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Updates: October 2007, from my friends Doug and Marie…
Still no web site. We had to phone (831) 386-2511 for our reservation. There are no immediate plans for a web site or e-mail.
The kitchen within the Hacienda, as well as the pool, are still closed as of this writing. Since we arrived on a Sunday afternoon, the bowling alley and snack bar were closed as well, but are open limited hours during weekdays. Newhall Telecom, which provides telecom services for Fort Hunter Liggett, has taken over the snack shop located adjacent to the fitness center. The Cabl (sic) Café is a combined mini-cafeteria and Internet cafe intended for the military, but also available to civilians. Currently, hours are limited to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. We made dinner out of Black Angus beef hamburger combo plates ($5 to $7); pizzas were also available. Offerings are pretty limited now, but may be expanded in the future.
One must have a valid driver’s license, current IDs for passengers, current vehicular registration and proof of insurance before the guard will give you the pass. We then had to surrender the pass the next day as we exited the Fort premises. The guard instructed us to obtain keys at the Housing Office (one key for the room and one key for the shower). He did not offer a site map, but he gave us explicit directions to the Housing Office, Hacienda, etc.
We stayed in Peregriños (Cowboy Room No. 6), just two doors away from the resort's rest rooms (Note: the Cowboy Rooms share facilities, while the Tower and DVQ have private baths). Our twin-bedded room was surprisingly well appointed with Internet access, a television with a full range of cable channels, a microwave, mini-fridge and coffeemaker. Rates are $45 for cowboy rooms, $60 for garden rooms and $75 for tower rooms.
Check-in is at the Housing Office, as noted previously. If one arrives after 6 p.m., they keep the keys in a locked box somewhere. Call the reservation number for instructions for late arrivals.
More from Doug and Marie on their trip in October 2007
Jack, Thanks for your suggestions for the trip. They were very useful and made for a pleasurable drive.
We did indeed visit the Mission San Antonio de Padua ; as you said, it is well preserved. We had seen it about 10 years before, but it was well worth seeing again. Monday morning, we drove the Nacimiento-Furguson Road to join Highway 1.
There was a weather disturbance nearby that cleared the air, and there was only patchy fog hugging the coast. There was considerable leaf drop that covered the shoulders of the road; a beautiful sight.
We spent the afternoon exploring Carmel and settled in the quaint Carmel Resort Inn. This is a very reasonably priced lodging for Carmel ($69 AAA special) weekdays for a two-room unit with internet access, mini-fridge and microwave. This is a cluster of cottages that date back to at least 1945, but have since been renovated. Continental breakfast is served in the office after 8 a.m. We stayed two nights.
Tuesday, we took in two major attractions. First was the Monterey Aquarium, which we hadn't seen for five years. The "jellies" were of special interest. Then on Sandy's suggestion, we headed out to Salinas, to visit the National Steinbeck Center. if you are a John Steinbeck fan, it's a must.
We followed that with a gourmet lunch in the Steinbeck House, located about three blocks west of the Center. This Queen-Anne was built in 1897 and Steinbeck was born there in 1902. The Valley Guild operates the house as a restaurant (lunch and high tea only).
One of the most beautiful coastal drives is Scenic Road along the Carmel shoreline. We are always looking for architectural landmarks, and came across Frank Lloyd Wright's Walker Residence.
Wednesday, as you suggested, we took Carmel Valley Road from end to end. Gorgeous! We did see the Green Bridge as we headed to Elm Avenue and Highway 101. Note: you can only cross the bridge if you follow directions to Southbound Highway 101.
Next stop was Mission
San Miguel, just north of Paso Robles. What a sad story; it was severely
damaged in the 2003 Paso Robles quake and repairs may take 10 years, if they
can get funding.
We wound up in Solvang where $49.99 lodging specials abound. Wednesday is a good day to visit Solvang, because their certified farmers' market operates in the afternoon until 6:30.¶
