Posts from — January 2009

While our poor East Coast brethren are digging out from yet another snowstorm, our weekend is loaded with outdoor hikes that will let us enjoy the balmy weather.

Friday

Learn more about all the stars you can see from Carmel Valley (no, not Clint – we mean the ones in the sky) from the Monterey Institute of Research and Astronomy. Friday night, they’ll have telescopes set up at the parking lot at Garland Ranch Regional Park. Starting at sunset, they’ll explain the wonders of the universe to you! Dress warm, bring hot chocolate, and keep an eye out for Klaatu and Gort. Go here, click on “Family Discoveries,” and scroll down to register, or call 831-659-6065.

Uber-tatooed musician and reality star Shifty Shellshock plays the Hippodrome in Monterey Friday night. Doors open at 9pm, and cover is $10.

The stage production of ’80s hit movie Footloose hits the Sunset Center in Carmel at 8pm. If you prefer stage productions of more recent teen flicks, High School Musical 2 is just down the road at the Golden Bough Theater.

Saturday

In the mood for a run? Try the 4.5 mile or 7 mile competitive runs at Toro Park on Saturday at 8:30am. The registration fee is $20. Kids can run in a free 1K at 8am. Call 755-6845 to register.

Turn your scraps of food into food for your plants! Monterey Regional Waste Management District Facilities teaches visitors all about composting from 10 to 11:30am.

Bring the family to Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove from 11am to 3pm for Lighthouses Family Fun Day. There will be talks and exhibits about all our local lighthouses. Happy birthday, Point Pinos Lighthouse! You may be 154, but you don’t look a day over 130.

Aspiring poets age 14 and up can get some pointers at Monterey Public Library’s poetry workshop. It’s free, but preregistration is required, so if you want in, call 831-646-3949.

The Monterey Museum of Art has a fascinating discussion on historic murals discovered from the old Del Monte Hotel at 2 and 3pm. Learn how specialists determine the condition of a work of art, and how they preserve it for future generations.

Santa Cruz jazz outfit 7 Come 11 plays Fernwood Resort in Big Sur at 9pm.

Sunday

There’s some football game going on today. If you’re looking for something to do besides watch this year’s batch of commercials, here’s how locals are counter-programming.

The Ventana chapter of the Sierra Club is hiking a 5-mile loop of the Soberanes Creek trail on Sunday. Not for the faint of heart or weak of ankle; it’s got a 1700′ elevation gain. Pack a lunch and note that “hiking poles [are] helpful.” Call 831-277-9908 to reserve a spot, and meet at the Rio Road Park & Ride at 9am.

The Point Pinos Lighthouse birthday celebration continues. From 1-6, have some cookies and lemonade, and check out the relighting ceremony at 5pm.

For the sports-averse tween, the stage production of High School Musical 2 has a 2pm matinee at the Golden Bough Theater.

The weekend’s way more packed than we can put in one post. If you want to learn more about what’s going on, check out the Monterey County Weekly’s calendar section online.

SFGate has a great feature on hikes at Point Lobos.

If you’re an avid fisherman or -woman, you’ll be interested in this article on surfcasting around the region. You can’t fish for rockcod, lingcod and cabezone from a boat, but you can do it from shore, and it seems that Cannery Row and Pacific Grove are the best spots from which to snag these ocean denizens.

Contributors to our Flickr group have added some breathtaking photos.

Have some photos you’d like to share? Join the SeeMonterey group! And while you’re at it, enter the debate on the best spot for taking photos in Monterey County.

If you’re not getting our newsletter, here’s what you missed this month:

The Insider’s Guide to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

Romance on a Shoestring

Monterey’s Top Ten Animal-Spotting Locations

Monterey County’s Top Valentine Day Events

Itinerary: 36 Hours in Pacific Grove

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Canada.com has a great article on touring area wineries by using the Grapevine Express. Monterey-Salinas Transit’s Grapevine Express, also known as Route 24, goes by most of the wineries in Carmel Valley, and an all-day pass is only $6.

If you prefer to do your wine tasting strictly on foot, Day Two of our Midweek Monterey Getaway itinerary presents an afternoon of wine tasting that can be done during a mile-long stroll.

Looking for a romantic Valentine’s Day wine tasting adventure? The River Road Wine Trail Valentine’s Passport gives participants custom chocolates, souvenir glasses, and access to rare vintages and special discounts at the twelve wineries along the River Road Wine Trail. There will be a grand prize drawing for all passport holders, as well as other prizes along the way. And best of all, there’s no tedious application, ugly passport mug shot or customs inspection required!

