$65 Special This Week Only at PGI!
12 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Pacific Grove Inn, Events, Special Offers, Promotion Tags: monterey, pacific grove, pacific grove inn, monterey bay aquarium, historic, cookies, special, discount, packages, pacific grove golf links, special occassion package, gourmet cakes, gourmet breakfast, whale watching, $65, reception, cheese, tickets
Special $65 rate going out to all our beloved family and friends this week only, Dec 12 – 15th!!
This stay will include a beautifully decorated historic bedroom with King or Queen sized bed, complimentary wireless internet access, exquisit Gourmet Breakfast cooked to order each morning of your stay, afternoon wine and cheese reception and fresh baked cookies in the evening.
To take advantage of this special offer, you must call the Inn directly at 831-375-2825 to book your reservation. Add on any of the following fantastic specials listed below to this incredible offer as well. Simply inquire with our front desk staff at the time of booking!
Special Rate does not include taxes or fees and is based on double occupancy in Standard King or Queen room. Limited time offer. Available while inventory lasts.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Join us and experience the wonders of ocean life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The living beauty of our ocean planet is on display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, considered the best in the world! You’ll explore the hidden universe in Monterey Bay, from shallow tide pools, and lush kelp forests to the vast open ocean. Changing specials exhibitions feature marine life from around the world. It’s a place like no other, with a million-gallon indoor ocean, a living kelp forest, jewel-box exhibits that reveal the delicate beauty of colorful sea creatures. Get close to playful sea otters and delicate jellies, powerful sharks, charming penguins and elusive octopus. Get in touch with sea life, too, with hands-on exhibits, aquarium adventures and daily programs. Come discover a new world at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!
If you are interested in purchasing our special two-day VIP Access tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the same price as you would pay for a regular ticket normally, you will have the option to include them at the time of booking your reservation.
Two-Hour Kayak Adventure
Select from one of the following two tours. Both offered daily year round at 10:00, 12:00 & 2:00. Be sure to indicate your tour selection and preferred time in your reservation comments.
ELKHORN SLOUGH ADVENTURE TOUR: The 2nd largest estuary in California, this short tour is a perfect, quick getaway for beginners to discover the wonderful sea otters, seals, sea lions and variety of shorebirds. Especially recommended for families with younger children ages 3 and up. Includes sit-on-top double or triple kayaks, wetsuit or paddling jackets and pants, life jackets and all kayak gear.
MONTEREY HARBOR ADVENTURE TOUR: This short tour is a perfect getaway for everyone to discover the Monterey Harbor and beyond! Monterey provides wonderful wildlife experience as you paddle around sea otters, kelp beds, harbor seals, sea lions and shorebirds. No experience required and especially recommended for families with children 3 yrs and up. Includes sit-on-top double or triple kayak, wetsuit, paddling jacket, life jacket and all kayak gear. Wear bathing suit, quick drying clothing, water shoes and hat.
Should you be interested in either of these tours, you will have the option to purchase them at the time of booking your reservation.
Special Occasion Package
Celebrating an anniversary, birthday or simply want to add a special touch to your stay? Book this package and a beautiful and delectable six-inch cake will be waiting in your room to celebrate your special occasion! We have six delectable options for you to choose from:
- St Michel Mini Cake – Chocolate cake with dark, milk, and white chocolate mousse and Grand Marnier
- Marquise Mini Cake – Chocolate cake, chocolate truffle cream
- Fraisier Mini Cake – Vanilla cake, vanilla custard, fresh strawberries
- Schuss Mini Cake – Lemon cake, raspberry mousse
- Brazilia Mini Cake – Coffee flavored cake, chocolate mousse
- White & Dark Covered Chocolate Strawberries
**Reservations for this package are not available for stays within 72 hours, as we must allow time to ensure your cake order be prepared for your arrival.**
Pacific Grove Golf Links
Since its initial opening in 1932, the Pacific Grove Golf Links has enjoyed a rich and storied history. The 18-hole layout, with a front nine that offers glimpses of Monterey Bay on fairways framed by Cypress Trees, and an ocean-side back nine cut through windswept dunes reminiscent of a traditional Scottish links, has delighted visitors and locals alike for over 75 years.
