Our hotel's near monterey, ca
Complimentary carmel area guide
Wineries and Tasting Rooms - Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - Concours d'Elegance - Big Sur International Marathon - Sea Otter Classic - Calendar of Events
“Land & Sea Adventures”
Country Garden Inns’ hotels near Laguna Seca Raceway, Carmel Valley wineries, Monterey Peninsula Golf Courses, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Big Sur, CA offer spacious parking for special events with automobiles, bikes and equipment.
The Monterey Peninsula offers world-renowned Monterey attractions along with sports and recreational events. From the dramatic Big Sur coastline and romantic Carmel-by-the-Sea to Pebble Beach 17-Mile-Drive, the area is rich in leisure activities and has no shortage of beauty and charm.
Carmel Valley Things to Do
- Golfing - 10 Minutes away
- Tennis - 2 minutes away
- Biking - 2 minutes away
- Hiking Garland Park - 5 minutes away
- Horseback Riding - 5 minutes away
- Village Galleries/Antiques - walking distance
- Fine dining - walking distance
- Wine Tasting - walking distance
- Laguna Seca -15 minutes away (Carmel Valley’s proximity to racetrack is ideal)
- Pebble Beach 17-Mile Drive - 25 minutes away
- Whale Watching - 20 minutes away
- Kayaking - 20 minutes away
- Snorkeling/Scuba Diving - 20 minutes away
- Monterey Bay Aquarium - 25 minutes away
- Movie Tour - 20 minutes away
- Point Lobos Reserve - 20 minutes away
- Big Sur- 45 minutes away
Wineries & tasting rooms within walking distance of Our carmel by the sea hotels
Heller Estate
Approximately six miles from Chateau Joullian you will come to the area known as Carmel Valley Village. You will find several wineries here and the first one you come to is on the left, the Heller Estate. There is much to like about this winery. For starters, the winery’s 120 acres of vineyards are dry-farmed and certified as 100 percent organic. The tasting room is quaint and the servers are friendly and unpretentious. There are some very unusual sculptures around the gardens that are definitely worth viewing. There is a small shaded picnic area that is a perfect spot for lunch. If you are picnicking here, try a glass of their delicious merlot rose. This wine is dry and crisp. It is perfect for an afternoon picnic lunch. Tasting Room Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, Phone: (831) 659-6220.
Joullian Vineyards
After Heller Estate, immediately watch for Village Road, turn right and look for the Joullian Vineyards tasting room. This winery produces 12,000 cases per year with chardonnay equaling about half of their case production. They make three unique and very tasty chardonnays. The first is a blend of grapes from five different vineyards in Monterey County. The second and third chardonnays are single-vineyard wines, one from Arroyo Seco AVA and one from Santa Lucia AVA, both in the Monterey County. The winery also makes a delightful sauvignon blanc and estate reds, merlot, zinfandel, and cabernet. All of these wines are from the Cachagua region of Carmel Valley. Tasting Room Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, Phone: (831) 659-8100.
Robert Talbott Vineyards
Just across the road from Joullian on the corner of Pilot Road and Carmel Valley Road is the Robert Talbott Vineyards. This winery concentrates on two varietals, chardonnay and pinot noir. The climate of the Santa Lucia and Arroyo Seco AVA of Monterey County are conducive to growing chardonnay and pinot noir. The winery directs all its attention to these two varietals and the results are evident in a series of very fine and high-quality wines. There are some very impressive chardonnay and pinot noir wines. The charge is $6 per person and can be applied to the purchase of wine. The winery has a small picnic area, which also is a very good spot to enjoy a deli lunch. Try a glass of the refreshing Kali Hart Chardonnay. It will go perfectly with lunch. Tasting Room Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily except for Tuesdays, Phone: (831) 659-3500.
Bernardus Winery and Vineyard
Just past the Village on the left is the Bernardus tasting room. The wines featured by this winery are made in a Bordeaux style. The owner, Ben Pon, is a Dutchman whose goal is to make wines patterned after the famous Bordeaux region of France. The winery obtains its grapes from various vineyards in Monterey County but its flagship wine, marinus, is estate grown in the Cachagua wine region of Carmel Valley. Marinus is a highly rated Bordeaux-style wine that is 75% cabernet blended, 20% merlot, with petit verdot and cabernet franc added to the blend. The tasting fee is $5, or $10 to taste the reserve line of wines. Nearby is the famous and luxurious Bernardus lodge, also owned by Ben Pon. Tasting Room Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, Phone: (800) 223-2533.