Friday

The Monterey Conference Center has the opening for the art show Locals Looking Outside the Box from 5:30-7pm.

Wave Street Studios has an art opening from Michael Snodgrass and Christine Colon Norlander at 6pm.

La Playa Hotel shows off some spectacular food and wine pairings with the Ridge Winemaker Dinner.

Get a bit of retro with The Best of Doo Wop at the Sunset Center at 8pm.

Do some free-form dancing with DJ Theo at Chautauqua Hall, from 8-10pm.

The Hippodrome’s anniversary party is tonight! Party until the wee hours at the biggest night club between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The Pacific Repertory Theater captures the hearts of tweens everywhere with a live stage version of High School Musical 2 at the Golden Bough Theater.

Saturday

Do some good at Fort Ord Dunes by helping out with cleanup and dune restoration, starting at 10am.

It’s a foodie’s paradise at the Wine and Food Festival at the National Steinbeck Center Museum. Dress to the nines and partake of great local food and wine.

High School Musical takes over the Golden Bough Theater again!

For kids

The Monterey Public Library has Saturday Storytime and a Sunday endangered animals program called “Zoo to You.”

Kids can go on a safe trail ride on Saturday through the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center.

If none of these events tickle your fancy, there’s lots more at the Monterey County Weekly’s events calendar.

Stardom awaits! The Monterey Film Commission is looking for extras for “Carmel: The Movie.” Check out their website to learn how to apply.

Trying to get a postcard-perfect photo to take home? Read California Photo Scout’s tips on how to photograph butterflies in Pacific Grove as well as views in the town and Point Pinos Lighthouse, Point Lobos, Pebble Beach’s 17 Mile Drive

If you’ve ever wondered what Monterey County looks like from the air, take a look at these incredible photos.

Monterey’s historic San Carlos Cathedral, built in 1795, has finally reopened! An extensive restoration project has preserved and renewed the cathedral, which is the oldest architect-designed building in California.

From the old to the new: Experimental band Animal Collective is playing the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur. Tickets went on sale this morning, and sold out almost immediately. Keep an eye on the Henry Miller Library; this is undoubtedly not the last edgy, buzz-worthy band they’ll have this year.

We’re not the only ones who think a Monterey County staycation is a great idea. Ric Garrido touts the wonders of a Pebble Beach staycation on the Loyalty Traveler blog. (And if you haven’t heard about our Big Smiles, No Miles Staycation Sweepstakes yet, check it out!)

The Big Smiles, No Miles Sweepstakes is closed! Thank you to everyone who participated!

Dictionary entry: Staycation
Function: noun

1. A relaxing time spent near or at home.
2. Taking a break from everyday life by exploring local attractions.

Locals, it’s time to decompress with a 36-hour Monterey County staycation. And if you’ve got the best idea for one, BlogMonterey.com and the Monterey County Weekly will make your itinerary happen!

Check out SeeMonterey.com for itinerary inspiration. If you’re wondering what an itinerary might look like, check out our Moss Landing Itinerary, Marina, Seaside and Sand City itinerary, and our Midweek Monterey Getaway itinerary.

Then come up with your most exciting, most relaxing, most romantic, or just plain wacky Monterey County 36-hour itinerary. Once you’ve figured out the perfect way to spend your not-far-away getaway, enter it in the comments section of this post. (Just scroll down to the big white window to add your comments. Don’t see it? Look for the “Leave Comment” link and click on it.) Make sure to fill out the name and email address fields, so we can reach you! Once you’ve entered your itinerary, click Submit. On February 17, we’ll announce which lucky local’s dream has come true!

Don’t want to post your itinerary here? Mail your itinerary, along with your name, address, city, state, zip, day and evening phone numbers, email address and the words Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Big Smiles, No Miles Sweepstakes in a stamped envelope to: Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 1770, Monterey, California 93942.

See this page for terms and conditions.

The Big Smiles, No Miles Sweepstakes is closed! Thank you to everyone who participated!

The Big Sur Marathon and surrounding events are about to sell out! Go to the Big Sur Marathon site now to register.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium just released a version of their Seafood Guide for the iPhone. Macworld gave the application a great review.

Check out these amazing shots of Pinnacles National Monument, Point Lobos State Reserve, Zmudowski State Beach and other outdoorsy spots around Monterey County.

Mark your calendars: noted actor Edward James Olmos is speaking at the Boys and Girls Club of Salinas on Wednesday, January 21.