Camel, CA - July 4th week

[cellenly]

I got spring break bookings done so now I'm moving onto summer.

We'll be at Carmel, CA during July 4th week. Now that location is set, what should we do there with 12 yo & 10 yo?
Willing to drive maybe 1.5-2 hours but not much further unless it's an activity everyone's really interested in.

I have a tentative list but wondering if there's any additions or deletions or better alternatives? I really am not familiar with this area at all. It'll be everyone's first time in this area.

My tentative list:
point lobos since we're close (bike?)
hike at Big Sur (any trail recs?) -- worth it to go down if we're doing point lobos? we're staying 10-15 min of point lobos.
Monterey Bay Aquarium - any food recs in the area or on way back to carmel?
check out a farmers market (any recs?)
tide pooling (where?) - low tide is around 8am-10am that week.
maybe to a berry farm (i'm guessing 1st week of july's too late? so probably not? any other farming activity?)

Food:
Pacific's Edge? (dinner? wondering if brunch more appropriate than dinner even though our kids are very well behaved - some places make me feel like they don't even like seeing kids)
eat good seafood and/or sushi since we're from a seafood challenged landlocked area


Any suggestions, comments, or critiques appreciated. Any food recs also appreciated.

[StantonHyde]

Here is my trip report on our Spring Break trip to that area last year. You will need to check road conditions and what is open in Big Sur. Due to the fires and mud slides, much of it is reopened but that changes with various weather related issues. DH and I hiked Pt Lobos and did some Big Sur hiking in redwoods--it is very different. If you can, I would do both.

https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...weens-1224177/

[pharmjenn]

I don't know what type of whales are around in the summer, but I recommend whale watching. The companies that do it have a calendar that states what types of animals you are likely to see. We went during an 'off-season for whales" period and saw killer whales close up, lots of dolphins and some sea lions.
Up in Santa Cruz there is the boardwalk with roller coasters and other rides.

[rlu]

Berry picking - we haven't taken DS but my folks went here for years. http://www.gizdich-ranch.com/indextwo.php?gr=pikyorsef

[mom2binsd]

I ate at the Fish Wife in Pacific Grove many years ago, I did read it's still very good (and popular).

[AnnieW625]

I would probably drive north to Santa Cruz for a day, it is about 90 minutes.


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[connor_mommy]

Capitola is near Santa Cruz. Gayle's Bakery is good!

[cellenly]

Thanks for the tips. Really enjoyed the trip report. I'll definitely consider a whale watching or maybe kayaking.