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Birding At Monterey Bay

Program Number: 11812RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/7/2013 - 4/12/2013; 9/29/2013 - 10/4/2013; 10/13/2013 - 10/18/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Monterey Bay, California
Price starting at: $798.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Birding; Natural History
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 1 Brunch, 3 Lunches, 5 Dinners    

Spend your days searching the world famous Monterey area for birds and your evenings listening to the marvelous music at Hidden Valley. According to Wildbird magazine, the Monterey Bay is one of the top 10 birding spots, and this field-based class is designed to locate the greatest number of bird species possible at birding spots in the Monterey Bay area. Sighting possibilities include: California Thrasher and Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Wrentit, Townsend's Warbler, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorants, Black Oystercatcher, Marbled Murrelet, and Tricolored Blackbird.




Highlights

• Embark on a boat excursion along the Elkhorn Slough, an estuary and protected reserve that is home to more than 340 species of birds.
• Spot Black-crowned Night Herons and Black Oystercatchers during a field trip to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
• Enjoy an afternoon at Garland Park where you can look for White-tailed Kites and Great Horned Owls.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to 1.5 miles with stops. Participants should be able to embark a boat for field trip.




Date Specific Information

4-7-2013, 9-29-2013, 10-13-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Hidden Valley Institute.




Monterey Bay

South of San Francisco, Monterey Bay is home to a variety of birds and marine mammals, including migrating gray and humpback whales. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects more than 4,000 square nautical miles of the bay and ocean, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is world-renowned.
Accommodations
Simple, single-story residence on-campus with small, cheery rooms, two twin beds and private baths or upgraded accommodations at country inn directly adjacent to campus

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Rick Fournier
Rick Fournier is an avid birder who has lived in Monterey for the past 20 years. He operates a birding-adventure company in central California, leads groups for regional Audubon Societies, at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, and conducts avian wetland monitoring for the Moss Landing Marine Labs. He spent 4½ years in the Big Sur Ornithology Lab’s mist net program.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Hidden Valley Inn or Wright Hall
  Carmel Valley, CA 5 nights
 Hidden Valley Inn
Type: Inn
  Description: Charming Inn adjacent to Hidden Valley campus, all rooms non-smoking.
  Contact info: 102 West Carmel Valley Rd
Carmel Valley, CA 93924 USA
phone: 800-367-3336
web: www.countrygardeninns.com/
  Room amenities: •Brandy-lacquered rattan furniture •French Country décor •Floral spreads •In-room coffeemaker •Hairdryer •Cable TV •Iron with board
  Facility amenities: Free Wireless Internet Access; In-room spa services; Outdoor pool; B’Que with picnic area; Walking distance to village & restaurants; Free parking
  Smoking allowed: No

 Wright Hall
Type: Campus/Dorm
  Contact info: Carmel Valley Road at Ford Road
Carmel Valley, CA 93924 USA
phone: 831-659-3115
  Smoking allowed: No


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check-in at Hidden Valley office: 2:00 – 5:00 pm; 5:00 pm Wine & Cheese Reception; 6:00 pm Welcome Dinner and Orientation. You will be staying at Hidden Valley Inn or Wright Hall that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at 10:30am with a Farewell Brunch and Graduation. You will be staying at Hidden Valley Inn or Wright Hall the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Assumption of Risk & Waiver of Liability for Master Bird Guide Waiver of Liability for Elkhorn Slough Expedition
  Parking availability:
Ample free parking
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Carmel Valley, CA
  Nearest city or town:  Carmel Valley
  Nearest highway: Highway 1, Highway 68, Highway 101
  Nearest airport:  Monterey Peninsula Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Carmel Valley, CA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Carmel

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Central Coast Taxi
phone: 831-646-8294

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $30
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 15 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

Approximately 12 miles
   

The Amtrak train has a service which brings people by bus to an outdoor terminal in Carmel. You must give Carmel as your final destination when purchasing your tickets for the train. You must be able to manage your own luggage to use this service.
 

Salinas

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Sal's Taxi
phone: 831-422-7276

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $60
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 35 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

Approximately 25 miles
 

Monterey Peninsula

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Central Coast Taxi
phone: 831-646-8294

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $30
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 20 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

Approximately 10 miles
   

Hidden Valley can provide transportation by prior arrangement from Monterey terminals except Amtrak bus ($20/person).
 

Salinas

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Sal's Taxi
phone: 831-422-7276

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $60
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 35 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

Approximately 25 miles
   

The Amtrak train has a service which brings people by bus to an outdoor terminal in Carmel. You must give Carmel as your final destination when purchasing your tickets for the train. You must be able to manage your own luggage to use this service. Central Coast Taxi (831-636-3333) serves this area and can bring you to Hidden Valley.
 

San Francisco

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Monterey/Salinas Airbus
phone: 831-373-7777

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$45 subject to change without notice
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 2 hours 
 

Distance:

 

Approximately 100 miles
   

The Airbus takes riders to an outdoor terminal in Monterey. Hidden Valley can provide transportation by prior arrangement from Monterey terminals except Amtrak bus ($20/person).
 

