Looking for things to do around the Monterey area?
Take some time to explore the vibrant art scene all over Monterey County! The Arts Council is proud to support some amazing arts projects in each town. Here is the Cultural Road Trip we recommend for your special Monterey getaway. Enjoy!
We recommend you contact each organization directly for their latest hours of operation.
Big Sur
Hawthorne Gallery
The Hawthorne Gallery opened in 1995, the Hawthorne Gallery is a comparatively new landmark on the Big Sur coastline. Represents the artwork of the multi-talented Hawthorne family as well as the work of selected outstanding artists across the country.
Henry Miller Memorial Library
The Henry Miller Memorial Library offers visitors a unique chance to explore eclectic literary collections, attend captivating events, enjoy live music performances, and unwind in the tranquil embrace of the redwoods.
Phoenix Shop
The Phoenix Shop is open daily from 10:30am – 6:00pm. A unique gift shop featuring exceptional merchandise from around the world as well as from local artisans. Inside, gorgeous displays of gifts from around the world stimulate the imagination.
Stage Kids! in Big Sur
Stage Kids! in Big Sur offers an engaging summer theatre program for children ages 7 to 17. Every week, young talents come together to rehearse and put on delightful live performances at the historic Grange Hall. These performances, showcasing their hard work and creativity, are open to the entire community and take place on Friday evenings at 6 PM.
Carmel
Carmel Art Association’s gallery
The Carmel Art Association’s gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Founded in 1927, Carmel’s oldest gallery features the work of more than 100 professional local artists, and is dedicated to presenting only the finest work for sale by artists living on the Monterey Peninsula. The Carmel Art Association displays a wide variety of styles and media, and changes its exhibitions every month.
Center For Photographic Art (CPA)
The Center For Photographic Art (CPA) is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. CPA’s gallery, which is free to the public, features the finest works of contemporary photography. In addition, CPA also offers the unique PIE Labs (Photography + Ideas + Experience) creativity program.
Carmel Youth Center
As a youth development organization, the CYC provides services and leadership to meet the emerging needs of young people and their families in our community, so all young people acquire the skills, self-confidence, and opportunities to realize their full potential. Daily drop-ins are available at a rate of $30 per day or $15 for a half-day (under 5 hours).
Carmel Valley
Carmel Valley Art Association
Carmel Valley Art Association (CVAA) promotes local art and artists—it’s the heart of our vision and purpose. CVAA’s recent transition to non-profit 501(c)(3) status enables us to expand both volunteer and grant-based resources, which serves to further our reach and support of this community of local artisans.
Hacienda Hay and Feed
Hacienda Hay and Feed in Carmel is a charming community hub where you can shop for animal feed, explore farm supplies, enjoy family-friendly activities, and take part in unique events like line dancing and ceramics workshops, all set in a welcoming and historic setting.
King City
Sol Treasures
Sol Treasures is a cherished community venue for the arts. They maintain a gallery to support exhibitions and arts education programs. For more information on the current exhibit, visit their website.
Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum
The Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum’s interpretive period is the last quarter of the 19th century through World War II. The collections are principally agricultural related implements, house museum furnishings, and historical objects related to specific local history.
Monterey County Dance Theatre
The Monterey County Dance Theatre (MCDT) is known for its annual Nutcracker Ballet in December and a full-length Spring production. These performances showcase the skills of their students and are a highlight of their year-end celebrations
Marina
Marina Youth Arts
Marina Youth Arts was founded as a non-profit in 2005. Our mission is to provide opportunities for children of Marina and throughout the region to experience the performing, visual, and cultural arts through seasonals and year-round participation-based programs. We are the only non-profit organization in Marina committed to such an endeavor. We believe that communities need to preserve and nurture the Arts because they are vital to the quality of life now and in the future.
Monterey
First Night Monterey
Celebrate the arts and welcome the New Year at First Night Monterey—a vibrant, family-friendly event filled with live music, dance, and creative performances in the heart of historic downtown Monterey! Participate in your round artistic programming offered via workshops throughout the county.
