Posts from — December 2009

The 2010 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List makes it clear — the nation’s epicenter of top hotels and resorts is right here in Monterey County. There’s no other county in the United States that can claim it has eight hotels and resorts on the Gold List. In fact, Monterey County has more properties on the Gold List than 46 states!

The Inn at Spanish Bay by Vicki & Chuck Rogers

Only 31 states have hotels or resorts honored with a spot on the Condé Nast Gold List. 27 of them, including Colorado, Nevada, New York, and Texas, have fewer than the eight located in Monterey County.

Post Ranch Inn by rezlab

Monterey County’s 2010 Gold List hotels and resorts are Carmel-by-the-Sea’s L’Auberge Carmel, Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge, and Carmel’s Highlands Inn, Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn and Ventana Inn and Spa, and all three Pebble Beach resorts — The Inn at Spanish Bay, Casa Palmero, and the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Casa Palmero was also named one of the top North American resorts for rooms and service. These hotels and resorts truly set the global gold standard.

Still trying to figure out what to do this New Year’s Eve? Wherever you are in Monterey County, there’s something to keep you busy.

First Night: taiko drumming by tsallam

The biggest family friendly event in town is, without a doubt, First Night Monterey. The party takes place all over Old Monterey and runs from 3pm until just after midnight. Kids can participate in arts and crafts and the big New Year’s Eve parade at 6pm, and there’s plenty of performances to keep grownups happy too. Become their Facebook fan to keep up on all the latest developments, and see our Insider’s Guide to First Night Monterey for tips on how to get the most out of the night!

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Silver Fishes and New Year’s Wishes is a truly unique party for grownups only. There’s live bands, a DJ, a complimentary champagne toast, party favors, and exclusive lounges and cocktail deals for VIPs. The event runs from 9pm to 1am. Standard tickets are $75 for Aquarium members and $95 for the general public; VIP tickets are $150 for Aquarium members and $175 for the general public. Buy tickets at the official Silver Fishes & New Year Wishes page.

Seeking something more intimate or closer to home? Our Monterey County New Year’s Celebrations page has the inside scoop on parties in Carmel, Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Marina, Salinas, Carmel Valley and Monterey ranging from budget-conscious to ultimate splurges.

The New Year’s events don’t end on New Year’s Eve! Commit to your New Year’s resolutions with the Rio Grill Resolution Run, bright and early at 9am on New Year’s Day. That evening, continue the family-friendly celebration with the Salinas First Fridays Art Walk

The culmination of the holiday season is nearly upon us! Take a break from wrapping presents and decorating and head out to one of these events.

Friday

Local alternative rockers Stun Gun Jones play Bullwacker’s on Cannery Row. 8pm, no cover.

Mike Beck and the Bohemian Saints are one of the best bands on the Central Coast, sounding like what would have happened if Tom Petty had played with the Grateful Dead. They’re playing Jose’s on Wave Street in Monterey tonight. 9pm, $10. Watch the video below for a taste of their music:

Saturday

Bullwacker’s on Cannery Row brings in the smooth jazz stylings of Lucidology. 8:30pm, no cover.

The Shillelahs play Fernwood Resort in Big Sur tonight. 9pm, no cover.

Sunday

The Velo Club of Monterey hosts the Critical Christmas bike ride, a fun ride down the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Meet at 5pm at Custom House Plaza with your bike of choice and lots of lights, batteries, bells, duct tape, ornaments, streamers, and other holiday items to decorate your bike with. Once all bikes are completely decorated, riders will head down the Rec Trail. 5pm, free.

The landlubbers have had their fun with brightly lit parades all month -- now it’s the salors’ turn! Brightly lit boats will sail from Coast Guard Pier in Monterey to Lovers Point in Pacific Grove tonight. The ships are competing to win prizes, so skippers go all-out trying to top each other with their decorations. Grab a mug of cocoa and stake out a spot on the coastline to watch. Pick your spot right and you can watch the Critical Christmas cyclists going by. Begins at 5:30pm, free to watch.

Visitors to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Kelp Forest exhibit were treated to an unusual sight today, as an underwater diver unveiled a banner with an exciting announcement.

Diver Gil Falcone reveals the BLUE Ocean Film Festival banner.

In what Hank Armstrong of the Monterey Bay Aquarium called the “worst-kept secret” of the area, the BLUE Ocean Film Festival, featuring the best underwater and ocean-centered films of the year, will make its permanent home in Monterey County beginning in 2010. The BLUE Ocean Film Festival, which debuted last summer in Savannah, Georgia, uses film and presentations by filmmakers and scientists to inspire people to make a difference and give them the tools to do so.

Fabien Cousteau speaks in front of the Kelp Forest exhibit

Fabien Cousteau, grandson of the legendary Jacques Cousteau and son of Jean-Michel Cousteau, the president of the Ocean Futures Society, read from a biography of his grandfather about the elder Cousteau’s first work filming underwater. Jacques Cousteau’s passion for underwater filmmaking was triggered by his desire to inspire the public to protect the ocean, Fabien said, a mission that is continued by the BLUE Ocean Film Festival. He quoted one of his grandfather’s famous sayings: “People protect what they love, but how can people protect what they don’t understand?”