Featuring a newly constructed, award-winning Golf Shop and Clubhouse, the Pacific Grove Golf Links pairs a historical playing experience with a modern twist. The property, from the course to the Golf Shop to the Point Pinos Grill, encourage guests to “Experience golf as it should be”. If it’s playing the great game of golf for the first time, or playing as a seasoned tournament player, guests of the Pacific Grove Golf links are sure to find everything they are looking for, and much more.
The Pacific Grove Golf Links is open sun-up to sun-down, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
An option to include a round of golf at the Pacific Grove Golf Links will be available to you at the time of booking your reservation.
Monterey Whale Watching
Imagine being within feet of some of the most majestic, graceful, rare animals in the world. In Monterey Bay you will be given the opportunity to experience sights that will create memories for a lifetime. Princess Monterey Whale Watching is Monterey Bay’s leading company in narrated ocean and bay tours. Specializing in natural history and biology of marine wild life; especially whales! Whale watching tours are approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours in duration. Advanced reservations are suggested to secure preferred dates and tour times.<
The option to purchase tickets to join the Princess Monterey Whale Watching experience will be presented to you at the time of booking your reservation.
PGIF: Celebrating the Holidays in Monterey!
09 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Monterey Area, Pacific Grove Inn, Events, PGIF, Shopping Tags: cannery row, john steinbeck, monterey bay aquarium, wine, pgif, historic, Mola Mola, Sunfish, MBA, millstone, open sea, Christmas in the Adobes, Robert Louis Stevenson, bagpipes, cookies, dance lessons, toys, food, jewelry, gallery, sand castle, sea otters, 15% off, december, fireplace, suite
Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays to everyone!!
Below are some wonderful things to be aware of going on in Monterey, as well as at Pacific Grove Inn this month!
SUN IN DECEMBER
A new beautiful 38 lb Mola Mola (Sunfish) has been added into the Open Sea exhibit! Did you know that molas are the world’s largest bony fish, reaching 14 feet in length and tipping the scales at 5,000 pounds? Its Latin name, fittingly, means “millstone.”
The molas at MBA are also “target-trained,” which means they learn to associate a red-and-white striped ball with food, and come over as soon as it’s placed in the water. This ensures they aren’t “out-competed” by faster, more aggressive fish.
Check out the Open Sea Webcam to get a sneak peak into this exhibit and potentially catch a glimpse of the latest addition!
CHRISTMAS IN THE ADOBES
Last night kicked off the Annual Holiday Christmas in the Adobes Event, from 5PM to 9PM, Dec 8-10th. Stroll thought the streets of Historic Downtown Monterey and visit up to 23 19th C. adobes for period dance lessons at Custom House, or bagpipes and cookies at Robert Louis Stevenson House. Refreshments, games history and fun await the entire family during Monterey’s signature holiday event.
RECONNECT WITH CANNERY ROW
Less than 1 Mile from the Pacific Grove Inn you will find the legendary Cannery Row, tthe most popular vacation destination on California’s Central Coast. This historic waterfront district on Monterey Bay was made famous by John Steinbeck. The best of Monterey hotels, attractions and recreation, authentic Monterey restaurants, convenient shopping and exciting Monterey nightlife are found on Cannery Row, Monterey.
Visitors packing for a Cannery Row vacation might want to leave some empty space in their suitcase. With more than 85 Monterey shops, including independent, family-owned stores and top-selling national name brands, the original treasures on sale here are as exciting as the district’s ocean views. Toy stores and chocolate shops make spoiling kids simple, while boutiques feature unique art and antiques, gourmet foods, local wines, stunning jewelry and casual fashion for women and men.
Between the oceanfront Coastal Recreation Trail, wine tasting rooms and world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row Monterey bustles with enough activity to keep families, couples and friends on the go for days. You can walk to boutique and outlet shopping, live music and dynamic nightlife, beaches and dive shops, and year-round events for all ages. Here, guests can just as easily indulge their adventurous spirit as they can relax and reconnect. So go ahead–build a sand castle, schedule a spa treatment, watch sea otters or try that glass of award-winning pinot noir. It’s a perfect day to make memories on Cannery Row for every budget.
HOLIDAY SAVINGS AT THE PACIFIC GROVE INN 
Save 15% on all reservations booked within the month of December! Call us today at 831-375-2825 or visit us at: www.pacificgroveinn.com to take advantage of this special offer.
