Monterey County
montereyinfo.org
Monterey County Visitor Information Monterey County Meeting Planners Information Travel Media Information CVB Members
Great Deals Book a Room E-Newsletter Visitors Guide
Travel Basics Arts & Culture Lodging Food & Wine Attractions Recreation Golf Events Weddings Directory Contact Us Home

You are here: Monterey County Convention & Visitors BureauRecreation

Recreation

Monterey County Visitor Information
Recreation
Beaches
Golfing
Hiking
Biking
Horseback Riding
Kayaking
Sailing
Scuba Diving
Whale Watching
Fishing
Hang Gliding & Skydiving
Sports Facilities
Spectator Sports & Events

News and Events
SPORTS CARS SPEED TO LAGUNA SECA

It's the event sports car enthusiasts have been waiting for - the Monterey Sports Car Champioships! From October 19-21 the Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca will host the finale of the American Le Mans Series. This weekend showcases the world�s most exotic sports cars, many of which compete in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans each year. With prototypes from manufacturers such as Audi, Mazda, Porsche, and Acura, and GT-class cars from Corvette, Aston-Martin, Porsche and Panoz, there is a car for everyone to root for at the Monterey Sports Car ChampionshipS!



For more information on the Monterey Sports Car Championships, please visit Laguna Seca on the web at www.laguna-seca.com.


Did you know?

The sculptural forms of the dunes around the blue crescent of the bay at Marina are thousands of years old. From the Salinas River to Monterey Harbor, the dune system extended inland as far as the Salinas Valley during the Pleistocene era. After the ice sheets melted thousands of years ago, the Pacific Ocean receded and the dunes remained. They rise as high as 100 ft. in some places and are always changing shape due to wind and weather.


Video! View our entire selection of Monterey County Videos
Recommended for high speed connections only.



recreation

Recreation


So many choices. So little time. Monterey County is a premiere destination for those who love the outdoors. Biking, hiking, walking, boating, hang-gliding and animal watching are just a few of the activities that lure visitors to Monterey and make residents thankful they live here. Whether you want to watch the whales or climb a mountain, walk the Recreation Trail or dive the depths, there can be no more spectacular place to enjoy the outdoors than Monterey County.

Sports & Recreation Events 2007
Sports & Recreation Events 2008

View all sports and recreation events throughout the year.




Get a Workout!

Need a workout while you're visiting Monterey? Stop by the Monterey Sports Center, a city-owned state-of-the-art recreation facility in downtown Monterey. Work out in the cardio room, the near Olympic-sized swimming pool or the basketball courts. Lift weights, take an aerobics class, or speed down the waterslide. Only $6.50 a day for non-resident adults, $4.00 for kids aged 6-17. (Extra fee for aerobics and other classes.)



Sports and Recreation Events 2007


October 6
Fall Birding Excursion
Moss Landing

(831) 633-5555
See thousands of birds on their fall migration through the Elkhorn Slough. Professional birders will combine bird facts with tips for identifying the various bird species. Relax and enjoy observing these birds from the comfort of a roomy, stable pontoon boat. Workshop starts at 2:30 p.m. and is $38 and includes a refreshment.

October 6
Monterey Walk to D'Feet ALS
Monterey

800-209-0433
walk.fightals.com
On Saturday, October 6, 2007, the ALS Association (Lou Gehrig?s Disease) Greater Bay Area Chapter holds its 2007 Monterey Walk to D?Feet ALS at El Estero Park. Registration opens at 10:00 am; Walk begins at 11:00 am. All registrants will receive a commemorative Walk day t-shirt and free admission to the post-Walk festivities and barbeque provided and catered by King City Young Farmers.

October 6
4th Annual Sail Boat Regatta

Monterey
831-372-6668
www.ccvna.com
Benefit on the Bay for VNA afternoon sailboat regatta and evening luau, auction at Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club to benefit Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice.

October 19-21
Monterey Sports Car Championships

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey
www.laguna-seca.com
Look for BMWs, Audis, Porsches, Vipers and Corvettes, driven by the stars of sports car racing.

October 21
6th Annual Teddy Bear Run by ABATE

Monterey
831-373-0763
www.ccvna.com
Local Motorcyclists to bring stuffed toys for Visiting Nurse Association pediatric patients.

