Monterey Bay Parent

Make and Take Crafts at MY Museum
2026-07-24 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-07-31 10:15 - 10:45 UTC | MY Museum, Washington Street, Monterey, 93940
Get crafty every Friday morning!
Art making plays a central role in cognitive, motor, language and social-emotional development. Every Friday, MY Museum will host a craft expert to guide kids and caregivers in a fun, hands-on project. Families will enjoy creative exploration and make something fun to take home, too. Leave the mess to us and be prepared to let your creativity go crazy!
WHEN: Every Friday from 10:15-10:45 am
FEE: Free for MY Museum members /Included with Daily Admission for non-members

Storytime in Monterey
2026-07-24 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-07-31 10:15 - 10:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Join friendly library staff for story time. Meet in the Library’s Community Room for a 30-minute story time and stay and play. All are welcome especially ages 2-5. No registration required.

Junior Rangers in Santa Cruz
2026-07-24 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-31 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Open to ages 7-12. Meet at visitor’s center for programs unless noted.

6/19: Farm Animals and Ranch Life
6/26: Beach Explorers: Meet in parking lot for walk to beach
7/10: Nature Explorers
7/17: Bug Explorers
7/24: Bird Watching
7/31: Nature Art

Vehicle day use is $10 which supports parks. Rain cancels. For more info email wilderranch@ports-ca.us or call 669-758-1963.

Old Fashioned Campfires in Santa Cruz
2026-07-24 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Free event with live music, tortilla making, songs, skits, and more. Bring: a picnic dinner, lawn chair or blanket, tortilla toppings. 5:30-6:45 PM: dinner, tortilla making and live music. 6:45-8:00 PM: Camp songs, skits, and stories around the fire for all ages. Also held on July 24 and August 21.

MPUSD Preschool Tours
2026-07-25 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Seaside Child Development Center, 1450 Elm Avenue, Seaside, 93955, United States
Preschool tours at Seaside Child Development Center, DLAMP Preschool, and Monterey Child Development Center.

Seaside Child Development Center: June 27 and 25 at 9:30 and 10:30 AM. 1450 Elm Street, Seaside.
DLAMP Preschool: June 27 and July 25 at 9:30, 10:30 AM. 1650 Sonoma Avenue, Seaside
Monterey Child Development Center: June 27 and July 25 at 2:00 PM. 251 Soledad Drive in Monterey
Check preschool.mpusd.net for info.

Rainbow Playgroup
2026-07-25 10:30 - 12:00 UTC | Scott County Park, 3101 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 95076, United States
A monthly bilingual playgroup for LGBTQIA+ families and allies. Open to children 10 years and younger and their families. Siblings welcome. Held the 4th Saturday of every month. Registration required by text at 831-288-3105.

MPUSD Preschool Tours
2026-07-25 12:00 - 2026-08-24 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | DLAMP Preschool, 1650 Sonoma Avenue, Seaside, 93955, United States

MPUSD Preschool Tours
2026-07-25 12:00 - 2026-08-26 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Monterey Child Development Center, 251 Soledad Drive, Monterey, 93940, United States

Mindfulness Tour at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve
2026-07-25 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Elkhorn Slough Safari, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road Watsonville, CA 95076
Treat yourself to an outer and inner exploration. Join Renata Funke, a Reserve Docent, on a two-hour walk at the Reserve. #tours

Mindfulness Tour
Date and Time: Every 4th Saturday, 2-4 pm
Location: Hosted in-person at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
Details: Treat yourself to an outer and inner exploration as you join Renata Funke, a Reserve Docent, in a two-hour walk through an area she has been enjoying for thirty years. Participants are invited to open up their senses as we walk around the slough. Experience the different habitats and their varying cycles in this amazing place which many species call home – and possibly gain a new sense of home-coming yourself. The tour is 2 hours and covers about 2 miles of easy-moderate grade trail.
FREE! NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Attendees do not need to reserve a space ahead of time, just check in at the Reserve’s Visitor Center 5-10 minutes before the tour start time of 2pm! The tour is filled on a first come, first serve basis until capacity is reached. If the tour is full when you arrive, our staff can share with you alternative trails to enjoy.
COVID POLICY: At this moment, masks are not required on outdoor events and tours. We do ask folks to keep physical distance in mind on the trails, and space has been limited to ensure ample room. If you or someone you’ve been in close contact with has been exposed to COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19 OR shows symptoms of a cold, like fever, runny nose, cough, or nausea, please do not attend the event.

Night Hikes in Carmel Valley
2026-07-25 19:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Palo Corona Discovery Center, Carmel Valley Road, City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, 93923
Learn to quietly prowl the woodlands and meadows in search of owls, bats, and other predators. Event begins at sunset. Check website for exact start time. Also held July 25, August 29, and Sept. 26. https://www.mprpd.org/let-s-go-outdoors

BMX Racing - Manzanita Park BMX
2026-07-26 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-08-02 10:00 - 12:30 UTC | CA
We are a sanctioned track by the American Bicycle Association (USABMX). Our track is designed to be manuevered by all skill level riders. There is no age requirement in BMX, as long as you can ride on two wheels, you’re good to go!
Don’t have a bike? We can help! We offer loaner bikes & helmets on a first come, first serve basis.
Little tikes on little bikes? Strider racing also available!
First time out is FREE!
Check us out on Facebook and IG

Dial A Story: New story released
2026-07-27, 2026-08-03 | Virtual
Each Monday a new story is released from Monterey County Free Libraries. Parents can dial-a-story for kids and get a break! Stories are available free of charge 24/7.