With only 16 hotel rooms and suites, Pacific Grove Inn blends an old world charm with modern day luxury including combinations of fireplaces, private porches, balconies and entrance with views of the Monterey Bay.
A sanctuary of tranquility and charm awaken your senses with a gourmet breakfast, unwind in the evening with our daily wine, tea and cheese reception from 4pm to 5pm, and take pleasure in our freshly baked cookies to nibble and cold milk before turning in for the evening.
Pacific Grove evokes a timeless air feel from its historic establishments and its classic Main Street, USA feel to its breathtaking slices of nature with its remarkable attractions in and around the Monterey area of California.
PGIF: Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Walk!
02 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Monterey Area, Pacific Grove Inn, Events, PGIF Tags: monterey, pacific grove inn, john steinbeck, monterey bay aquarium, chocolate, events, books, Afro Clouds and Nappy Rain, James B Golden, Thanksgiving, Stillwell Fun in the park, pacific grove chamber of commerce, special promotion, discount offer, santa, fire engine, jingle bells, marathon, 5k run, arthritus, strawberries, cake, kayak, golf, holidays
Happy Holidays to everyone out there!!
So sorry to have gona MIA for the month of November!! We hope everyone had a wonderful November and fabulous Thanksgiving Holiday full of memories to last a lifetime! We have lots of exciting new projects afoot at the Pacific Grove Inn, including some wonderful new special promotions being offered this month only! But first, here are some wonderful events going on this month in Monterey that you should be aware of.
Dec 2nd – Steinbeck Center Features the Book Launch of Salinas-born author, James B. Golden’s 2nd Novel “Afro Clouds and Nappy Rain”
Tonight from 5PM to 8PM, The National Steinbeck Center’s December 2 First Friday event will feature the launch of Salinas-born author James B. Golden’s second book and the opening of the Mission San Antonio Padua Exhibition.
Afro Clouds and Nappy Rain, the newest book by award-winning author-poet-journalist James B. Golden introduces readers to Curtis Brown, an amalgamation of troubled young men Golden has worked with in the judicial system.
Golden views the National Steinbeck Center as “an integral part of Salinas and my development as a writer/scholar.” With the release of his newest book, the Salinas native has once again found a way to give voice to a population of young people who have remained silent for decades. Event Cost: Free. For more information visit: http://www.steinbeck.org/
Dec 3rd – 18th Annual Stillwell Fun in the Park in Pacific Grove
Area residents young and old are invited for some wintry fun at Pacific Grove’s eighteenth annual Stillwell’s Fun in the park set for Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Tommy Stillwell Court, located behind the Pacific Grove Post Office, 680 Lighthouse Avenue, will be full of kiddy rides and bounce houses. The fun will also include a petting zoo, pony rides, as well as two trains that will travel around the park. Live entertainment will include the Tinsel Tones, and the Alli Clarke Band.
Other special big treats in store for the kids are Santa’s arrival at Noon, on a shiny Pacific Grove fire truck and a visit by the Snow Queen. Refreshments will be served throughout the day.
For additional information: (831) 373-3304 or www.pacificgrove.org
Dec 10 – 5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk at Lover’s Point Park
Come and join the 5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk from 8AM to 11AM on saturday, Dec 10th! The Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce and Arthritis Foundation are starting a new tradition starting at Lover’s Point Park, walking distance from the Pacific Grove Inn! Its a great fun and festive way to kick off the holidays with family, friends and co-workers! Get a head start on your holiday feasting and burn some calories, tie some jingle bells to your shoes, and help raise some funds to support the foundation!
15% Off Special at PGI for the Month of December
We are offering a special 15% off all reservations booked for the whole month of December! Take advantage of this special offer and book your reservations today by calling us directly at 831-375-2825 or visit us online at: www.pacificgroveinn.com
And remember, you can always add any of the following items onto your reservation at the time of booking: Tickets to the Monterey bay aquarium, Two-Hour Kayak Tour, Rounds of Golf for Pacific Grove Links, Special Occasion Cake or Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Whale Watching Tour
PGIF: Cocktails, Concerts, and Things That Go Bump in the Night
21 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Dining, Events, Monterey Area, PGIF Tags: carmel, earthbound farms, fetival, ghost, halloween, haunted, inn, italian, julia child, liszt, lisztomania, maze, monterey, monterey symphony, pacific grove, pink floyd, pumpkins, ringmaster, safari, salinas, show, tour
It’s almost that time of year again. For trick-or-treating, costumes, and things that go bump in the night. For turkey dinners, and early Christmas shopping, and an entire holiday season filled with the brightest of memories. In fact, it’s the right time for anything here in Pacific Grove, and the weekend lineup is as eclectic and far-reaching as the Monterey Peninsula itself. From fall feasts to festive frights, here’s our quick list of a few things you can do in Monterey this Friday to Sunday.