October 27
Big Sur River Run

Big Sur
831-624-4112
www.bigsurriverrun.org
10K foot race and 5K walk amongst the redwoods and along the Big Sur River to benefit local charities.

back to top


November 1-5
Pebble Beach Equestrian Championships

Pebble Beach
831-624-2756
www.ridepebblebeach.com
Grand finale to the horse show season in Pebble Beach.

November 11
Big Sur Half Marathon and Run Forrest Run 5K

Monterey
831-625-6226
www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org
This half marathon features a scenic, flat fast course that loops around Fisherman?s Wharf, Cannery Row and the Pacific Grove coastline.

November 13-18
Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational

Pebble Beach
831-625-8575
www.pebblebeach.com
The world's only tournament that matches players from the PGA, the LPGA, the Champions, and Nationwide Tours in head-to-head competition for the same purse

November 23-December 31
Ice Skating at the Monterey Fairgrounds

Monterey
831-372-5863
www.montereyonice.com
Ice rink open daily through the winter holidays.

December 16
Brighten the Harbor

Monterey
831-372-9686
www.mpyc.org
Boats decorated with Christmas lights parade from the Coast Guard Pier to Lover's Point and back. A judging of boats will follow at the Yacht Club.



Sports and Recreation Events 2008


January 1
18th Annual Rio grill Resolution Run

Carmel
831-645-4777
www.riogrillresolutionrun.com
This 6.8 mile foot race and 3-mile family fun run are set on a breathtaking cross-country course and benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monterey County.

January 12-16
Monterey Swingfest

Monterey
805-937-1574
www.centralcoastswingdance.com
Dance workshops feature past and present world and national champions, plus open dancing. Presented by Central Coast Swing Dance at the Monterey Hyatt Regency.

February 4-10
AT&T; Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

Pebble Beach
800-541-9091
www.attpbgolf.us
The AT&T; Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is a 72-hole PGA Tour golf championship with 180 top tour professionals and 180 star-studded celebrity amateurs competing head-to-head for the coveted title. The tournament benefits a number of local charities.

February 17-24
AMGEN Tour of California

Seaside
www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
The world's top professional cycling teams compete for the highest prize purse in America. Stage 4 begins in Seaside on the 21st.

April 17-20
Sea Otter Classic Cycling Festival

Laguna Seca, Monterey
831-373-2331
www.seaotterclassic.com
Called the Bikestock of North America, this massive cycling event features fun rides, road racing, mountain bike racing, BMX racing, kids events, and a consumer tradeshow that highlights the latest in cycling hardware, clothing and good. Racers range from first timers to Olympic champions.

April 27
Big Sur International Marathon

Big Sur
831-625-6226
www.bsim.org
This marathon, consistently named the "Best Marathon in North America" by the Ultimate Guide to Marathon, is set along one of the most breathtaking routes in the world. Also includes a 21-mile power walk, 5K run, 9-mile walk, 10.6-mile walk and marathon relay.

May 2-4
Wildflower Triathlon

Monterey
831-373-0678
www.tricalifornia.com
One of the premier triathlons nationally and internationally, this course will test the skills of the professional triathlete and the first-time long course competitor.

May 4
Annual Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk

Pacific Grove
800-FIGHT-MS
www.nationalmssociety.org
Lover�s Point will be hosting the annual MS Walk, the signature fundraising event of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society held in over 700 cities across the country with more than 250000 walkers. By walkng you�ll be making a difference by raising essential funds for research and services for people with MS.

May 13-18
Pebble Beach Equestrian Challenge

Pebble Beach
831-624-2756
www.ridepebblebeach.com
Level A horse show, featuring hunter jumping and other classes, this show is perfect in setting up for the next round of preparedness in the quest for equestrian excellence as trainers, riders and horses move closer to the excitement of the big summer shows!

May 16-18
Monterey Festival of Speed

Laguna Seca, Monterey
800-327-SECA
www.laguna-seca.com
The 52nd season of racing kicks off with the new Monterey Festival of Speed, a doubleheader weekend featuring the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series on Saturday and the Champ Car World Series on Sunday.

May (TBA)
24 Hours of Adrenalin Cycle Race

Laguna Seca, Monterey
416-391-2651
www.24HoursofAdrenalin.com
24 Hours of Adrenalin is the fastest-growing mountain bike event series in North America. Solo riders and teams compete to ride as many laps as possible in a 24-hour tie frame. Also includes race festival.

