When Does Monterey Tourist Season End?Big Sur Story (San Francisco: hotels, theater)

[Everest209]

We usually go in the winter to Monterey/Carmel, this time we went this weekend. I have never seen Cannery Row so busy, it was ridiculous. I figured since kids were back in school it would be less crowded, no luck. Also a lot of hotels booked to the brim. So when does tourist season end? I know there are a few Monterey experts in here.

It was actually so crowded, I decided to explore towards Big Sur a little bit. Dipped our feet into Big Sur would be a good analogy. I have never driven to the Bixby Bridge. After yesterday, I still haven't. What I didn't know then what I know now is the Rock Creek Bridge (I think that's what is called) is a smaller version of the Bixby Bridge. So that sucked. Still, we went to
Garrapata beach where almost no one was, and it was beautiful. Countless trips to that area never ceases to amaze me, anyone else feel that way?

[carmel123]

Everest:

At the beginning of the school year if it is hot inland, it is likely to be busy with tourists here in Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur. Not all schools begin on the same day, so we expect about a month of tourism even after we think kids should be in school. There is also an online events calendar I check: Monterey Carmel Events Calendar 2011

[Crowskee Savvnasty]

You were probably here during a festival. Check the events calendar and book a trip when there isn't any festivals. Typically it is pretty slow out here and the tourist season ends about the end of October. The great thing about this, is that we have late summers so if you are lucky you will still catch some great weather.

[onlymike]

You were probably here during one of the festivals or even the car shows and that brings out people in droves. Or it could just be a nice sunny day and everyone south of San Francisco decided to go to the beach. But hey at least you discovered Big Sur it is a beutiful place. To see when the events and happening are going on to avoid them or hey maybe even to take part check the site listed above or this one Monterey Ca Monterey Ca

[azjohn]

When does the "season" start up again in the spring?

Is it busy between Thanksgiving and New Years?

[chessgeek]

The Monterey Jazz Festival IMO is the end of the "heavy" tourist season and that takes place Sept. 19-21 this year. Hotel rates are much less in the late fall, winter and early spring with the exception of the Pebble Beach golf pro-am tournament which features many celebrities and is usually in mid-February.

Fall through early spring is a very good time to visit IMO because you get lower lodging rates at many establishments and also less crowds and congestion. With our drought conditions in recent years, there should be no major worries about heavy rainfall during visits (though we really need it) in the "off season" although early morning and evening temperatures will be cooler.

You certainly don't need a special event to visit and enjoy the area with Cannery Row/Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, Asilomar Beach, Carmel Beach, Point Lobos State Reserve, 17 Mile Drive, Carmel Mission, Pebble Beach, nearby Big Sur, Carmel Valley, Carmel Rancho which has the Barnyard and Crossroads shopping/dining centers, several wineries in the region/nearby areas and the downtown areas of the three main cities of Carmel, Monterey, and Pacific Grove. I thought I would also mention that the Salinas Airshow is being held Sept. 27-28 this year. You can enjoy that one without a ticket!

In addition, there are performing arts at Sunset Center (Carmel), Golden State Theater (downtown Monterey), and the Paper Wing Theater (Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey) to mention just a few. Monterey Peninsula College and CSU-Monterey Bay also offer performances on occasion. If you should venture inland to Salinas, the Western Stage at Hartnell Junior College is well regarded. Or you can visit the Steinbeck Center Museum downtown.

[chessgeek]

Originally Posted by azjohn

When does the "season" start up again in the spring?

Is it busy between Thanksgiving and New Years?

It is not real busy at Thanksgiving, but on New Year's Eve downtown Monterey has a popular celebration called First Night. You could stay in Carmel, Pacific Grove or a Monterey hotel outside the downtown area that weekend to avoid those crowds which will be mostly locals and people from some nearby cities. Aside from that New Year's celebration, it should be a less crowded time of year to visit the area.

In the spring, Pacific Grove has its popular Good Old Days Festival in mid-April and it gradually becomes busier in the region from that point through late September's Monterey Jazz Festival. April and May should still be reasonably uncrowded for the most part with the exception of the Memorial Day Weekend. July and August are probably the busiest months for tourism. Classic car week in the region which includes the Concourse D' Elegance among others just finished today and always brings large crowds. I was in both Pacific Grove and Monterey last Wednesday and it felt like a Saturday with all the visitors! It has become the most popular series of events in the region these days. (Back in the 70's, 80's, and 90's the Monterey Jazz Festival in September and the Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament in February would have competed for that honor).

Another possible alternative for those who are already familiar with the Monterey region is to lodge in Marina and from there it is convenient to visit Moss Landing to the north which has a few antique stores, a produce market, deli, and some good restaurants like The Whole Enchilada, Phil's Fish Market and Lemongrass Thai Restaurant. The Central Texan Barbecue restaurant in Castroville is very good, too. In Marina, Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse, English Ales Brew Pub, Ho Wah Chinese Restaurant, and the Wild Thyme Deli are good choices. The nearby Elkhorn Slough and Fort Ord Dunes State Park can also be explored. They are less scenic than Big Sur and other coastal areas in the Monterey Peninsula region to the south, but usually less crowded, too.