A blue marble handed out during the BLUE Ocean Film Festival announcement

To bring the conservation theme home, Monterey Bay Aquarium staff members handed out blue marbles. Cousteau explained that recipients of these blue marbles were required to perform “a random act of kindness for the oceans” and then pass it on to someone else, who would be expected to do the same, thus creating a chain of positive actions for the marine world. Debbie Kinder, Executive Director of the BLUE Ocean Film Festival, said the festival would make its own efforts to reduce environmental impact. “Our agenda is to make this event a plastics-free event,” she said.

Every speaker emphasized their view that Monterey County and the BLUE Ocean Film Festival were a perfect match. “This is one of the meccas of the ocean world, full of passionates for its health,” said Cousteau when he detailed why he was so enthusiastic about the festival’s move to Monterey. Photographer and filmmaker Bob Talbot agreed, saying, “[Monterey] is the hub of ocean experiences.”

Talbott feels this event will be the cornerstone of an “Ocean Week” in Monterey. Ted Balestreri, chairman and CEO of the Sardine Factory, expanded on this idea. “This will truly be the Concours d’Elegance of film festivals,” he said, referring to the legendary Pebble Beach car festival that is the cornerstone of the many events of Monterey Auto Week. Dan Basta, director of the National Marine Sanctuary System, seemed to agree with this sentiment when he said the BLUE Ocean Film Festival would be “the largest ocean film festival ever in the history of Planet Earth.”

The BLUE Ocean Film Festival will take place from August 25-29, 2010. Make your hotel reservations now!

Your humble blog author volunteered at the Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Historical Library during Christmas in the Adobes yesterday, but managed to sneak out for a few minutes to take photos at other adobes! You can see all the photos in our Flickr set.

The Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library on Van Buren St. in full swing

Author Randall Reinstedt educates the crowd

Cellist Mike Rainey provides some ambience

The barkeep at California’s First Theater

The host at California’s First Theater said, “Watch your step! And your wallet!”

Casa Soberanes by candlelight

A harpist performs at Casa Soberanes

Volunteers cook at Casa Soberanes

Dancers and band at the Custom House

The Old Whaling Station by candlelight

Volunteers and Christmas tree at the Old Whaling Station

A volunteer at the Old Whaling Station

Christmas in the Adobes is your chance to see Monterey’s historic adobes illuminated by candlelight. Volunteers in period costume welcome you into the homes, often offering refreshments. It feels like stepping back in time and having the residents invite you in! Many of the adobes also have musicians playing period songs, or dancers performing in the style of the era. You’ll feel like you’ve crashed an 1840s fandango or someone’s private parlor concert.

Saturday’s Christmas in the Adobes will be your last chance to visit many of these adobes for 2009, and well into 2010. Tickets are $20 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-17 when accompanied by an adult. It’s free for children 5 and under. Buy tickets at the Cooper Molera Store at 525 Polk Street in downtown Monterey.

Friday

Play in the snow at the Seaside Holiday Fantasy Festival! This big party at City Hall has bounce houses, a petting zoo, live choral and dance performances, hay rides, a visit from Santa, real snow, and the official holiday tree lighting ceremony. 4:30-8:30pm, free.

Downtown Pacific Grove lights up for the “Friday Night Lights Party.” Meet Santa Claus and listen to live music on the street, look at the lights and decorations and perhaps pop into a store or two. 5-9pm, free.

Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, by belindalouwho66

The Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival gallops into the Monterey Conference Center for the 11th year. Tonight’s 7pm performance is “The 4 D’s”, hosted by poet Doris Daley and featuring poet Dennis Gaines, and singers Dave Stamey and Don Edwards. There’s also an Art & Gear Show, where you can pick up a gift for that special cowboy someone. Tickets available at the door.

Looking for a splurgy pre-holiday dinner? The Truffle Dinner at Bernardus Lodge’s Marinus Restaurant is it. The truffles in question are not chocolatey bon-bons, but the ultra-rare, ultra-tasty fungus known as “the diamond of the kitchen. $500 includes a 6-course tasting menu with wines from Burgundy, as well as champagne, cocktails and more. 6:30pm, call (831) 658-3550 to reserve.

California’s best surf zydeco band, the Cachagua Playboys, get the crowds dancing at Bullwacker’s tonight. 8:30pm.

Local psychedelic prog-rockers Candyflip have attracted a big local following. They play Jose’s on Wave Street in Monterey tonight with musical buddies Mapless, Make Me and The Trees. 9pm, $5.

Philadelphia’s psychedelic folkies Espers play heartfelt, earnest music that wouldn’t be out of place in a Haight Street cafe circa 1968. They’ve even been covered by Marianne Faithfull. They play Fernwood Resort in Big Sur tonight. Native American-influenced folkie Mariee Sioux and the mysterious Jeffertiti’s Niles also appear. 9pm, $15.

Saturday

The Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival continues with the Christmas Art and Gear Show and poetry and music performances from 10am through 7pm; check their official online schedule for more information. Tickets available at the door.