San Jose

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Monterey/Salinas Airbus
phone: 831-373-7777

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$35 subject to change without notice
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 1 1/2 hours 
 

Distance:

 

Approximately 80 miles
   

The Airbus takes riders to an outdoor terminal in Monterey. Hidden Valley can provide transportation by prior arrangement from Monterey terminals except Amtrak bus ($20/person).
 
Driving Directions
  Anywhere Hidden Valley is located exactly 11.2 miles east of Hwy 1 on the Carmel Valley Road (G-16) in Carmel Valley, California. Traveling east on G-16, Hidden Valley is located on the right side just past Ford Road. The campus entrance is distinguished by a hand-carved sign denoting Hidden Valley, An Institute of the Arts. Traveling on Hwy 101 heading north (from the south), take the Monterey Peninsula exit in Salinas (called Sanborn Road) and follow it west (Sanborn Rd. becomes Blanco Road) to Hwy 68. Turn left onto Hwy 68 (west) and follow it about 9 miles until you see a sign for Laureles Grade (G-20) to Carmel Valley. Turn left onto G-20 and follow it until it ends (6 miles) at Carmel Valley Road. Turn left again and follow it to Hidden Valley (approx. 2 miles). Traveling on Hwy 101 heading south (from the north), Take the Monterey Peninsula/Hwy 156 exit and follow it west about 5 miles where it will automatically put you onto Hwy 1. Traveling on Hwy 1, simply come to the Carmel Valley Road (just south of Carmel) and once on the Carmel Valley Road, come out 11.2 miles.
Elevation Note: Sea level

Equipment Requirements: Binoculars
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Check-in and Orientation
(Sunday, April 7)
   
 Afternoon: 2:00 – 5:00 pm Check-in at Hidden Valley office
 Afternoon: 5:00 pm Wine & Cheese Reception
 Dinner: 6:00 pm Welcome Dinner & Orientation
   
Accommodations: Hidden Valley Inn or Wright Hall
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Birding at Point Lobos and Natural History of the Monterey Peninsula
(Monday, April 8)
   
 Breakfast: 7:00 am Breakfast
 Morning: Birding Field Trip to Point Lobos
 Lunch: 12:00 pm Lunch
 Afternoon: 2:00 pm Overview of the Natural History of the Monterey Peninsula led by a coastal biologist
 Dinner: 6:00 pm Dinner
 Evening: The Life & Music of Scott Joplin: Listern as a fabulous pianist and Scott Joplin expert discusses and performs the American composer's works.
   
Accommodations: Hidden Valley Inn or Wright Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Birding at Garland Park and Free Time
(Tuesday, April 9)
   
 Breakfast: 7:00 am Breakfast
 Morning: Birding Field Trip to Garland Park
 Afternoon: Free Afternoon to explore the area. Sack lunches provided.
 Dinner: 6:00 pm Dinner
 Evening: Wine, Wonderful Wine: Becoming a world wine center, Carmel Valley wines are discussed and sampled with the guidance of a local winemaker.
   
Accommodations: Hidden Valley Inn or Wright Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Day-long Birding Expedition
(Wednesday, April 10)
   
 Breakfast: 7:00 am Breakfast
 Morning: Day-long birding expedition. Sites selected at the discretion of the Master Guide based on the interests of the group.
 Lunch: Sack lunches provided on field trip.
 Afternoon: Field Trip continues.
 Dinner: 6:00 pm Dinner
 Evening: Jack London: Discuss the work and life of Jack London with Jack London himself.
   
Accommodations: Hidden Valley Inn or Wright Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Boat Trip and Birding at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve
(Thursday, April 11)
   
 Breakfast: 7:00 am Breakfast
 Morning: Elkhorn Slough Expedition: Boat Trip
 Lunch: Sack lunches provided for Field Trip
 Afternoon: Birds of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve & Shore
 Dinner: 6:00 pm Dinner
   
Accommodations: Hidden Valley Inn or Wright Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Campus Birding Class and Departure
(Friday, April 12)
   
 Breakfast: 7:00 am Continental Breakfast
 Morning: Class: Campus Birding & Summing Up
 Brunch: 10:30 am Farewell Brunch & Graduation
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Brunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Carmel Valley, CA Allen Knight Maritime Museum
Near Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf
  Art Galleries
Over 35 art galleries in Carmel.
  Cannery Row
This street, once the home of the sardine canneries from JohnSteinbeck's "Cannery Row," now houses restaurants, galleries, unique shops, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
  Carmel Mission
Visit the historic Carmel Missionestablished by Father Junipero Serra.
  Colton Hall
A Museum of History about the days when Monterey was theCalifornia capitol.
  Fisherman's Wharf
Stroll along Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf to watch the seals, pelicans, & people.
  Garland Park
Hiking trails for every level of experience -- from easy, flat trails to ery challenging steep hikes.
  Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, on historic Cannery Row.
  Monterey's Path of History
Take a self0guided walking tour and see the historic adobes along Monterey's Path of History.
  Shopping
Carmel Rancho Carmel Barnyard Carmel Crossroads Ocean Avenue, Carmel Del Monte Center, Monterey
  Walk on the beach
Stroll along beautiful Scenic Drive in Carmel. Sit on one of the benches overlooking the beaches of Carmel Bay from Pebble Beach to Point Lobos.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Monterey Birds


Author: Don Roberson




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