Local News

Summer 2025 Fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Summer is the perfect time to soak up the sun, enjoy classic seaside fun, and experience special events at the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk....

Monterey County’s 4th of July Events

Here are the verified events for Monterey and Santa Cruz County 4th of July events for 2025. July 4 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Boulder Creek:...

Monterey County Commission on the Status of Women Survey

The Monterey County Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) wants to hear from you. The commission members are gathering information to better understand what...

U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta Announces High School Art Contest

Since 1982, the United States House of Representatives has hosted the Congressional Art Competition to celebrate the creativity of high school students across the country....

Middlebury Students Looking for Rooms to Rent in Monterey

Have a room to rent?  The students at Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey are struggling to find affordable rentals in Monterey. Middlebury students...

Gift Card Winners from Summer Fun and Camp Expo

The following people who filled out passports and entered were chosen randomly as winners of gift cards: Judy Cutting: $25 California Pizza Kitchen Ellie Graves:...

Small Steps, Big Impact: Teaching Kids to Care for the Earth

Earth Day is a poignant reminder to honor the environment that sustains us every day. “Caring about sustainability isn’t just good for the planet; it’s...

Five Must-Do April Events for Monterey County Families

A special picnic for magic children and their families, EV's in Salinas, and three events celebrating nature. Here are our five "must-do" events for April....

10 Spots to Work Remotely on the Monterey Peninsula

Whether you’re a remote employee, visiting digital nomad, or work-from-home parent needed a little extra-quiet time, Monterey has some great choices for your office away...

Family Day at the Sea Otter Classic

The Sea Otter Classic Foundation (SOCF) is shifting into gear this spring with its Bike Skills School Assembly Program and the return of the Life...

68th Annual Cutting Day and Horticulture Faire in Monterey

The City of Monterey’s Parks and Recreation Department will host the 68th Annual Cutting Day and Horticulture Fair, Saturday, March 15, from 9:00 a.m. to...

Monterey County Libraries: Five Things To Do This Month

Happy March! Spring is in the air, and it may be a great time to visit your library for gardening books and more…  In March...

The Western Flyer is Setting Sail From Monterey

Eighty-five years ago, the Western Flyer set sail for the Gulf of California with what the Monterey Peninsula Herald described as “perhaps the strangest crew ever signed aboard a...

Our Top March Events for Monterey Families

Here are nine fun events your family might enjoy during March 2025 through Monterey County. MARCH 6-9 13TH ANNUAL WATSONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL The Watsonville Film...

Monterey Recreation Summer Camps: A Summer of Fun and Learning

PARTNER CONTENT Summer is a time for adventure, exploration, and unforgettable memories, and the City of Monterey’s Parks and Recreation Department offers an array of...

Monterey County Camp Information

As the premier print and digital resource for families in Monterey County, Monterey Bay Parent is your go-to destination for comprehensive and up-to-date summer camp...

Congressman Panetta Announces Town Hall

Congressman Jimmy Panetta has announced a town hall for February 10 at 5:30 pm. The telephone event is to inform constituents about the work being...

Contact Information for Monterey and Santa Cruz County Senators and Representatives

Staying informed is crucial for active civic engagement. Below is a list of key officials representing Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, along with their contact...

Monterey Bay Parent Family Favorites for 2025 Announced

The votes have been cast and our readers have chosen their favorites for 2025. Congratulations to all of the finalists and especially to this year’s...

Resources for Supporting Southern California Wildfire Victims

 How to Support Victims of the Los Angeles Fires from Monterey Bay  While it’s heartbreaking to see communities in Los Angeles devastated by wildfires, there...

Where to Find the Best Pizza in Monterey County 

We asked members of the Monterey Bay Parents Facebook Group where we could find the best pizza on the Monterey Peninsula. Here are their top...

Monterey and Santa Cruz County Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations

As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20, 2025, the Monterey Bay area offers several family-friendly events to honor Dr. King's enduring...

How to Support Those Impacted by the Wildfires

Whether you’re directly impacted or supporting loved ones, here are some ways to navigate this difficult time with compassion and care. Check in on loved...

