Monterey Bay Culture Guide

Art, Museums, Theater and Music of Monterey Bay

All phone numbers are in the 831 area code, unless otherwise noted.

MUSEUMS

Boronda Adobe
Salinas’ earliest surviving structure, built in 1844, displays artifacts of that era. 757-8085.

California Views Pat Hathaway Collection
More than 70,000 images focusing on Monterey’s history from the 1850s to the 1990s. 373-3811.

Carmel Art Association Galleries
The second-oldest art cooperative in the country, representing more than 125 juried artists and their work for exhibit or sale. 624-6176.

Carmel Heritage Society
This historical and cultural preservation organization operates the Welcome Center at First Murphy House, Sixth & Lincoln. Protects, preserves and promotes the cultural heritage of Carmel by encouraging public recognition and participation. 624-4447.

Carmel Mission
San Carlos de Borromeo Residence, headquarters and burial place of Father Junipero Serra, founder of the California missions. The museum hosts a collection of early Spanish and California Indian artifacts and relics. 624-3600.

Colton Hall
Monterey home of the first California bilingual convention in 1849. Restored to original constitutional décor. 646-3851.

Monterey County Youth Museum
Whether you are young or not so young, discover the excitement of learning. The Monterey County Youth Museum features exhibits in sound experimentation, dramatic interaction, a creation station and a communication station. 649-8444.

Monterey History and Art Association
Committed to preserving Monterey’s past. In the Stanton Center at Custom House Plaza. 372-2608.

Monterey Museum of Art
A formal membership organization open to the public, featuring changing exhibits of paintings, sculpture, graphics, and folk art. 372-7591.

Monterey Museum of Art at La Mirada
Galleries in this elegant addition to the Monterey Museum of Art include the Jane and Justin Dart Wing, showcasing the dramatic paintings of Armin Hansen and the Virginia Klemme Gallery of Asian Art. 372-3689.

Monterey State Historical Park
Separate buildings on a seven-acre site illustrate the architectural heritage of old Monterey. Among those open to visitors are the Custom House, Pacific House, Larkin House, Robert Louis Stevenson House, California’s First Theatre, Casa Del Oro, Casa Soberanes and the Cooper-Molera Adobe. 649-7118.

The National Steinbeck Center
Interactive museum reflects not only the literary works of Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck, but also the influence of his environment on his writing. Exhibits incorporate the culture and history of Salinas, as well as the world in which Steinbeck traveled. 796-3833.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
A collection of local flora and fauna, plus special traveling and art exhibitions. 648-5716.

Pacific Grove Art Center
Hosts ongoing fine art exhibits, artists’ studios and instruction. 375-2208.

Tor House, Carmel
Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation, Tor House and Hawk Tower, home of California’s greatest poet, Robinson Jeffers, is now open to the public. The complex is a literary, historical, and architectural treasure. 624-1813.

THEATER

Carl Cherry Center for the Arts
An intimate Carmel venue. 624-7491.

Forest Theater Guild
A local group producing plays in Carmel’s Outdoor Forest Theater throughout the summer. 626-1681.

Magic Circle Center for the Arts
Small theater company focusing on contemporary plays. 659-1108.

New Wharf Theatre
A theater staging comedies, musicals and dramas year-round on Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf. 649-2332.

Pacific Repertory Theatre
This group produces dramatic presentations in a variety of locations around the peninsula, including the Golden Bough Playhouse and the Outdoor Forest Theater in Carmel. 622-0100.

Staff Players Repertory Company
A group presenting a season of classical theater at the Indoor Forest Theater in Carmel. 624-1531.

Western Stage
The flagship theater of Monterey County. 375-2111, 755-6816.

MUSIC

Carmel Music Society
This legendary group brings renowned artists such as Leontyne Price, Marilyn Horne, Pinchas Zucherman, Emanual Ax, Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma to perform in Carmel. 625-9938.

Chamber Music Society
Top chamber ensembles such as the Cleveland, Tokyo, Guarner and Julliard string quartets are featured in this series. 625-2212.

Monterey County Symphony
The largest classical music organization in Monterey County. Guest artists have included Christopher Parkening, Oxana Yablonskaya and Wolfgang Basch. The season includes 18 subscription series concerts, chamber/ensemble concerts, recitals and a free community concert. 624-8511.

Sandy Shore Productions
The Pacific Grove-based company features an annual Smooth Jazz Concerts by the Bay series at the Hyatt Regency Monterey. 649-1223.

The Sunset Center of Carmel
This newly remodeled theater hosts various cultural events, including the worldfamous Carmel Bach Festival and the Monterey County Symphony. Throughout the year it offers world-renowned contemporary performers such as Leon Russell, John Mayall and even the Monty Pythonesque antics of The Flying Karamazov Brothers. 624-3996, Ticket info: 620-2048.