Dress up your dog, cat or other pet and bring her down to Cannery Row for the Pet Parade! The parade starts at the American Tin Cannery and runs to Steinbeck Plaza in Cannery Row. 11am; fill out this PDF to participate in the Pet Parade.

A harpist plays at Casa Soberanes during Christmas in the Adobes

Monterey’s Christmas in the Adobes returns for the 25th year. See the adobes decked out for the holidays and illuminated by candles! It’s a fantastic event, full of live traditional music, choral performances, and volunteers all dolled up in outfits from the adobe period! (Of course, your humble blog writer volunteers at this event and is understandably biased.) 5-9pm, $20 for adults $2 for children 6-17 accompanied by an adult, free for children 5 and under. Buy tickets at the Cooper Museum Store in downtown Monterey.

Folk-pop singer-songwriter Rose Merrill writes heartfelt songs that can go from comic to tragic in a single line. She performs tonight at the Big Sur River Inn. 7-10pm, no cover.

Smooth jazz master James Henry plays Fernwood in Big Sur tonight. 9pm, no cover.

Heads will bang at Jose’s on Wave Street in Monterey tonight, as Mnemonic Device, Pride Subject, Thirty9 Fingers and Razorhoof crank it up to eleven. 9pm, $5.

Sunday

It’s the final day of the Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival. Attend Cowboy Church at 9am with plenty of live musical performances and buy goodies at the Christmas Art and Gear Show starting at 10am. Check out “Hot Coffee and a Campfire” at 10:15am, hosted by poet Waddie Mitchell and featuring musical performances by J Parson, Hot Club of Cowtown, and Belinda Gail & Curly Musgrave; and “O Brothers! Where Art Thou?” at 1:00pm, hosted by poet Jess Howard and featuring poet Pat Richardson and musical performances by the Gillette Brothers and Sons of the San Joaquin. Tickets available at the door.

Still searching for something to keep you out of trouble? Check out the Monterey County Weekly for more ideas.

Wallet feeling pinched due to the holidays? There’s plenty of free fun things to do this weekend.

Friday

The Salinas First Fridays Art Walk has lots of live music, dancing, refreshments, and works by local artists at about 50 venues; between the performances you may find a perfect item for that hard-to-buy for person on your holiday list. 5-8pm, free.

Carmel Plaza hosts its annual open house. Live music, fun foods, holiday giveaways and complimentary wine – how can you go wrong? 5:30pm, free.

Take a moonlit hayride, sing Christmas carols around the bonfire, drink hot apple cider and eat homemade cookies at The Farm in Salinas. 6-9pm, free.

The First Baptist Church of Salinas turns its parking lot into the village of Bethlehem during the annual “Streets of Bethlehem.” 300 re-enactors, live animals, and live musicians all come together to recreate the Nativity. 6pm-8:30pm, free.

The Smuin Ballet performs traditional holiday dances as well as modern choreography during their Holiday Program at the Sunset Center in Carmel. 8pm, tickets are $40 and $55, book online.

San Francisco acoustic folkie Deborah Crooks serenades the crowd at Jose’s on Wave Street tonight. Julie Zack opens. 9pm, no cover.

Saturday

Pacific Grove brings the snow to Caledonia Park for “Stillwell’s Snow in the Park.” Meet up with Santa, Frosty the Snowman and the Snow Queen, have fun with hayrides and a petting zoo, plus live entertainment. 10am-4pm, free.

Take a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy museum-quality works of art. The Monterey Museum of Art Holiday Art Sale at the La Mirada branch includes many works from the estate of Ellwood Graham. Prices range from $75 to $7,000. All proceeds benefit the Museum’s programs.

Scheid Vineyards hosts their Holiday Open House in Greenfield. Make a wreath out of grape vines, eat their fabulous appetizers, and taste great wine. 11am-4pm, free. RSVP at 831-455-9990. 10am-4pm, free to attend.

Learn the differences between types of chocolates, get holiday baking ideas and try some fantastic desserts at the Bernardus Lodge Chocolates and Desserts Cooking Demo. 1pm-3pm, $85

The Smuin Ballet performs their holiday show at the Sunset Center in Carmel. 2pm and 8pm, $40 and $55, book online.

Head to the First Baptist Church of Salinas to go back 2000 years in time (along with 300 re-enactors, live animals, and more) to the village of Bethlehem. 6pm-8:30pm, free.

San Francisco’s sad, shoegazey low-fi Callow stop by Jose’s on Wave Street tonight before a big Northwest tour. Santa Cruz moody indie artists Electric Leaves and intriguing country-influenced locals An Anchor of Silver open.

Folk artist Kacey Johansing brings her melancholy music to Fernwood Resort in Big Sur tonight. 9pm, no cover.

Sunday

The Friends of the Monterey Public Library host their annual estate book sale at the Monterey Public Library. This ain’t your average book sale; there will be over 100 collector’s editions available, perfect for the book collector on your holiday list. And the gift-wrapping is free! 10am-4pm.

San Jose’s A Capella Choral Project performs live at the Chateau Julien Wine Estate Holiday Spectacular. The performance is followed by a wine tasting and a gift reception. 2:30-5:30pm, $40.