PMANC's 2012 through 2016 Showcase events are end on the Friday night before Mother's Day. What a perfect time to have your loved ones join you. Wake up refreshed on Saturday morning, ready to explore the beauty of the Monterey Peninsula. And for that very special "Mom," Mother's Day Brunch is a must!
Top things to do, see, and visit while in Monterey (excerpted from the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau website).
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Discover life in Monterey's bay without leaving dry land at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Dedicated to marine research and conservation, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is known throughout the world for its interactive exhibits and ability to present marine life on a truly grand scale. It's been called "one of America's most captivating aquariums" by ForbesTraveler.com. Purchase tickets in advance online and avoid ticket lines! There is no service charge when tickets are printed at home or picked up at will call.
Cannery Row
Cannery Row is anchored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and features restaurants, hotels, specialty shops, local artists' galleries and wine tasting rooms, all stretching along the historic streets and waterfront. Visitors can take in the wonders of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary by scuba diving, kayaking, or bike riding along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail. Visit the Cannery Row website
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf in downtown Monterey is a "must-visit" for every visitor to the area. Not only is it a great place to take in the sights and sounds and smells of Monterey, but, because neighboring Wharf 2 is the heart of the area's thriving fishing industry, you can usually watch the working trawlers unloading the catch of the day — just look for all of the seagulls hoping for a handout to know who's had a successful day on the Bay! Stroll down the wharf with a cup of hot clam chowder, or stop by one of several restaurants featuring fresh Monterey Bay seafood. You can photograph sea lions and otters frolicking in the calm inner harbor waters, or, if you're feeling more adventurous, take to the waters with a glass bottom boat tour, deep-sea fishing trip or whale watching tour (in season).
Pebble Beach
With eight championship golf courses, gourmet restaurants, a top-rated spa, top-flight shopping and one of the most scenic drives in the world, Pebble Beach isn't just a community; it's an attraction all its own. Journey along 17-Mile Drive by car or bicycle, then stop at the renowned Lodge at Pebble Beach for shopping, a meal or a round of golf.
Scenic Drives
17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach is one of the best-known scenic drives in the world. It takes visitors past dream homes and the world's greatest golf courses, as well as miles of scenic coastline and the serene majesty of Del Monte Forest. Highway One from Monterey through Big Sur is "the road trip of a lifetime." It's a State Scenic Highway and has been declared an All-American Road by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Scenic Byways Program.
Historic Sites
Monterey County, once the capital of Alta California, is the epicenter of California history. Explore the heritage of the California mission era at our three historic missions. Walk the Path of History to learn about the Mexican era, as well as the area's early literary history. Immerse yourself in the artistic legacy of Central California at the Monterey Museum of Art. Experience the works of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck and the agricultural history of Monterey County at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. Learn about the region's flora and fauna at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
Special Events
Monterey's widely acclaimed calendar of events attracts visitors from around the world. Music lovers return annually to the Monterey Jazz Festival in September and the Carmel Bach Festival in July. Every August, car lovers descend on Monterey County for the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and other events of Monterey Auto Week, while racing fans visit throughout the season for the Ferrari Challenge, Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix and other events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Golf lovers converge on Pebble Beach for internationally renowned tournaments like February's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and the U.S. Open, and April's Big Sur International Marathon is just one of many other competitive events that take place throughout the year.
American Le Mans Monterey presented by Patron
Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca
If car racing is your passion, watch the ALMS race for six hours into the darkness again at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - one of the classics. The Monterey Peninsula has played host to world-class sports car racing for more than 50 years. The downhill Corkscrew Turn provides one of the most challenging single corners on the season. For more information, click here
The Monterey Top Ten List . . . Okay, Lists.
Mother's Day 2012
Plan early and reserve space for your family's Mother's Day Brunch in Monterey! As the event draws nearer, PMANC will add additional information as it becomes available. In the meantime, here is a link to area restaurants taking Mother's Day Brunch reservations.
Attention Techies:
Attention techie travelers! The very best of Monterey County can be at your fingertips with the new mobile application, "Explore Monterey." A free download for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices, "Explore Monterey" is the official mobile application for Monterey County, complete with maps, visitors guide details and county-wide information spanning Moss Landing to Big Sur.
