Be safe this holiday season and designate a driver if you plan to go out. Kevin, Brewmaster
Make charitable giving a high priority. Volunteer with your family and clock some quality time together while making a difference. Terri, Director of Sales
Start your holiday shopping months in advance so that you are not cramming in all your last minute shopping with the crowds! Anna, Reservations
A busy kid is a happy kid! Pack your child a fun filled backpack full of exciting, new things to do when traveling. Don’t forget the snacks and juice. Christian, Food & Beverage Coordinator
Do less this holiday season; relax and enjoy more! Jackie, Marketing
Wrap your gifts with newspaper (Sunday comics are great!), cloth that can be reused or wrapping paper made with recycled content – think green. Eddie, Catering Manager
Do your shopping on Christmas Eve. The sales have already started and there are no crowds. Sonny, Director of Food & Beverage
Consider using a smaller airport such as the Monterey Airport. You will be surprised with how many flights the regional airports offer. Janine, General Manager

Tags: Family, Holiday, Portola Hotel
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Kids on the Peninsula

Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

When most people think of the Monterey Peninsula they think of beautiful golf courses, million dollar homes and some of the world’s most famous events. Others think of miles of pristine coastline, romantic walks along the water and shopping and dining. But some do not realize the amount of kid-friendly activities available. With as many family friendly activities as there are par fours, Mom, Dad and the little ones can have the time of their lives. Oh, and if the “little ones” are actually teenagers…there is plenty for them to do as well.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium on Historic Cannery Row is one of the world’s premiere displays of aquatic marvels. The Splash Zone is entirely devoted to kids and kids of all ages and the aquarium as a whole can keep the family interested for hours, but what about the next day?

How about Dennis the Menace Park located by Lake El Estero in Monterey? Hank Ketchum, the legendary creator of the cartoon icon Dennis the Menace made Carmel his home and this park brings the same smile to all who come. Free and open seven days a week, the park is perfect for families and offers a multitude of play structures, tunnels, bridges and a maze. The cornerstone of the park is an actual Steam Engine that can be climbed and played upon, if you’re looking for something indoors, try the interactive, hands-on Monterey County (MY) Museum.

If you are traveling with kids a little older, check out the paddle boats available for rent on Lake El Estero directly behind the park. It’s a great time and you can get up close and personal with the ducks, Canadian Geese and swans that make the lake their home (don’t forget the breadcrumbs!) Or, for a more radical departure, make a visit to the free skate park also adjacent to Dennis the Menace. With exciting elements to challenge the skills of skateboarders and in-line skaters, this park was created with input from community skaters resulting in a fantastic design overlooking the lake. Between glow-in-the-dark mini golf on Cannery Row, hiking at Point Lobos to kayaking on the Bay, an activity for every member of the family awaits!

Most all of these activities are within walking distance of the Portola Hotel & Spa making a trip to the Peninsula one of ease and most importantly fun! With green grass, picnic benches and the beach just across the street, why not order a delicious lunch to go from Peter B’s Brewpub and enjoy a wonderful day!

Tags: Aquarium, kids, Monterey, Peter B's Brewpub, Portola Hotel
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Top 10 Picnic Spots

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

It’s summertime, and with all the vacations, camps, games and other activities, we sometimes forget that this time of the year is supposed to be relaxing. Even mealtime seems hurried as we try to fit one last thing into the longer summer days. So why not downshift and spend a little quality time with the family (and don’t forget to bring the dog) while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Monterey Peninsula? Food, family and fun are always a recipe for relaxation so here is our unofficial Top 10 (in random order) picnic spots on the Peninsula and a little beyond.

1. The nearest park or open-space or enchanted garden. Keep it simple and enjoy each other’s company, explore the Custom House Plaza and nearby Memory Garden/Pacific House or Old Whaling Station Garden.

2. Lovers Point Beach: What’s better than a lush park right next to a beach, with a view of Monterey Bay?

3. Dennis the Menace Park: Picnic tables and grills behind the park overlook Lake El Estero and a skate park. Perfect for kids of all ages (dogs not allowed in the park gates).

4. Marina State Beach: Miles of beach are perfect for flying kites and the occasional hang glider make for great entertainment; make sure to bring a windbreaker, as that’s why this is the best place for kite flying!

5. Colton Hall: Revel in the beauty downtown Monterey and sit among shady trees, beautiful architecture and a lush lawn.

6. Garland Ranch: Work up an appetite with a hike before sitting down to drink in the beauty of Carmel Valley.

7. 17-mile Drive: Beach, forest, golf or all of the above are offered along this famous stretch of road. The views aren’t half bad either!

