Carmel Valley

Of course it was silly to expect sun anywhere on the Monterey Peninsula yesterday, but isn't it great that all you need to do is turn inland! We had to venture as far as Garland Ranch to escape the fog, but it was worth it. The park is lovely, Rancho and Lupine Loops are perfect for a leisurely stroll. They're even equipped with benches should you feel like sitting & soaking up the sun.
For dinner we picked El Torito on Cannery Row. It's a chain, it's casual, and it's noisy. The music at the bar is horrible hard rock. Expect kids to run around in the dining area. Yet, the place is unbeatable when it comes to oceanfront dining at affordable prices. The food was much better than I had expected, and the view was absolutely gorgeous.