re: Things to do - CA based?

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Is the aquarium worth visiting with teenagers

Definitely. The MB Aquarium puts a strong emphasis on explaining what your seeing. It's not a commercial enterprise but rather a non-profit set up about 40 years ago by local marine scientists with funding from the Packard family (Hewlett-Packard Inc). It is situated on Cannery Row which once was a thriving fishing industry industrial site. There is a nearby tourist wharf with restaurants and shops. Whale watching tours operate from the wharf. Near that is Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, a repurposed coastal railroad.

Monterey Bay is unusual in that it reaches 3000m deep a short distance from land letting you experience open ocean conditions with just a quick boat ride. Santa Cruz is on the northern end of the Bay with a more extensive recreation wharf including carnival rides.

There are neat military facilities, but public exhibits were closed for security reasons years ago.

If you get out on Ca 1 stop at a few fruit stands. Tree-ripe stone fruit like peaches and nectarines are being harvested for local sale now and artichokes abound.

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We spent a week in northern CA visiting SF, Monterey, Carmel.

SFO airport was a good experience, no complaints there. First 3 nights we stayed near Fishermans Wharf in SF. We did the hop on/hop off Big Bus tour to get around and sight-see the city one day. With no car in the city, this was a day well spent with teenagers. We got to see all the things and stayed away from the bad areas. Overall SF wasn't bad.

After 3 days, we picked up a rental car and headed south down Hwy 1. We made some stops along the way and had lunch in Santa Cruz while exploring there briefly. The next 4 nights we stayed near Cannery Row in Monterey at The intercontinental, very nice place and would stay there again. The food scene in Monterey wasn't very good but we survived. The aquarium in Monterey Bay was nice but I don't think it was worth it for the price and it got crowded quick. We visited Carmel for a day and would stay there next time as its a little more laid back. 17 mile drive was beautiful and a must do if there.