Monterey County - November Events

• November 12 - 14 -- Great Wine Escape Weekend
  Wine Education: 14th Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend. There is something for every wine and food lover: Winemaker Dinners, Barrel Tastings, Culinary and Wine Events, Tasting Room Open House Tours and our Finale. Meet the faces behind our fabulous Monterey County wines! To be held at various locations throughout Monterey County.
  Fee: VariesTime: varies by event Phone Number: (831) 375.9400

• November 29 -- Artists in the Museum
  Exhibition: Visit the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and enjoy the work of fifteen local artists. This is a great chance to purchase one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and meet the artists in person. Items for sale will include glasswork, pine needle baskets, photography, watercolors and acrylics, textile work, carved gourds, jewelry and ceramics.
  Fee: FreeTime: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Phone Number: (831)648.5716.

• November 30 - December 1 -- Christmas at the Inns
  Holiday: Visit 10 bed & breakfast inns decorated for the holidays in Victoria-era splendor. Limited number of tickets sold. Entertainment and light refreshments served.
  Fee: $20 per personTime: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 373.3304

Ongoing Events

• Ongoing Fridays & Saturdays -- Tor House and Hawk Tower Tours
  Historic: Docent-led tours of Tor House, Hawk Tower and the old-world gardens. No children under 12. Advance reservations required. 26304 Ocean View Avenue, Carmel
  Fee: $2-7Time: Hourly, beginning at 10 a.m. ending at 3 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 624.1813

• Ongoing -- Carmel Walks
  Historic: Discover the special charms of Carmel-by-the-Sea on a 2-hour guided walking tour thru secret pathways, hidden courtyards, award-winning gardens, and by enchanting fairytale cottages...the homes, haunts, and history of famous artists, writers, and movie stars. Learn about the spirit, characters, and customs that make Carmel unique.(Private group tours available upon request.) Meet in the courtyard of "The Pine Inn" on Lincoln Street at Ocean Avenue, Carmel
  Fee: $25Time: Sat 10 a.m. & 2 p.m./Tue-Fri 10 a.m. Phone Number: (831) 642.2700

• Daily -- Wild Things Public Tours
  Recreation, Family Fun: We'll meet you at the gate and take you on a one hour tour of our facility. Just show up...no need to call and no reservations needed. 'Meet & Greet' available after the tour for additional charge. 400 River Road, Salinas
  Fee: $10 Adults/$8 ChildrenTime: 1 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 455.1901

• September 23 - January 20 -- "Winemaker's dinners in the Forest"
  Wine Maker’s Dinners Presented by Forge in the Forest Featuring a variety of prestigious California wines paired with a delectable 5 course dinner, prepared by Executive Chef Gene Moana Chalone Estate Vineyards-Sept. 23rd Hess Vineyards-Oct. 21st Wente Vineyards-Nov. 18th Rodney Strong Vineyards-Dec. 9th Paraiso Vineyards-Jan. 20th
  Fee: $75++ per person (5 Pairings w/Dinner) Time: 7:00pm-9:30pm Phone Number: 831-624-RSVP (7787)

• Every Sunday -- Marina's Certified Farmers Market
  Market, Live Music: Fresh produce, baked and ethnic foods, educational workshops, children's activities and crafts. Rain or Shine. Marina Village Shopping Center, 215 Reservation Road
  Fee: FreeTime: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 384.6961

• Every Sunday -- Library Sundays at Taste Morgan
  Wine Education: A unique opportunity to taste some older wines from Morgan's cellar. July 12th the 1994 Monterey Chardonnay, July 19th the 2002 Monterey Sauvignon Blacn & 1993 Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc and July 26th the 2003 Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay. 204 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel
  Fee: No additional tasting fees applyTime: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 626.3700

• Every Tuesday -- Old Monterey Market Place
  Market: Arts and crafts, handmade jewelry, furniture, clothing, international food, organic produce, flowers, and pastries. Rain or Shine. Downtown Old Monterey
  Fee: FreeTime: 4 p.m.-8 p.m. (ends at 7 p.m. in Winter) Phone Number: (831) 655.8070

• First Wednesday of the Month -- World of Wine Series at Chateau Julien
  Wine Education: Join Chateau Julien Viticulturist & Winemaker Marta Kraftzeck as she explores the unique flavors of wine regions throughout the world during monthly wine tasting sessions at the Wine Estate. Call for information on a complete listing of the featured wine regions. 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel
  Fee: $40 per person/$35 Club MembersTime: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 624.2600