After Hours Too
“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook,” says Julia Child. And there is no dieting allowed in Monterey this weekend! There are several culinary options to choose from:
Third Annual Monterey Bay Restaurant Week, October 20-27
A whole week exclusively for Monterey Bay restaurants! Cuisine in Monterey is top of the line all year long, but this week you’ll get a chance to taste the very best of what the Peninsula has to offer through a selection of prix fixe menus at some of the area’s finest: Andre’s Bouchée Bistro, Carmel Food Company, 1833 Restaurant, and The Fish Hopper to name just a few (check out our Fish Hopper review!). Top chefs bring together the freshest local seafood and produce prepared a la Monterey just for you. Take a look at menus and make reservations at the Monterey Bay Restaurant Week website.
Monterey Tequila and Mezcal Expo, October 22, Portola Plaza Hotel & Spa, Monterey
If you want to know about spirits, there’s a whole expo dedicated to a couple of the world’s most popular. Find out everything you’ve always wanted to know about Tequila at the Tequila 101 presentation, then get some samples at a special tasting. There’s also a salsa dance performance, music, and a silent auction to benefit the Salinas Jaycees Children’s Shopping Tour for underprivileged children.
Salinas Valley Food & Wine, October 22, Salinas
More in Salinas! A collection of the best local food, wine, and friends, brought together on 200 block Main Street in Oldtown.
Halloween Fun
Here in Monterey, we believe Halloween should be safe and FUN! There’s no limit to activities for the whole family:
Haunted Mirror Maze, October 21-22; 28-31
Meander your way through Monterey Mirror Maze, weekends through the end of October. But watch out—it’s haunted! Try their Lazer Maze Challenge or throw on a pair of Kaleidoscope glasses for even more thrills. Check out the videos on their website!
October 22
Halloween/Ghost Tours, Point Sur Lightstation. Experience the lighthouses of Point Sur at sunset for some eerie entertainment—a unique Halloween tour with ghost stories, a ‘paranormal investigator,’ and refreshments. All you need is a sense of fun…and a little courage.
Howl-O-Ween Safari, Wild Things, Salinas. A great choice for younger children and anyone who prefers their Halloween a little more cuddly and a little less scary. Wild Things, a company that provides humanely trained animals for film, productions, and education, is opening up their ‘jungle’ for Howl-O-Ween flashlight tours with a Halloween show, costume contest, Nocturnal Safari, and Trick-or-Treating. Come meet the real creatures of the night!
Fun Fall Days continue this Saturday at Earthbound Farms in Carmel. A host of fun activities for everyone! Check out what they have going on year-round.
October 22-23
A few other fall-themed events you might want to stop by are the Monterey Bay FallFest Arts and Crafts Faire, Custom House Plaza, Monterey State Historic Park, and the Monterey Fall Home Show at Monterey County Fairgrounds, providing everything you need to build and furnish your home for the holidays.
*Mark your calendars now for October 29: the 95th Annual Carmel-By-the-Sea Birthday Celebration & Halloween Parade!
Sunset Spectaculars
There are so many things going on at the Sunset Center this weekend, it merited a special mention all of its own. Here’s something fun you can do every day this weekend:
Friday, October 21
With a name like Mangia del’ Arte, you know it has to be good. It’s an evening of cirque, dance, fine Italian food, and magic at Sunset Center’s Studio 105. Ringmaster Jeff Raz (star of over 500 performances for Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo) has teamed up with magician Calvin Kai Ku for breathtaking acrobatics and magic, while choreographer Tandy Beal directs the cornucopia of visual delights.
