A series of well-lit paved paths lead guests to all areas of the property. During inclement weather, a shuttle service is provided using quiet electric carts. Most of facilities are configured to be handicap accessible.

January 2011 | February 2011 | March 2011 | April 2011 | May 2011 | June 2011 | July 2011
August 2011 | September 2011 | October 2011 | November 2011 | December 2011

JANUARY 2011
Winter is generally mild in Big Sur and the greater Monterey-area, although January can bring rain and dramatic storms. Generally, the cooler weather keeps the fog away, with crystal-clear blue skies in the daytime, and crisp, sparkling evenings for unbelievable star gazing. It’s also a perfect time for viewing the California Gray Whale migration as they continue their journey from the cold Bering and Chukchi Seas to the warm lagoons of Baja California. Whale spouts are readily visible from roadside turnouts.

FEBRUARY 2011
If you're looking for quiet and would like to explore beaches and forests in solitude, this is the time of year to visit. Bring your waders, fishing pole and license and explore the Big Sur River. It continues to be a perfect time for viewing the California Gray Whale migration as the whales slowly begin their journey north, back to the cold waters of the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars!

Superbowl at the Restaurant at Ventana
Special drink prices and complimentary house-made kettle chips and truffle dip
831.667.4242

To Sur, With Love Exhibit – The Gallery at Ventana
Friday, February 12–Friday, March 12, 2011
Exhibit with pieces dedicated to the art of romance. Featured local artists include Lygia Chappellett,
Sarah Healey, Carolyn Mary Kleefeld, Nick Leonoff, Karuna Licht, Branham Rendlen, Celia Sanborn and Gustavo Torres.
Complimentary, 831.667.4298

Love Poetry with Carolyn Mary Kleefeld – The Gallery at Ventana
Saturday, February 13, 2011
Carolyn recites original poems accompanied by the improv music of Martin Shears
Complimentary, 831.667.4298

Valentines Day Chocolate Truffle Making Class
Sunday, February 14, 2011
Executive Chef Dory Ford and Pastry Chef Gina Hudson lead a hands on class in making flavored chocolate truffles topped off with a champagne toast!
Participants may take their creations home to loved ones. $30 per person. R.S.V.P., 831.667.4242

A Love Affair with Tango – The Gallery at Ventana
Sunday, February 14, 2011
Tango performances and lessons by Monterey Peninsula Dance
Complimentary, 831.667.4298

AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am ~ Pebble Beach
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. http://www.attpbgolf.com/ 800.541.9091

Valentine's Day at the Restaurant at Ventana
831.667.4242

Wine Passport Weekend ~ Countywide
Explore the wineries of Monterey County equipped with a 'passport' that entitles you to tastings, special offers and great prizes. www.montereywines.org 831.375.9400

MARCH 2011
Mother Gray Whales and their calves swim closer to shore on their return migration to the Arctic, making for great whale watching. Be sure to bring binoculars. Spring wildflowers begin to pop up on hillsides; willows and calla lilies bloom along the creeks and in canyons, and wild iris appear on the forest floor. Waterfalls and rivers abound, as nature awakens in all of her glory.

Chamber Music Series ~ Carmel
The Salzburg Chamber Soloists, official representatives of the Austrian city, offer a special program celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. www.carmelmusic.org 831.626.9938

APRIL 2011
April is the height of springtime, here in the Big Sur wilderness. The hillsides are alive with California Poppies and colored wildflowers are everywhere; blues, reds, orange, yellow, pink, an endless field of color. Streams continue to run clear and deep from winter run-off.

The Sea Otter Classic ~ Monterey
The 19th Annual Sea Otter Classic will be held at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, Calif. The four-day "Celebration of Sport" is considered the world's largest cycling festival, hosting nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and 50,000 fans. www.seaotterclassic.com 800.218.8411.

Next Generation Jazz Festival ~ Monterey
The Monterey Jazz Festival turns the spotlight on young, up-and-coming musicians. www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Big Sur International Marathon ~ Hwy 1, Big Sur to Carmel
Named the Best Marathon in North America by The Ultimate Guide to Marathons. www.bsim.org 831.625.6226

Pebble Beach Food & Wine ~ Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach Food & Wine celebrates 60 celebrity chefs and 250 wineries during an unforgettable four-day event. www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com

MAY 2011
Slowly the emerald green hills of spring begin to fade to the magical color for which the golden state is named. The weather is perfect for enjoying a hike and a picnic in one of the area's nearby parks.