8. Asilomar State Beach: Catch one of the area’s great sunset spots and white sand beaches, build a small bonfire, go tide-pooling and a walk amongst the dunes.

9. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail: By bike, foot or surrey rental you can take-in the views and stop at any of the numerous benches and open spaces along the route for a meal.

10. Pfeiffer Beach State Park: This State Park offers it all and is a wonderful way to explore nature with your family and enjoy the majestic views and tranquility of Big Sur.

If you are looking for the perfect culinary compliment to this family fun, why not stop off at Peter B’s Brewpub or Jacks Restaurant at the Portola Hotel & Spa and pick up a delicious lunch for your group. With choices galore, your family and your taste buds will thank you!

Tags: 17-Mile Drive, kids, Monterey, Summer
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California Rodeo Salinas

Friday, July 20th, 2012

Photography Richard Field Levine ©

Since 1910, the California Rodeo held annually in Salinas, California has grown from a small Wild West Show with some bucking bronco riding to a full-fledged week-long celebration of the history of the Salinas Valley. Complete with a full slate of officially sanctioned professional rodeo events, the event features concerts, carnival games and enough down-home cowboy fun to fill a 10 gallon hat!

The rodeo or “Big Week” as it was coined in 1911 kicks-off on Friday July 13^th and runs through Sunday, July 22^nd. On Friday the 13^th, the carnival will open at 4pm with games for kids of all ages and on Saturday the 14^th Kiddie Kapers and the annual Colmo del Rodeo Parade in Downtown Salinas rev up the fun even more.

Photography Richard Field Levine ©

The professional rodeo cowboys start their competition on Wednesday the 18^th with the preliminary rounds of their specialty. The early rounds continue on Thursday and Friday evenings featuring the Tough Enough to Wear Pink event on the 19^th and the Fight Hunger event on the 20^th.

On Saturday and Sunday the action switches to the daytime with the semi-final and final rounds of competition. Saturday is Salute to the Military Day and the fun continues into the evening with the week’s biggest performance, when Country Music legend Alan Jackson and friends take the stage at 6:30pm.

Sunday is the Crown Royal Day of Champions featuring the finals of the professional events including: Bull Riding, Tie Down Roping, Bareback Riding, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding and Steer Wrestling. Tickets are available at the box office or online at www.carodeo.com.

So if you want to learn about the rich history of Salinas and take in some of the best live action around, go big at Big Week and the California Rodeo – Salinas!

Tags: California Rodeo, kids
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Portola Pirates Program

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

For today’s traveler, there is such a wide variety of lodging options that at times, it might seem overwhelming. There are resorts of all shapes and sizes, hotels that are located around a certain attraction and those specialized options that cater to a specific type of guest. It’s not often though, that a destination hotel will go out of its way to provide a specialized program for families while still keeping a mainstream aesthetic. The Portola Hotel & Spa has done just that with the introduction of its completely unique Portola Pirates Program. Family-friendly fun begins immediately upon check-in as each child between the ages of 3 and 12 is greeted with a treasure chest full of activities and toys. With Monterey’s rich maritime history as the backdrop, kids and parents will be able to learn and interact while viewing the hotel’s collection of antique model ships displayed throughout the hotel and experience the historic memorabilia and photography from days gone by! The Portola’s two award winning restaurants, Jacks and Peter B’s Brewpub, also get in on the action offering a customized kids menu featuring meals like the Portola Pirate Pizza and Black Beard’s Pasta. The staff at Portola is keen on keeping the fun fresh so participants have a new voyage with each visit.

This seaworthy program is offered year round and is not only for guests of the hotel. The fine folks at Portola invite local residents, educators and groups to join in the fun for birthday parties, special events and field trips. Each return visit to the Portola Hotel & Spa young crewmembers will earn additional benefits and surprises when they continue take part in our Portola Pirates Program!

So raise the anchor and set sail for fun with the Portola Pirates Program!

Tags: Monterey, Portola Pirates Program
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4th of July in Monterey

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012

Nothing says American like the Fourth of July. Whether you are joining a hundred thousand people at Boston Pops with cannons and a gigantic fireworks display over the Charles River or a family BBQ with a few sparklers, celebrating America’s independence is quintessentially… American!