Tasting rooms
Chateau Sinnet
Featuring a variety of vines: pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, syrah, petit syrah, sangiovese, touriga and zinfandel. Gift shop. Call for hours of operation: (831) 659-2244.
Georis
Established in 1981, this winery features merlot and cabernet sauvignon wines. They also can host your special events. Tasting room hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, Phone: (831) 659-1050.
San Saba
Award-winning wine since 1981, this 75-acre vineyard features cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, merlot, and pinot noir wines. Call for hours of operation: (800) 998-7222.
Sports Venues
- Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Conveniently located 10 minutes from racetrack. Trailer parking available. - Pebble Beach Equestrian Center (20 min)
- 2009 Race Events Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
May 15-17, 2009 - Monterey Festival of Speed
July 3-5, 2009 - Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix
August 14-16, 2009 - 36th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races
October 9-11, 2009 - Monterey Sports Car Championship
Concours d'Elegance
Held once each year in August, the Concours d'Elegance brings 175 of the most pristine collector cars in the world to the famous 18th hole at Pebble Beach, where thousands of enthusiasts are free to roam the exquisite fairway during the competitive event known as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Big Sur International Marathon - Annual Event in April
Located just 10 minutes from pick-up point.
Special Rates offered to race participants
Rates include Early-bird breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese hour.
Sea Otter Classic - Annual Event in April
Mountain and Road Bike Races
Special Rates offered to race participants
Rates include Early-bird breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese hour.
Shopping
For amazing finds and interesting browsing, find shopping in Carmel and beyond at the Monterey County Conventions & Visitors Bureau.
Don't miss out on these annual events ...
January
Weekend Whale Watching
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur | (831) 667-2315Annual Rio Grill Resolution Run
Carmel | (831) 645-4777Monterey SwingFest
Monterey | (805) 937-1574Valley of the World Wine & Food Festival
Salinas | (831) 595-3341, 775-4721
February
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
Pebble Beach | (800) 541-9091
Wine Passport Weekend
Monterey County | (831) 375-9400
AMGEN Tour of California
Monterey County
Annual International Flavors of Marina Event
California State University Monterey Bay | (831) 384-9155
March
Dixieland Monterey
Monterey | (888) 349-6879National Marine Sanctuary Annual Symposium
California State University Monterey Bay | (831) 647-4255Annual Art on the Plaza
MontereyAnnual Big Sur Writing Workshop
Big Sur | (831) 667-2574Next Generation Jazz Festival
Monterey | (831) 373-3366Grand Arrival of the Privateer Lynx
Monterey | (866) 446-5969
April
Sea Otter Classic Cycling Festival
Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey | (831)755-4899Monterey Rock & Rod Festival
MontereyMultiple Sclerosis Society “Rainmaker" Walk, Run
Monterey | (888) I- SHOP-DAnnual Pinnacles Wine Festival
Salinas Valley | (831) 678-2400Birdathon Countdown and Dinner
Big Sur | (831) 624-1202Big Sur International Marathon
Hwy 1, Big Sur to Carmel | (831) 625-6226
May
Latin Jazz at the Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium | (800) 840-4880Jamba Juice Wildflower Triathlon
Lake San Antonio | (831) 373-0678Mamaspalooza
Del Monte Shopping Center
1-888-I-Shop-DMAnnual SPCA Wag N' Walk
Shoreline Park, Monterey | (831) 373-2631SpringFest Arts and Crafts Faire
Custom House Plaza, Monterey | (831) 622-0700Jeffers Tor House Garden Party
Carmel | (831) 624-1813Annual Marina International Festival of the Winds
MarinaPaddlefest
Monterey | (800) 649-5357Annual Carmel Art Festival
Carmel | (831) 642-2503Pebble Beach Equestrian Challenge
Pebble Beach | (831) 624-2756Salinas Valley Fair
King City | (831) 385-3243U.S. Sports Car Invitational
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca | (800) 327-SECACastroville Artichoke Festival
