Friday, July 31, 5-7 pm End of Summer Celebration at Jacks Park, 451 Adams Street, Monterey. This free celebration will have carnival games, including a dunk tank, face painting, and many more fun activities. Be sure to catch the Michael Jackson “Beat it” Dance Party at 5:30 pm and cook off with Kona Ice, available for purchase. 7-8:30 pm FREE drop-in swim at the Monterey Sports Center, to continue the celebration. Don’t forget your swimsuit and towel. More info at Monterey.gov/rec.
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FREE CAR WEEK EVENTS (or nearly free)
Friday, August 7- Monday, August 17, 2026, daily noon to 4 pm – “Racing to Del Monte and Pebble Beach” at the Monterey History and Art Museum at the Stanton Center, 5 Custom House Plaza. This immersive exhibit celebrates early Monterey Bay motoring culture from the dawn of the horseless carriage age and includes rare early racing vehicles, and original artifacts and memorabilia, including 1899 Osen & Hunt, the first automobile built in San Jose, 1907 Mitchell, a celebrated touring car of the era, 1903 Haynes-Apperson, rare motorcycles, bicycles, and more. There are rare photographs from the 1903 inaugural races from San Jose to the famed Del Monte Hotel race tract and Pebble Beach and photos, and the groundbreaking hill climbs along Carmel Hill. Historic racing presentations and rare film screenings will be featured in the Stanton Center theater throughout the week. Speaker and film schedules are at: https://www.montereyhistory.org/stanton-center/exhibits.
Friday, Augusst 7, 2026, 5 pm – 7 pm – Kickoff of Clasic Car Week on Alvarado Street – See classic race cars and talk to owners about their vintage rides on Alvarado Street between Pearl and Del Monte Streets while listening to music. Free.
Monday, August 10, 3-7 pm Porsche Monterey Classic at 1781 Del Monte Boulevard in Seaside. Free.
Monday, August 10, 12-4 pm- “Electric Coast” at the Asilomar Conference Grounds. Free. Explore the future of driving and reserve a space for your free Rivian test drive at https://www.visitasilomar.com/things-to-do/car-week.
Tuesday, August 11, 10-4 Concours for a Cause on Ocean Avenue in Carmel is free. View Vintage cars as you walk the avenue.
Tuesday, August 11, 10-2 “Electric Coast” at the Asilomar Conference Grounds. Free. Explore the future of driving and reserve a space for your free Rivian test drive at https://www.visitasilomar.com/things-to-do/car-week.
Wednesday, August 12, noon -5 pm “The Little Car Show” on Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove. See vintage small and miniature cars at this classic free event.
Thursday, August 13, 2026, 9 am -3 pm – “Legends of the Autobahn” at the Pacific Grove Golf Links. See vintage German cars. 77 Asilomar Boulevard, Pacific Grove. Free. Spectator parking is $30-40 and can be reserved at https://legendsoftheautobahn.org/.
Thursday, August 13, 2026- noon – 5 pm “Woodies in the Woods” at the Asilomar Conference Grunds. in the Grand Cypress Meadow. The event is free to attend and will include: – Live Music – Food – A beer garden – beautiful classic woodies on display – Parking is free and available on the property or nearby streets.
Friday, August 14, 2026, 10 am-2 pm- “Pacific Grove Rotary Concours Auto Rally” in downtown Pacific Grove. See the classic cars on Lighthouse Avenue at this free event. Registration and staging of participating cars begin at noon along Lighthouse Avenue in the heart of Pacific Grove. Spectators arrive throughout the afternoon to view the staged vehicles and to watch them depart on the rally drive that follows a scenic route along the magnificent Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach shoreline. The rally returns to downtown Pacific Grove. If you wish to dine at any of our fine restaurants, be sure to make reservations well ahead.
Saturday, August 15, 2026, 8 am-1:30 pm – Concours d’LeMons at Seaside City Hall, 440 Harcourt Avenue, featuring hoopties, rust buckets, weird misfits, celebrity judges (known to be bribed) and thrift store trophies. This free event is fun for all.
Saturday, August 15, 2026, 11 am -4 pm – Exotics on Broadway between Del Monte and Fremont Streets in Seaside are free to see, however, the larger event of cars and vendors, now on Fremont Street, is a ticketed event, with prices from $40-925 to get in. Shuttles and rideshare are recommended.
Sunday August 16 Concours d’ Elegance in Pebble Beach is the grand finale of car week. Information for it and other ticketed events can be found at https://www.seemonterey.com/monterey-car-week-events-by-day
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Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 7 pm Old Town Neighborhood Association Meeting -at the conference room inside the McKone Building, corner of Pierce and Jefferson Street. We will discuss the plans for the September 21, 7 pm Candidates Forum, get updates from committees, and discuss issues such as the roundabout.