Monterey Museum of Art
The Monterey Museum of Art is open Thursday – Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Located across from historic Colton Hall in Old Monterey, the museum features galleries devoted to exhibitions of California painting, photography, design and contemporary art.
Monterey History and Art Association
Explore Monterey’s rich heritage with the Monterey History and Art Association, through captivating exhibits, historic landmarks, and engaging events that celebrate this iconic coastal city’s diverse stories and artistic legacy.
Paper Wing Theatre
Paper Wing Theatre in Monterey offers a variety of live entertainment, including theatre productions, magic shows, children’s theatre, jazz performances, and comedy nights. Located on Cannery Row, it’s open for shows Thursday to Sunday from 7 PM to 11 PM, and for Sunday brunch from 11 AM to 3 PM.
Play Full Ground
Play Full Ground supports everyone’s creative journey to discover their full potential and inspires the community through customized creativity workshops, unique designs and products, and community events. General hours are Thursday through Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. Private workshops and visits can be arranged via email at [email protected].
Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation
The Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation (MPAF) was founded to bring artists together for fellowship, the exchange of ideas, and to further art education of artists and the public. It was conceived in the late 1970’s in Dick Crispo’s living room with founding members Kay Cline, Ilene Tuttle, Rudolpho Nava and of course Dick. We received our 501-c3 status in 1981 and gladly accept donations. We support public art work and cooperate with other groups in public art activities. We hold workshops and lectures, have a scholarship fund, and maintain this website showing our members’ work.
Lyceum of Monterey County
The Lyceum of Monterey County has been offering educational programs to the local community since 1960 and is one of Monterey County’s oldest non-profits. There are enrichment classes in a variety of subjects for kids and adults alike.
MY Museum
MY Museum provides an environment where curiosity and creativity flourish, while both children and adults discover the thrill of lifelong learning. Visiting hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Youth Arts Collective
YAC is a nonprofit, after-school art studio and mentorship program for high school and college artists. Open hours are Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. YAC gallery exhibits work from 60 young artists and their six mentors.
Moss Landing
One Of A Kind Arts
One Of A Kind Arts is a unique Art Gallery which specializes in artwork from South America with an emphasis on Mexico. The artwork includes paintings, jewelry, masks, sculptures, statues, metal worked goods, and much more.
The Haute Enchilada
The Haute Enchilada Cafe boasts an eclectic menu of sustainable seafood and local organic produce, premium wine list, craft beers on tap, full bar, and art gallery with over 50 local artists’ original work.
North Monterey County
Aromas Hills Artisans
Discover the creativity of the Aromas Hills Artisans (AHA), a vibrant community of artists from Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. AHA brings together painters, sculptors, jewelers, and more, offering monthly gatherings, public events, and workshops. Located in Aromas, CA, AHA is dedicated to inspiring and celebrating art through support, education, and enrichment. Visit their events and exhibitions to explore the diverse talents of local artists.
Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove Glass Art
Pacific Grove Glass Art offers a vibrant space where visitors can explore stunning glass creations, participate in hands-on workshops, and discover the artistry of glassmaking in the heart of Pacific Grove.
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History opened in 1883, the same year as did the Brooklyn Bridge, making it one of the country’s oldest of its kind. But its deep diversity of unique Central Coast creatures, pioneering science and interactivity make it as current as ever.
Pacific Grove Art Center
The purpose of the Pacific Grove Art Center is to cultivate the arts within the Monterey area by providing creative experiences that inspire and engage us, touch our hearts, challenge our minds and enrich our lives. There are four exhibit galleries: Nadine Annand, David Henry Gill, Elmarie Dyke and Louise Cardeiro Boyer. Exhibits change every other month celebrated with a First Friday Gala Opening. A variety of art forms are featured, including painting, photography, sculpture, encaustic, fabric arts, mixed media and more.
Salinas
Alisal Center for the Fine Arts
Alisal Center for the Fine Arts in Salinas is a vibrant cultural hub that showcases a variety of captivating performances. From traditional Mexican baile folklórico dances to lively Son Jarocho music and dance, the center offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Their performances, often featuring local youth, celebrate and preserve cultural heritage while providing a platform for artistic expression.
