Day Trip To Cannery Row in Monterey, California #GrabYourMoment

Momma Told Me: The backyard is your playground.

I am a horrible Southern Californian.

I'll admit, my heart is on the East Coast. Some might say it's because I was raised here, just a short drive to the Pacific Coast beaches, and a stones-throw from glamorous Los Angeles and Hollywood, that I am wasted on it's appeal. I just never really cared much for sun and sand- A trip to Massachusetts when I was was 6, shoveling snow in the front yard of my grandparent's house quickly conjured all of these romantic ideas of seasons and foliage. As an adult I've been back many times, and it never seems any less wondrous.

But for the typical American, those not born to seek out cold, damp, and even frozen (Alaska) climates for vacation, the California Coast truly is a playground.

Because it's been several years since my last visit, and Monterey, California holds so many wonderful childhood memories for me, I decided to return with a fresh perspective. Last weekend we took a gorgeous drive inland (and then back down along the coast) to Cannery Row. Monterey County extends some 90+ miles of beautiful California coastline, and is a massive playground both on the shore, and inland. We'd originally intended to visit Big Sur, but the Memorial Day holiday made daytime coastal travel a bit of a headache so we scooted in to the highway for a straight shot up to Monterey, itself.

One of the things I recall, quite magically, from my own childhood is the number of trolleys that speed down the streets, up and down Cannery Row. That and the massive Monterey Bay Aquarium- a learning playground for any youth, or marine enthusiastic adult. No sooner had we stepped foot out of the parking lot onto Ocean View Blvd did we hear the familiar bells of the trolley, and see the mustard colored tram speeding by. It was about then the smell of the salt air began to hit me.

I was raised in Southern California, moments from the beach.

I have been from Coast to Coast and seen beaches at every corner of this nation. I hold a soft spot for Rhode Island beaches in the Summer, but, if you can't make it, Monterey comes pretty darn close. The water is warmer- kids and patrons walk right in on the beautiful sands. Teenagers climb the shoreline rocks, laughing as the tide rolls in and out. Families build sandcastles just moments from the Cannery Row shops, and the wildlife is abundant. You can look in either direction on the horizon and see a paddle-boat, a sailboat, a fishing schooner or more- and yet, all iss o incredibly peaceful. It's a one of a kind mentality.

It's hard to comprehend the prior beach photo was taken steps from the photo above. The shot of a bustling Cannery Row, full of tourists, locals, shops, restaurants, and galleries. The street certainly has a buzz to it, and the air is electric. Every face you pass is smiling, and everyone is exceedingly friendly! (Note: This may have been in part to the small dog we were pushing around in a stroller- people could NOT get enough of Nora.) We visited on a holiday weekend and there were many locals downtown shopping with us. They were happy to ask where we were traveling from, and give us a tip on where to visit before we left.

But you truly can't see it all in one day. Not even close on Cannery Row- and certainly not all of Monterey, let alone all the county has to offer! There are wineries nearby, outdoor experiences to be had (I spotted a zipline experience off the highway,) and numerous sites to be seen and discovered. Whether you're a couple looking for a weekend getaway with some fantastic food and an amazing view, or a family trying to relax and create some new memories, there's plenty to offer.

If you're headed to Monterey, specifically for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, be sure to plan at least an entire day to explore. Not all aquariums have penguins on site, but this one does- so bring your cameras as well! Exhibits change seasonally, with the newest Viva! Baja! exhibit featuring an array of colorful and exotic warm water fish, though daily shows and feedings remain constant year round. While there are food options inside the cafe, my advice is to walk out the door, directly onto Cannery Row, and enjoy meals locally instead.

Speaking of meals, we were suckered in tempted to try Louie Linguini's on the Cannery Row waterfront when a trolley sharing samples of their Clam Chowder featured a doggy menu. Did I mention Monterey is very dog friendly? Louie Linguini's offers an array of delicious Italian and Seafood human fare, as well as a selection of doggy bowls. Heated patio seating is available for patrons with canines, and it just so happens to overlook the beautiful bay.

Above you'll see Nora's generously sized bowl  of grilled hamburger, broccoli, carrots, and whole grain rice. I made sure to order her food before ours so she could be properly fed, and content, while we ate. Unfortunately I was not expecting to be seated directly at the top of the stair entrance to the restaurant, where patrons constantly crossed our paths. Needless to say it's a good thing we brought her stroller, because Nora was back and forth at every person who walked past.

Above you'll see the view- kinda-we were a bit higher up, of the plaza and bay we overlooked while dining. Not only were the skies, and waters, clear, but the atmosphere was amazing. A gentleman actually proposed to his girlfriend while we were eating, and the entire courtyard erupted in cheers when she said yes!