Saturday, August 29, 11 am – 7 pm and Sunday, August 30, 2026, 11-6 pm – Turkish Arts and Cultural Festival – Enjoy food, live Turkish music and Turkish culture. Special this year are a performance by the Whirling Dervishes and a live demonstration of Ebru, the traditional Turkish art of water marbling, and a Turkish Carpet Weaving demonstration. Taste Turkish delights including Maras Dondurmas, the famous Turkish ice cream and Simit Turkish Sesame bread, Turkish coffee. See traditional costumes and cultural presentations at this free, family-friendly event. New Contest: In 50 words or less, tell which Turkish food dish is your favorite and submit to info@turkfestca.org with the subject line “Turkish Favorite Food Contest” by August 21 (one entry per person). 3 lucky winners will receive $25 vouchers redeemable for food at the festival.
Thursday, September 3- 7, 2026, 12 noon – 11 pm– Monterey County Fair at the Fairgrounds (closed slightly earlier Monday), Enjoy free concerts and exhibits of the best of Monterey County. Rides $35 for a day pass) and Rodeo are extra. Advance online tickets purchased by 8/31: Adults $15, Seniors $12, Children 6-12 $8, 5 and under free. Thursday, Sept 3 – Seniors are FREE; Friday, Sept 4 Military and Veterans and their dependents are FREE. Monday, Sept 7 Kids 12 and under are FREE. Purchase tickets at montereycountyfair.com.
Monday, September 21, 2026 7 pm – Monterey Candidates Forum – at Monterey High School Science Room (Room 20). Hear from the mayoral and city council candidates. This year we will elect a councilperson from District 1 and District 2, both of which represent Old Town.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Roundabout Update – The Community Meeting July 9 was packed with residents with a very high majority opposing the roundabout. City Manager Dante Hall will bring the concerns back to the council, who is expected to deliberate again on the issue soon. Watch for an announcement, and when it is agendized, your comments and presence will again be needed.
Colton Hall-Old Flags of Monterey are exhibited until July 31.
REMINDER: If you are a resident or owner in Old Town and haven’t paid dues in 2026 ($20/household), please see details at the bottom of the bulletin. Dues help us keep most events free, such as providing the food and renting the venue for the picnic coming up July 11, and the party at the Perry House in November.
Community Emergency Response Team Training –Learn many life safety skills to protect yourself, your family and your neighbors during an emergency, especially when fire and medical responders cannot immediately respond. CERT trained citizens also assist their community with fire scene support, storm response, searches for missing persons and many other emergencies. CERT graduates become sworn disaster service workers. Signups for the next CERT training class have begun. The next free CERT training occurs October 10, 17, 24, 2026. Attendance at all three days is necessary to graduate. To enroll, or for more information, email certmonterey@gmail.com.
Casa Gutierez New “Shipwrecks of Monterey” Exhibit- From the SS Frank H Buck wrecked at Point Pinos in 1924 to the Roderick Dhu at Asilomar Beach in 1909- Monterey Bay’s seafloor holds stories that few know. This new exhibit brings them to the surface, beginning June 11. 590 Calle Principal (next to the sculpture garden and museum), open Fridays and Saturdays 11-3 pm. Free.
Monterey Public Library Used Book Sale Wednesdays and Saturdays 12-2 pm. Find a treasured bargain in the basement below the library, entered from the parking lot. Paperbacks $1.00. Others as marked. Proceeds go to support the library.
Sand Bag Fill Station next to the Fire Station at 600 Pacific Street is now operational for the season. This is a self-serve station. Sand and bags are provided. Bring your own shovel.
PGE Outage Compensation Program – If you have an outage longer than 48 hours, PGE will compensate you automatically on your bill. For more information, go to https://www.pge.com/en/outages-and-safety/.
Free Recycling Bins are available by asking at the Planning Office, main level of Colton Hall at 570 Pacific Street, or by emailing bristow@monterey.gov to arrange for a pick up.
Invitation to Wednesday and Saturday Barbecues at the American Legion. At our Old Town Neighborhood Association Meeting on Wednesday, August 20, our speaker from the American Legion wanted to be sure that we, their neighbors, are always invited to attend the Wednesday Steak Barbecues (at $15, a bargain) and the Saturday Grills of Hot Dogs/ Hamburgers (under $6). Soft drinks are reasonable and it’s a nice way to meet our veterans.
Rental Registry Compliance – All rental properties must be in compliance with the city rental registry ordinance, and be registered annually.