The Monterey Peninsula is no different with a myriad of great events. Pacific Grove, known as America’s Last Hometown is presenting an old fashioned community BBQ at kid-friendly, Caledonia Park. The celebration, Wednesday, July 4^th from 11am to 3pm will feature renowned San Francisco jam band Moonalice, a delicious BBQ, games, bounce houses and free goodies for the kids. In the tradition of the National Archives there will also be a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is also ringing in Independence Day in style with a Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday July 4^th from 12pm to 4pm. Held in Devendorf Park, the event features a concert, food and games.

Of course, the Fourth would not be complete without a patriotic parade bringing spirit and patriotism to the streets of downtown Monterey. The parade steps off at 10am and winds down Alvarado Street and turns up Del Monte Avenue past the Portola Hotel & Spa before turning onto Calle Principal. This year, a parachute team made up of former Navy SEALS begins the festivities with a jump onto the route and after the parade; attendees are invited to come by the City’s annual lawn party at Colton Hall from 11am to 4pm. The fun continues on into the evening with a special light and laser show at Jack’s Ballpark at 8pm with a special concert by the Monterey Bay Symphony.

As the Fourth of July’s go, this year is jam packed with something for everyone; just like our country!

Tags: Monterey
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Father’s Day Contest!

Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

One of the great traditions we celebrate is Father’s Day. Almost everyone has a favorite story about their dad, but the fanfare was always reserved for Mother’s Day. Mom gets to indulge. Dad gets to rest. While good in theory, why can’t Dad enjoy some of the finer things? A trip to the spa might be out of the question, but how about something a little more…“Dad-like”. The Portola Hotel & Spa is looking to change that with their Father’s Day Giveaway Contest.

Now through June 17^th, you have the chance to give Dad a little love. Simply come down to Peter B’s Brewpub located behind the Portola and sign-up for your chance to win Dad a night at the award winning Portola Hotel & Spa and dinner for four at Peter B’s Brewpub. There are plenty of other prizes including Growler’s of Peter B’s craft beer, T-shirts and more! The winners will be announced on June 18^th with more details on Peter B’s Brewpub’s Facebook page. Do yourself and Dad a favor and get him something great for Father’s Day.

Now there are some people who might not win, but don’t fear, Central Coast living has the Top 10 cool things to do on the Peninsula for Father’s Day:

Hike Garland Ranch. It’s free and it’s a fantastic way to spend time with Dad.
Golf at Pebble Beach: There is a special rate on father’s day and trust me, dad will get off the couch
Skydiving in Marina. Dad will like that you see him as young.
Fishing on Monterey Bay. Quintessential Dad!
Catch a Game at Peter B’s Brewpub. All of the action and none of the traffic.
Lunch on the couch and the U.S. Open. The final round of our national championship and a great sandwich from one of the area’s incredible delis.
Sailing on Monterey Bay. There are a number of charter’s available and again, who doesn’t love the ocean.
Golf. ‘Nuff said.
Catch a Classic Car Show or a race at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway. You might have to wait a couple of weeks, but summer brings a bevy of auto events of all shapes and sizes.
Rent a Kayak or Paddle Board. Who doesn’t love the ocean?

Tags: Brewpub, Craft Beer, Monterey, Portola Hotel
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Mother’s Day in Monterey

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and how can we thank the woman who has given us everything. From taking care of skinned knees and fevers to school lunches and a hug when we needed it, Mom has always been there for us and now it’s time to give her an extra special thanks.

Are you searching for the perfect Monterey Peninsula-themed gift for the special ladies in your life this Mother’s Day? The Portola Hotel & Spa has shared some unique suggestions that are sure to put a smile on the face of any Mom!

Pick a boutique fresh, organic flowers at Earthbound Farms in Carmel Valley
Create a basket of fresh preserves, sweets, honey and more at Happy Girl Kitchen in Pacific Grove
Take mom out for an adventure on the by renting a sea kayak or stand-up paddle board at Adventures by the Sea
Treat mom to a frozen yogurt gift certificate from our neighbors at Pinkberry
Book a tee-off at one of the world-famous public golf courses throughout the Monterey Bay
Not many Moms’ would turn down a spa day! So give a gift certificate for well deserved pampering at our Spa on the Plaza
Take a picture along the scenic coastline of the Monterey Bay and frame it as a keepsake
Give Mom the day off- create a booklet of coupons good for household chores, babysitting and cooking
Mom will love tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a chance to see the Magical World of Jellies exhibit
Give the gift of a vacation with a gift certificate to the Portola Hotel & Spa

Tags: Monterey
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