Monterey PONY Baseball Spring 2025 Registration Open

Monterey PONY Baseball / Softball, Inc. is a registered non-profit organization with the State of California affiliated with the National PONY Baseball/Softball program serving the...

Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade in Monterey

The Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club presents Brighten the Harbor, a lighted boat parade sponsored by the Fisherman's Wharf Association on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 5:30...

Veterans Day Events for Monterey County

The people of Monterey County honor the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our veterans with several events across the community. This year's Veterans Day events...

Monterey Bay Parent Family Favorites 2024

With almost nine thousand votes cast, our readers have chosen their favorites for 2024. Congratulations to all of the finalists and especially to this year’s...

This Month’s Recommended Events for Your Monterey County Family

Our recommended things to do in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties for November. For winter holiday events including scheduled tree lightings, check this article. November...

Monterey Bay Parent Receives Nine Awards at Parenting Media Association Annual Conference

Monterey Bay Parent publisher Andrea Breznay represented the writers, copy editor, designer, and photographer at the Parenting Media Associations annual conference in Chicago where the...

Three Places to See Fall Color in Monterey County 

Ahhhh, October! The Monterey Peninsula experiences cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. And, while we generally think of the east coast when we think about fall...

Who is Haunting Monterey?

My daughter and I have been reading Shadow School, a thrilling book about an 11-year-old navigating a haunted school and helping the restless spirits. This...

A Complete Guide to a Fun Family Day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iiryxzWx_KM The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the most famous attractions in Monterey County. Known for its commitment to ocean conservation, the Aquarium features...

Discover the California Adventure Pass: Free Access to State Parks in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties

Looking for a fun, educational, and free way to explore the beauty of California with your family? The California Adventure Pass is your ticket! This pass grants...

Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium for Free in October

The Monterey Bay Aquarium wants to help thank the residents of Monterey County with free admission tickets for October. This October marks the Aquarium’s 40th...

Monterey Bay Parent Announces 2025 Cover Kids

The 2025 Cover Kids contest is over! Here are the adorable kiddos who will appear on covers during 2025. As always every entry could have...

Free Autumn Explorers Camp in Monterey Open to Grades 4, Just $80 for 3rd and 5th Graders

Students in grades 3-5 are invited to attend Autumn Explorers day cap at Monterey State Historic Park. This unique autumn program will have campers exploring...

This Month’s Best Monterey County Library Events

We are lucky to have amazing libraries in Monterey County. They offer a variety of free events that are perfect for family fun. Here are...

Monterey Bay Parent Print Advertising

PRINT ADVERTISING: Our monthly print issue is distributed throughout Monterey County and in selected areas of Santa Cruz County. We also distribute the digital issue...

The Best Three Places in Salinas to Have Breakfast with Children

Salinas offers multiple family-friendly dining options. Breakfast is the perfect time to enjoy a meal together as a family since it's usually a more casual...

Kaiser Permanente To Offer Healthcare in Monterey County

Kaiser Permanente will increase community health care access in northern Monterey County by offering its high-quality, integrated coverage beginning in 2025. Responding to demand in...

Monterey Bay Parent Cover Kids Opens

Would you like to see your cute kid on our cover? We choose our Cover Kids for the coming year from entries into our once-yearly...

Nine Can’t-Miss August Events in Monterey and Santa Cruz County

Here are nine can’t miss family events for August in Monterey County and Santa Cruz County.

English Ales Brewery in Marina is a Must-Visit Destination

The staff of English Ales Brewery in Marina does its best to make visitors feel like locals. Incredibly, the large bar feels relaxing despite the...

Beat the Monterey County Heat This Summer

There are plenty of ways to beat the heat this summer in Monterey County. Here are our top ten.

Chevron Soccer Academy Returns to Salinas 

Chevron, in partnership with Alianza de Futbol and the San Jose Earthquakes will be offering a free clinic and tryout in Salinas. Local youth will...

Carmel Valley Village Date Night Suggestions

Locals and visitors alike will enjoy an evening in Carmel Valley Village and two not-to-be-missed destinations are The Village Wine & Taproom and Roux Carmel. Together, they make a special date night.

Get Noticed With Our Back to School Bash Postcard

Your business or organization will stand out with this unique opportunity! Our August issue will have a 6 x 11" postcard inserted into the center of...

