The November Issue Is Here!

November in Monterey County means cooler mornings, cozy evenings, and the first sparkle of the holiday season. It’s also the time when many families start thinking about next year’s school decisions, so this issue is packed with help on both fronts.

Get your first look at holiday tree lightings, parades, and light displays happening around the area, so you can start planning your family’s festive outings now.

If school choice is on your mind, our Private School Guide and Private School Grid make it easy to explore and compare local options, including tuition and contact info. Lisa Gering breaks down how to choose between public, charter, and private schools, and Jessica Thibault talks with local parents about what they learned while finding the right fit for their kids. You’ll also learn how Chartwell School in Seaside helps students with dyslexia and other learning differences build confidence by starting with their strengths.

Plus, meet 4th grade teacher Dr. Jamee Lynch-Moore in our Teacher Spotlight, and discover five free and low-cost learning resources, from tutoring to museum visits and outdoor adventures, that keep kids learning beyond the classroom.

Thank you to our cover sponsor: Chartwell School.

October on the Central Coast is made for getting out and celebrating, and this issue is packed with ways to do it. Our 2026 Fall Fun Guide rounds up dozens of fall festivals and Halloween events across Monterey County and beyond, all in one place so you can plan your family’s season in a single sitting. Head out for hayrides, corn mazes, and photo ops with our roundup of Central Coast Pumpkin Patches, then bring your haul home with Perfect Pick, our guide to choosing, decorating, and cooking with pumpkins. Over in Salinas, Northridge Mall is gearing up for Mall-o-Ween and its 75th Children’s Shopping Tour, and our Autumn To-Do List offers 24 simple, sweet ways to soak up the season, from cozy mornings to golden-hour outings around Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.

And because Halloween looks different in every household, we’ve got you covered no matter how your family celebrates. In Halloween Your Way, occupational therapist Lisa Gering shares tips for a more comfortable holiday along with a list of non-scary, sensory-friendly, and toddler-friendly events. For costume inspiration that won’t break the bank, Jessica Thibault’s DIY Halloween gathers thrifted and budget-friendly ideas from local parents, plus the best spots in the county to find costume makings on the cheap. 

Thank you to this month’s cover sponsor: Northridge Mall.

Click here to read the September issue

Our September issue is all about resources for Monterey County families raising children with disabilities — and we’re excited to launch our new hub for disability resources, both in print and right here on our website. Inside, you’ll find practical guidance on walking into your first IEP meeting, a look at local transition programs helping young adults with disabilities build independence, conversations with special education teachers making a difference in our schools, and a look at how organizations like Coastal Kids Home Care and Partnership for Children support families raising medically complex kids.

You’ll also find our 2026–27 Disability Resources directory — a guide to local services and support for Monterey County families, available in print and in an expanded, searchable version online that we’ll keep updating throughout the year. Whether you’re just starting this journey or years into it, our hope is that this issue helps you find the people and programs ready to help, right here in our own community.

And, of course, we have all of our regular columns and articles plus the second in our AI series.

A special thank you to Coastal Kids Home Care and Partnership for Children for sponsoring the cover and issue.

To read the September issue

Summer’s final stretch is here, and so is our August issue! Inside, we’re tackling everything Monterey County parents need as the new school year approaches — from navigating school transportation and spotting the signs your child might be struggling, to saving big on back-to-school clothes with our local resale shop guide.

We’re also launching a brand-new column: Family Table, with monthly recipes and mealtime tips from Jenna Keisling. Plus, don’t miss one mom’s surprising story of finding calm on two wheels, an educator’s take on where AI is already hiding in your family’s daily routine, and our roundup of the best events happening across the county this month. Dive in below!

To read the August issue

TO READ INDIVIDUAL STORIES FROM THE ISSUE:

August Family Fun: Your Guide to Events in Monterey County

Back to School Struggles

Family-Friendly Car Week: Free Ways to See the Classics in 2026

Family Table: Dinner With Jenna

How Riding a Motorcycle Quiets This Mom’s Mind

Thrifty Business: Your Guide to Resale Shopping for Monterey Families

What Monterey County Parents Need to Know About School Bus Rules

Summer is here, and we’re ready to help your family make the most of it! Our June issue is packed with ideas for keeping the season fun, meaningful, and memorable — from 4th of July celebrations across Monterey and Santa Cruz counties to a summer bucket list of 52 low-cost and free activities your family will love. We’ve also rounded up all the details on summer reading programs through Monterey County Free Libraries, so the learning doesn’t stop when school does.

And because summer and birthdays so often go hand in hand, we’re devoting a big part of this issue to celebrations — rethinking what a birthday party can look like, honoring kids whose special days fall in summer or near the holidays, and marking every milestone from one to eighteen with ideas that feel just right.

This issue is brought to you by our friends at Moonflower Dentistry in Pacific Grove, a dental home reimagining what a visit to the dentist can feel like for the whole family — kids, parents, and everyone in between.

Read the full digital issue here