2012 Calendar of Events
in the Monterey Bay Area
ere is a calendar of some popular events in the Monterey Bay Area and Salinas Valley. We've included distances and average drive times from Monterey Guesthouses.
Accommodations with us offer the perfect combination of elegance and convenience for events at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, such as the MotoGP (Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix), the America Le Mans Series Monterey, and Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Are Guesthouse Suites are a conveniently located retreat for those attending the car shows and events in Pebble Beach: Concours d'Elegance, Pebble Beach Motoring Classic, International Expo Automobilia, and Tour d'Elegance.
To get a better idea of where Monterey Guesthouses is located in the Monterey Bay area, see our Map page.
FEBRUARY | APRIL | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER |
YEAR ROUND
FEBRUARY
February 6 – 12, 2012
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
Pebble Beach
Charity golf Classic since 1937.
Call 831.649.1533 or visit www.attpbgolf.com
APRIL
April 10 – 22, 2012
Sea Otter Classic
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
The 22nd Annual Sea Otter Classic is a four-day event and exposition welcoming nearly 10,000 athletes and 50,000 bicycle enthusiasts.
Call 800.218-8411 or visit www.seaotterclassic.com
April 29, 2012
Big Sur Marathon
Carmel, California
The 27th Big Sur Marathon, the largest rural marathon in the world traversing redwood forests and rolling coastal ranchlands with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. USATF sanctioned and certified.
Call 831.625.6226 or visit www.bsim.org
MAY
May 5, 2012
The Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Quail Lodge Golf Club, Carmel
A weekend surrounded by the finest sports and racing motorcycles from around the world. Event features displays by leading manufacturers, dealerships and accessory and lifestyle vendors, culinary pavilions, brew tents, live entertainment and much more.
Call 831.659.2233 or visit www.quaillodgeevents.com/
May 11 & 12, 2012
American LeMans Monterey
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
The American Le Mans Series returns for its 14th season and is the premier sports car racing championship in the world.
Call 831.242.8201 or visit www.mazdaraceway.com
May 18 – 20, 2012
Ferrari Racing Days
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Three full days of racing with the Ferrari 458 Challenge along with historic Formula 1 cars and Corse Clienti programs. The series allows Ferrari owners the opportunity to compete wheel-to-wheel while providing an exciting spectator event for Ferrari enthusiasts.
Call 831.242.8201 or visit www.mazdaraceway.com
JUNE
June 21 – 23, 2012
Spirit West Coast
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
The Spirit West Coast festival is a spiritual and entertainment experience like none other.
Call 408.377.9232 or visit www.spiritwestcoast.org
June 22 - 24, 2012
Monterey Bay Blues Festival
Open to the public for dancing, food raffles and more. Proceeds benefit the Monterey Bay Blues Festivals music educational programs.
Call 831.394.2652 or visit www.montereyblues.com
June 30 - September 2
Monterey Bay Aquarium Evenings by the Bay
Summer evenings at the Aquarium. Special programs and events and live music in the Aquarium. Saturdays and Sundays until 8pm. Free with Aquarium admission.
Call 831.373.3304 or visit www.montereybayaquarium.org
JULY
July 2 – 8, 2012
First Tee Open at Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach, California
Charity competition, broadcast on The Golf Channel, earns money for The First Tee, a charity that gives disadvantaged youngsters the opportunity to play golf. Tickets are free for active members of the armed forces, law enforcement and fire prevention.
Call 831.649.1533 or visit www.thefirstteeopen.com
July 12 – 14, 2012
Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
One of the most competitive professional road racing championships in North America.
Call 800-327-7322 or visit www.mazdaraceway.com
July 14-28, 2012
75th Annual Carmel Bach Festival
International music professionals gather for a 16-day program of oratorios, concerti, orchestral and choral masterworks, chamber music, and recitals. Lectures, family concerts, and other events.
Call 831-624-1521 or visit www.bachfestival.org
July 19 – 22, 2012
102nd Annual California Rodeo Salinas
Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St.
One of the top 20 rodeos in the country, with pro competition.
Call 800-772-6500 or visit www.carodeo.com
July 27 - 29, 2012
Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
The most important motorcycle race on the west coast, the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, features the MotoGP World Championship.
call 800-327-7322 or visit www.mazdaraceway.com
AUGUST
August 13 – 19, 2012
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
Rare and antique automobiles from around the globe roll onto the famed 18th fairway at Pebble Beach. 2011 featured marques and special classes include Mercedes-Benz and 125 Years of the Automobile; Stuz Centennial; Ferrari 250 GTO; Edwardian Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts; and Italian Motorcycles.
Call 831-693-0009 or visit www.pebblebeachconcours.com
August 17 – 19, 2012
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
The 2012 event’s featured marquee is the iconic Cobra, developed by Carroll Shelby. The event will host approximately 550 authentic and historic race cars from nearly every decade of motorsports history.
Call 800-327-7322 or visit www.mazdaraceway.com
August 17, 2012
Concorso Italiano (and related events)
Laguna Seca Golf Ranch
A celebration of all things Italian — cars, clothes, food, music, and more. Hundreds of classic and antique Italian cars are expected. 9–5pm
Call 425-742-0632 or visit www.concorso.com
September
September 7 - 9, 2012
The Continental Tire Sports Car Festival
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
This exciting event features competition in the Daytona Prototype class, and the Grand Touring (GT) category.
Call 800-327-7322 or visit www.mazdaraceway.com
September 21 - 23, 2012
55th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
Monterey County Fairgrounds
The longest running jazz festival in the world, with more than 500 artists performing on eight stages.
Call 831-373-3366 or visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org
River Road Wine Trail
An easy drive from our Guesthouse Suites leads you to 12 world-class wineries and tasting rooms. This makes a lovely afternoon drive in the country, tasting along the way.
www.riverroadwinetrail.com
Twilight Rides at Laguna Seca
July 20, August 10 (3rd Wednesday of the Month)
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
An unforgettable bicycle ride on the legendary Laguna Seca track! The track will be open to recreational cyclists for informal twilight rides from 4 to 6 pm. Helmets are required. $10 per rider.
Call 800-327-7322 or visit www.mazdaraceway.com
Point Sur Lightstation Moonlight Tours
West side of Highway 1 at locked gate
19 miles south of Rio Road, Carmel
Three-hour walking tours with a 300-foot vertical rise in elevation. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Meet at the locked gate 30 minutes early. Space is limited.
Admission: $15 for adults; $10 for ages 6 to 17
Call 831-625-4419 or visit www.pointsur.org
Tor House and Hawk Tower Tours
26304 Ocean View Avenue, Carmel
Hourly docent-led tours, every Friday and Saturday 10am to 3pm.
Tax-deductible tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for full-time students.
Call 831-624-1813 or visit www.torhouse.org
Local Farmers' Markets
Carmel, Monterey, Marina
Call 831-728-5060 or visit www.montereybayfarmers.org
Oldtown Salinas
Call 831-905-1407 or visit www.oldtownsalinas.com
Local Art Open-Houses and Tours
Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey
Call 831-372-5477 or visit www.montereyart.org
Salinas First Fridays Art Walks
Call 831-758-9126 or visit www.oldtownsalinas.com
Historic Garden League Tours, Old Monterey
Call 831-649-3364 or visit www.historicgardenleague.org/tours