What's "Inn" for New Year's Eve

The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament has wrapped up, but it's not too late to make a note to be in Pebble next New Year's Eve. The Inn at Spanish Bay throws a bash that's worth planning for, even though the details might not be available until after Thanksgiving. On December 31, 2007, the inn threw its most elaborate New Year's event ever, celebrating 20 years of auld lang syne parties with 5 bands and DJs, lavish buffets and terrific fun. Taking advantage of the New Year's Eve package (offered with one- or two-night stays), we settled in at the inn for a couple of days in comfortably appointed accomodations with a cozy fireplace and spectacular views from  ocean to coastal hills. Happily the "house restaurant" is one of the best versions of the popular Roy's restaurants and Chef Roy Yamaguchi's signature Hawaiian-fusion cuisine in a casual setting.

It goes without saying that the Monterey Peninsula location about 2 1/2 hours south of San Francisco is fabulous -- if the weather cooperates. The wild coast can be shrouded in fog, but the spectacular sunny days are unforgettable. A quick reminder of day trips in the area -- Carmel, Monterey, 17-Mile Drive that provides some access to the scenic coast and, farther south, Big Sur, at the moment a coastal perch for migrations of whales, elephant seals and California condors.

Unfortunately Carmel has deteriorated from a quaint artists' community surrounded by elegant wealth to an overexpensive tourist trap overrun with bad or at best mediocre shops and galleries and often fairly outrageous taste, the kind that befits big spenders. The statement seems to be, "if I'm expensive and I flaunt it, I must be good." Sorry, but cost and quality do not necessarily align in my book.  Monterey has the world-famous aquarium, which is awesome, and an appealingly funky spirit fed by casual seaside food and fun. We hear that the nearby Carmel Valley Ranch resort in a less frenetic and lush inland valley setting has undergone quite a renovation and brought in celebrity chef Michel Richard's Citronelle restaurant.