Monterey Peninsula’s newest hotel opens July 1st promising visitors and residents alike a fresh, exciting venue that perfectly reflects California’s calm, relaxing coastal atmosphere.

The newly built and refurbished 93 room hotel, formerly known as the Sand Dollar Inn, is a short walk from beaches, dining, shopping and nightlife with world famous Cannery Row, Aquarium and Monterey’s Conference Center nearby. Hotel Abrego is an ideal spot for enjoying Monterey’s myriad of recreational activities – from kayaking on the Marine Sanctuary to exploring the San Carlos Cathedral and adobes while pedaling along the Path of History.
Why the name Abrego? An Abrego is a soft, warm breeze from Africa….just like the breezes in beautiful Monterey.

Race Night on the Row is back for its 12th year along the Cannery Row waterfront, located in Monterey, California. After a day at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world will come together to celebrate at the area’s most popular after party on Cannery Row, known for its endless fun and entertainment. Once the row is filled with bikes, the party begins.

There is now yet another compelling reason to visit Made in Monterey at the Monterey Museum of Art-Pacific Street. Besides the beauty of the sweeping 50th Anniversary exhibition and engaging new family gallery activities, locals and visitors alike can try their hand at a contest titled Where Oh Where in Monterey? Monterey’s glorious landscape and romantic architecture has sparked the creativity of generations of artists. While many of these historic scenes are immediately recognizable, others have changed over the decades.

Participants can put their sleuthing skills to the test by correctly identifying nine different locations selected from works in the exhibition. Entry forms that correctly identify all locations depicted will be entered into a drawing to win a one-night stay at one of the luxurious Inns of Monterey.

It’s the seahorse!  In its new, jaw-dropping, interactive exhibit, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has 15 species of seahorses and their kin—one of the nation’s largest collections of these charismatic animals.
Meander through four multimedia galleries and discover how these shy and secretive animals grow up, attract mates and give birth—this is the only family in the animal kingdom in which the males get pregnant! You’ll also learn how you can help save seahorses and the vulnerable marine habitats they call home.
Our favorite is the stunning Leafy Sea Dragon. Seahorses, sea dragons, pipehorses and pipefishes come in many shapes and sizes, but beneath the surface they’re all fish, with fused jaws and bony plates in place of the scales normally associated with fish.
Perhaps what most distinguishes seahorses from the rest of the animal kingdom is their unique life history—the males become pregnant and give birth. Seahorse fathers shelter their young in protective pouches, while sea dragon and pipefish fathers carry their young on spongy patches on the undersides of their tails.
No one knows how many seahorses actually exist. That’s because identifying seahorses is difficult. The smallest known species, discovered in 2008, is the half-inch-long Satomi’s pygmy seahorse; the largest species is the potbelly seahorse, which grows to about 14 inches long.

The 6th Annual Cannery Row Block Party kicks off a season of summer fun Sunday, June 7, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Community members as well as visitors are invited to Cannery Row in Monterey, California, for a free day of fun and entertainment for all ages. Highlights include live music, a Family Fun Stage with live animals, a magician, and ice cream and rib eatin’ contests. The event will include a food drive for the Food Bank for Monterey County, so bring a canned good or donation to help support the cause!

Beginning at 11:00 AM, three bands perform live all day on the Steinbeck Stage in Steinbeck Plaza offering a lively mix of sound. The local’s favorite reggae and world music group, Jonah and the Whalewatchers, fuse Caribbean and African beats with American jazz, blues and soul. San Jose-based Zebop will follow, offering seven energetic and talented musicians performing the music of Santana with passion, dedication and originality. Finally the sultry voice of Lara Price and her blues band will complete the show.

A Family Fun Stage in the Plaza in front of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. presents exciting and educational events for the whole family throughout the day, featuring Wild Things Animal Shows and Live Monkey Shows. Children especially can delight in primate tricks while also learning many interesting facts about the animals’ origins, what they like to eat, and how they live in the wild.

More family fun can be found on Cannery Row with Mr. Miraculous the magician and a Balloon Artist. The afternoon will be deliciously filled with a Ghirardelli Ice Cream Sundae Eating Contest at 2:00 PM and, for adults, the Willy’s Smokehouse Rib-Eatin’ Contest at 2:30 PM.

The 6th Annual Cannery Row Block Party is free to the public.

Join the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s celebration of the ocean, the amazing ecosystem that covers 70% of our planet. June 6-7 you’ll learn about the treasures of the ocean, the threats it faces and what we can do to keep it healthy.
World Ocean Day is an international observance that’s recognized by the United Nations and celebrated at aquariums, zoos, schools and conservation organizations across the globe.
Throughout the weekend you’ll enjoy music, crafts and great speakers as part of your regular Aquarium admission, including:
• Family musical performances
• Author Joel Harper will read from his book “All the Way to the Ocean,” followed by a book signing (Saturday only)
• Author Brad Herzog will read from his book “S is for Save the Planet,” followed by a book signing (Sunday only)
• Family craft room presented by the Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum) in the Discovery Lab from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Face painting for kids
• Information booths from ocean conservation organizations
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) programs including sea otter feeding and training session, kelp forest feeding and penguin training and feeding (Sunday only)
Visit the World Ocean Days event booth near the Aquarium’s main entrance for a full schedule of programs and presentations.

Monterey’s beloved My Museum – that’s code for Monterey County Youth Museum – is now open at 425 Washington Street, in Downtown Monterey, conveniently by the Monterey Sports Center and Dennis the Menace Park. This 8,500 square foot museum is packed with a variety of hands on exhibits, making each visit unique and exciting. It compliments any visit to the Monterey area or makes a good day into a great day for those who are fortunate to visit on a regular basis.
For more about My Museum’s zillions of activities, please visit www.mymuseum.org.

No, it’s not the latest reality show, but ‘Cooking for Solutions’ – a celebration of great food, chefs and wines to celebrate the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s 25th year! Join Alton Brown, Thomas Keller and renowned chefs from across the country, May 15-16, as they share their passion for fine food and earth-friendly living during this two-day celebration. You’ll discover how to make healthy choices that are tasty and protect the soil, water and ocean wildlife.

The Big Sur International Marathon on April 26 is a spectacular road race set along one of the most breath-taking courses in the world. But this isn’t just one giant run – it’s several, from the traditional marathon to milers and relays.

Well, neither have we, but here’s the only place you will…The 19th Annual Sea Otter Classic will be held April 16-19 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, Calif. The four-day “Celebration of Sport” is considered the world’s largest cycling festival, hosting nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and 50,000 fans.
Cycling superstars such as Kelly Benjamin, Manuel Prado, Melissa Buhl and more will compete. Who will be the first to bonk? More information about BMX shows, music and the beer and BBQ garden, can be found at www.seaotterclassic.com or by calling 800-218-8411.