Back in 200/2001 my job moved us out to San Fransico and then Lo Jolla. My first wave in California was at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz. We spent time touring the coast north and south of the bay. Personally, if i was to work in Montery, i would want to live near by. But thats just me, i dont like to commute. I think if you tried to live in Santa Cruz the drive would get old pertty fast. Try to find a uniqe rental as close to a killer view as you can.

There is tons of surf around Montery and you can travel to points south. I saw perfect waves on sandy beaches that were accessable along the highway that were empty. Then again, i also saw seals and fog which i think ups the creepy factor. one time i was surfing further up north near Pacifica and after the session there was a half eaten seal on the beach. That did it for me. It was refreshing to get down to La Jolla with some clear water.

Anyway, i think that area where you are going is awesome. Surfing aside, there is a ton to take in. You should get some outdoors equipement and get into hiking. There is some great public lands in Central California that are yours to enjoy.

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Proud member of the ACP mafia since 1975

belated thanks for all of the info. Ended up in Carmel and have been able to score great surf in the area, north, south, and way south on long weekend trips. I have grown accustomed to the wetsuit hassle. I have been plenty cozy in my 3/2 and booties. There have been a few days when I would have liked more but there have also been a handful of days where I broke out the spring suit.

 

Congratulations on landing the job and finding a place to live in a choice location.  

3/2 and booties sounds great.  Living in Florida makes you cold sensitive, but today it was fun watching the northern tourists skinning it.  Locals are starting to do likewise, or at least shorties.

Over on NPNR, I linked to a new book on kelp forests, if you're fascinated enough.  

There's an ancient photo of me as a little kid with a monster redwood at Big Basin north of Santa Cruz.  That area also has some interesting (at least to vegetation ecologists) "barrens."  

I was on hand for a shark nibble (worth several days in the hospital) a year or so ago in Vero.  

Looks like we are spammed.

Update:  it was an odd incident, quickly cleaned up.  

Edited: 03/05/2015 at 08:44 PM by ww

h

 

no spam ... just a change of handle since the old ones seem to be unrecoverable.