Monterey on a Budget

Monterey Museums Special Events

Monterey Museum of Art Third Thursdays "...Join us on the third Thursday of every month for our Third Thursday Open House.... from 5 till 7 pm we welcome the public, free of charge, to join us for food, wine and music at our Pacific Street location."

Monterey Wine Tastings

Annual Winemakers Celebration
"... Over 40 Monterey County wineries will pour new releases and special wines in Monterey's historic Custom House Plaza. This outdoor festival showcases the best of Monterey and also features educational seminars, barrel building, live music and silent auction." Cost: $35 advance/$40 at door.

Passport Events According to Bargetto Wineries "...Passport wineries will be open on the third Saturday of January, April, July and November, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., as well as during their regular hours. Each season brings something new to the vineyards; from pruning in the winter to crush in the fall, wineries are bustling with activity year-round! Passport is your opportunity to meet the talented winemakers of the Santa Cruz Mountains and to see where and how they produce some of the world’s great wines. Some of our wineries are not open to the public except on Passport days and many pour special wines or barrel samples on these days. A lot of these wines are simply not available anywhere else, so if you find a wine that you like, please buy a bottle or two. Without sales, these special tastings cannot take place. At each winery you visit, a page of your Passport will be given a unique commemorative stamp. Passports can only be stamped at the winery; one stamp per Passport holder...."

Directory of Monterey County Wineries "...Approximately 75 wineries call Monterey County "home", while vintners around the state purchase grapes from Monterey County growers recognizing Monterey's world-class reputation. Many of the Monterey County wineries have tasting rooms open to the public. These tasting rooms provide a relaxed atmosphere where guests receive knowledgeable, personal attention while tasting wines and learning about the winery.Several of the larger wineries offer tours of their facilities where one can learn about the winemaking process...." Monterey Winetasting Map

Tasting Rooms

"A Taste of Monterey" Wine Tasting Room at Cannery Row.

Bargetto Winery Two tasting rooms: Cannery Row and Soquel in the Santa Cruz mountains.

Baywood Cellars' Tasting Room is located on historic Cannery Row...

Bernardus Tasting Room Carmel Valley $5 tasting fee.

Chateau Julien Wine Estate Open daily for wine tastings and tours.

Galante Vineyards has two tasting locations: a Carmel by the Sea tasting room.... and "by appointment only" tastings at Galante Vineyards' Winery and Ranch where "... A tour and tasting at Galante Vineyards is truly a rewarding experience. Not only can you enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Cachagua valley, but you can also learn about our winemaking process from key players at the winery...Tours and tasting are complimentary for groups under 6. Groups 6 and larger pay a modest $5 per person fee at time of booking...."

Heller Estate Tasting Room "...located in Carmel Valley Village, California, offers the public the opportunity to taste the entire range of these impressive award winning wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Port and Late Harvest Reisling), and our famously delicious Merlot-filled Chocolate... "

Joullian Tasting Room in Carmel Valley "...in a beautiful classic stone climate-controlled building with a French provincial interior, which is managed by a knowledgeable, professional and friendly staff. It is less than a 30-minute drive from the Monterey coast and generally offers much warmth and sunshine during the cool, foggy days of a coastal summer...."

Talbott Vineyards Tasting Room Carmel Valley "...A long-time dream of Robb and Cynthia Talbott's, it is a perfect showcase not only for their wines, but also for the beautifully handmade neckwear and silk accessories from the Robert Talbott Company. Decorated in Early California style with antiques and artwork, the Tasting Room has a sunny garden patio that is perfect for picnic dining, or just relaxing. In addition to hand-woven silk products custom made for Talbott, the tasting room offers a wide variety of apparel featuring the Talbott family crest...."

TerraNova Fine Wines "...Wine tastings are conducted every Wednesday evening. We limit attendance to the first twenty people who make a reservation. The cost is $20 and participants taste a minimum of four wines and most often six wines. Special “sampler” packs are available the night of the tasting...."

