Summer is on its way. Head to California for these ideas…
Pet a bat ray at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. Designed to give a sense of what it’s like to be in the water with the animals is just one of the special beauties of this aquarium. Sardines swim around your head in a circular tank. A petting pool gives you a hands on experience with bat rays. Other tanks give you the feeling of swimming with jellies.
Watch boats and builders at Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco. Many times you might see boat builders actually at work.
Or just watch boats. Balclutha, an 1886 full-rigged three masted sailing ship, sailed around Cape Horn 17 times. She is over 250 feet long and newly restored. The Eureka, a side wheel passenger and car ferry, hosts a collection of vintage cars on board.
Take some time out to grab your lunch at a gourmet to-go window, sit by the bay and watch the ships and sailboats. Some award winning chefs from places like Fish and Farm or Chez Spencer are now serving lunch from to-go windows. American Box Lunch at Union Square, Spencer On the Go in SOMA, Greens to Go in the Fort Mason or Marina district, The Sentinel in the Financial district and Little Skillet in SOMA are just a few. Check them out.