Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[Slava]

If you're waiting for one, appointments can be booked at the Calgary Airport for Nexus interviews starting on April 12! I'd get in there pretty quick...

[CofR]

Originally Posted by Slava

If you're waiting for one, appointments can be booked at the Calgary Airport for Nexus interviews starting on April 12! I'd get in there pretty quick...

Thank you for this! Been waiting 3 full years, booked in at the end of May

[Winsor_Pilates]

Anyone stayed in Carmel by the Sea, Pebble Beach or Monterey?
Probably going to be in that area for just one night in April with my wife and 10 month old son.
Looking for recommendation of which of those areas to stay and any good hotels? We like at least 4-5*, something pretty nice as it's only 1 night and want to make the most of it.

[woob]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Anyone stayed in Carmel by the Sea, Pebble Beach or Monterey?
Probably going to be in that area for just one night in April with my wife and 10 month old son.
Looking for recommendation of which of those areas to stay and any good hotels? We like at least 4-5*, something pretty nice as it's only 1 night and want to make the most of it.

Are you going to hit up the Aquarium? One of the best I've been to. I was going to recommend the Best Western Beach Resort Monterey which is where I stayed some many years ago, but I see it's now a 3 star hotel called Monterey Tides, so probably a skip for you guys.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Anyone stayed in Carmel by the Sea, Pebble Beach or Monterey?
Probably going to be in that area for just one night in April with my wife and 10 month old son.
Looking for recommendation of which of those areas to stay and any good hotels? We like at least 4-5*, something pretty nice as it's only 1 night and want to make the most of it.

Hyatt Carmel Highlands is pretty nice, it's out of town to the south (Big Sur side) more on a hillside/rocky area. If you want something directly on the beach you could hit up Sanctuary Beach Resort, which is on the other side of town on the beach (it's a bit out of town, map to make sure the distance works for you).

[Cappy]

I stayed at the Portola Hotel in Monterey which was nice, and a decent price for the area; but I would 100% recommend staying in Carmel.

Monterey wasn't a nice town, and seemed too touristy. Carmel is beautiful with much better restaurants and a nice beach.

Hotels in Carmel were much more expensive though (at least when we were there). In hindsight, i wouldve the extra price to stay in Carmel

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Cappy

I stayed at the Portola Hotel in Monterey which was nice, and a decent price for the area; but I would 100% recommend staying in Carmel.

Monterey wasn't a nice town, and seemed too touristy. Carmel is beautiful with much better restaurants and a nice beach.

Hotels in Carmel were much more expensive though (at least when we were there). In hindsight, i wouldve the extra price to stay in Carmel

Oh man I have great memories of Carmel.

When I was in Fort Ord for training it rained every ####ing day except for the 1 we got off to go to Carmel.

What an amazing day, hammered as #### and the lovely people of Carmel didn't deserve what they got.

Carmel holds a special place in my heart.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by woob

Are you going to hit up the Aquarium? One of the best I've been to. I was going to recommend the Best Western Beach Resort Monterey which is where I stayed some many years ago, but I see it's now a 3 star hotel called Monterey Tides, so probably a skip for you guys.

After looking a little more, its seems most places are 3* which is fine.
I wasn't taking into the account the vibe of the place, which is a lot more quaint than fancy 5*; so a good clean place with decent staff will do.
The aquarium could be fun; my son is 10 months so he'd be gobsmacked.

Good recommendation, though I think we're leaning towards Carmel if we overnight.

We have free accommodation in Cambria which is about 2.5 hours South of Carmel.
Now would a day trip to Carmel and back to Cambria be good enough? or is staying a night in Carmel definitely worth it?

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

After looking a little more, its seems most places are 3* which is fine.
I wasn't taking into the account the vibe of the place, which is a lot more quaint than fancy 5*; so a good clean place with decent staff will do.
The aquarium could be fun; my son is 10 months so he'd be gobsmacked.

Good recommendation, though I think we're leaning towards Carmel if we overnight.

We have free accommodation in Cambria which is about 2.5 hours South of Carmel.
Now would a day trip to Carmel and back to Cambria be good enough? or is staying a night in Carmel definitely worth it?

If you’re travelling between Carmel and Cambria 100% don’t miss three must dos. Pfeiffer Beach near Big Sur, a walk in the redwoods, and Nepenthe store/cafe/restaurant on the coast.

Edit: looks like major flooding in the Monterey area so certain things and roads are closed. Keep tabs on that.

[surferguy]

I’m going with my family to tofino next week. Kids 4 and 7.

I’ve been a few times in the past but I’d like to explore a bit more. Tell me where to go, anybody have any experience with florencia beach? Any hikes you’d recommend? Decent eats? What is off the beaten path that I don’t know about?

[MoneyGuy]

Recommendations for hikes from Palm Springs/Bermuda Dunes?

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Recommendations for hikes from Palm Springs/Bermuda Dunes?

