Monterey Ongoing Events
*Due to COVID-19 precautions, several events and businesses in Monterey County have been affected.
Events are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice.
Monterey Peninsula Chamber Events
831-648-5360
Mondays
Everyone’s Harvest – Pacific Grove Certified Farmer’s Market
Lighthouse Ave. from Forest Ave. to 17th St., Pacific Grove
831-384-6961
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. (summer), 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. (winter)
Shop for organic fruits and vegetables and homemade arts, crafts and knits among the charming storefronts of historic Pacific Grove.
Tuesdays
Old Monterey Market Place
Alvarado St., Monterey
831-655-8070
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. April to October – 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. October to March
Vendors at this weekly market offer fresh produce, food, arts, crafts and collectibles.
Wednesdays
Everyone’s Harvest – Greenfield Farmers Market
On Palm Ave off of Camino De Real and 9th Street
831-384-6961
11am – 4pm.
Fresh, quality organic fruits and vegetables, beautiful flowers and plants, organic eggs. and much more from small-scale family farmers.
Natividad Medical Center Certified Farmer’s Market, Every Wednesday
Natividad Medical Center offers a Certified Farmers’ Market every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The Farmers’ Market is located at 1441 Constitution Blvd., outside of building 200-Out Patient Services and is part of Natividad Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to promote wellness and healthy eating among Natividad Medical Center’s staff, patients and their families.
Third Thursday
Third Thursday at Monterey Museum of Art
Monterey
831-372-5477
From 5-7pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month, the Museum invites the public to enjoy a relaxed viewing of the galleries with a glass of wine, and occasional music and hors d’oeuvres.
Thursdays and Fridays
Historic Garden Tours
Monterey
831-649-3364
Take a fascinating tour of Monterey’s best-kept secrets: its historic gardens. Learn about plant lore, identification, and uses. The Historic Garden League leads 90-minute walks, starting from the garden beside the Joseph Boston Store (Casa del Oro), Pacific and Scott streets. Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30am; groups should call in advance if they would like to arrange tours on different days.
First Friday of every month, year-round, rain or shine
First Fridays Art Walk
100-300 Blocks Main Street ~ Monterey & Salinas Streets ~ Train Station ~ Chinatown
Info: 831.758.9126 Oldtown Salinas comes alive after five, Live music, art openings, dance performances, light refreshments, special promotions. It happens on the 1st Friday of every month Rain or Shine! FREE!
Fridays
Farmer’s Market
Monterey Peninsula College, lower parking lot, Monterey
831-728-5060
10am. – 2pm.
Fresh produce and flowers every Friday from 10am until 2:00 p.m. at Monterey Peninsula College lower parking lot.
Fridays
February through May
Live Music at Embassy Suites
Seaside
(831) 393-1115
Lee Durley to perform at Embassy Suites in Pacifica Café and Lounge on Fridays. Free
Every Third Friday
Sportbike Nights in Oldtown Salinas
Join Oldtown Salinas and WeatherTech Raceway every third Friday for an evening of Sportbikes and camaraderie, 6pm-8pm. FREE motorcycle parking, $1 Raffle benefiting local charities, Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix ticket specials, Oldtown Restaurant deals, vendor displays, and much more!
May – Oct
Hot Cars/Cool Nites –Last Friday of Each Month
Seaside
831-899-6801
Experience an evening of award-winning antique cars, classic cars, and hot-rods, plus great music of the 50’s and 60’s.
Mid-Oct
Everything Italian!
Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Visit Website
Celebrate Monterey’s Italian heritage on Fisherman’s Wharf at the Annual Columbus Day weekend event.
Every Saturday through Dec 31
One Warm Coat” and Girl Scouts Warming Communities… One Coat at A Time
At Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey
831- 372-4540
Winter is definitely here in Monterey County, and no one should ever go without such a basic necessity as a coat! Del Monte Shopping Center is again hosting the Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay’s “One Warm Coat” community service project this holiday season. Gently used coats will be collected in front of Macy’s every Saturday through Saturday, December 31, 2012, from 11am to 3pm. All coats will be cleaned and repaired by Country Club Cleaners at Del Monte Center before being given to a local child or adult in need. Coats of all sizes are welcome, but children’s sizes are needed most. One Warm Coat is a community service effort assisting in the collection of clean, reusable coats and jackets for donation to local individuals free of charge. Since its inception in 1992, One Warm Coat “Warming Communities…One Coat at a Time” has provided over 3 million coats to those in need at no cost. For more information visit their website by clicking on the event title.