The Georis Tasting Room ".... in the village of Carmel Valley, California. The setting is Rustic. An old adobe building with lush gardens and outdoor tables take full advantage of the warm Carmel Valley climate. On cooler days you will appreciate the large fireplace, comfortable leather chairs and couches around the grand piano. The tasting room is decorated with our favorite antique furniture and hand crafted fixtures...."

Ventana Vineyards Tasting Room in Monterrey "... Complimentary, educational wine tasting, with a friendly, knowledgeable, courteous Tasting Room Staff.... Surrounded by beautiful pine and oak trees, the Ventana Patio is splashed with color and fragrance from the potted flowers. Bench seating and tables surround an open-top fire place, creating for you the ultimate cozy experience. The intrigue of the Old Stonehouse Historic building, built in 1919, is sure to make an enjoyable visit. Picnic lunches are encouraged! INDOOR ELEGENCE: Relax and enjoy World Class Wines in a new intimate room within the historical Stonehouse at the Ventana Vineyards Tasting Room. The focal point of this luxurious room is a hand carved Burmese thirteen and a half foot grape motif table with seating for fourteen guests. Elegant draperies and a Parisian tapestry are gently illuminated by firelight. Porcelains from LuAnn Meador’s Private Collection rest atop the curio. The room is finished off with groupings of family and vineyard photographs and large format wine bottles...."

Wine From the Heart Tasting Room "...Please let us help take the mystery out of tasting fine wine.  We are an owner run store, not affiliated with any large producers or chains.  We believe in treating our customers like honored guests in our own home.  We have a passion for Monterey, fine wine, gifts and food.  We would love to share that passion with you in our warm and friendly tasting room...." In the Fisherman's Wharf Custom House Plaza

Special Tours of Monterey

Cannery Row Virtual Walking Tour... richly illustrated with historic photos "... The Row’s first canning operation was Japanese. In 1902, Otosaburo Noda, an immigrant Japanese farmer, labor contractor and businessman, shifted his attention from the abalone canning operation at Point Lobos to focus on canning abalone and salmon on the rocky shoreline of Monterey. Mr. Noda and his partner, Harry Malpas, constructed the Monterey Fishing and Canning Company. This venture was the first canning operation located on the world-famous “Street of the Sardine.” In 1903, Frank Booth, the “Father of the Sardine Industry,” constructed Monterey’s first large-scale cannery in the harbor. By the end of World War I, three of Monterey’s early canneries had been of Japanese origin....John Steinbeck used real people and places as models for his 1945 novel, Cannery Row. You are standing in the middle of the novel’s setting as depicted in the aerial photograph. The Wing Chong Market was a Chinese grocery and dry-goods store, and the La Ida Cafe was where Eddie the part-time bar tender poured leftover drinks in a jug for Mack and the boys. The Western Biological Laboratory was Doc’s house and lab . The Bear Flag Restaurant was the bordello operated by Dora Flood (Lone Star Cafe of Flora Woods), and the Palace Flophouse was home to Mack and the boys. The “chicken walk” was a cleated ramp up the embankment from the railroad tracks. The “vacant lot” was filled with pipes, boilers, and cast-off cannery equipment..."

City of Monterey Art Walk "... You are invited to follow this guide through gardens courtyards and parks around historic sites and into public buildings. In public places and hidden spaces you will find that Monterey is a city filled with art.T his guide will lead you to paintings, sculpture, photographs, stained glass, murals, and fiber arts from the collection of the City of Monterey. You will find art that celebrates special moments in the life of the City, honors public heroes, or simply brings joy to the observer. The diversity of Monterey’s public art includes something to surprise and delight everyone. The guide will also lead to special exhibition spaces where unexpected treasures await you each time you visit..."

Historic Monterey Garden League Tours Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:00am. Call 831-625-9854 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.

