The exchange rate is horrible, but you can visit Ireland and Scotland without ever leaving town August 6-7 at the 44th Annual Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival at Toro Park between Monterey and Salinas on Highway 68.
Watch kilt-clad hunks throw trees (the “Caber Toss”) and heave 20 lb. boulders (the “Stone Put”). Then stroll through the “Avenue of Clans” to trace your ancestry – and invite your new found relatives to join you for food and drink from over 50 vendors.
The festival will feature live entertainment by Irish singer Seamus Kennedy, Celtic rock band “Brother,” Sligo Rags, and harpist Amy Krupski.
From 9am to 5pm both days there will be activities for everyone:
- Massed Pipe bands
- Drum Major and Pipe band competitions
- Highland and Irish step dancing
- Sheepdog Herding demonstrations
- Athletic Events & Scottish games for the kids
- Historical Re-enactments
Then Have Yourself a Highland Fling:
In a newly remodeled two bedroom/1.5 bath ocean view condo at Lover’s Point.
Enjoy the many moods of Monterey Bay from the living room, patio or master bedroom, head out on the coastal trail, or explore charming Pacific Grove, just three blocks away.
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
Put some sparks in your relationship with a romantic bonfire on the beach!
Here’s how it works: you casually stroll down Carmel Beach at a pre-appointed time and voila!: surprise someone special with a pre-lit, blazing bonfire in the sand.
Romantic Room Designs also supplies the beach blanket, extra wood, roasting sticks, and all the fixin’s for s’mores: marshmallows, Hershey bars and graham crackers.
You can even have a message written in rose petals on the sand http://st..emale-cialis/. Prices start at $139 with various options and upgrades for different occasions. (They’ll do everything but propose for you.)
Relax in this Bubbling Beauty
And what could be better than soaking in a bubbling hot tub after that bonfire? Listen to the sounds of the surf while relaxing in the tub in this secluded courtyard – or check out the stars from the huge roof top deck.
With breathtaking views of Carmel Bay and the Pebble Beach Golf Course, this four bedroom 2200 sq. ft. retreat is just a short walk from the beach and the heart of downtown Carmel.
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
And head out on the highway – the Monterey/Salinas Highway, that is – for the 2011 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 22-24 at Laguna Seca.
The highlight: the MotoGP, the world’s premier motorcycling championship – combining the world’s top motorcycle manufacturers – like Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and Kawasaki – with an elite list of riders from every corner of the globe.
And no other U.S. road course challenges these world champion riders with such a heart pounding combination: 11 turns, dramatic elevation changes of up to 300 feet, and the plunging blind Corkscrew turn that drops an equivalent of 5-1/2 stories.
There’s non-stop action all weekend for the whole family, both on and off the track: stunt riding exhibitions, rider talks, “learn to ride” programs, and a children’s play area. Saturday night features a live performance by The Dirty Heads, named one of 2010’s Top Bands by Rolling Stone.
For more information or tickets, go to www.MazdaRaceway.com or call (800) 327-7322.
Beat the Heat with Our 10% off MotoGP Vacation Specials:
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
What do you get when you match up 78 professional golf champions and 78 junior golfers (ages 15-18) on two spectacular courses? The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, July 5-10, a one of a kind golf event… and a whole lot of fun.
Joined by 156 amateurs, the play rotates between Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course, with the final round at Pebble Beach. From a spectator’s point of view, The First Tee is one of the most entertaining golf events to watch: the skill of the senior players combined with the youthful enthusiasm of the juniors is a heart-warming formula. And admission is free.
Created by the World Golf Foundation, The First Tee brings golf to youngsters around the world that otherwise would not be exposed to the game, through educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices.
Currently offered in 4,000 elementary schools, the program teaches the nine values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment.
And speaking of “values,” this lovely Pebble Beach Vacation Rental is discounted to only $1,400 per week.
Why rent a hotel room when you can spread out in an elegant 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath golf course home?
Contact Michelle@MontereyRentals.com or call her at (831) 658-4001.
It’s time to party – and it’s FREE! The summer season kicks off Sunday, June 5 from 11am – 5pm with the annual Cannery Row Block Party, a lively family favorite with kids’ games, balloon artists, food, music, and entertainment.
There will be live animal shows at the Bubba Gump Plaza, and four live bands playing at Steinbeck Plaza: Long Distance Flyers, Red Glare, Nu-Horizon and Local Groove.
Jellybeans, cinnamon rolls and magic tricks…. flaming cocktails, cioppino and Dippin’ Dots… from palm reading to wine tasting, Cannery Row truly has something for everyone!
Walk to Cannery Row…
We have some great places to stay nearby, too.
Like an oceanfront duplex just a short walk from Cannery Row along the beautiful coastal trail.
Be sure to ask for the “June Special.” Rhiannon@MontereyRentals.com
Monterey County Fairgrounds will rock June 24-26 as the 26th annual Monterey Bay Blues Festival kicks off with continuous music on three stages.
Don’t miss this eclectic line up of “blues anyone can use.” From Friday evening to Sunday night, the festival promises food and fun for everyone – and families are welcome.
Here’s just a taste:
Uplifting soul and gospel by the unstoppable Mavis Staples… the irrepressible funk of the Barkays and the Dazz Band… crowd-igniting blues/rock/jazz/funk by Blues at Eleven… Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band’s third generation Zydeco… soul stirring classics by R&B legends Peabo Bryson, Freddie Jackson and Jeffrey Osborne.
Tickets are on sale now, and this event always sells out.
Need a place to stay while you get your groove on?
This 3 bdrm/3 bath coastal beauty is still available. It’s oceanfront, with all the blue you could ask for.
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
We have Farmers Markets almost every day of the week in Monterey County, but two of our very favorite seasonal markets re-opened this month:
The Carmel Farmers Market at the uber-charming Barnyard Shopping Village (Highway 1 and Carmel Valley Road) is open on Tuesdays from 9 am until 1 pm, and the Del Monte Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center next to Whole Foods (Highway 1 and Munras Avenue, Monterey) is open Sunday mornings from 8 am until noon.
From orchids to artichokes, both offer an awesome array of locally grown produce and specialty items: pasture raised grass-fed meat, fresh seafood, farm fresh organic eggs, organic honey, fresh baked goods, flowers and potted plants.
Now… where to chop those yummy veggies?
Whip up something amazing in the warm sunny kitchen of this Pacific Grove jewel, with views all the way across beautiful Monterey Bay.
Then, after dinner, pop open a chilled Monterey Chardonnay and soak in the hot tub under the stars.
50th ANNUAL WILDFLOWER SHOW
The hills are alive… April is peak wildflower season in Monterey County-and the 50th Annual Wildflower Show April 15-17 in Pacific Grove is a rare opportunity to view over 600 varieties at one of largest such shows in the world.
This Golden Anniversary event, held at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, will feature the wildflowers of the California central coast as well as basket weaving demonstrations, sketching classes, lectures, and arts-and-crafts for kids.
WILDFLOWER WALKS AT POINT LOBOS
Meanwhile, everything’s coming up Eschscholzia californica (California poppies) at Point Lobos, where the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will lead an easy four-mile “Peak of Wildflower Season” walk on April 20. For more info, or to make a reservation call (831) 375-7777.
NEED A PLACE TO STAY IN PACIFIC GROVE (WHILE PERUSING POSIES)?
Sea otters, seals, tidepools, pocket beaches and a mile-long coastal trail…
If you love the beach, look no further than this 4 bedroom/3 bath beauty just one block from the white sand dunes of Asilomar State Beach.
