I had four free days of vacation in California and I spent it going to as many places as I could. One of those places was the Aquarium at Monterey Bay. Some coworkers had talked about this place and how amazing it was. One wished she could move back to this place and hated that she ever left. I saw very little of the city but I can see why she thought that. Driving in from the north meant coming out of the mountains to see a beautiful stretch of beach and that endless Pacific Ocean.

I drove through a bit of the city to get to the aquarium and it was like being in those sailing towns that Nicholas Sparks writes about. I haven't been to a place like this before. It brought childhood dreams of sailing to the surface. Then I got to the aquarium. Considering this was California I was delighted to find a lot for free parking and was able to walk where I wanted for the day. I did the aquarium first before the boardwalk.

I love nature and this place was so impressive. The species they had there were so amazing and awe-inspiring to look at! I got to see an octopus eat right up close! Touch a stingray and feel the wet leather back. The birds and the jellyfish. I spent so much time just watching them float and swim. I don't think I could explain the feeling in that room with the unearthly music playing just watching such creatures glide and dance in the water.

The penguins, otters and seahorses and so many more there. I highly recommend adding this specific aquarium to your list of places to go in California.

After the Aquarium I fulfilled another dream of walking on a boardwalk and shopping. I tried so many food places and walked in so many shops. It is a place designed for tourists so not a lot of small local things so much as what you'd expect. However, it was a nice place to grab a few souvenirs for my family. I did try every ice cream and sweets shop I could though.

One thing I will say for it, tourism attraction or not, this was a calm and peaceful place to spend a day. I walked and relaxed and felt at peace with each place I visited. A great place for families, couples or the solo vagabond. I'd tell anyone I could to give this place a visit and a try.