While Jay insisted on having the Clam Chowder as a precursor to his meal, sourced with local seafood, no doubt- I dove into a White Garlic Shrimp Linguini. After all, the restaurant was named Louie Linguini's! The food was a bit pricey, for the portions, but delicious. I really can't complain given the amazing view we had- but I would order a starter for my meal next time.

When we rolled out of town, waving goodbye to Monterey, but not quite Monterey County, we put the top down and let Nora enjoy the sites. I have to say I was expecting our visit to be a madhouse, given the holiday weekend, but the atmosphere was more of a cheerful buzz than anything. Traffic wasn't bad at all. We made amazing time on the highway. I think we just might be back again soon!

What Daughter Says: Sometimes the best discoveries really are right in your backyard, so to speak.

Blog POP! API AquaTunes 2.5 Gallon Aquarium #Giveaway

We received the following aquarium in hopes we would share our experiences here on the blog. All fish/decorations/etc were purchased separate and are not affiliated. We are not experts, please consult one before adopting fish and beginning a new tank.

Momma Told Me: Don't look at me, its your pet!

We have a lot of pets in our household, and Sabrina(12) certainly has had a menagerie through the years. Her mother has caved on more than one 'But mom!' paired with a sad face and puppy eyes, but none have ever really been her pet. Having a beloved animal in the home that you interact and play with is much different than being responsible for a living thing through and through. So, when the pleas for a new pet began most recently we decided we would cave with a pet she could call all her own; 3 colorful guppies she promptly named Squiggles, Spot, and Steven. But before we could bring them home we had a bit of a quest to find and setup the perfect first tank.

After a lot of research, and some important insight from Sabrina (this one lights up and plays music) we decided on a modest sized API AquaTunes 2.5 Gallon Aquarium. Naturally the adults had more scientific reasoning than the tween. While its a simple acrylic tank, the 2.5 is the perfect starter size to allow 3-4 small school size fish while allowing room for decorations (one of the most important parts from a child's perspective!) I loved that is was not only affordable, at around $40 retail, but came packaged as a comprehensive kit including API Quick Start Aquarium Food/Treatments, a Superclean 10 Filtration Pump, 3 Color LED Lighting, and MP3 Sound Stick.

Out of the box the API AquaTunes aquariums are ready to go, so to speak- you will want to set up and cycle your tank about 2 weeks prior to adding fish. Read more about tank preparation in our First Tank For Kids Guide from earlier this year. What you WILL need to purchase is a long term water treatment solution, long term fish food source, gravel or rock bedding of choice (about 5lbs) and 1 medium or 2-3 small decorations. Corner tanks offer great visibility in use, but can be a bit of a pain to fill and decorate so bring the acrylic tank with you to pick out decorations if possible. The only thing more frustrating than a child waiting 2 weeks to bring home fish is one who has waited 2 weeks and then hears their Sofia The First fish castle doesn't fit!

For children old enough to help with setup establishing a tank can be a valuable learning experience (and a test in patience.) Read up on and learn about the carbon cycles for aquariums, and balancing pH levels (even in low level 'Guppy' style aquariums.) Remember to stress that the fish are a living responsibility and proper cleaning and care of the aquarium is vital to their survival. In general I always recommend bringing a water sample in to your local pet store for free testing before introducing fish into a new tank.As professionals they will be able to ensure your aquarium is ready to become the new aquatic environment for your swimming friends.

I have to say not only did Sabrina do a great job decorating and laying out her AquaTunes aquarium, but the first initial views were breath-taking. The acrylic is crystal clear and the wide walls of the corner shaped aquarium make for optimal viewing at any angle. The AquaTunes is essentially identical to the API Corner 2.5 Gallon tank except that which gives it it's name- the simple LED lighting and sound fixture that mounts in the lid of the tank. This simple device has a three color alternating LED color lamp (Red, Blue, and Green) and the ability to play sound clips and songs from a micro SD card. And let me tell you this unit is LOUD and clear.

Sabrina was beside herself to learn she could have a fish tank all her own AND play Bruno Mars in her bedroom. This was one big win all around for the cost- and that lesson in responsibility? Those fish have not only survived 3 months so far, but made a trip from California to Texas in her recent move. I'd say she's really stepping up thanks to her new AquaTunes aquarium! You'll find this and other API aquariums online at Amazon.com and in stores such as Walmart and Kohl's.

What Daughter Says: Help foster responsibility with the gift of a starter aquarium this holiday season.