Artists Ink
Artists Ink. is a dynamic creative collective where visitors can participate in workshops, and connect with a community dedicated to empowering youth and fostering social change through the arts.
ArtWorks @Salinas
Open Fridays through Sundays 10am – 4pm, Arts4MC’s ArtWorks @Salinas is a studio and gallery space where artists can work and display their work. A rotating exhibition also graces the walls for visitors to take in for free year-round and purchase featured goods from local artisans. Stop by during open hours and during First Fridays, a fun evening reception held the first friday of every month from 5 – 8 pm, at 262 Main St, Salinas, CA 93906.
Hat in Three Stages of Landing
Open year-round the Hat in Three Stages of Landing at Sherwood Park, 920 N Main St, Salinas, CA 93906. This is a sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. In the climate of Salinas where so many work out of doors, hats are essential. Visiting a local hat store we saw a wide range of headgear, from farmers’ to ranchers’ to ladies’ garden hats.
National Steinbeck Center
The National Steinbeck Center is an essential part of any visit to the Monterey County area. Stop by Wednesday – Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to get an inside look into the life and works of John Steinbeck.
Main Street Art Studio
Main Street Art Studio has two studios at Valley Center Bowl in Salinas. With daily art classes, students can learn various art forms such as acrylic painting, drawing, pastel and airbrushing.
Hijos Del Sol Arts Productions
Hijos Del Sol Arts Productions, founded by José G. Ortiz, offers an open art studio in East Salinas with free mentorship and art supplies, focusing on youth art mentorship. Open to youth and and families for afterschool and weekend studio sessions.
Urban Arts Collaborative
Urban Arts Collaborative was formed in 2012 by Visual Interdisciplinary & Community based artist JC Gonzalez. Urban Arts Collaborative is a community of diverse young artists, artists mentors, and instructors advancing positive personal and social transformation by teaching, mentoring, and encouraging creative expression. Using arts and culture as a catalyst for action, Urban Arts Collaborative empowers young people to heal themselves, their families, and their world.
Sand City
Monterey GlassWorks
Monterey GlassWorks, located on the Monterey Peninsula, offers a unique opportunity to explore the art of glassmaking through private lessons, interactive group events, and studio tours.
Night Market 831
Experience the magic of Night Market 831—a lively, family-friendly celebration held the first Friday of every month at Sand City Art Park. Inspired by open-air street markets around the world, this vibrant gathering brings together local artists, performers, and makers for an evening of live music, food, dance, and creative expression. Surrounded by colorful murals and community spirit, it’s a joyful way to support local talent and soak in the arts under the stars.
Sand City Art Committee
The Sand City Art Committee supports working artists on the Monterey Peninsula; producing city-sponsored art & events including we.Mural Festivals. The Art Park and we.Art are newer inventions and have a lot to do with the previous city manager Aaron Blair.
Sand City, West End
The City of Sand City is continuously working to add to the vibrancy of our City, and specifically to the West End. We have begun a program to install public art around the City to celebrate our community. The goal is to allow local and visiting artists to fully express themselves and build the foundation of an accessible public gallery in Sand City that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Seaside
Open Ground Studios
Open Ground Studios (OGS) is an artists’ collective, gallery and fine art school that champions learning, practice and connection through the visual arts for professionals and creative adults. Seventeen local artists enjoy the shared economy of working under the same roof which is designed to leverage inspiration, dedication, mentorship and excellence for our community. OGS offers private lessons with professional artists, workshops and on-going classes in drawing, painting, printmaking, book arts and more!
Palenke Arts
Palenke Arts is a new multicultural arts organization in Seaside whose mission is to educate, inspire and transform the community through the arts. They are creating a vibrant and inclusive multicultural arts center, offering low and no-cost classes, workshops and events for the community.
The Weston Collective
The Weston Collective is committed to the preservation of black and white film photography on the central coast of California through photographic mentorships, exhibitions, and the Weston Scholarship. Check out the website for darkroom and studio rentals, as well as special events and classes.