The Back to School Bash is Coming to Monterey on August 10

It's almost time for the annual Back to School Bash at Del Monte Center in Monterey. This year's event promises to be the best yet...

The 4th of July in Monterey

The City of Monterey, Old Monterey Business Association, and Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation will host a full day of family fun events for the whole...

Introducing Ethan

Meeting Ethan Echavarria you wouldn’t guess that he was a micropreemie born at 26 weeks and weighing a little over two pounds. At five years...

Youth Arts Collective

Executive Director Jesse Juarez began his journey with the Youth Arts Collective (commonly known as YAC) over 20 years ago when he was a college...

An Afternoon Date for Poke and Crafts in Monterey

Our date night columnist enjoys an afternoon of poke and crafting in downtown Monterey.

Monterey County School Boards Association Honors Special Kids Connect with “Excellence in Education” Award

The Monterey County School Boards Association (MCSBA) will honor Special Kids Connect, an organization that serves families with loved ones that have disabilities, with the “Excellence in Education” award.

Night at the Ranch(o)

Enjoying a night out at Rancho Cielo: a fine dining experience made and served by students at their academy.

Monterey County & Santa Cruz County Earth Day Celebrations

Earth Day 2024 is on on April 22nd each year. To learn more about the origins of Earth Day and activities for your family, check earthday.org.

Celebrating Monterey County’s Notable Women

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating three women who are making an impact in Monterey County. Denise Green chats with Monica Anza, Tina Nieto, and Wendy Root Askew.

Date Night: Downtown Monterey

It’s tough to get out. Planning, caregivers, costs, coordinating rides – it’s exhausting atop a typical work week. But parents need couple time, too. Our Date Night blogger finds three great downtown Monterey options.

Take the Harbor Water Taxi

Looking for a free outing in Santa Cruz? Take the kids for a ride on the inner-harbor water taxi.

Monterey and Santa Cruz County Libraries

Special Monterey-Area Camps for Awesome Kids

Two Monterey-area camps for children with disabilities offer kids
a summer of fun.

Flooding? What to Know About Returning to Your Home

As residents are allowed to return to their homes, caution is advised. Residents are advised that if a yellow or red placard was placed on a structure on your parcel, to call the Housing and Community Development Dept of Monterey: (831)755-5025.

Dance Like Everyone is Watching

Introducing Tes & Paige: two Monterey Bay area students working towards professional careers in dance.

No Place to Go: Homeless Students in Monterey County

As of 2022, a reported ten thousand students lacking secure housing live in Monterey County– a number expected to increase as the economy softens.

Welcome to The Sandbox–Where Monterey Teachers Go To Play

Inside you’ll find colorful stacks of supplies chosen specifically for the STEM and STEAM activities Mary loves. You’ve entered “The Sandbox,” where area teachers are welcome to take whatever they need for their classrooms at no cost.

Yearly Events You’ll Want to Plan to Attend

Each year there are a variety of fun, family-friendly events happening throughout the area. Here are our favorites from the annual events planned for 2022-23.

Five Monterey County Women You Should Know

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re introducing you to five Monterey County women you should know.

California Dreaming: The Fight Over DACA

“Dreamers,” the name given to recipients of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) live all around us in Monterey County. Learn about the program and meet local recipients.

Tips on Coping with Wildfire Smoke

With wildfires throughout the Monterey Bay area, our air quality is now unhealthy to hazardous depending on the area you are in. There are some things you can do to help minimize the impact.

I joined the BLM protest at Colton Hall

I participated in a peaceful protest for the BLM movement today. If that upsets you, I hope you listen to what I have to say.

Breaking Through the Brass Ceiling: The Women Police Chiefs of Monterey County

The fact that a woman heads three of our twelve city police departments is highly unusual. Meet Adele Frese, Cathy Madalone, and Tina Nieto–the women police chiefs of Monterey County.

Questions about the Flu or Flu Shot?

Join Monterey Bay Parent Magazine and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula for a free Facebook question and answer session. Martha L. Blum, MD, Ph.D. will be answering your questions about the flu shot, flu prevention, and treatment.