Pre-concert lectures begin on Saturday, July 16, 2016, and include a series of presentations about the history and influence of Bach’s music around the world. The opening night performance is scheduled for Saturday, July 16 with the performance of Bach and Handel by the Sea.

Many events at the Carmel Bach Festival are completely free of charge. You can enjoy the free community concert on July 21 at the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside and pre-concert brass music before the concerts at the Carmel Mission throughout the three-week event. Open lectures and the masterclass series with Virginia Best Adams are also free.

If you’re planning a summer getaway to Monterey Bay, plan your trip around Carmel Bach Festival events to enjoy some classical music, educational presentations and live performances. Guests staying at the Inns of Monterey have easy access to Carmel-by-the-Sea event venues and the festival grounds of the Carmel Bach Festival. Look forward to boutique hotel accommodations and a relaxing setting near the water for the ultimate coastal California retreat this summer, and beyond.

Free trolley rides will be available on The Wave, running now through Labor Day. Providing transportation to Downtown Monterey, Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Look for the green MST Trolley signs to board along the route.

From its founding on June 3, 1770 Monterey’s Spanish heritage can be experienced today through the diverse architectural styles found throughout historic Downtown Monterey. Casa Munras originally constructed in 1824 by Spanish Diplomat Don Estéban Munras continues to pay homage to its roots by preserving the history of the Munras family and the original residence constructed with handmade 32-inch adobe bricks. A portion of the original structure is still standing, encompassed in the walls of the Marbella Meeting Room.

24th Annual Winemakers’ Celebration
Date: Sat, 05/7/2016
Time: 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Price: $75 per person / $35 Designated Driver

E-mail: info@montereywines.org
Phone: 831.375.9400
Website: http://www.montereywines.org

Opening Night’s Reception will showcase 23 of the weekend’s top chefs and over two hundred domestic and international wines.

Highlighted events include, The Bounty of Monterey, featuring freshly foraged cuisine including mushrooms, shellfish, and the freshest vegetables to experience true farm-table dining, along with the finest Monterey County wines. Recently named one of the world’s top 10 wine destinations by Wine Enthusiast magazine, this event is one you don’t want to miss! And for those seeking a sweet treat, Sweet Indulgences, invites guests to explore sweet treats from caramels to nougats with some surprising wine pairings.

For more information on events, tickets, and packages available visit Pebble Beach Food and Wine. Hotel rooms are still available at the Inns of Monterey. Call 1-800-232-4141.

The Spindrift Inn’s 45 spacious guest rooms feature amenities that will make you swoon. Offering luxurious accommodations featuring ocean views, wood burning fireplaces, hosted afternoon wine and cheese service and signature chocolates at turndown. Fall asleep listening to the sounds of the ocean and wake to complimentary continental breakfast served in-room.

Relax and reconnect with our Romance Package offering two 45-minute in room massages. To further wash away the stress pamper yourself with a soothing drawn bath using a combination of Botanix Organix lavender infused bath salts. After, head out for an evening on the town with a $100 dining voucher to the world famous Sardine Factory and end the night besides the warmth of the fire indulging in sparkling wine and signature chocolates before slipping into plush feather bedding.

Casa Munras Garden Hotel and Spa located in historic downtown Monterey offers an array of nearby shops, restaurants, museums and historical attractions. After a day out in the bustling community riding the trolley or onsite bicycles, retreat back for an afternoon of serenity with our Revitalize Spa Package, including choice of two 60-minute spa services. Unwind in our lush spa garden waterfall Jacuzzi with a glass of champagne and toast to love. Read more about The Spa at Casa Munras Valentine’s Day packages.

Valentine’s Day would not be complete without a romantic dinner for two at onsite Estéban Restaurant. Executive Chef Tom Snyder, presents a four course prix fixe menu sure to indulge your taste buds. Guests will delight in dishes such as American caviar, Tuna Tartare, traditional Paella or Rip Chop with roasted potatoes, and decadent desserts.

The Monterey Bay Inn boasts dramatic ocean views, private balconies, and in room breakfast delivery to name a few. For those couples seeking adventure head out for a day of kayaking, sailing, or pedaling four wheel bike surreys around town and wind down with our Romantic Getaway Package including two 45-minute in room massages, while listening to the calming sounds of the sea. When night falls keep the romance high sipping on a glass of wine beside the warmth of the terrace fire pit or beneath the stars in our rooftop hot tub overlooking Monterey Bay.

The Victorian Inn conveniently located in the heart of Cannery Row offers 70 unique guest rooms featuring marble gas fireplaces, private patios, balconies, or window seats for enjoying the fresh Monterey sea breeze. Wake to a complimentary breakfast served in the charming parlor and sample local wine and cheese during the complimentary evening reception. Walk to all of Cannery Row’s best attractions including the world famous, Monterey Bay Aquarium and explore the mysteries of the sea.

For more information and reservations call 1-800-232-4141

Still searching for a romantic gift for someone special? Inns of Monterey gift certificates are available!

