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Haute HolidaysEdited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLadyGive yourself the gift of Monterey County this holiday season—and give your wallet a break—when you book a stay at one of 20+ local properties offering deep discounts and value-added promotions via the countywide Holiday Bounty program, November 1 through December 31, 2006. Book via: www.holidaybounty.org. With rates as low as $49, mild, clear weather and smaller, off-season crowds, Monterey County is the ideal winter escape. Local events and festivals, featuring everything from music and poetry to food and wine, offer unique alternatives to traditional wintertime travel. The mild winter weather is perfect for kayaking in Elkhorn Slough, paragliding above the sand dunes of Marina, exploring historic downtown Monterey or discovering the Big Sur coast. ‘Hungry for a little holiday spirit? Stroll among candlelit adobes or gaze at the glow of thousands of tiny lights strung among the fragrant branches of a towering Christmas tree. Sip wine while crafting grapevine wreaths at a local vineyard or cozy up on a crisp night to watch vessels parade in illumination across the harbor. More than 20 lodging properties throughout Monterey County are promoting special Holiday Bounty rates this season, ranging from the Monterey Hotel and Portola Plaza Hotel in downtown Monterey, to the family-friendly Monterey Bay Travelodge and Hyatt Regency Monterey, to unique escapes like the Captain’s Inn and Sandpiper Inn B&B. Additional special offers abound at more than 50 area hotels, restaurants, wineries, golf courses, attractions and shops—including unlimited golf at Quail Lodge in lush Carmel Valley and free dinner and breakfast for two at the rustic Big Sur River Inn. NOT EVEN SCROOGE COULD REFUSENeed another reason to book a stay in Monterey this holiday season? Indulge yourself with an abundance of yuletide cheer at one of these jolly jaunts: 10th Great Wine Escape Weekend (November 9-12): Celebrate the vendange at Monterey County wineries and restaurants as they roll out the red carpet for a weekend of self-guided and narrated bus tours, open houses, winemaker dinners and live entertainment. Phone: (831) 375-9400; www.montereywines.org. 12th Annual Cannery Row Christmas Tree Lighting (November 24): Head to Cannery Row for this longtime family favorite, including the tree lighting ceremony, caroling and a visit from Santa Claus. Phone: 831-649-6690; www.canneryrow.com. Reindoggie Parade (December 2): “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Donner, on…Fido?” All pampered pooches and their doting doggie “parents” are welcome at Carmel-by-the-Sea’s second annual Reindoggie Parade. Owners and dogs don their holiday haute as they parade along Carmel’s luxury-lined Ocean Avenue. Judges will bestow various honors upon the canine contestants, including honors for “Best Dressed”, “Cutest Costume”, “Most Festive”, “Most Outrageous”, “Fastest Wag”, “Look-alike” and “Best of Show”. Time: TBD. Phone: 831-626-0600; www.mackiesparlour.com. Holiday Spectacular at Château Julien (December 3): An awe-inspiring event sure to put all in the holiday spirit. Guests will enjoy acoustical perfection in the winery’s Chai as music projects amongst surrounding aging oak barrels of wine. A holiday reception of unique holiday gift ideas and wine tasting to follow in the beautifully decorated Great Hall. Fee: $25 per person/ $15 club members. Time: 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Phone: (831) 624-2600; www.chateaujulien.com. Brighten the Harbor (December 7): Boats decorated with lights parade from the Coast Guard Pier, past Cannery Row and return to the Monterey Harbor. Boats are judged and the best-decorated vessels (in multiple categories) receive trophies awarded at the yacht club after the parade. Entry fee for boats. Time: 5:30 p.m. Phone: (831) 644-8396. Wild Things Holiday Tours (December 4 – 26): Wild Things presents a Christmas Celebration with a walk on the wild side in Salinas. Join in on a nighttime flashlight tour of the Wild Things Wild Animal Park. Reservations required. Warm refreshments and candy canes served after the tour. Photos available with live reindeer! Wild Things Animal Rentals Inc. Fee: $12 adults / $10 children ages 3 – 14. Time: 6:30 p.m. Phone: (831) 455-1901 ext. 3; www.wildthingsinc.com 8th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival (December 8-10): The best cowboy poets and balladeers are featured in a three-day weekend event that also features a western art and gear sale, a Saturday night western dance, a “cowboy” church service, and a silent auction, among other festivities. Phone: (800) 722-9652; www.montereycowboy.com. Christmas Night at The Farm (December 8): Drive out to The Farm and gather around the bonfire to sing Christmas carols, sip homemade cider, nibble cookies—and even take a moonlit hayride—in the Salinas Valley. Phone: 831-455-2575; www.thefarm-salinasvalley.com Christmas in the Adobes (December 8 and 9): Experience Monterey's beautiful historic buildings illuminated by candlelight and enhanced with period decorations, musical entertainment, costumed volunteers and refreshments. Phone: (831) 647-6226; www.parks.ca.gov. Scheid Vineyards Holiday Open House (December 9): Enjoy crafting holiday grapevine wreaths, nibbling on wonderful appetizers and shopping for seasonal gifts at Scheid Vineyards in Salinas. Don't forget the wine for Santa. Children welcome; Santa will fly in for photos! Free admission. Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone: (888) 478-4946 New Year’s Eve at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (December 31): Ring in 2006 with a dance party among the sea creatures sparkling and swimming in the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s award-winning galleries. Phone: (831) 648-4888; www.montereybayaquarium.org. First Night Monterey (December 31): First Night Monterey presents a family New Year's Eve in downtown Monterey with a celebration of the arts, music, dance, poetry and exhibits. Experience more than 100 performances and visual arts. More than 30 downtown sites will welcome patrons who wear the First Night Monterey 2006 button. Entertainment includes a twilight parade, creative street performers and a grand finale celebration at the Custom House Plaza stage. Fee: $15 after December 18, $20 day of event. Time: TBA. Phone: (831) 373-4778 Carmel Walks (Ongoing): Discover the unique charms of Carmel on a two-hour guided walking tour through secret pathways, hidden courtyards, award-winning gardens and enchanting fairytale cottages...the homes, haunts, and history of famous artists, writers, and movie stars. Learn about the spirit, characters, and customs that make Carmel a one-of-a-kind destination. (Private group tours available upon request.) Meet in the courtyard of "The Pine Inn" on Lincoln Street at Ocean Avenue. Fee: $15. Time: Saturdays 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesday - Friday 10a.m. Phone: (831) 642-2700. VISITOR INFORMATIONMonterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor. The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 45,000 acres of premium vineyards, 25 golf courses and 250+ accommodations. Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley. The Monterey Peninsula Airport, just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area’s major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to and from Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco. |
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