Saturdays
Oldtown Salinas Marketplace
Jan 7, 2012 – * location changed to City Parking Lot 5 behind Rabobank at Monterey & Alisal Streets
831-758-0725
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
More than 60 local vendors at this weekly market sell certified/organic produce and flowers, fresh fish, international food and restaurants, bakery and specialty foods, arts and crafts, jewelry, and assorted gifts.
First Saturday Every Month
Wharf Walks at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Walking Tours With Historian Tim Thomas
Monterey
831 521-3304
email timsardine@yahoo.com
The Monterey Old Fisherman’s Wharf Association is pleased to team up with noted Monterey Bay Fisheries Historian and author, Tim Thomas, who will offer monthly “Wharf Walks” Walking Tours at Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey (www.montereywharf.com) on the first Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – Noon, beginning Saturday, March 3, 2012. Tours will meet at the head of Old Fisherman’s Wharf (near the pink “Harbor House” store, #1 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. Advance reservations are required. The tour is for ages 10–adult only and the cost is $30 for adults and kids are $15 (10-15 years)Group Rates are also available.
Second Saturday of each Month
San Juan Bautista Gallery Walk
(1pm-7pm.) Wear your walking shoes and visit the many galleries featuring original fine art including, but not limited to oils, acrylics, photography, pottery, watercolor, etchings and mixed media. You will be greeted by artists and enjoy refreshments, music and affordable art in the “City of History”. Look for the Gallery Walk signs along Third Street. The local shops and restaurants will be open for your enjoyment as well. Call 831-623-2454 for more details.
Sundays May – Oct
Farmer’s Market at Del Monte Center
Monterey
May – October (Sunday mornings)
Join the Del Monte Center for Farmers’ Market! This weekly market occurs every Sunday from 8am-12pm. Over 25 farmers and vendors will offer a bountiful array of locally grown produce and specialty items including farm fresh organic eggs, honey, fresh seafood, cut flowers, potted plants, seedlings, and fresh baked goods.
Saturdays and Sundays, November through March
Point Sur State Historic Park and Lighthouse Tours
(Winter Hours 10am – Wednesdays 1pm)
Meet along the west side of Highway 1 at the farm gate, 19 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel, 1/4 mile north of the Pt. Sur Naval Facility.
Saturdays and Sundays, April through October
Point Sur State Historic Park and Lighthouse Tours
(Summer Hours Saturdays & Wednesdays 10am 2pm, Sundays 10am)
Meet along the west side of Highway 1 at the farm gate, 19 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel, 1/4 mile north of the Pt. Sur Naval Facility.
Sunday’s, year-round
Everyone’s Harvest – Marina’s Certified Farmers’ Market
215 Reservation Road, Marina
831-384-6961
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nearly 30 vendors at this market include local farmers selling fresh quality fruits and vegetables, beautiful cut and potted flowers, olive oil, organic eggs and unique gifts from small-scale family farmers and local independent businesses.
Weekends in October
Wild Things Nighttime Flashlight Tour
Salinas
831-455-1901 ext 3
Enjoy a unique Halloween tour through Wild Things animal facility. Stroll through decorated grounds, while costumed tour guides tell myths about exotic wild animals. Refreshments follow with a photo opportunity with “spooky” Halloween animals.
Tours Arranged by Appointment
Historic Garden League Tours
Casa del Oro Garden, Monterey
831-649-3364
During this regular event, visitors can explore several gardens associated with Old Monterey adobes and other historic buildings. Reservations required.
Monthly
Twilight Bicycle Rides
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Hwy 68, Monterey CA
Cyclists can take to the track on their own bikes to experience the thrill of pedaling Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, including the challenging 300-foot climb and awe-inspiring descent down the world-famous Corkscrew. The rides/races are always informal and the 11 turn 2.238 mile course is open to all levels of cyclists. Helmets are required and the cost is $10 per rider. 2012 Twilight Rides are scheduled for January 18, February 15, March 14, April 17, May 9, June 13, July 25, August 8, September 5, October 10, November 14 and December 12 – subject to change.
