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.
27th Annual Wildflower Show at Garland Ranch Regional Park
June 13–14 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Free Admission Garland Park Visitor Center, 700 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
If you’re looking for a free, family-friendly outing this weekend, head to Garland Ranch Regional Park for the 27th Annual Summer Wildflower Show — a beloved Carmel Valley tradition that turns two days each June into a living celebration of local nature.Held at the Garland Park Visitor Center, the show features a stunning display of wildflowers collected from the park’s nearly 50 miles of trails, as well as blooms from Frog Pond Preserve, Marina Dunes Preserve, and Palo Corona Regional Park. Every year, a dedicated team of volunteers — ranging from serious botanists to folks who simply love a good wildflower — scouts the trails, identifies the blooms, and arranges them for the public to enjoy. It’s the kind of event that reminds you just how spectacular our corner of the Central Coast can be.The show got its start 27 years ago when MPRPD volunteer Gordon Williams attended a California Native Plant Society wildflower show and came home inspired. He and fellow volunteer Mary Saylor set up a small display at the Garland Visitor Center — and the response was so enthusiastic that they never stopped. This year, in addition to the wildflower display, you’ll find an educational gardening booth hosted by the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners and a Garland Ranch history timeline booth staffed by MPRPD — great for curious kids and adults alike.Schedule of ActivitiesBoth days, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM:
Garland Ranch Regional Park is located at 700 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. For more information, visit the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District website.
Keep Them Reading This Summer
Summer is the perfect time to curl up with a good book — and there’s no shortage of ways to make it fun and rewarding. Local libraries across the area are kicking off their summer reading programs, and national programs sweeten the deal with free books, pizza, T-shirts, and more. Whether your child is a reluctant reader or a total bookworm, there’s something here for every age and reading level.
BARNES & NOBLE: Barnes & Noble’s annual Summer Reading Program invites children in grades 1 through 6 to earn a free book by reading eight books of their choice. Participants record their reading in a downloadable journal, noting their favorite part of each book. Once completed, the journal can be brought to any Barnes & Noble store between July 1 and August 31, 2026, to select a free book from a curated list. The closest store to our area is in Gilroy.
FOR MORE INFO: barnesandnoble.com/b/summer-reading-free-book-giveaway
BOOKSHOP SANTA CRUZ: Children in K–12th grade are challenged to read six books — at least three from the store’s recommended reading list. Complete the challenge and kids can earn excellent rewards, including a $5 Bookshop gift card, a $10 MyBoardwalk Card from The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a free scoop from the Penny Ice Creamery, a free slice from Pizza My Heart, and a special prize from the Santa Cruz Warriors.
FOR MORE INFO: bookshopsantacruz.com/summer-reading-program
MENSA FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN READING: The Mensa Foundation’s Excellence in Reading Program is open to all readers under 18 — no Mensa membership or testing required. Kids choose a reading list matched to their grade level, curated by librarians and drawn from classic and quality literature, then read every book on the list and track their progress by hand on a printed form. Once complete, both the child and an adult sign and mail the form to the Mensa Foundation. Readers who finish earn a commemorative certificate and a free Excellence in Reading T-shirt. The program is year-round with no deadline, so kids can start and finish at their own pace.
FOR MORE INFO: mensaforkids.org/achieve/excellence-in-reading
PIZZA HUT’S BOOK IT! SUMMER OF STORIES: Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT! Summer of Stories program for children in pre-K through sixth grade runs June 1 through August 31. Parents set monthly reading goals for their children through the free BOOK IT! mobile app. When children meet their goals each month, they earn a digital certificate for a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza from participating locations — up to one pizza per child per month.
FOR MORE INFO: bookitprogram.com
SCHOLASTIC SUMMER READING: Scholastic’s Summer Reading challenge runs April 26 through September 3, and offers a free, digital “Read-a-Palooza” program on Scholastic Home Base where kids can track reading streaks, earn rewards, and help unlock 100,000 book donations for peers. Home Base is safe and fully moderated 24/7. No subscriptions, downloads, or purchases required.
FOR MORE INFO: scholastic.com/summer
Monterey County Free Libraries Summer Programs
Monterey County Free Libraries is once again presenting their popular Summer Reading Club. The fun runs from June 1 through July 31, complete with prizes and performances.
People of all ages — children, teens, and adults — are encouraged to sign up, read throughout the summer, and participate in activities. Sign up at your local MCFL branch to receive a reading log or challenge card, or visit emcfl.beanstack.com/reader365 to participate online.
Everyone who signs up will receive a free book, with titles available for all ages, in Spanish, and in large print. Once you have completed your reading log or challenge card, return to your local MCFL branch to collect your finisher prize.
MCFL will be hosting a variety of free performances for youth and families this summer. Visit www.eMCFL.org to find program dates at your local branch. This year’s performers include Sterling Bubblesmith, Jungle James, Rhythm Builders, Magician Mike Della Penna, and Puppet Art Theater.
Workshops for teens and adults will also be offered at select branches. These workshops are open to ages 13 and up, require registration, and all supplies will be provided. Workshop topics include paint parties, collaging, watercolor selfies, architectural model design, tie-dye, and lawn games.
MCFL also offers Lunch at the Library at the majority of its branches. Youth 18 and under are invited to stop by for a free grab-and-go meal. For lunch service dates and times at your local branch, check the website.
The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by the Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries and Chevron, whose support makes this program and many others throughout the year possible.
Sign up today, pick up your free book, and enjoy the summer!
For all things Summer Reading, visit www.eMCFL.org and click the Summer Reading button, where you can check program dates and download a reading log or bingo card.
Harmony Garden: A New Musical Sculpture Space Coming to Carmel
A local leadership program is creating an outdoor installation where families can make music, explore art, and connect with Carmel’s creative spirit.
A new outdoor destination for families is taking shape in Carmel-by-the-Sea — and it’s one where touching, tapping, and playing are not just allowed, but the whole point.
The Harmony Garden is an outdoor musical sculpture installation being developed by the Leadership Carmel Class of 2026 as a legacy gift to the community. Designed for all ages, the space will bring together sculpture, music, and landscape in a setting where visitors can explore at their own pace and make sound together.
What to Expect
Each element in the Harmony Garden functions as both artwork and instrument. Children can experiment freely; adults can linger and listen; families can discover music together in ways that feel natural rather than structured. The experience is designed to be open-ended — there’s no right way to engage.
The installation honors Carmel’s deep artistic roots, from its origins as an early 20th-century artist colony to its ongoing commitment to culture in everyday life. The Harmony Garden is meant to extend that tradition in a form that’s participatory, playful, and accessible to all.
Built to Last
The sculptural elements will be crafted from weather-resilient materials, with a stewardship plan in place for long-term care. The project is organized by Leadership Carmel, a nine-month civic leadership program established by the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2020. Each class completes a community betterment project — the Class of 2023, for example, contributed inclusive play equipment to a local park.
How Families Can Get Involved
The Harmony Garden is still in development, and the organizers are welcoming community support in a variety of forms — from monetary contributions (any amount) to in-kind help with permitting, site prep, and logistics. Families can also sponsor individual sculptural or musical elements, or arrange a family or memorial dedication.
To learn more or get involved, visit the Leadership Carmel website.
The Harmony Garden is a project of the Leadership Carmel Class of 2026, organized through the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Foundation.