API Aquatunes 2.5 Gal tank, plays MP3s and has adjustable mood lighting! #BrunoMars #FishOfInstagram #aquarium

A video posted by Jenna Marie's (@mommatoldme) on Aug 8, 2014 at 7:29pm PD

One Momma Told Me reader will win an 2.5 AquaTunes API Aquarium! Enter below and click the banner above to be taken to the official event Giveaway LINKY!

I Can't Escape To The Tropics, But I Can Escape To The Aquarium!

Momma Told Me: You can also learn from the living.

In general, zoos and any pavilion where living animals are kept in containers tend to stress me out. While I am sure the people caring for these tanks and cages have very few responsibilities aside from ensuring the utmost happiness and health of the creatures within, there is still something bittersweet about viewing a beautiful creature outside it's natural habitat. That being said, I usually talk myself out of such excursions with Jay and kids. However, there has been quite a buzz in our household about the recent additions of penguins to two local habitats, and a recent excursion to Long Beach proved the perfect time to see these feathered creatures at last. After all, even in Southern California, we tend to get restless of the Winter doldrums.

Though I was raised locally, and have been to several aquariums, I surprisingly had never frequented the Aquarium of The Pacific prior to last weekend. Conveniently attached to multiple scenic points of interest, and with the Queen Mary nearby for tours, it's easy to make a day out of a trip. Much like the California Science Center, and other educational 'field trip' resources, this aquarium was outfitted with a single IMAX screen showing paid and free videos throughout the day. While showings run about every 40 minutes, there are typically 3-4 different programs playing throughout the day, so it is best to check out a program in advance, to best plan your visit. This aquarium also holds live 'shows' throughout the day including a scuba diving demonstration in the large Southern California/Baja Gallery 360 tank, and with timed feeding exhibits for the Sea Otters and June Keyes Penguins.

When you first walk into the Aquarium of the Pacific it feels a little small. There is a captivating kinetic contraption overhead, mimicking the natural movement of tides, and a full size whale replica directly above and in front. To the left is a welcoming tourist shop, the IMAX stadium, and the 'SCUBA' cafe, with the majority of the exhibits off to the right and on the second floor. You'll see many smaller tanks inset into the walls and cutaways throughout the Aquarium, but the true attractions are within the smaller subdivisions of Northern, Tropical, and Southern exhibits. If you're like me and prefer to chronicle the ocassion with photos, keep in mind the Aquarium exhibits are often dark, to allow for the tank lighting and inhabitants to truly pop. Many visitors were seen having good success capturing shots with their phablets and iPhones, while I had to struggle with glass, movement, and glare. A camera with a speed snap mode will prove invaluable here.

Like most zoos, museums, and aquariums, there is a hallway that acts a 'tunnel' where guests can walk inside a giant tank. Tropical fish, coral, rays, turtles, sharks and more swam around, under, and above as we crossed into the Southern California/Baja exhibit. But the aquarium did have a few unexpected delights as well- the above Google Earth display was a big hit with visitors. We waited in line for a fair bit before having the chance to control the giant touch screen 'map' and pull up a live (okay, recent) view of our home. The console had some preset natural wonders, such as the Grand Canyon worked into auto-search, but we were most content standing in awe at the tiny bubble that was our home in this never-ending Google Earth map.

When you go somewhere like the Aquarium of The Pacific, people always want to know what you've learned. But the truth is, an aquarium is also about what you can see, touch, and smell.  We were indeed schooled by a volunteer staff member about the validity of calling a jellyfish a 'fish,' when it is in fact 'sea jelly'. We also learned the fascinating way in which sea jellies eat, and that plastic bags prove most dangerous to them, who have poor eyesight and consider bags to be a fellow jelly. (Yes, jellies eat other jellies.) But one o the bigger hits of our visit were the two touch tanks; one for Moon Jellies, and one a live coral and anemone/starfish station. Sabrina (11) marveled as the anemone tentacles 'hugged' her fingers, serving as the organism's tongue.

Of course the entire reason we came was to see the penguins, which were tucked away in the very back of the last exhibit, outdoors. June Keyes penguins, as it turns out, do not need cold weather or ice, to survive. Consequently they appeared quite content, and active, in their habitat at the Aquarium of The Pacific. Each bird had their own name and tag so visitors could keep tabs on their favorite, or watch them at home from the live 360 feed. There was also a neat cutaway cove that went under and inside the Penguin tank, where kids could view the penguins up close. The only bust on our trip, however, was that the penguins get fed around 4-5pm, and we had to leave much earlier- so be sure to plan accordingly if you're a penguin fan as well!

What Daughter Says: Museums are great, but hands on living exhibits are especially educational for the younger visitors.