Saturday, October 22
Hey Teacher, leave us kids alone! No, it’s not a back-to-school classroom rebellion. It’s the Pink Floyd Concert Experience, what the San Francisco Chronicles calls, ‘One of the best Pink Floyd shows we’ve seen!’ Starring House of Floyd, this live recreation of a real Pink Floyd show is complete with laser lights and a mix of the hits, both old and new, including ‘The Wall’ and ‘Dark Side of the Moon.’ You might even hear some tunes you’ve never heard before!
Sunday, October 23
Lisztomania! Presented by the Monterey Symphony with conductor Max Bragado-Darman and pianist Zhengyu Chen. The best of the best.
Magic, memories, and a little mystery…there’s so much to do here this Halloween and beyond. So what are you afraid of? Come visit us! Here’s wishing you a season as colorful as the leaves outside your window, and a happy and safe Halloween. We hope you’ll stop by before the year is out! Our door is always open and our light is always on.
Fun. Fantastic. Fall.
13 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Dining, Events, Monterey Area, PGIF Tags: art, bay, chocolate, fall, family, festival, films, flavors, fun, history, marina, marina air faire, mazda raceway, monterey, monterey bay aquarium, pacific grove, porsche, screen, sea otter, sharks, swiss
Watermelon to pumpkin pie. Sandals to sweaters. Rolex Monterey Motorsports to Porsche Rennsport. As we fall deeper into a clear, crisp autumn, you might find yourself craving some fall fun. So whether you’re out for a nice steaming cup of hot chocolate, a hay ride round the pumpkin patch, or a seat right by the track, Monterey knows how to do each season in style. Here are a few highlights…
Big Dreams, Big Screen
If you love art, film, music, and celebrities all in one fantastic place, come to the Carmel Art & Film Festival, now to October 16. This week the dreamlike city by the sea is proud to host a ‘Kaleidoscope of Ideas,’ showcasing a variety of mediums in a display of extraordinary talent. Check out our blog post for more info!
Porsche Plus
There’s never a dull moment at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. This week the world-famous track will honor one of the most prized cars of our time, the Porsche, at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV, October 14-16. Fans will have the chance to meet 50 top Porsche drivers, get autographs, and see almost 1,000 Porsches on display. The reunion is only every three years, so you won’t want to miss it this time! Two bonuses: an exclusive viewing point usually off-limits to the public, and this year’s co-Grand Marshals Jerry Seinfeld, comedian and Porsche enthusiast extraordinaire, and legendary engineer Norbert Singer. Double bonus: If you’re looking for more Porsche action, stop by the Porsche Race Car Classic on October 16 at Carmel’s Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club.
Just for (Fall) Fun
Monterey has plenty going on for families!
Saturday, October 15
Fall Festival, The Farm in Salinas Valley,with hayrides, pumpkin races, a scarecrow contest, and a puppet show.
Fun Fall Days, Earthbound Organic Farm in Carmel, offering squash and seed tasting, cornhusk doll making, pumpkin poles, pumpkin carving demonstrations, games, and crafts.
Sunday, October 16
Fiesta del Mar, Monterey Bay Aquarium.
It’s ocean conservation and a cultural celebration in one for this fun annual event. Live music, Aztec Dancers, crafts, bilingual feeding shows, and all the marvels of the Monterey Bay Aquarium—plus a brand new Great White Shark exhibit. This little guy looks pretty happy in his new home.…you might even see him smile.
Grateful Life Festival, Monterey County Fairgrounds. Open-air concert with Cedar-N-Sage and Cecil Allen (Clay).
Eat, Drink, and Be Marina
Here’s a great chance to sink into coastal life and get to know our neighbor, the city of Marina. You’re invited to ‘Fall into Flavors’ at the 7th Annual International Flavors of Marina on October 13. Sample over 20 of the best local wineries and eateries, and a little bit of life on the bay at The Dunes on Monterey Bay, a new Catalyst Project community planned for completion by 2020. The new development is across from Fort Ord Dunes State Park, the area’s newest park, and will focus on sustainability and community growth. It’s set to have a regional light rail, biking and hiking trails, shopping, and new affordable housing by Pulte Homes and Shea Homes. Enjoy the local flavors and maybe even find your own dream house by the sea.
‘Fast Planes and Hot Cars…’ That’s what the Marina Air Faire is all about this Saturday, October 15. The annual fair gives you nonstop great times from 10am to 4pm: Wine Tasting from Hahn Estates, Scheid Vineyards, and more, an art show and sale, classic car show, aircraft display, silent auction, Community Chili Challenge, even plane rides. And the profits will go to local charity.