• Ongoing Thursdays -- Historic Garden League Tours
  Historic: Docent-led tours of historic gardens, including Doud House, as featured in House Beautiful. Reservations are encouraged. Tours begin at the picket fence, 210 Olivier Street, Monterey
  Fee: $3.50 per personTime: 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 649.3364

• Ongoing Thursdays -- Monterey Peninsula College Certified Farmer's Market
  Family Fun: You;ll find a bountiful selection of produce, specialty items and beautiful plants and flowers at this bustling, fast-paced market. Monterey Peninsula College, 930 Fremont Street, Monterey
  Fee: FreeTime: 2:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 728.5060

• Every Friday -- Fromage Fridays at Taste Morgan
  Food & Wine Education: Whether you're winding down from a work week or winding up for a great weekend, Friday afternoons are for fun! At Taste Morgan, we believe Fridays are for Fromage (cheese) -- paired with marvelous wines and good company, of course! Drop in and enjoy a special cheese sampling paired with your tasting of Morgan and Lee Family Farm wines. 204 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel
  Fee: No additional tasting fees applyTime: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 626.3700

• Every Second Saturday of the month -- San Juan Bautista Gallery Walk
  Exhibition: Art Galleries and supporting shops and restaurants are open to 7 p.m. every second Saturday of each month. Wine and appetizers are available at Galeria Tonantzin, 115 Third Street from 5-7 p.m. Meet artists and enjoy historical San Juan Bautista.
  Fee: Free to the publicTime: Galleries open from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. Phone Number: Galeria Tonantzin (831) 623.2783

• Every Saturday -- Oldtown Certified/Organic Farmers' Market
  Market: Enjoy live, family entertainment every week. Produce, flowers, international, bakery and specialty foods, arts, crafts, jewelry and gifts. Across from Maya Cinemas and the National Steinbeck Center, Salinas
  Fee: FreeTime: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 776.5540

• First Friday of the Month -- First Fridays Art Walk Oldtown Salinas
  Celebration: Experience art of all shapes, sizes and mediums, live entertainment and light refreshments throughout Oldtown.
  Fee: FreeTime: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 758.9126

• First Saturday of the Month -- Purrrfect Projects Tours at Wild Things
  Family Fun: Wild Things invites kids and families to join us to participate in creating a fun arts and crafts project with a private tour afterwards. Craft projects are typically aimed at age groups between 4 and 11 years. 400 River Road, Salinas
  Fee: $20 Kids(incl. craft)/$15 AdultsTime: 11:30 a.m. Phone Number: (831) 455.1901 ext 3

• TBA -- City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
  Holiday, Celebration: Festivities at Jewell Park include live entertainment by school bands and choruses, followed by caroling and refreshments at Chautauqua Hall and Santa’s first visit! Pacific Grove
  Fee: FreeTime: Call for information Phone Number: (831) 373.3304

• TBA -- 15th Annual Cannery Row Holiday Tree Lighting
  Holiday: Santa sleighs in for a full-day of play along legendary Cannery Row. The festivities begin at Steinbeck Plaza overlooking Monterey Bay when Santa flips the switch on a towering 25-foot holiday tree.
  Fee: FreeTime: 6 p.m. Phone Number: (877) MONTEREY

• TBA -- Big Sur Food & Wine Festival
  Wine & Food Education: A long weekend enjoying the grandeur of Big Sur in intimate settings, of savoring great food paired with exquisite wines – what more could one ask for? Winemaker dinners, wine tasting, Dinner with Friends, Auction and more.
  Fee: VariesTime: Varies Phone Number: (831) 667.0800

• TBA -- Gem Faire
  Fair: Just in time for holiday gift-shopping, the Gem Faire brings beautiful precious and semi-precious stones to the Monterey County Fairgrounds.
  Fee: $5Time: Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m./Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone Number: (503) 252.8300

• TBA -- Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights
  Family Fun, Holiday: Kick off your holidays at the annual Salinas family and community delight that attracts over 10,000 spectators. Parade entrants range from marching bands, floats, dancers, walking groups and classic cars. The route winds up South Main Street and through Oldtown to the National Steinbeck Center.
  Fee: FreeTime: 6 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 796.6915

• TBA -- Big Sur Half Marathon: Help Fight Pancreatic Cancer!
  Recreation: Walk or run with us at the Big Sur Half Marathon & 5K! This is a wonderful opportunity to help in the fight against pancreatic cancer while doing something remarkable for yourself and for others and contributing to a good cause.
  Fee: VariesTime: 7 a.m. Phone Number: (831) 372.0900