5 Must-Attend Monterey Peninsula Events in Spring & Summer

Life Around The Monterey Peninsula: 5 Must-Attend Events in Spring & Summer

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Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway (like a honeymoon or anniversary) or you’re thinking about places that the whole family will enjoy visiting, one of the best areas to visit in California is the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. While we might be biased (because it also happens to be the headquarters of Inspirations & Celebrations), the Monterey Peninsula is considered by many to be one of the premiere destinations in the world.

About The Monterey Peninsula

Renowned for world-class golf courses, highly-acclaimed special events, award-winning restaurants, a plethora of wineries and wine tasting rooms, and countless outdoor activities, the Monterey Peninsula is a beloved vacation spot for celebrities, notable persons, and travelers from around the globe. Based in Monterey County, the Monterey Peninsula is comprised of several unique and charming cities, including Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, Monterey, and Pacific Grove.

While the weather on the Monterey Peninsula is temperate year-round (it averages 65 degrees), one of the best times of year to visit the Monterey Peninsula is during Spring and Summer. Not only does the shining sun make the spectacular natural scenery (like lush hillsides, towering forests, and a majestic coastline) look picture-perfect, it also heralds the beginning of the social season around the Monterey Peninsula.

Monterey Peninsula Events in Spring & Summer

During Spring and Summer months, the Monterey Peninsula hosts several must-attend events, including the 5 incredible events featured below. Whether you’re a foodie, a wine aficionado, a thrill-seeker, a music-lover, or just a car buff, these are the 5 must-attend Monterey Peninsula events in Spring and Summer.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine

Every year (during March or April), thousands of culinary experts, wine lovers, and food industry experts descend upon the Monterey Peninsula to participate in the legendary Pebble Beach Food & Wine. Since its inception in 2007, Pebble Beach Food & Wine has quickly gained recognition as one of the country’s premier food and wine festivals. This upscale 4-day event (hosted throughout Pebble Beach Resorts) features 250 wineries and 100 celebrity chefs, participating in cooking demos, seminars, exclusive lunches and dinners, and over-the-top parties, making it one of the must-attend Monterey Peninsula events in Spring.

FMI Superbike World Championship at Mazda Raceway

For those who enjoy the thrill of watching superbikes clock record-breaking speeds around corkscrew turns on a world-famous speedway, the FMI Superbike World Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is by far, one of the must-attend Monterey Peninsula events in July. As Mazda Raceway states, “There is plenty of nail-biting racing to enjoy with two World Superbike races; the first race is on Saturday and the second on Sunday. This is the one chance to see these skilled riders, as it is the series’ only visit to the United States. Riders line up on the starting grid, making for an entertaining sprint toward the tight Turn 2 and continuous hard-fought battles for the lead throughout the course. “

Carmel Bach Festival

If your idea of a relaxing vacation includes listening to inspiring classical music, played by a highly-reputed orchestra, on stage at a magnificent venue (such as the Sunset Center in Carmel), then the Carmel Bach Festival (hosted over 2 weeks in July) is definitely one of the must-attend Monterey Peninsula events that should be added to your calendar now. “The Carmel Bach Festival (CBF) began in 1935 as a four-day series of concerts at the Sunset School Auditorium and the Carmel Mission Basilica. Over the years, it grew to a three-week celebration of concerts, recitals, master classes, lectures, and open rehearsals, and in 2009 the Festival was shortened to two weeks. The Festival’s mission is to celebrate the works, inspiration and ongoing influence of Johann Sebastian Bach worldwide by immersing audiences in a festival experience integrating music, education and ideas. ” [Source: BachFestival.org]

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Are you the ultimate car buff? Do you love having your breath taken away by seeing rare vintage automobiles? Then, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of those bucket-list events that you’re sure to enjoy when visiting the Monterey Peninsula. Set on the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links, every August, thousands of automobile aficionados, car collectors (including celebs like Jay Leno), and automobile industry executives gather in Pebble Beach for the world famous Concours d’Elegance auto show. “Originally a small social event paired with a road race through the pine and cypress forests of Pebble Beach, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has grown into the top-ranking collector car competition in the world. The Concours is not a contest of speed, but of elegance. Automobiles and motorcycles are judged for their historical accuracy, their technical merit and their style—and the best garner reward and recognition.” [Source: PebbleBeachConcours.net]

Monterey Jazz Festival

For those who enjoy lively jazz music festivals in a relaxed, casual atmosphere, the Monterey Jazz Festival is one of those must-attend Monterey Peninsula events that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. This annual gathering of the world’s elite jazz players (such as Chris Botti) happens every September at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. This year, MJF boasts that “over 500 artists will be performing nonstop on 8 stages for 3 nights and 2 days of the world’s best jazz. Voted “World’s Best Jazz Festival” by the readers of JazzTimes Magazine in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2014, the Monterey Jazz Festival offers 20 acres of magnificent oak-studded grounds for fans to enjoy, featuring films, conversations with the Festival’s stars, exhibitions, food and beverages, an international shopping bazaar, and 8 stages of live jazz entertainment spread throughout the grounds.” [Source: MontereyJazzFestival.org]

As you can see by these must-attend Monterey Peninsula events, our beloved area is definitely a happening hot-spot for more reasons than one. Aside from these renowned special events, there are countless other activities and experiences to enjoy in this area. From hiking and bicycle riding (along coastal rec trails and in scenic state parks) to wine tasting excursions and fine dining, the Monterey Peninsula will surely become one of your favorite destination spots, whether you’ve visited once or come back every year. To learn more about the Monterey Peninsula, visit the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Monterey Peninsula Vacation Giveaway

If you’d love to win a luxurious vacation to the Monterey Peninsula, mark your calendars for October 1st, 2016, as Inspirations & Celebrations will be launching a very special giveaway, in honor of the site’s 5 Year Anniversary. Make sure to subscribe by email or RSS now, so that you’ll receive the announcement about the giveaway details. You won’t want to miss this amazing opportunity!