They say home is where Mom is. So, this Mother's Day this May, plan a weekend escape and make Monterey Bay home for a few days. Monterey is an incredible spring destination with beautiful beaches, outdoor dining, farmer's markets, and exciting events like the Old Monterey Walking Food Tour and Cali Roots.
Farmers Market at Del Monte Shopping Center - May – September
Enjoy the bounty of Northern California at the seasonal Del Monte Farmers Market, open every Sunday starting back this May. Located at the Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey's best farmer's market offers an easy-going family atmosphere and an array of locally grown produce and specialty foods, like farm fresh organic eggs, cut flowers, and potted plants.
After shopping at the Del Monte Farmers Market, walk to Monterey's beautiful beaches for a picnic on the bay or enjoy wine tasting on Cannery Row.
Old Monterey Walking Food Tour
Foodies love Monterey's original walking food tour. Enjoy Old Monterey's culinary walking adventure with historic sightseeing through downtown and Cannery Row. Sample delicious foods from 5-6 local food shops and restaurants along the side streets of downtown Monterey. Taste the culture of California's Central Coast, from lite bites to coffee on draft, to Italian food. You can also try beer and wine from local breweries and wineries around town.
Private food tours of 2 to 6 people are offered Thursdays – Sundays at 11 am, starting right across from Fisherman's Wharf. Tours last 3 hours and are a fun way to explore history and eat your way through Monterey.
Mother's Day Brunch and Dinner in Monterey – May 9th
Monterey is the perfect place to take Mom for a Mother's Day dinner or weekend getaway. Beautiful beaches, waterfront dining, wine tasting on Cannery Row, and coastal golf. Monterey is a refreshing change of scenery for a needed family outing.
One of our favorite Mother's Day events happens at Estéban Restaurant at Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa. Esteban's celebrates MOM with special Mother's Day Brunch and Dinner menus featuring Chef Mario's farm fresh Spanish cuisine. Enjoy a three-course dinner or a la carte dishes, including lobster tails and the Mother's Day Paella with clams, wild prawns, mussels, free range chicken and local Spanish style chorizo.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Opens – May 15th
Catch up with the playful sea otters, mesmerizing jellies, and fantastic fishes at the country's largest marine sanctuary. Opening back May 15th, 2021, Monterey Bay Aquarium offers amazing marine life exhibits, from the shoreline to the open ocean. Meet amazing creatures like giant octopus, sharks, penguins, rays, and a massive blue whale.
The Aquarium is located on the edge of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, home to more than 30 species of marine mammals, from dolphins and sea otters to whales. Join a Monterey whale watching tour from Fisherman's Wharf and see the largest animal on Earth – the blue whale – every May.
Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets will go on sale from May 5th. Each person will be required to reserve tickets in advance for a specific date and entry time. So be sure to plan ahead if you intend to visit this iconic attraction while in Monterey. Here is a link with more information on how to plan your next visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium - https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/visit/welcome-back
California Roots & Music Festival - May 26-29, 2021
Experience the magic of Cali Roots, a celebration of incredible art and live music. Held annually at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, the California Roots & Music Festival is an immersive art and music experience.
Dance and renew your spirit with multiple stages stacked with the top artists of reggae rock and conscious hip-hop genres. Be part of this famous Monterey festival where Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire in 1967.
Get Away with Inns of Monterey this Spring
Embrace your freedom to roam this month with getaways to Inns of Monterey. Located in Old Town Monterey and on Cannery Row, our collection of 5 boutique hotels puts you at the heart of what's happening around town. Enjoy charming accommodations, spa treatments, dining, ocean views and perfect locations near Monterey's best events and festivals.
Discover the California made music of Cali Roots. Shop at the farmer's market across from Casa Munras or take the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, steps away. Casa Munras offers specials to make it easy to get away for Mother's Day and May weekends of music, art, food, and adventure.