Reviewing This Tourist Ride Through Cannery Row & Pacific Grove
In an area with a lot of activities to keep tourists busy – taking scenic walks, bike rides and wine tasting, just to name three – there’s something else in Monterey CA, that’s a real kick in the pants.
It’s Sea Car Tours, a three-wheeled bright yellow (could it be any other color!?) mini convertible car that has you zipping all through Monterey and neighboring Pacific Grove as if you’re Mario Andretti at Laguna Seca Raceway.
And, like the T-bird in the Beach Boys song it’s fun, fun, fun.
You sit down in the low-riding vehicle that operates like a motorcycle. Or a powerful blender at a Jimmy Buffett concert. This throttle adds to the excitement; it’s much more thrilling to twist the wrist than to push the gas pedal on a car.
The sea breeze rolls in like the surf to the shore and, even though you’re in a confined small city area, you feel as if you’re on the open road.
Because you’re so low to the ground it has the affect of making you feel you’re going faster than you are, although surprisingly the cars have a top speed of about 50 mph.
But remember, while you’ll start having visions of being in a race at Laguna Seca just up the highway, you’ve got to obey the street rules and speed limits, which mostly are 25 mph. You have to resist all temptations to act as if you’re Alex Zanardi making “The Pass” or barreling down the corkscrew.
But at any speed, Sea Car Tours is a way cool way to see Monterey Bay.
From the pickup point at the Portola Hotel & Spa – which has a travel package that includes a Sea Car Tours rental – you’re traveling along the scenic road past Fisherman’s Wharf in minutes.
Then you drop down onto Cannery Row, where you’ll encounter a bunch of jealous tourists. They look, they gawk and they take pictures, all because they know you’re the coolest people in town.
PubClub.com recommends going past the Monterey Bay Aquarium and hanging a right to the most beautiful coastline in Monterey Bay, Pacific Grove.
This is an incredibly scenic drive with lots of places to pull over and take photos and selfies. Cruise past Lover’s Point and keep heading south. Just before the golf course, turn left and make a quick stop at the lighthouse.
The coast road takes you to the entrance of the 17-mile drive and while these vehicles would be ideal for that trip, they are not allowed because they are classified as motorcycles.
Still, it’s not like you’re hurting for scenery.
Wrap up your trip by coming back though the town of Pacific Grove along upper Lighthouse Ave. Then make a couple circles around downtown Monterey, being sure to slowly cruise down Alvarado Street, and then back to the Portola.
Sea Car Tours is located at the side of the Portola Hotel at the end of Alvarado Street. That’s about a minute’s walk from Fisherman’s Wharf.
The price is $60/hour, $120 for two hours (recommended) and $160 for three hours.
For those who just can’t get enough fun, fun, fun.
Sea Car Tours Monterey Details:
• Address: 230 Alvarado Street, Monterey, CA
• Phone: (831) 884-6807
• Price: $60/hr., $120/2 hours, $160/3 hours
• Website: SeaCarTours.com
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