Swiss Miss Bliss
Chocolate tastes better on the bay. On the Hot Chocolate Sunset Cruise with Elkhorn Slough Safari, you can enjoy a brilliant coastal sunset while warming up with some hot cocoa in Elkhorn Slough, one of the best viewing places for local wildlife. This is a special tour available only in the fall! Elkhorn Slough Safari is also setting out on a Sea Otter Focus Tour Sunday, October 16, where you can talk with experts and spend quality time with this amazing (endangered) species.
Deep Blue Sea…
Closer to home, there will be a lecture here at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History: ‘Green Seas, Blue Seas—Conveying Science, Conservation and History through Public Art,’ with Frank Schwing, Senior Policy Analyst with the National Oceans Council.
The weekend is almost here! From race cars to art and film, there is a Kaleidoscope of Ideas to choose from. And a trip to Monterey might be the best idea yet.
Latest Review of Pacific Grove Inn
12 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Pacific Grove Inn Tags: bed and breakfast, home, hotel, inn, jen, mom reviews, pacific grove
We are always glad to make new friends! The latest review of our B&B is by Jen of The Mom Reviews, and she had some lovely things to say about her stay. Here’s a quick clip…
Living on the central coast, there are many wonderful places to stay. About an hour south of home, you can be in the seaside town of Pacific Grove where the accommodations move from hotels/resorts to quaint bed and breakfast cottages and boutique-style hotels that make you feel like you are home yet away from home. Recently, we stayed at the Pacific Grove Inn, a combination boutique hotel with the intimacy of a bed and breakfast. [Read more…]
To read the whole review, click here. Many thanks again to Jen for visiting us!
And now for our feature presentation…
12 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Films, PGIF Tags: butterfly circus, carmel, clint eastwood, festival, films, parties
Where do films go before they become famous? Who sees them first?
You do, at the Carmel Art & Film Festival, October 12-16, Sunset Community and Cultural Arts Center in Carmel. The place in Monterey where movies come to get famous, last year’s awards showcased short films ‘Louder Than a Bomb,’ later bought by Oprah Winfrey’s TV network OWN, and ‘The Butterfly Circus,’ rumored to be on its way to full-length filmdom. (Click here to watch ‘The Butterfly Circus’ on Vimeo)
The festival will welcome a host of artistic talent, sights, sounds, and special guests, among them James Franco for the Stateside premiere of his film ‘SAL,’ and of course, the man himself: Clint Eastwood, who will also be presenting the famed Clint Eastwood Filmmakers Award.
Multiple screenings, lectures, and parties with take place at venues all around the Sunset Center, including All Saints Theater, Carmel Youth Center Theaters, and Carmel Beach (let’s hope for good weather!). Some of this year’s features include ‘J. Edgar,’ directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, and Armie Hammer; ‘Something Ventured,’ by Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller; and ‘Losing Control,’ by Valerie Weiss. A full catalog of movie trailers is available on the festival’s website.
When you’re not screening an up-and-coming blockbuster, join industry professionals for ‘Conversations and Encounters’ on a variety of subjects: Amy Powell of Paramount Pictures, Twitter co-creator Dom Sagolla, Emmy award-winning composer John Winegless, celebrity photographer Michael Childers, top comedy writers Fred Wolf and Adam McKay, and Peter Bart, former film journalist and VP of Production at Paramount Pictures in the era of some of the most unforgettable movies ever made.
And what would a film be without music? Find out all about the ins and outs of the perfect soundtrack at the Composer’s Event with film composers Alan Silvestri, David Newman, and Mark Mancina. Then stop by the Carmel Art and Film Festival’s Music Café for artists Raquel Rodriguez, Dane Edmondson, and Morgan Fisher.
You can find out more information from the festival’s website (carmelartandfilm.com) or on their Facebook page. Don’t forget to stop by and ‘Like’ our page while you’re there!
