It’s Big Week in Salinas — and the whole county is feeling it. The California Rodeo kicks off this weekend with the Big Hat Barbecue on Friday night and the beloved Kiddie Kapers Parade on Sunday afternoon. Beyond Big Week, there’s farm fun in Watsonville, condor tracking in Big Sur, a Hawaiian luau pool party in Santa Cruz, and storytimes and art all weekend long. Here’s what we’re pointing families toward this week.
Nothing beats a good story — especially when it comes with songs, rhymes, and a room full of other little ones to wiggle along with. Monterey County is lucky to have five different library systems, each running its own storytime programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Mark your calendars: the Monterey Bay Parent Back to School Expo returns Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Del Monte Center in Monterey — and booth registration is open now.
JULY 6 IS THE LAST DAY! Monterey County families have a great opportunity this summer: a free pass to more than 30 state historic parks,...
Celebrating America’s 250th? Bookshop Santa Cruz curated two classic reading lists — here are the Steinbeck, Salinas, and California-rooted picks Monterey County families should know.
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