Historic Monterey in Two Hours The Custom House, Maritime Museum & Pacific House

Historic Walking Tours of Monterey

• Walking tours of Point Lobos State Reserve
• Tours of the legacy of the Monterey Peninsula's writers, painters, photographers and architects 
• Tours of the hidden historic gardens 
• Tours of Steinbeck's Cannery Row 
• Tours of Monterey's South Coast--the writers of Big Sur, the stories of its people, and the lighthouse at Point Sur
• Tours with a Guide who wears historic clothing

Monterey Movie Tours "...Did you know that memorable scenes in nearly 200 movies have been filmed in Monterey County? Since 1897, the dramatic beauty of the Monterey Peninsula has attracted directors and cinematographers from around the world. Whether it is the pounding surf, the scenic splendor of 17-Mile Drive, or the hustle and bustle of the old Cannery Row days, filmmakers continue to find the perfect backdrops for key scenes in their movies..."

Secret Gardens of Old Monterey "... Whether you go on your own or arrange for one of our guided tours, discovering Monterey's "best kept secret" will come as a beautiful surprise! Due to Monterey's mild climate, flowers can be found blooming much of the year. Some of the gardens contain fountains you can make a wish in. Others have arbors and quaint walkways bordered by abalone or wine bottles. One site even has whalebone for a walkway! The gardens come in sizes from a few planters to a few acres. Some are hidden by walls or are tucked away out of the traveled way. The gardens of Monterey are not called "Monterey's Best Kept Secret" for nothing!..."

Unique Monterey Attractions

Monkey Models Can often be found in front of the historic Monterey Customs House entertaining visitors.

Special Opportunities to Become Involved

City of Monterey Volunteer positions

Monterey Museum of Art Docent Program

Monterey State Park Volunteer Opportunities

Hear and See Great Music and Performances by Getting Involved

Sunset Cultural Center (Carmel-by-the-Sea) Has many opportunties for enthusiastic volunteers.

Gallery Openings and Receptions

Carmel Art Association Calendar of Events "... The Carmel Art Association is composed of local artists who are selected by their peers. Founded in 1927, it is the second oldest operating non-profit artist cooperative in the United States.... features the work of more than 120 professional local artists, and is dedicated to presenting only the finest work for sale by artists living on the Monterey Peninsula. The Carmel Art Association displays a wide variety of styles and media, and changes its exhibitions every month. Except for the summer months, there are often one or two solo or group shows, along with regular showings of Association artist members...."

Monterey Beaches

Monterey State Beach "...This beach is a favorite place for surfers and tidepool watchers. Fishing is popular, too. The cities of Monterey and Seaside share the park, which has three separate beaches approximately a mile apart. The underwater area of the park attracts scuba divers. Visitors also enjoy kayaking, kite-flying and volleyball. The flat beach is an excellent place for beachcombing...." Seaside Exit off Hwy 218.

Monterey Farmers Markets

Everyone's Harvest Farmer's Market Sundays from 10am to 2pm at the Marina Transit Station, 280 Reservation Road. Year-around. Fresh produce, baked and ethnic foods, cooking demonstrations, live music, and crafts.

Farmer's Market at Monterey Peninsula College lower parking lot.
every Thursday from 2:30 until 6:00 pm Year-round.

Old Monterey Market Place Tuesdays—Year-round
4-8pm April to October; 4-7pm October to March

Where to Find Free Wi-Fi in Monterey

Monterey State Historic Park at Custom House Plaza "...now offers SBC FreedomLink Service! This service enables park visitors with wireless enabled laptop computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access the Internet..."

More Ways to Live Large for Less:

Free VOIP  Talk for FREE over your broadband Internet connection using your regular phone.

Free Payday Loans  Get paid tomorrow instead of Friday. Your 1st loan is FREE.

Free Credit Report  Buying a new car or a home? Then you MUST check your credit report.

Free Laptop Computer  No kidding... there IS a way that folks are getting a laptop for FREE!

Free Satellite TV Installation  Get TV in 4 rooms for less than you're paying for cable.

Free Car  Learn how some folks are driving a car for free. Fascinating!