PGIF: October Fests and Columbus Day Weekend
06 Oct 2011 1 Comment
in Events, Monterey Area, Music, PGIF Tags: art, band, bob weir, carmel, columbus day, fest, fridays, further, grateful dead, history, jade festival, monterey, music, october, pacific grove, pacific valley, phil lesh, photo, safari, ship, society, weekend, wine, winery
October. A time for pumpkins, festivals, Fleet Week, theater, beer, and celebrating the fall, our nation…and especially California. Here’s our quick list of just a few ways you can enjoy Columbus Day weekend 2011:
Further Back
It was around this time many years ago that Monterey housed the debates that have led California to where we are today: Statehood. Now you can see how it all began at the Monterey History Fest this weekend, October 8–9, at the Custom House Plaza and other venues around Monterey. It’s a fun way to dig deep into the richness of Monterey’s heritage, with historical reenactments, musket and cannon firing demonstrations, a Native American puppet show children will love, and Civil War encampments—plus a military camp of the California Historical Artillery Society, the largest mounted artillery group in the US. There will also be a special commemoration of the 162nd Anniversary of California’s Constitution Day, scripted from actual state records. Come be a part of history!
Further On
Grateful Dead founding members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir are coming to the area with their band ‘Further,’ on tour now. And Monterey is throwing a festival just for them! The Further Festival at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, October 7–8, will feature an outstanding lineup of musicians, including Jeff Chimenti, John Kadlecik, Joe Russo, Sunshine Becker, and Jeff Pehrson, as Further lights up the Peninsula with their signature jams and stellar style.
Pure Jade
The 20th Annual Big Sur Jade Festival kicks off this Friday, October 7–9, at the Pacific Valley School across Highway 1 in Big Sur. Peruse long tables covered with the precious stone and enjoy live music, good food, and lectures and demonstrations including how to carve a jade bangle. One of the world’s largest shows of its kind, the three-day event is perfect for craft-makers, collectors, hobbyists…just about anyone.
Photo by Digital Sophia
Footloose and Fancy Fare
If you’re in the mood for something sweet and savory with a little ’80s panache, try a Taste of Carmel, one of the top wine and dine events in the area, Thursday, October 6, at the historic Carmel Mission. Sample a variety of flavors from some of the best local restaurants and wineries—Cantinetta Luca, Merlot Bistro, Lula’s Chocolates, Morgan Winery, and Chateau Julien, to name just a few. You’re also invited to wear your ’80s best for this year’s theme, ‘Footloose and Fancy Fare,’ with a DJ and dance party.
Mini Mention
They may be small, but they are mighty: miniature ships at the Society of Miniature Ship Collectors Meeting, Northern California chapter, October 8 at the Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey. Hundreds of models will be displayed, drawing exhibitors and visitors from all over the world. You might even see some Naval ships passing through the area, part of San Francisco’s Fleet Week.
Weekend Shorts
There are too many events to list this weekend! Here are a few more you might enjoy:
October 7
First Fridays Art Walk, downtown Salinas. A great way to observe California Arts Day!
Robinson Jeffers Fall Festival, Robinson Jeffers Tor House, Carmel. The festival runs Friday to Sunday with poetry readings, lectures, and an Annual Jeffers Poetry Walk on Carmel River Beach.
October 8
Beerfest at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, Cannery Row, Monterey. Beer and live music, Octoberfest style.
Photo Safari, Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing. Beginner to advanced photographer, anyone can join this fun cruise through some of the most beautiful scenery in the area, taking photos of the wildlife and making memories for a lifetime.
October 9
First Annual Monterey Beer Garden, Memory Gardens, downtown Monterey. Hosted by Peter B’s Brewpub of the Portola Hotel & Spa, the evening offers over a dozen brews, BBQ, and some great fall fun.
October 7-9
Romeo & Juliet, Outdoor Forest Theater, Carmel. A classic, right here in Monterey.
There’s no wrong way to celebrate Columbus Day weekend. We hope you celebrate with us!
Still want to win a free night in Monterey?
03 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Pacific Grove Inn Tags: contest, free, monterey, night, pacific grove inn, twitter
We are so happy to have made so many new friends during our Facebook Win-A-Free-Night contest in September. If you missed it, you can still win a free night at PGI on Twitter!!
The rules are simple. First, follow @PacificGroveInn on Twitter, then retweet any of our tweets that have the #pacificgroveinn hashtag on them. Remember, you have to be a follower, and the tweet you RT should have the hashtag on it. (If you RT one of our tweets without it, it can still count as long as you add the hashtag to it.)
The contest will go until Wednesday, October 26. We’ll hold our random drawing and the winner will be announced the following Friday, October 28, at 12:00 noon.
