Festivals, museums, guided hikes & more! What to do in your new home town.
In addition to an abundance of outdoor activities like hiking, sailing, and tidepooling, you’ll find many family-friendly events on the central coast year-round. Here are some ideas for events and activities that are free.
On the following page you’ll find a list of yearly events to help you plan for the future.
Park District Events: Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District’s semi-annual “Let’s Go Outdoors! Your Adventure Activities Guide for All Ages” is a helpful local resource. The publication provides outdoor activities in parks, natural preserves, and open spaces. These events include guided hikes and tours by volunteer naturalists, children’s workshops, seminars, and explorations. One noteworthy example is a family field trip to Live Earth’s 150-acre organic farm to learn about agriculture and gardening skills, nutrition, and play with farm animals. The Garland Park Visitor Center, the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club, and the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy Club are local programs that are included. Registration is required, but all programs are free.
- INFO AT MPRPD.SPECIALDISTRICT.ORG
MST Trolley: If your child loves trains, planes, and automobiles, board the MST Trolley for a free ride through downtown Monterey and Cannery Row. From 10:00 am-6:00 pm, seven days a week from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, families can hop on and off its various stops or ride the trolley as an adventure. Pack snacks or lunch and enjoy a family picnic at San Carlos or McAbee Beach.
Train enthusiasts will enjoy the free Railroad Museum in Salinas. Their monthly open house is from 10 am and 4 pm on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month.
- INFO AT MSVRR.ORG
Free Junior Golf in Pebble Beach: Juniors and children learning to golf can play the Tiger Woods designed Hay in Pebble Beach for free (12 years and under). Accompanying adults pay $65 Mon.-Thur. and $75 Fri.-Sun. A round on a world-class golf course with ocean views is an excellent way for a young athlete to learn the game.
- INFO AT PEBBLEBEACH.COM/GOLF/THE-HAY/
Library Fun: From story times to homework help, community clubs, and workshops, our libraries are central to our communities. Monterey County Free Libraries have branches throughout the county. The City of Monterey Library is in downtown Monterey and Pacific Grove Public Library is on
Natural History Museums: For budding naturalists, scientists, and zoologists, free admission days (or specified hours) are a great opportunity to feed their curiosity. The Pacific Grove Natural History Museum’s Science Saturdays allow patrons to attend free from 10:00 am-3:00 pm on the last Saturday of every month during the school year. In Santa Cruz, the Museum of Natural History has monthly celebrations in conjunction with First Friday; there is free admission in the museum 10:00 am-5:00 pm, and then there are special outdoor activities 5:00 pm -8:00 pm with Santa Cruz’s First Friday events. The Monterey Museum of Art has free admission and access on First Fridays from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, including art and live music.
- INFO AT PGMUSEUM.ORG
- SANTACRUZMUSEUM.ORG
First Friday: Pacific Grove, Sand City, and Santa Cruz all host interactive First Friday celebrations featuring local artists, musicians, and food vendors. Santa Cruz galleries, shops, and cultural venues have extended hours to showcase their thriving art scene. Sand City’s “Night Market 831” popularity has grown to include interactive art activities and events that are family-friendly, food vendors, musicians, and drinks. Pacific Grove’s First Friday includes musicians, restaurant specials, art openings, and admission into the Natural History Museum.
City Recreation Departments: Monterey, Salinas, Pacific Grove, Seaside, and Santa Cruz all have active recreation departments offering special events in addition to classes, camps, and lessons. Check the respective websites for special event information.
- INFO AT MONTEREY.ORG