Storytime at Earthbound Farm Stand
2026-07-27 10:30 - 11:00 UTC | CA
It’s a new day for storytime in the pavilion at Earthbound Farm Stand. Each Monday at 10:30 am and at 11:00 am.

Postpartum Wellness Group
2026-07-28 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Buena Vista Branch Library, 18250 Tara Drive, Salinas, 93908, United States
The Birth Network of Monterey County presents a free community postpartum group in Salinas on the 4th Tuesday of every month.

Storytime in Gonzales
2026-07-29 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | CA
Come for story time on Wednesday afternoons with stories, song, and fun. If you need a Spanish language interpreter, please call ahead to 831-386-6872.

Reading Buddies in Monterey
2026-07-29 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Teen buddies will read to their little buddy from ages 5-8. Sign up in the children’s area for a 25-minute one-on-one reading time. Every Wednesday.

STEAM Thursday
2026-07-30 10:15 - 10:45 UTC | MY Museum, Washington Street, Monterey, 93940
Join us on Thursday mornings from 10:15-10:45 for a new STEAM project every week! Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics are crucial for developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and creativity.
WHEN: Every Thursday from 10:15-10:45 am
FEE: Free for MY Museum members /Included with Daily Admission for non-members

Seaside Farmers' Market
2026-07-30 15:00 - 19:00 UTC | CA
Everyone’s Harvest in partnership with the City of Seaside operates the Seaside Certified Farmers’ Market at Laguna Grande Park weekly on Thursdays from 3-7pm. We are truly excited for this opportunity to serve the Seaside community weekly with local sustainable produce, local food vendors and artisans, entertainment, and much more. Please see their website, www.everyonesharvest.org for more details. You can also send questions by emailing info@everyonesharvest.org.

Storytime Jamboree
2026-07-30 16:00 - 16:30 UTC | John Steinbeck Library, 350 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, 93901, United States
Bring your family to Storytime Jamboree at the John Steinbeck Library! We’ll read, sing, and dance together as we put the focus on fun and set the silly to 11. For ages 0-7, and older children are welcome to participate. For more information contact Joe at Josephr@ci.salinas.ca.us

Early Bird Tour at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve
2026-08-01 08:30 - 11:00 UTC | Elkhorn Slough Safari, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road Watsonville, CA 95076
Join us at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve every first Saturday of the month for a special early bird walk. #tours

Details: Amateur and expert birders alike will find a place on the Early Bird Tour! Local guides Steve Johnston and Robert Horn alternate leading these walks, sharing the life histories of the birds that call Elkhorn Slough home, and giving tips on identifying species.
Know Before you Go:
No registration is required – the tour is filled on a first-come, first-served basis up to a capacity of 18. Guests may enter the Reserve starting at 8:15 am – note that the front gate will be closed before 8:15 am.
Depending on recent sightings, tour guides will decide on the morning of the tour whether to walk the trails at the Reserve itself, or lead people in a caravan-style to a higher-sighting location around the Elkhorn Slough. All offsite locations are within a 15 minute drive of the Reserve.
Regardless of whether the walk is onsite at the Reserve or departs for a different area, participants should be prepared to walk around 2-3 miles on gravel/dirt trails. The tours last around 3 hours, but guests may leave early if needed.
We recommend wearing good hiking shoes, layers, and bringing binoculars. Those without binoculars may borrow a pair at the Visitor Center.
This tour is recommended for birders of all backgrounds and experience levels, and is geared towards ages 16+
COVID POLICY: At this moment, masks are not required on outdoor events and tours. We do ask folks to keep physical distance in mind on the trails, and space has been limited to ensure ample room. If you or someone you’ve been in close contact with has been exposed to COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19 OR shows symptoms of a cold, like fever, runny nose, cough, or nausea, please do not attend the event.

In-Store Kids Workshops - Home Depot
2026-08-01 09:00 UTC | The Home Depot
Join us the first Saturday of each month between 9 am – 12 pm for free in-person Kids Workshops. While supplies last.

First Saturday Book Sale in Pacific Grove
2026-08-01 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | St. Mary’s, 146 12th St, Pacific Grove, 93940, United States
PGPL Friends & Foundation holds the “First Saturday Book Sale” on the first Saturday of the month, 10am – 2pm at St. Mary’s Church.
The Bookstore at St. Mary’s is open Monday through Friday 10am to 12pm.

Open House at the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum
2026-08-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-02 10:00 - 16:00 UTC | CA
Welcome to the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Historical Society! Located next to the Salinas Amtrak station, we host an interactive HO scale layout and diorama recreating Monterey County railroads from the mid-1900s. We host an Open House for free to the public the first weekend each month. Admission is free and children are always welcome and encouraged to visit.

Free Tour of Organic Farm in Santa Cruz
2026-08-02 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | University of Santa Cruz Farm, 152 Farm Road, Santa Cruz, 95064, United States
Take a free, guided tour of the 30-acre organic UCSC Farm. Visitors can enjoy touring the organically managed greenhouses, hand-worked garden beds, orchards, row crop fields, and children’s garden, while learning about the history of the site and the basic concepts of organic farming and gardening. Perched on a meadow near the campus entrance, the farm also offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. Heavy rain cancels.

Farm tours take place the first Sunday of the month, April through November. RSVP’s welcome on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/UCSC%20Santa%20Cruz,%20California/1461922527357338/