July 17-20
California Rodeo Salinas

Salinas
800-771-8807
www.carodeo.com
The California Rodeo Slainas promises edge-of-your-seat thrills for the entire family. Top pro competition in steer wrestling, bull riding, calf roping, bareback bronco riding, and barrel racing. Enjoy parades, night shows and great food.

July 18-20
Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix and MotoGP World Championship

Laguna Seca, Monterey
800-327-SECA
www.laguna-seca.com
One of the top events in international motorcycling, the MotoGP World Championship races into Monterey when Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca hosts the Red Bull Grand Prix.

July 22-27
Pebble Beach Equestrian
Classic I

Pebble Beach
831-624-2756
www.ridepebblebeach.com
The Equestrian Classics host competitors from all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico for two weeks of spectacular show jumping highlighted by special events, wine tasting and family fun.

back to top


July 29 - August 3
Pebble Beach Equestrian
Classic II

Pebble Beach
831-624-2756
www.ridepebblebeach.com
The Equestrian Classics host competitors from all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico for two weeks of spectacular show jumping highlighted by special events, wine tasting and family fun.

August 15-17
Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races presented by Toyota

Laguna Seca, Monterey
831-327-SECA
www.laguna-seca.com
The Monterey Historics bring out the best of racing's past, from pre-war racers adorned with nameplates like Bugatti and Alfa-Romeo to 70s and 80s rocket ships from Lola and McLaren.

August (TBA)
The First Tee Open

Pebble Beach
831-649-1533
www.thefirstteeopen.com
The Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach showcases the talent and character of young people who participate at The First Tee facilities worldwide. An official Champions Tour event, the tournament pairs one junior with a Champions Tour player and two amateurs.

August (TBA)
40th Annual Scottish Games and Celtic Festival

Toro Park
831-647-6311
www.montereyscotgames.com
A festival celebrating Scottish and Irish traditions and culture, featuring bagpiping and drumming, clans, British food, special entertainment and exciting competitions in Highland and Irish dancing, pipe bands and athletics.

September 9-14
Strides and Tides Horse Show

Pebble Beach
831-624-2756
www.ridepebblebeach.com
Casual, fun-filled equestrian event before the championships later in the fall. Level A horse show featuring hunter jumping and horses from all over California.

September (TBA)
47th Annual Great Sandcastle Contest

Carmel
831-620-2020
www.carmelcalifornia.com
Contestants start at 8 a.m. and judging takes place at 2 p.m. on Carmel Beach. This event is co-sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, Monterey Bay Chapter and the city of Carmel. The theme will be announced two weeks before the event date. Free.

September (TBA)
California International Airshow

Salinas
831-754-1983
www.salinasairshow.com
Prepare to be dazzled by fantastic flying exhibitions by high-flying jets and helicopters, aerobatics, and skydiving, Friday Night Fireworks & Pyrotechnic Extravaganza, US Navy Blue Angels, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Wing Walking, Bill Stein Power Aerobatics, Bob West "The Wall of Fire" and much more.

October 17-19
Monterey Sports Car Championships

Laguna Seca, Monterey
800-327-SECA
www.laguna-seca.com
The finale of the American Le Mans Serie, this weekend showcases the world�s most exotic sports cars, with prototypes from manufacturers such as Audi, Mazda, Porsche, and Acura, and GT-class cars from Corvette, Aston-Martin, Porsche and Panoz.

October 29 - November 2
Pebble Beach Equestrian Championships

Pebble Beach
831-624-2756
www.ridepebblebeach.com
Grand finale to the horse show season in Pebble Beach.

October (TBA)
Big Sur River Run

Big Sur
831-624-4112
www.bigsurriverrun.org
10K foot race and 5K walk amongst the redwoods and along the Big Sur River to benefit local charities.

October (TBA)
5th Annual Sail Boat Regatta

Monterey
831-372-6668
www.ccvna.com
Benefit on the Bay for VNA afternoon sailboat regatta and evening luau, auction at Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club to benefit Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice.

November 9
Big Sur Half Marathon and Run Forest Run 5K

Monterey
831-625-6226
www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org
This half marathon features a scenic, flat fast course that loops around Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row and the Pacific grove coastline.

November 18-23
Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational

831-625-8575
www.pebblebeach.com
Enjoy the world famous golf links on the Monterey Peninsula: Del Monte Golf Course, Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.

November (TBA)
Ice Skating at the Monterey County Fairgrounds

Monterey831-372-5863
www.montereyonice.com
Ice rink open daily through the winter holidays.