Castroville | (831) 633-2465
June
Annual Cannery Row Block Party
MontereyMonterey Wine and Fine Living Festival
Monterey | (888) 814-WINEWorld Ocean Day Celebration
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey | (831) 648-4800Mission San Antonio Fiesta
Jolon-Fort Hunter Liggett Base | (831) 385-447824 Hours of Adrenalin Cycle Race
Monterey | (416) 391-2651Third Thursday at MMA
Monterey | (831) 372-5477 ext 12
July
Monterey County Celtic Week
Carmel and Monterey | (831) 633-4444Community Fourth of July Parade
Monterey | (831) 646-3866Films in the Forest
Carmel | (831) 626-1681Annual Scottish Games and Celtic Festival
Toro Park, Monterey-Salinas Hwy | (831) 647-6311Annual Obon Festival
Seaside | (831) 372-8181Carmel Bach Festival
Carmel | (831) 624-2046Pebble Beach Equine Festival
Pebble Beach | (831) 624-2756Annual Monterey Friends of the Library Chocolate & Wine Tasting Benefit
Monterey | (831) 373-1241U.S. Grand Prix and MotoGP World Championship
Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca | (800) 327-SECAPebble Beach Equestrian Classic I
Pebble Beach | (831) 624-2756Gilroy Garlic Festival
San Benito County | (408) 842-1625Moss Landing Antique Street Fair
Moss Landing | (831) 633-4501
August
Annual “Musical Marketplace” Benefit Concert Series
MontereySpirit West Coast
Laguna Seca Recreation Area | (831) 443-5399Annual Steinbeck Festival
National Steinbeck Center, Salinas | (831) 775-4721Turkish Festival
Custom House Plaza, Monterey | (831) 655-7509Carmel Valley Fiesta
Carmel Valley | (831) 659-4502Monterey Wine Country
Monterey | (831) 375-9400Monterey County Fair
Monterey County Fairgrounds | (831) 372-5863Concours d'Elegance Vintage Car Parade & Display
Carmel | (831) 620-2020Concorso Italiano
Seaside | (425) 742-0632Monterey Sports Car Auction
Monterey | (800) 211-4371Monterey Historic Automobile Races
Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca | (800) 327-SECAAnnual “Back to School” Festival
Monterey | (831) 751-1678Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Pebble Beach | (831) 622-1700Jewish Food Festival
Carmel Valley | (831) 624-2015The First Tee Open
Pebble Beach | (831) 649-1533Monterey Bay ReggaeFest
Monterey | (831) 394-6534
September
24 Hours of Adrenalin Cycle Race Part II
Monterey | (416) 391-2651Gary Ibsen’s Carmel TomatoFest
Carmel | (888) 989-8171Festa Italia-Santa Rosalia Festival
Monterey | (831) 625-9623, 375-4263Cherry's Jubilee
Monterey | (831) 759-1836Annual Greek Festival
Monterey | (831) 424-4434Salute to Agriculture
Salinas | (831) 424-7611Monterey Jazz Festival
Monterey County Fairgrounds | (925) 275-9255Monterey Bay Birding Festival
Monterey Bay | (831) 763-5600Carmel Mission Fiesta
Carmel | (831) 624-8322Annual Old Monterey Seafood and Music Festival
Monterey | (831) 655-8070
October
Wild Things Nighttime Tour
Salinas | (831) 455-1901Fall Birding Excursion
Moss Landing | (831) 633-5555Monterey Walk to D’Feet ALS
Monterey | (800) 209-0433Big Sur River Run
Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation Fall Festival
Carmel | (831) 624-1813Annual Big Sur Jade Festival
Big Sur | (831) 659-3857Monterey Sports Car Championships
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey
800-327-SECACarmel's Birthday Party
Carmel | (831) 620-2020Halloween Ball Masque
Big Sur | (831) 667-2345Fourth Annual “Pumpkin Pandemonium”
Monterey | (831) 373-2705 x107
November
Pebble Beach Equestrian Championships
Pebble Beach | (831) 624-2756Big Sur Half Marathon and Run Forrest Run 5K
Monterey | (831) 625-6226Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend
Monterey | (831) 375-9400Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational
Pebble Beach | (831) 625-8575
December
Monterey Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Monterey | (831) 646-5640Annual Christmas in the Adobes
Monterey | (831) 647-6226Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival
Monterey | (800) 722-9652Brighten the Harbor Boat Parade
Monterey | (831) 372-9686Annual Holiday Open House
CarmelFirst Night Monterey
Downtown Monterey | (831) 373-4778New Year’s Eve at the Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium
