Migrate to Monterey County this holiday season and unwrap a variety of authentic adventures. Steeped in culture and history, the region is rife with revelry from touring the stately candlelit adobes to joining a sing-along at Carmel Mission Basilica. Enjoy parades, cowboy poets and live reindeer all set against a backdrop of crisp, clean air and natural beauty the area is renowned for. Visitor Info: www.montereyinfo.org.

Families who enjoy the safety net of a self-contained environment will appreciate downtown Monterey’s tapestry of hotels, attractions and events laid out within an eight square-block grid. History buffs can tie in a tour of the Path of History, visit the Stevenson House, Carmel’s Tor House, hike Point Lobos Nature Reserve or board the Ghost Trolley of Old Monterey to explore the legendary tales of many area landmarks.

Add to the mix the annual migration of all things wild and nature’s true calling becomes clear: pack the hiking boots, binoculars and good cheer. Bid the seasonal urban stress goodbye and go off grid with an invigorating hike in Big Sur’s stunning redwoods, slip into a local spa, hammer down that handicap or enjoy a bonfire at the beach. Let the magic of Monterey ignite the senses and rejuvenate the soul.

HIGH NOTES

Sing for joy and celebrate the season with a night of music and world-class wine and at Chateau Julien Wine Estate. This acoustic wonder featuring the A cappella Choral Project echoes magnificently through the Chai – a hauntingly beautiful wine cave set amidst the vineyards in Carmel Valley. In Monterey, Cannery Row kicks things up with the 13th Annual Cannery Row Holiday Tree Lighting overlooking the Pacific at Steinbeck Plaza. Santa sleighs in for a full day of play and flips the switch on a tree for all to see. In Salinas, the 10th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival delivers three days of balladeers, hoe-downs and “cowboy church services” as well as a full line up of cowboy/girl poets. Nearby, Wild Things heats things up with nighttime flashlight tours and a rendezvous with a real reindeer. By the sea, Pacific Grove celebrates the season with Christmas at the Inns, a dozen bed-&-breakfasts and inns decorated for the holidays in Victoria-era splendor, in addition to its 7th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights.

WILD FOR NATURE

The winter parade of nature hits full stride this holiday season with everything from migrating butterflies to pods of prodigious whales lounging at 36° latitude. Families can tap into an outback estuary safari, naturalist-led kayak tour, whale

watching excursion or trek through the ancient volcanic ruins of the Pinnacle National Monument, just outside of Soledad. From birders to botanists, Monterey is one of the nation’s top migration paths for a variety of birds, whales and butterflies. Bald eagles, sea otters and a litany of lively critters make a stay along the bay a true outback adventure. Suggestions for tapping into the season below.

HOLIDAY HAUTE SPOTS

Great Escape

12th Great Wine Escape Weekend (November 7-9). Celebrate the splendor of harvest at Monterey County as 45+ Monterey wineries and celebrity chefs step up for winemaker dinners, wine and culinary demonstrations, special tours backed with live entertainment. 831-375-9400; www.montereywines.org.

Carmel Mission

Sing-Along Handel Messiah presented by the I Cantori de Carmel and Carmel Mission (November 23), scores available and free admission Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Carmel Mission Basilica. 831-644-8012.

Cannery Row

13th Annual Cannery Row Holiday Tree Lighting (November 28). Santa sleighs in for a full day of play along Cannery Row. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. at Steinbeck Plaza overlooking Monterey Bay when Santa flips the switch on a 25-ft. holiday tree and makes a return visit every weekend until Christmas Eve. Free. www.canneryrow.com.

Wild Things

Lions, tigers and…reindeer, oh my! Wild Things Holiday Tours (throughout December). This Christmas take a walk on the wild side with a holiday nighttime flashlight tour of Wild Things Wild Animal Park. Warm refreshments and candy canes served after. Photos with live reindeer! Reservations required. 831-455-1901 ext. 3; www.wildthings.com

The Farm

Christmas Night at The Farm (December 5). Drive out to The Farm, a wonderful working farm tucked into the Salinas Valley and gather around the bonfire to sing Christmas carols, sip homemade cider, nibble cookies—and even take a moonlit hayride—in the Salinas Valley. 831-455-2575; www.thefarm-salinasvalley.com.

Christmas at the Inns

Pacific Grove showcases its holiday charm with Christmas at the Inns (December 3-4). Visit 12 bed & breakfast inns decorated for the holidays in Victoria-era splendor. Limited number of tickets sold. Entertainment and light refreshments served. For information & tickets $20 per person, call: 831-373-3304; www.pacificgrove.org.

7th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights

Park it at Pacific Grove for the 7th Annual Parade of Lights (December 4). Lighted parade will feature marching bands, holiday floats, dance teams, equestrian groups, and of course, Santa Claus. After the parade, stores will remain open for Holiday shopping & wagon rides, photos with Santa & carolers. More info: 831-373-3304; www.pacificgrove.org.

Cowboy Poetry & Musical Festival

Pack those chaps and spurs for the 10th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Musical Festival (December 5-7) for a wranglin’ good time with some of the nation’s top balladeers and cowboy/girl poets featured in a three-day weekend event that also includes a western art and gear sale, a Saturday night western ho’ down and “cowboy” church service among other festivities. Tickets (price varies) 800-722-9652; www.montereycowboy.com.

Chateau Julien

Sing for joy and celebrate the season with a night of music and world-class wine and at Chateau Julien Wine Estate (December 7 from 2:30-5:30 p.m.). This acoustic wonder featuring the a cappella Choral Project echoes magnificently through the Chai – a hauntingly beautiful wine cave set amidst the vineyards in Carmel Valley. Come enjoy the music that is sure to put you in the spirit of the season, followed by a wine tasting and gift exchange. Tickets $50 (831) 624-2600; www.chateaujulien.com.

REAL DEAL FOR NATURALISTS

Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

A feast for the eyes, hundreds – sometimes thousands – of beautiful Monarch butterflies flutter in this protected shelter of eucalyptus and Monterey pines. Located in Pacific Grove, the Sanctuary offers docents to answer questions and point out the ‘hanging butterflies’ as they rest camouflaged in the trees. www.pgmuseum.org.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Before a visit to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary stop by this informative natural history museum to learn about the migration patterns of the wintering Monarchs, whales of Monterey Bay and other mammals, birds and wildlife of Monterey County. www.pgmuseum.org.

Bald Eagles Retreat at Lake San Antonio

One of the largest winter habitats for bald eagles in Central California, Lake San Antonio is also home to deer, rabbit, quail, and a variety of other wildlife. The lake covers 5,000 acres and birders can explore 40 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails and 60 miles of shoreline. www.lakesanantonio.net.

Ventana Wildlife Society

High tail it to Big Sur or the Pinnacles National Monument for a glimpse of the majestic California Condors overhead. Both parks are designated release areas for the recovering native species, which boasts a wingspan up to ten feet! Or visit the Ornithology Lab at Andrew Molera Park in Big Sur to watch bird-banding activities. Winter banding is weather dependent, but normally takes place on Saturdays. www.ventanaws.org.

Pt. Lobos State Reserve

Hike the scenic trails of the 554-acre state preserve. See wandering deer, migrating whales, sea otters and sea lions frolic in the surf. Cypress groves, Bird Rock and Whaler’s Cove round out the adventure. www.parks.ca.gov

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Dive in for a day of play at the nation’s top-rated aquarium, home to 35,000+ animals and plants representing more than 550 species of invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, birds and plants. Book a Morning Rounds: Behind-the-Scenes Tour for a rare opportunity to interact with the aquarium’s exhibit animals as an aquarist would with the daily sea otter feeding and training session, rare look at food preparation and chance to feed some of the animals in the aquarium’s Discovery Lab classrooms. www.montereybayaquarium.org.

Elkhorn Slough Safari

All aboard this thrilling pontoon ride scouting some 1,400 acres established as a Globally Important Bird Area. Reaching nearly seven miles inland from the coast, the slough’s freshwater wetlands and marshes are home to some 340+ types of birds, 400 plant species and 80 species of fish. An excellent tour for birders. www.elkhornslough.com.

Whale Watching

Nutrient-rich and naturally wonderful, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is the United States’ largest protected region and a prime viewing area for exotic species including blue, humpback, minke and orca whales. Winter delivers the magnificent California Gray Whales on their annual migration south from Alaska to Baja, California. www.montereywhalewatching.com.

Whale Watching at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Don’t miss these California State Parks ranger-guided whale-watching presentations (weekends through January). Celebrate the migration of the California gray whales off the Big Sur Coast. Meet at the vista point on Highway 1 at mile marker 37, just north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. 831-667-2315; www.parks.ca.gov.

Sea Kayaking, Surfing, Biking

Rock the boat aboard a guided sea kayak tour of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Adventurers after a true adrenalin rush can hit the surf solo or take to the two-person kayak for a little speed at sea program. Surf lessons and bike rental/tours along the popular waterfront Recreation Trail round out the offer. www.adventuresbythesea.com.

VISITOR INFO

Monterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor. The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 40,000 acres of premium vineyards, 25 golf courses and nearly 200 lodging properties. Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley. The Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY), just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area’s major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to and from Denver (DIA), Las Vegas (LAS), Long Beach (LGB), Ontario (ONT), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX and ONT), San Diego (SAN) and San Francisco (SFO). www.montereyinfo.org.