Monterey History

Grateful Dead "Touch of Grey" Talk at First Theater

 
8/26/26
 
Free
 
California's First Theater

In this free, multimedia presentation at First Theater, music writer and historian John Brackett, author of the newly released book Touch of Grey, or How the Grateful Dead Became Pop Stars , will detail the creation of The Grateful Dead's 1987 hit song, "Touch of Grey," and the official music video’s connection to Monterey County. Learn more and register.

Community Craft Day at Monterey State Historic Park 2025

 
6/14/25
 
free
 
Memory Garden at Pacific House

Monterey State Historic Park hosts a free community craft day for all ages on Saturday, June 14, 11am-4pm. Visit the Memory Garden for leather stamping, candle making, and more!

Golden State Theatre's Centennial Celebration!

 
8/6/26
 
Free
 
Golden State Theatre

Golden State Theatre is celebrating 100 years of film and entertainment in Downtown Monterey! Join us for our free Centennial Celebration on Thursday, August 6.

2pm-6pm, we'll have an Open House, featuring an opportunity to explore the backstage area and more. At 7pm, enjoy live jazz music, a centennial celebration ceremony, a demonstration of the Golden State Theatre's mighty Wurlitzer organ, and a silent film double feature .

Reception for "Hidden Stewards" Photography Exhibit at Cooper-Molera

 
7/30/26
 
Free
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Cooper-Molera Adobe invites you to an art reception on Thursday, July 30, at 5:30pm in our museum and garden courtyard celebrating the our new photography exhibition, Hidden Stewards: Documentation Photography of the Cooper-Molera Restoration by Marcia F. DeVoe , open July 9 - September 13.

Meet Guest Curator Megan Goodwin and celebrate the remarkable legacy of Marcia F. DeVoe and the hidden stewards who shaped Monterey's history.

Hidden Stewards: Documentation Photography of the Cooper-Molera Restoration by Marcia F. DeVoe

Monterey, CA

Step behind the scenes of one of Monterey’s most significant preservation projects with Hidden Stewards: Documentation Photography of the Cooper-Molera Restoration by Marcia F. DeVoe at Cooper-Molera Adobe, July 9 - September 13.

Guest curated by Megan Goodwin, this exhibition showcases the photographs of the restoration of Cooper-Molera Adobe, 1976–1985. Discover the archaeology, architecture, and the often-overlooked people whose dedication helped preserve this site for future generations.

Opening Reception for Exhibit on Local Shipwrecks at Casa Gutierrez

 
6/11/26
 
Free
 
Casa Gutierrez

Monterey State Historic Park is celebrating California State Parks Week , June 10-14!

Don't miss the opening reception for a new exhibit entitled Shipwrecks: Every Broken Piece Tells a Story, a t Casa Gutierrez. All are welcome to join us for sea shanties, light refreshments, and an exhibit preview. The exhibit will be open throughout the summer, Fri & Sat, 11am-4pm.

Community Craft Day at Monterey State Historic Park 2026

 
6/13/26
 
free
 
Memory Garden at Pacific House

Monterey State Historic Park hosts a free community craft day for all ages on Saturday, June 13, 10am-2pm. Visit the Memory Garden for leather stamping, candle making, and more!

Free Art and Literature Tours in Monterey State Historic Park 2026

 
6/10/26
 
free
 
Custom House Store

Monterey State Historic Park is celebrating California State Parks Week , June 10-14! Join us for free special tours departing daily at 12:30pm from Custom House. Registration recommended (search by date).

On June 10, 12 & 14, catch the Arts and Literature Tour. Hear readings about Monterey Bay by some of the world's most important writers and view work by California’s preeminent painters.

Monterey Historic Preservation Lectures at Stanton Center

 
5/10/26
 
Free
 
Monterey History and Art Museum at Stanton Center

May is Historic Preservation Month, and Monterey State Historic Park Association (MSHPA) and Monterey History and Art Association (MHAA) are teaming up to provide two historic preservation lectures in the Stanton Center Theater on Sunday, May 10, 1pm-3pm. This event...

Free Lecture: "Steinbeck, Ricketts, and the Western Flyer"

 
6/27/24
 
free
 
MIIS, Irvine Auditorium

The Old Monterey Foundation presents a free lecture, "Steinbeck, Ricketts and the Western Flyer: The Intersection of Science and the Arts" on Thursday, June 27 at 6:30pm at Irvine Auditorium on the campus of MIIS. Admission is free, but space is limited - register here .

Free Arts and Literature Tours in Monterey State Historic Park

 
6/13/24
 
free
 
Custom House Store

Monterey State Historic Park is celebrating California State Parks Week , June 12-16! Join us for free special tours departing daily at 12:30pm from Custom House in Downtown Old Monterey. Registration is recommended (search by date).

On Thursday (6/13) and Saturday (6/15), Monterey Stae Historic Park is offering a free Arts and Literature Tour, where we'll explore Monterey's historic cultural importance. In addition to hearing passages read aloud about the Monterey Bay area by notable writers, you'll be able to view some of the park’s impressive art pieces, especially when the tour makes its way inside Casa Soberanes.