Good luck to everyone and looking forward to meeting new friends on Twitter this month!
PGIF: Of Butterflies and Bazaars
29 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Events, Monterey Area, Pacific Grove Inn, PGIF Tags: bazaar, butterfly parade, historic, pacific grove, tour, victorian
It’s one of the highlights of the season this weekend: Pacific Grove’s annual Butterfly Parade and Bazaar, and the Historic Homes Tour. Thousands of locals and visitors flock to Lighthouse Avenue and beyond to celebrate the future and embrace the past. Here’s a look at some of the most fun things to do in Monterey this weekend as September flutters away into a brilliant October.
Butterflies in the City
Known as ‘Butterfly Town, USA,’ each year Pacific Grove welcomes the ‘king’ of butterflies, the Monarch, to its coastal havens and mild winters. This October marks more than 70 years of a well-loved community tradition, with the colorful Butterfly Parade and Bazaar, Saturday, October 1. Children dress up as butterflies, otters, pioneers, and more, parading through the streets of Pacific Grove to Robert Down Elementary School for the festive Butterfly Bazaar, with carnival games, a raffle, and a bake sale. Don’t miss the celebration! And watch out for ‘Butterfly Crossing’ signs.
Step into the Past
Another date to put on your calendar this coming weekend is the 42nd Annual Historic Home Tour, Sunday, October 2. It’s your chance to ask questions, look inside, and discover all the Victorian charm of Pacific Grove’s historic buildings, bed & breakfasts, churches, and houses. We hope you stop by and see us!
Celebrating Our Heritage
Both of these fun community events are part of the Pacific Grove Chautauqua Days, Friday to Sunday, a tradition begun at Pacific Grove’s birth in the late 1800s and continued today throughout the city—at Chautauqua Hall, the public library, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, local schools, and more. The focus is on all that makes our city great, from its people to its products, who we are to what we do. To list just a few of the things you can do this weekend, there is a Monterey County Artist studio tour at Pacific Grove Art Center on September 30, as well as a dance jam at Chautauqua Hall; a lecture, ‘Your Inner Butterfly: The Power of Words to Change Our World,’ and ‘The Itty Bitty Variety Show’ at the Pacific Grove Public Library on October 1; and a historic walking tour downtown on October 2. Check out the Pacific Grove Official Visitors Guide for more info.
Born to Be Wild
If you own a Harley, there’s definitely one place you need to be this weekend: the 2011 California State H.O.G. Rally at the Monterey County Fairgrounds and Monterey County Harley-Davidson dealership, now to October 1. A special occasion just for HOGS (Harley Owners Group members), the rally kicks off with an opening ceremony and continues through Saturday with scenic rides all over the peninsula (including Hollister, Big Sur, Carmel, and Santa Cruz), finishing up with a homestyle BBQ chicken and tri-tip dinner before closing ceremonies. Come take a ride through the place where it all began.
Art
Whether in the adobes or on the wharf, wherever you go in Monterey you will find creative minds of every kind. This fall is the first ever Art in the Adobes in Old Monterey, September 30 to October 2. A combination of rarely-seen early California art and Monterey’s classic adobes and fairy-tale gardens, you won’t want to miss a tour of these ‘Hidden Treasures from Old Monterey,’ the theme for this year’s kickoff. Venues include the beautiful Cooper-Molera adobe, the Monterey Museum of Art, and the Stevenson House, where Robert Louis Stevenson once stayed as Monterey inspired one of his greatest works, Treasure Island. There’s also fun for kids at the Monterey Museum of Art’s family activities day, October 1 at Elkins Park. Learn how to make some favorite Victorian crafts such as leaf rubbings, treasure boxes, and designs made from seeds and dried beans.
Another gathering for art-lovers is Art on the Wharf on Old Fisherman’s Wharf, October 1. The Wharf will showcase a full range of artistic abilities—painting, music, pottery, photography, performing arts, chalk art—and show visitors and aspiring young artists that anything, even beach debris, can become a masterpiece with a creative outlook and a splash of inspiration.
Strolling downtown in a vibrant Butterfly Parade, touring historic avenues, uncovering hidden treasures—come join us in celebrating our roots as a community while appreciating all that makes us proud to live in Monterey, and especially Pacific Grove. We would love to welcome you to our beautiful city!