The 2016 Pebble Beach AT&T National Pro-Am is right around the corner! See the world’s best golfers including Jordan Spieth and past champions Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker. New celebrities are added to the field weekly like Mark Wahlberg, Toby Keith and Carson Daly. All spectators will have access to the Grey Goose 19^th Hole Lounge, Sauza 901 Tequila bar and Taylor Made M Lounge.

The Inns of Monterey is pleased to present details of the tournament’s Premier Package and offer a chance to win four Weekly Badges to the 2016 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, February 8-14, 2016.

Premier Package – $3,000 (retail value $4,500)

• 12 Weekly Badges (valid all seven days of the tournament).
• 3 Any Day Ticket Books (each includes 10 tickets, good any day of the week).
• 2 Daily Pebble Beach Parking Passes (across from the Pebble Beach Practice Facility).
• 12 Logo Tournament Hats and 12 Logo Tournament Gifts.
• $360 in Food and Beverage Concession Scrip ($10 denominations). Good for on-course concessions at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course

Rooms are filling up fast, so be sure to make your reservations today. The Inns of Monterey offers a choice of four uniquely designed boutique hotels including the historic Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, the romantic Spindrift Inn, the ocean-front Monterey Bay Inn, and the gracious Victorian Inn. Each provides an environment committed to personal and attentive service distinctive in our marketplace. Our mission at the Inns of Monterey is to deliver an authentic and intimate Monterey experience for our guests.

ENTER TO WIN: Send us a 2016 group Request for Proposal (RFP) for 10 or more room nights before December 30^th, and you will automatically be entered to win 4 Weekly Badges to the 2016 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am courtesy of the Inns of Monterey.

Cannery Row Holiday Tree Lighting

Celebrate the season with festive family-friendly activities and special attractions in beautiful Monterey, California. Kick off the holidays with a day full of merry during the 21st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Experience Christmas in the Adobes, watch the dazzling parade of lights, and feel the spirit of the season at Monterey holiday hotel events.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Esteban  Restaurant – November 26 – Savor a classic holiday meal, prepared by Chef Tom Snyder, complete with turkey, potatoes, Brussels sprouts and homemade cranberry sauce. For those who may be seeking a little break from tradition the prix fixe menu also offers a choice of snake river trout served with white beans and bacon lardons.

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Sardine Factory – November 26 – Enjoy a delectable four-course prix fixe dinner with family or friends. Featuring a fresh, gourmet take on all your holiday favorites, this meal is sure to leave you satisfied – without the cleanup.

Cannery Row Tree Lighting – November 27 – Light up the night with Cannery Row’s 21st annual Tree Lighting held at Steinbeck Plaza. Holiday magic surrounds attendees with carolers and family fun festivities for all.

Holiday Parade of Lights – December 3 – This event features marching bands, dance teams, holiday floats, photo opportunities with Santa, wagon rides, and lots of holiday cheer!

Christmas in the Adobes –December 11 & 12, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Discover Monterey’s signature holiday event. Wander the streets of historic downtown and explore 19th century adobes. Try fandango dance lessons at Custom House, or enjoy bagpipes at Robert Louis Stevenson House. The whole family will relish the refreshments, games and fun.

First Night Monterey –December 31 – A community celebration of the arts on New Year’s Eve, First Night Monterey offers over 22 performance sites and indoor and outdoor venues for youth of all ages.

Casa Munras Garden Hotel and Spa

One of the first residences built outside the walls of the old Presidio, Casa Munras Garden Hotel and Spa, was constructed in 1824 by Spanish diplomat Don Esteban Munras. He named it La Granja (the Grange) and it soon became the heart of his sprawling Rancho San Vicente. Established a thriving trading business, he dealt in cattle hides and imported fine household furnishing and necessities to the earliest settlers in Monterey, California.

The original Casa, as it is generally referred to now, was built of individual adobe bricks made by hand from native materials consisting of clay soil mixed with coarse sand, soft chalk and tough grass. A mortar of finer grain solid bound together the “adobe”, formatting a thick insulate wall impervious to heat and cold. For unknown reasons, adobes were always 11x11x4 inches thick. Molded by hand in crude wooden boxes they are baked in the sun before laying. To prevent weathering of the wall’s surface, a plaster of fine silted mud and clay was applied. This was white washed each year to give the building a clean, warm feeling. Of the original house, that of which remains is a portion of the Marbella Meeting Room. Many of the walls in the remaining portion are 32″ thick adobe.

The Munras Family Heritage Museum

The last of the Munras family to live in Monterey was Maria Antonia Field knows as “California’s Princess”, who was born in this house in 1885, and lived here until 1941. Maria Antonia’s great grandfather was Esteban Munras. She never married. The Munras name has passed in trust to her niece, Maria Antonia Garvey, daughter of Maria Antonia Field’s deceased brother Esteban.

Maria Antonia died in 1962 and is buried in the cemetery at the Carmel Mission Basilica. Before her death a plaque was attached to the outer portion of the lobby building which reads; “In Memory of Don Esteban Munras, last Spanish diplomat of California of the Spanish era for whom this was built in 1824. Dedicated by his great granddaughter, Maria Antonia Field, October 28, 1951.” Additionally, The Munras Family Heritage Museum was dedicated in 1961, featuring five generations of heirlooms from the Munras-Manzanelli family.