There's a tram outside Palm Springs.
Not serious hiking but you go to top and can hike around up there a bit; get some great views.
If you do that, bring warm clothes. It's shocking how much the temperature drops up there.

[MoneyGuy]

Thanks for the tip. We’re doing that tram.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

After looking a little more, its seems most places are 3* which is fine.
I wasn't taking into the account the vibe of the place, which is a lot more quaint than fancy 5*; so a good clean place with decent staff will do.
The aquarium could be fun; my son is 10 months so he'd be gobsmacked.

Good recommendation, though I think we're leaning towards Carmel if we overnight.

We have free accommodation in Cambria which is about 2.5 hours South of Carmel.
Now would a day trip to Carmel and back to Cambria be good enough? or is staying a night in Carmel definitely worth it?

I would stay the night in Carmel rather than day trip

Originally Posted by surferguy

I’m going with my family to tofino next week. Kids 4 and 7.

I’ve been a few times in the past but I’d like to explore a bit more. Tell me where to go, anybody have any experience with florencia beach? Any hikes you’d recommend? Decent eats? What is off the beaten path that I don’t know about?

You hike to see a downed plane: https://www.tofinohiking.com/hikes/c...ne-crash-site/

I always like to do the Bog loop. Quick/easy! Or Radar hill has a great view!!!! https://www.tofinohiking.com/hikes/bog-trail/

Uculet is a little drive and a bit more populated than Tofino… a good day trip. The coast is more rocky than the northern part. There’s a few neat beaches for looking at tide pools and a lighthouse. https://www.wildpacifictrail.com/lighthouse.html

I love to go into Roy Vickers gallery in Tofino! I have a few of his prints. Being from the island, I dig West Coast Indigenous art.
https://royhenryvickers.com/

http://www.tacofino.com/ I don’t need to say anything more.

It’s been awhile since I visited, so there are bazillions of restaurants that are new and I haven’t eaten at. Wickaninnish is nice, but over rated.

Beaches: they are like someone’s kids. They are all beautiful in their own way. You could make a day of it and beach hop them all and figure out which one you dig more.

A guy I went to school with does fishing charters out of Ukee… If you’re into that, I can send him a message and get contact info?

I’m a few years removed from the island, so my info may be a bit outdated Have fun and know I’m jealous!

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by surferguy

I’m going with my family to tofino next week. Kids 4 and 7.

I’ve been a few times in the past but I’d like to explore a bit more. Tell me where to go, anybody have any experience with florencia beach? Any hikes you’d recommend? Decent eats? What is off the beaten path that I don’t know about?

Big Daddy's Fish Fry. I can't really comment on how it compares to other food places in the area but the food was good and the place was packed with a really long wait so it is obviously popular among the tourists.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

You hike to see a downed plane: https://www.tofinohiking.com/hikes/c...ne-crash-site/

I always like to do the Bog loop. Quick/easy! Or Radar hill has a great view!!!! https://www.tofinohiking.com/hikes/bog-trail/

Uculet is a little drive and a bit more populated than Tofino… a good day trip. The coast is more rocky than the northern part. There’s a few neat beaches for looking at tide pools and a lighthouse. https://www.wildpacifictrail.com/lighthouse.html

I love to go into Roy Vickers gallery in Tofino! I have a few of his prints. Being from the island, I dig West Coast Indigenous art.
https://royhenryvickers.com/

http://www.tacofino.com/ I don’t need to say anything more.

It’s been awhile since I visited, so there are bazillions of restaurants that are new and I haven’t eaten at. Wickaninnish is nice, but over rated.

Beaches: they are like someone’s kids. They are all beautiful in their own way. You could make a day of it and beach hop them all and figure out which one you dig more.

A guy I went to school with does fishing charters out of Ukee… If you’re into that, I can send him a message and get contact info?

I’m a few years removed from the island, so my info may be a bit outdated Have fun and know I’m jealous!

Ohhh! I didn’t know about the plane! That sounds cool! We plan on a day in Ucue so I’m looking fwd to tromping around in the tide pools.

Thanks for the suggestions, the downed plane is exactly the type of thing I was hoping for when reaching out.

[Calgary14]

Any idea if/when the Westjet strike vote will impact operations at YYC? Planning a trip in a couple weeks so not sure if its a good idea to book it or wait

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Any idea if/when the Westjet strike vote will impact operations at YYC? Planning a trip in a couple weeks so not sure if its a good idea to book it or wait

On the weekend I heard that the timeline sets up for an impact starting on the May long weekend.

[Bigtime]

They haven't been operating YYC-YYZ for a while now, but the news is getting hold of Canada Jetlines pulling out of the route now.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...gary-1.6800153

After announcing an optimistic launch last September, with its inaugural flight landing in Calgary, Canada's newest discount airline has temporarily pulled out of the Calgary market and will focus on leasing its aircraft to another carrier.

With so many carriers and flights on YYC-YYZ this is hardly surprising.