Carmel Art Festival ~ Carmel
Gallery events, lectures, receptions and demonstrations at 43 art galleries in addition to a plein air painting competition. Plein air painters work on location to quickly capture the fleeting light effects that occur in nature. www.carmelartfestival.org 831.642.2503

Monterey Festival of Speed ~ Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
The Grand American Road Racing Association's Rolex Sports Car Series stages a 250-mile race with a two-hour, 30-minute time limit. www.laguna-seca.com 800.327.SECA

Robinson Jeffers at Point Sur ~ Big Sur
A most unusual evening exploration of Point Sur Lighthouse, followed by a poetry reading celebrating the relationship of poet Robinson Jeffers to this remote and beautiful landscape. Reservations are a must. www.torhouse.org 831.624.1813

Pebble Beach Equestrian Challenge ~ Pebble Beach
Level A horse show, featuring hunter jumping and other classes. www.ridepebblebeach.com 831.624.2756

Cooking for Solutions ~ Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey
Notable chefs gather in a three-day extravaganza dedicated to sustainable seafood. Ventana Chef to participate! www.montereybayaquarium.org 831.644.7561

Hidden Gardens Tour ~ Big Sur
Musicians and artists are scattered throughout beautiful homes and gardens in Big Sur. www.bigsurarts.org 831-667-1530

JUNE 2011
It's the beginning of the lazy days of summer. Here in Big Sur that means morning hikes, picnic lunches, afternoons relaxing in the sun, and fabulous sunsets over cocktails from The Restaurant at Ventana’s terrace.

Monterey Bay Blues Festival ~ Monterey Fairgrounds
Three stages of matchless blues and R-and-B, presented by a festival dedicated to preserving this unique American art form. www.montereyblues.com 831.394.2652

Carmel Valley Art & Wine Festival ~ Carmel Valley
Join artisans in the charming Carmel Valley Village for an afternoon of wine tasting, artwork, food and live music. www.carmelvalleychamber.com 831.659.4000

JULY 2011
Consider viewing the exhibits at the Nature Center in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, designed to acquaint visitors with Big Sur’s plant and animal life. Then visit the new Big Sur Cultural and Natural History Center, and the "Ranch House," located at nearby Andrew Molera State Park. From there take a walk to Molera Beach for an afternoon of beach-combing for unique pieces of driftwood.

Annual Dressage Show ~ Pebble Beach
One of the Central Coast's most important and popular horse shows, on the showgrounds of Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. www.ridepebblebeach.com 831.624.2756

Carmel Bach Festival ~ Carmel
America's preeminent festival of Baroque music will celebrate its 68th season with 100 musicians from around the world. www.bachfestival.org email:info@bachfestival.org 831.644.2046

Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix ~ Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
One of the most anticipated events in motorsports. www.laguna-seca.com 800.327.SECA

Pebble Beach Equestrian Classic I ~ Pebble Beach
The Equestrian Classics host competitors from all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico. www.ridepebblebeach.com 831.624.2756

West Coast Championship Poetry Slam ~ Big Sur
Dozens of poets who are deemed among the "Best of the West" duke it out on the lawn of the Henry Miller Library. www.henrymiller.org 831.667.2547

AUGUST 2011
Steinbeck Festival ~ Salinas
Four days of films, speakers, panels, theater, and bus or walking tours, all celebrating John Steinbeck, most famous son of Salinas. www.steinbeck.org 831.796.3833

Winemakers Celebration ~ Monterey
Over 45 Monterey County wineries will pour new releases and special wines in Monterey’s Custom House Plaza. www.montereywines.org 831.375.9400

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance ~ Pebble Beach
This spectacular event exhibits some of the most unique pre-war and post-war marques along with the latest in concept car designs. www.pebblebeachconcours.net 831.622.1700

Monterey Historic Automobile Races ~ Monterey
The Monterey Historic Society brings out the best of racing's past, from pre-war racers adorned with nameplates like Bugatti and Alfa-Romeo. www.montereyhistoric.com 805.686.9292

SEPTEMBER 2011
Monterey Jazz Festival ~ Monterey
The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest running jazz festival in the world. More than 500 top jazz artists perform throughout the weekend on nine stages spread throughout the grounds. www.montereyjazzfestival.org 831.373.3366

Monterey Sports Car Championships ~ Monterey
The Monterey Sports Car Championships featuring the American Le Mans Series race into the darkness. This race weekend includes a Saturday afternoon-into-evening four-hour race and Sunday’s season finale of both the SPEED World Challenge Touring and GT series, the IMSA Challenge, Atlantic Championship and Star Mazda Series. www.laguna-seca.com

OCTOBER 2011
Big Sur Jade Festival ~ Big Sur
Celebrate the two jewels of Big Sur - the south coast and magnificent jade. Enjoy jade, gems, woodcarving, live music and barbecue. www.surcoast.com/jfest.html 831.659.3857

NOVEMBER 2011
Great Wine Escape Weekend ~ Countywide
Celebrate the harvest of Monterey County wineries and restaurants as they roll out the red carpet for a weekend of self-guided and narrated bus tours, open houses, winemaker dinners and live entertainment. www.montereywines.org 831.375.9400

Big Sur Half Marathon ~ Monterey
This half marathon features a scenic, flat fast course that loops around Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row and the Pacific Grove coastline. www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org 831.625.6226

Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational ~ Pebble Beach
Enjoy the world famous golf links on the Monterey Peninsula: Del Monte Golf Course, Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course www.pebblebeach.com 831.647.7500

Big Sur Food & Wine Festival ~ Big Sur
The Big Sur Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of the creative culinary arts and professional, intimate hospitality of this world-renowned region.  www.bigsurfoodandwine.org 831.667.0800.

DECEMBER 2011
Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival
The best cowboy poets and balladeers are featured in a three-day weekend event also showcasing western artists and gear makers. http://montereycowboy.org/