Year-round
Historic Garden League Tours
Monterey: 831-625-9854
Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:00am
Call to make reservations or to receive more information. Visit several gardens associated with Old Monterey adobes and other historic buildings. Meet at Casa del Ora Garden. A minimum donation of $5.00 per person goes toward upkeep of the gardens.
Year-round
Monterey State Historic Park
Custom House Plaza, Monterey
831-649-7118
Colton Hall, Monterey’s First Jail Cooper Museum Store and garden remain open from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM daily. Custom House and Pacific House Museum near fisherman’s wharf opened for weekends and holidays from 10am-4pm. Private group tours for up to 20 persons (depending on building visited) may be reserved in advance by calling 831 649-7172.
Year-round
Colton Hall
…where California’s first Constitution was drafted in October 1849 and Monterey’s First Jail are also opened daily from 10am to 4pm.
Year-round
Monterey State Historic Park
Custom House Plaza, Monterey
831-649-7118
Throughout the year, docents at Monterey State Historic Park lead free guided tours to and through historic buildings and gardens. Tours also are available for special events and weddings in the Memory Garden and Custom House Plaza. Various tours are offered; call for tour times and schedules.
Year-round
Point Sur Lightstation Tours
Point Sur: 831-625-4419
Three-hour guided walking tour of the historic light station that guarded the Big Sur coast, offered Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations essential as group size is limited.
Year-round
Tor House and Hawk Tower Tours
Carmel
831-624-1813
thf@torhouse.org
Now a National Historic Landmark, Tor House and Hawk Tower are open for hourly tours throughout the year between 10am and 3 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Call for reservations: tours are limited to six people (no children under 12).
Year Round Jazz in Monterey
Five Great Places to Hear Jazz in Monterey County
From September 17-19, jazz musicians and fans from around the world will converge on Monterey County for the Monterey Jazz Festival. But that’s not the only time to hear great jazz in Monterey County. Many jazz musicians, including several regular performers at the Monterey Jazz Festival, live in the area year ‘round and keep their musical edge honed by playing at local venues. Here’s our list of five of the best spots to hear great jazz throughout the year.
1. Cibo Ristorante Italiano has been named “Best Club for Jazz” in local polls for years. Visit on Wednesday night through Sunday night, and you’ll see why. The sounds range from cocktail jazz on Sunday evenings to Latin jazz and soulful jazz/funk on Wednesday through Saturday nights. 301 Alvarado St. (corner of Alvarado St. and Del Monte Avenue), Monterey.
2. Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant in Carmel would be a top spot for jazz; after all, the establishment is owned by actor/director Clint Eastwood, who has made several jazz-themed films. Hear piano jazz in the Piano Bar seven days a week from 8-11:30pm (don’t be surprised if you spot Clint), and make sure to visit the legendary jazz brunch on Sundays. 26270 Dolores St., Carmel.
3. The Fireplace Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Monterey is one spot that’s especially famous for post-Jazz Festival jam sessions by legendary musicians. The venue keeps the jazz spirit going throughout the year with Friday and Saturday night jazz music. The current resident and music director is jazz drummer Dr. David Morwood, who is also one of Monterey County’s top surgeons. Morwood often has frequent MJF players like Lee Durley and Gary Meek drop in to jam with him. 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey.
4. The Lobby Lounge at the Inn at Spanish Bay has a jazz trio on Thursday nights from 7-10pm and Friday and Saturday nights until 11pm. (In the afternoons, catch bonus piano jazz at the Terrace Lounge at the Lodge at Pebble Beach.) 2700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach.
5. The Sunset Lounge at Hyatt Carmel Highlands in Carmel Highlands pulls Monterey Jazz Festival regulars like Steve Ezzo and Lee Durley every Friday and Saturday evening. Watching the sun set over the rocky California coast as you listen to top-notch jazz and sip a top-shelf scotch is a truly Monterey County way to celebrate the weekend. 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, CA. Spectacular views, top-notch cocktails and great jazz – what could be a better mix?
