The chokes are sprouting, and it’s time to take a road trip. Not
so many years ago my parents used to take a Sunday drive. It wasn’t
overly planned, and usually my mom’s love of the coast won out as
the destination.
The weekend wasn’t filled with soccer, baseball, housecleaning
or sitting at a computer.
The chokes are sprouting, and it’s time to take a road trip. Not so many years ago my parents used to take a Sunday drive. It wasn’t overly planned, and usually my mom’s love of the coast won out as the destination.
The weekend wasn’t filled with soccer, baseball, housecleaning or sitting at a computer. These Sunday drives weren’t expensive – gas was cheaper of course – they usually involved finding lunch at some quaint café, a little walking, maybe some junking (my mom’s version of antique shopping) and buying some fresh seafood in Monterey or artichokes in Castroville.
In a sort of retro-spirit, I found myself in the historic fishing village of Moss Landing last week and discovered the perfect day trip for South Valley residents.
Moss Landing was the hub of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company and proved to be a busy shipping port. Charlie Moss, who owned and operated the pier from which goods were loaded and unloaded, left his name on the village and a few businesses.
Charlie Moss Restaurant is the locals’ upscale dining place and the first stop on Moss Landing Road. Surf and turf are the mainstays of the menu, and don’t be fooled by the small look of the outside – the interior is roomy and can accommodate larger dinner parties.
The village is small enough to park the car and begin the casual stroll. Moss Landing harbors a plenitude of antique shops such as The Promenade Deck Antiques, owned by Gilroy resident Janet Perry, Martin & Company Antiques, Moss Landing Antiques & Trade, and Waterfront Antiques (all the way to the back of the antiques village). All of the stores are owned or managed by fascinating characters, and the slowed pace makes for a lazy afternoon – no agendas, no time constraints. Lovely locals!
Hidden away in her own village-sized cottage is LaLa Lisa’s Hair Salon. The miniaturized salon reminds me of a northern European apartment where the furniture is Swedish modern and all amenities are compact (in an efficient, chic sort of way). Stop for a cut and style or a wash and set; it’s a day to pamper and find leisure time.
Nido Home Furnishings and Gallery is one of Moss Landing’s newer home furnishings stores and invites you in with a trio of funky floor lamps in the window. Nido means “nest” in both Spanish and Italian.
This store sits on a nest of golden goods and artistic wonders. Check out the Fennel Beeswax Botanical Candles.
The Haute Enchilada, the daughter of the more famous Whole Enchilada, remains my favorite haute spot. Cool, leather-covered Mexican chairs, colorful walls with Mexican mermaids, and Camila the Michoacan chef provides the setting for the quaint café lunch.
Salmon tacos with black spicy beans and rice were the start of a scrumptious feast topped with a Mexican Mocha for a little pick me up.
Camila is proud to explain his cuisine is roasted or sautéed, not fried. The tables are close and conversations in the village are often stuck between dining parties.
It didn’t take long to meet the couple at the table next to me who were a poet and cartoonist discussing artistic inspiration. Forget the writer’s conferences; seek out the Steinbeck characters in the Landing.
So many who visit Moss Landing go to eat at Phil’s Fish Market. Located next to the Monterey Bay Area Research Institute, Phil’s has a three-page menu of fish, pasta, salads and artichokes. Fresh fish to take home can be purchased at Phil’s or directly from the boat Tina Louise.
Look for the salmon pick boat near the start of the harbor. Currently, the Tina Louise owner sells halibut, crab, salmon and rock fish after 10am.
Next to the Tina Louise, the boat, Elkhorn Slough Safari, owned by Captain Yohn Gideon, runs tours of the harbor and Elkhorn Slough. Prices are reasonable and tours last approximately two hours. Yohn’s enthusiasm and respect for the sanctuary are evident and supported by his wife Melanie Gideon, owner of the Captain’s Inn B&B, and a trained biologist.
Although many of the Moss Landing buildings look old, the Captain’s Inn remains one of the original historic buildings in the village.
Built in 1906, the Inn has been used as a company headquarters, a residence, a church and now a comfortable inn of respite. Melanie explains many Sunday drivers have ended up staying at her Inn and enjoyed the quick getaway.
Becoming popular are her “girl’s weekends” where a group of ladies takeover the inn and pamper themselves with massages, manicures or new hairstyles. Nightlife can be found at the Moss Landing Inn Bar down the street.
The bar’s calendar lists night after night of live bands including the group “Bodacious Wawa” (I can’t comment on the quality, I just liked the name).
Call in sick to the baseball game, the soccer practice, put off the laundry, log off the computer and head out to the coast. (Did you forget how close we live to some of the world’s most beautiful coastline?)
Show the family you still know how to have a good time. Melt the butter and get ready for a feast of chokes and crab when you get home. Live a little.
To book a tour on Elkhorn Slough Safari, log onto www.elkhornslough.com or by phone (831) 633-5555.
If you go:
The easiest way to find Moss Landing is to look for the large smoke stacks of the Moss Landing power plant directly off Highway 1. For South Valley access, take Highway 101 south to the 156 exit heading west to the Castroville exit. Proceed through Castroville to highway 1 north then watch for Moss Landing Road on the left. Here the fun begins.