Annual Residential Parking Passes are available to residents of Monterey and active military for $20, good for two hours at both East and West Downtown Garages, Cannery Row Garage and the Waterfront lot. Bring proof of residency, vehicle registration and ID to Parking office, 340 Tyler Street in the East Garage. See Monterey.org/parking for more information. After July 31, your old permit and guest passes expire and cars will be subject to ticketing.
City of Monterey Accepting Applications for Boards, Committees, and Commissions. For position descriptions and requirements, please go to Monterey.gov/bcc.
Free Wharf Walks by Maritime Historian Tim Thomas the first Saturday of every month from 10am to noon. Hear and experience a two hour cultural maritime history tour, with themes changing monthly. Meet at the head of Old Fisherman’s Wharf near the pink Harbor House store. Free, but advance reservations are required and can be made at monterey.gov/library/events or by calling 831-646-3933. This tour is recommended for ages 10 and up with a maximum group of 15 people.
The Presidio Museum of Monterey is open Saturdays and Sundays 10-4 pm – Learn the fascinating history of our Presidio, including the early indigenous settlers, the founding of the fort, the history during three wars, and the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. An interpretive walk with great views of the bay lead up to the Sloat Monument. You can take a short cut from Van Buren over the creek bridge to reach it from Old Town. Free. Please consider volunteering as a docent for this great museum!
Free Public Tours of Ed Ricketts Pacific Biological Laboratories Second Saturdays, 10:00-11:00 and 11:30-12:30 pm, subject to availability. Modeled after famed ecologist Ed Ricketts, “Doc” was featured prominently in John Steinbeck’s novels about Cannery Row. The Lab at 800 Cannery Row was also where the idea of the Monterey Jazz Festival was born and welcomed such prominent figures as Louis Armstrong. Reserve in advance at monterey.gov/museums or by calling 831-646-5648. Visitors are also welcome to drop by without a reservation to self-tour this historic site from 12:00-4:00 pm on the second Saturday.
Casa Serano, the historic adobe at 412 Pacific Street, is now open for free visits on Saturday and Sunday 2-4 pm. Docents can help you learn the interesting history of this adobe built in 1843, as you peruse the art and furnishings.
Old Town Neighborhood Association’s website is LIVE! Visit oldtownmonterey.org for the latest on events, issues, and to find the Historic Homes self-guided walk featuring historic homes in our Old Town neighborhood. Photos of the July 13 picnic are now posted on the social page of the website.
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND CLUBS
Are you interested in finding others with your interests? Below are some of the other local organizations that welcome new members:
American Association of University Women – This national organization promotes equity for women in the workplace and in education. In addition to supporting education through scholarships, they have book clubs, social events, monthly speakers, a Romancing the Coast monthly adventure, a hiking/walking group, and other interesting events. See http://mpb-ca.aauw.net for more information.
Monterey Civic Club – Founded in 1906, the club owns the House of the Four Winds, located at 540 Calle Principal. This beautiful and historic adobe is believed to be the oldest women’s clubhouse in continuous use in the United States. Members meet the first Tuesday of each month except in summer for lunch and a social program ($25), often with a speaker of importance to members. Contact (831) 747-1072 for more information.
Gentrain Society is an organization for life-long learners. They generally meet the first and third Wednesdays from 1:30-2:30 at the Monterey Peninsula College Lecture Forum #103. Lectures are free and open to the public (except $3.00 parking fee). Topics range from drama, history, and understanding civilizations and more. Courses are also offered, along with trips organized for special events. Schedules are shown at gentrain.org.
Native Daughters of the Golden West – founded in 1880s, for women born in California. The Monterey Junipero Parlor No 141 meets at 6:30 pm in the Casa Serrano on the second Monday of each month. An added benefit of membership is that members can stay at the NDGW home designed by Julia Morgan on Baker Street in San Francisco. For more information, call or text Jerilynn Crivello at 831-320-2080.
Kiwanis Club of Monterey –founded in 1926, helps support community projects, scholarships, and youth groups in our community. Learn more at http://www.kiwanisclubmonterey.org or by emailing factpath-kiwanis@yahoo.com.
| Not Yet a Member of Old Town Neighborhood Association? Annual membership dues are just $20 for two adults in your household which covers the calendar year in which paid. Your dues help support social events and technical costs of website, Zoom meetings, and newsletter. Members can be renters, owners or landlords of a property in Old Town. Learn how to become a member on our website! If you have any questions, contact us! All residents living above Pacific St between the creek near Madison and the Presidio/DLI are eligible. Checks to OTNA can be mailed, along with your names, address, phone and email to our address below. Old Town Neighborhood Association P O Box 724, Monterey, CA 93942 |
This information is being shared as a service by Old Town Neighborhood Association. Information is presumed accurate, but is not guaranteed, and always subject to change. Visit our website at oldtownmonterey.org.