In Monterey this fall: The Monterey Bay Aquarium celebrates its silver anniversary

by Brenda Yun on

Something must be in the air in Monterey this fall, because there are so many anniversaries and celebrations it would be hard to pass up a trip to California’s coast to catch some art and culture with a little history mixed in.

Earlier this fall, I told you about the Monterey Museum of Art celebrating its 50th anniversary and the 52nd Monterey Jazz Festival. Fortunately, Monterey has one more big celebration up its sleeve. The Monterey Bay Aquarium celebrates its silver anniversary later this month.

The famous aquarium opened its doors on October 20, 1984. In the first year alone, nearly 2.5 million guests paid a visit. 25 years later, the aquarium hosted more than 44 million visitors and currently has 250,000 members. Approximately 35,000 animals and plants are housed there, and there are nearly 500 employees and 1000 volunteers to keep things running.

This historic aquarium’s silver anniversary celebration will be held on October 17-18. For a complete celebration schedule and a timeline featuring images and accounts of its 25 years of existence, visit the aquarium’s web site.

In Monterey this fall: The Pacific Grove Butterfly Parade

by Brenda Yun on

Something must be in the air in Monterey this fall, because there are so many anniversaries and celebrations it would be hard to pass up a trip to California’s coast to catch some art and culture with a little history mixed in.

This October 3 & 4, Pacific Grove will celebrate its heritage an annual butterfly parade on Saturday and historic homes tour on Sunday. On Saturday, the Butterfly Parade and accompanying Butterfly Bazaar celebrate the return of the Monarch Butterfly to Pacific Grove. The parade has been a near 75-year tradition. Butterflies make their annual winter stop, and local children dress in cute butterfly costumes while older elementary school kids dress up as Native Americans, pioneers, and clowns as they march down the town’s main street. The parade and bazaar begin at 10:30am.

On Sunday, visitors can get a sneak peek inside the classic Victorians of Pacific Grove during the Historic Home Tour. Some of the most interesting historic homes and public buildings in Pacific Grove will open their doors for self-guided tours between 10 am and 4 pm. Docents are on hand at each location to answer questions and give more information about the buildings and the people who lived and worked there when they were first built. Tickets can be purchased from the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce.

There are also free guided tours of Pacific Grove’s downtown, held at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Lighthouse Avenue. Local artists will have their work for sale at Chautauqua Hall, while birdhouses inspired by Pacific Grove’s traditional homes will be auctioned off at “Heritage Houses For the Birds.”

Together, Pacific Grove’s Butterfly Parade and Historic Home Tour make for a good, old-fashioned, Americana weekend. Both visitors and locals come out to enjoy a weekend of fun and facts.

In Monterey this fall: 52nd Monterey Jazz Festival

by Brenda Yun on

Something must be in the air in Monterey this fall, because there are so many anniversaries and celebrations it would be hard to pass up a trip to California’s coast to catch some art and culture with a little history mixed in.

This September 18-20, the longest-running jazz festival in the world will be held in gorgeous Monterey, California. The festival is what General Manager Tim Jackson deems as “an amalgamation of styles and genres.”

For over fifty years, the Monterey Jazz Festival has drawn the world’s best jazz musicians for a few days of music delight. This year is no different as it aims to please all types of jazz lovers and features such jazz greats as Wynton Marsalis on Saturday and Sunday nights and Dave Brubeck on Sunday night. More folky musicians like Pete Seeger and Susan Tedeschi will show off their special brand of jazz, while other rising stars will also perform: 23-year-old Esperanza Spalding from Portland, OR on Friday night and Kenny Barron on piano on Friday and Saturday nights. Jason Moran and the Bandwagon will present the premiere of “Feedback” on Sunday night.

Over 500 artists will perform on 9 stages for 3 full nights and 2 days of jazz. For tickets and a complete festival schedule, visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Tickets are also available by phone at #925.275.9255

In Monterey this fall: The Monterey Museum of Art honors 50 years

by Brenda Yun on

Something must be in the air in Monterey this fall, because there are so many anniversaries and celebrations it would be hard to pass up a trip to California’s coast to catch some art and culture with a little history mixed in.

The Monterey Museum of Art, which houses a permanent collection of 14,000 objects, paintings, photographs, and other works, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by offering two fascinating exhibits.

Until September 13, the Pacific Street location shows its “Over Rainbows and Down Rabbit Holes: The Art of Children’s Books,” which includes illustrations from “The House at Pooh Corner,” “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” and “Jumanji,” among others.

On view through October 25 and in honor of homegrown artists in the Monterey area, the “Made in Monterey” exhibit is a compilation of works from the museum’s permanent collection that traces Monterey’s local art history from the late 19th century to today.

There are also special “Art After Hours” mixers every third Thursday at the La Mirada museum for professional types needing to wind down over local wine and catered food. In addition, ongoing tours and public lectures are held at the museum.

The Monterey Museum of Art has two locations: 559 Pacific Street in downtown Monterey and La Mirada at 720 Via Mirada. For more information on the museum’s programs and exhibits, visit www.montereyart.org or call #831.372.5477/3689.

The scenic Monterey coastline

by Brenda Yun on


If you haven’t heard of the 17 Mile Drive, now you have, and now’s the time to enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines. Minutes from downtown Monterey, California, the 17 Mile Drive winds through the prestigious gated community of Pebble Beach in Carmel, past the Del Monte Forest, and along gorgeous stretches of secluded coves, pristine beaches, and oceanfront mansions.

There are hundreds of attractions along this scenic coastal road that makes traffic sometimes unbearable during the summer. You can avoid crowds by entering at the Spanish Bay gate, or it may be worthwhile to enjoy this route by bike or during the off-season, though it may be colder, foggier, and less sunny.

Aside from passing three lovely golf courses (Poppy Hills, Spyglass Hill, and Pebble Beach), this scenic road boasts natural attractions such as Fanshell Beach, Seal Rock, and the Lone Cypress tree. There’s even a new big wave surf spot called “Ghost Tree” that’s a spectacle in itself when the swell is just right.

There’s a helpful brochure that you should pick up at the entry gate in Pebble Beach that outlines the “21 Points of Interest” along the 17-Mile Drive. All you have to do is follow the marked route and enjoy the sights along the way.

If the drive is not enough, and you’re not so into golf courses and coastal vistas, there are plenty of fine dining establishments and quaint bed and breakfasts along the route.