Soul of CA

Great Bowls of Chili
2026-07-26 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Folktales Winery, 8940 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
The Chamber of Commerce in Carmel By The Sea is hosting this event featuring professionals and amateurs and you. The people enjoying the event are perhaps the most important part. Wonderful food and beverages will be available of course. Details and tickets are at https://www.members.carmelchamber.org/events Tickets will not be available at the door.

H-2A Roundtable
2026-07-28 08:00 - 15:00 | Elks Lodge (Salinas), 614 Airport Blvd., Salinas, CA, 93901-2006, United States
One if the biggest issues in the country right now is the treatment of migrant workers. From Washington to the fields in our Valley people are discussing the best ideas on how to handle the needs of employers and the workers. Here’s a chance to be part of the local discussion. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com for details and more.

First Mayor's House
2026-08-01 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-05 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-03 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-07 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-05 10:00 - 15:00 | First Mayor’s House, 3 Station Pl, Salinas, CA, 93901, United States
A solid piece of Salinas history is available for visiting and enjoying on the first Saturday of each month. The knowledgeable docents are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to share the history and interesting stories about the development of Salinas and the Salinas Valley. Combine the visit with the other resources immediately available, the Railroad Museum and the Regional Heritage Center and make a day of it. Details are at their website https://www.firstmayorshouse.org

M&SV Railroad Museum
2026-08-01 10:00 - 2026-08-02 16:00, 2026-09-05 10:00 - 2026-09-06 16:00, 2026-10-03 10:00 - 2026-10-04 16:00, 2026-11-07 10:00 - 2026-11-08 16:00, 2026-12-05 10:00 - 2026-12-06 16:00 | Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum, Station Place, Salinas, CA, 93901, United States
An interesting slice of Monterey County history that is fun to watch or even get to operate(sometimes) is the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum and its splendid diorama of the valley’s train routes. Come over on any first Saturday or Sunday of the month and enjoy the historic rail display and even get to blow the steam whistle. On the Saturdays you can also visit the First Mayor’s House and the Regional Heritage Center, both nearby, a short walk. More info and details are at https://www.msvrr.org

Car Week
2026-08-07 - 2026-08-16 | Monterey Peninsula, California
This event takes place in so many venues and has multiple organizations presenting the collectors, auctions, shows, and memorabilia that it is a challenge to list them here. An up to date list of events is available at https://www.whatsupmonterey.com

Car Week Kickoff
2026-08-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Monterey Alvarado St.
Downtown Monterey is the place where it officially begins. All of Alvarado St will be filled with interesting, exotic, and rare automobiles. Here’s where the rubber meets the road. More info about this event and the dozens of other events through the “week” is available at https://www.whatsupmonterey.com

PreReunion &Corkscrew Climb
2026-08-08 - 2026-08-09 | Laguna Seca Raceway, Highway 68 , Monterey, CA, United States
The track at Laguna Seca hosts an amazing variety of races from Indy cars to vintage racers restored to perfection. Included in this are the Superbike motorcycles and even some bicycles from time to time. This gathering is becoming an unofficial part of the Car Week festivities. The unique aspect of this race is that the cars run the course in the opposite of the usual route. That means the cars go UP the famous Corkscrew. Make sure you get to see that. More information is at https://www.weathertechraceway.com

LIving History Days @ San Juan Bautista
2026-08-08 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-05 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-03 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-11-07 11:00 - 16:00 | San Juan Bautista State Park, San Juan Bautista, CA, United States
On the first weekend of the month the history oriented folks, who enjoy role playing, in the area get together and show the rest of us what people did and how they lived in the past. Here at the San Juan Bautista State Park they specialize in the mission era and the post Gold Rush era. Come out and ask questions and observe the surprisingly complicated processes of daily life that early residents had to go through. Details and dates are at https://www.business.sanbenitochamber.com

Ed "Doc" Ricketts Laboratory
2026-08-08 11:30 - 15:00 | Doc Ricketts Lab, Cannery Row, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
The good friend and colleague of John Steinbeck was a remarkable figure in his own right. He collected and distributed numerous specimens of marine animals. His lab was the spot for many gatherings of Steinbeck and their friends. Details can be found at https://www.montereypl.libcal.com

Rolex MotorSports Reunion
2026-08-12 - 2026-08-15 | Laguna Seca Raceway, Highway 68 , Monterey, CA, United States
The track at Laguna Seca hosts an amazing variety of races from Indy cars to vintage racers restored to perfection. Included in this area the Superbike motorcycles and even some bicycles from time to time. During the event known as Car Week many things are going on. This is one of the bigger events happening. Make sure to get down into the infield where the pits are. So much to see. More details are at https://www.weathertechraceway.com

Rancho Cielo Veggie Sale
2026-08-21 12:00 - 17:00 | Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, 710 Old stage Road, Salinas, CA, 93907, United States
It’s the annual fundraiser for one of the best programs for local youths. Buy a box of local produce and the funds go to the school. Or buy one for a needy family and they get the food and Rancho gets the money. Good acts either way. More information and details are at https://www.ranchocieloyc.org

California Turkish Arts & Culture Fair
2026-08-22 11:00 - 19:00 | Custom House Plaza, 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
For the thousands of years that Asia and Europe have been trading ideas and materials Turkey has been at the literal crossroads. Their culture reflects these many years of development. Come and have a taste of it and view the many cultural developments, dance, music, and poetry that this long history has to offer. More details are at https://www.whatsupmonterey.com

Indy Gran Prix
2026-09-04 - 2026-09-06 | Laguna Seca Raceway, Highway 68 , Monterey, CA, United States
The track at Laguna Seca hosts an amazing variety of races from Indy cars to vintage racers restored to perfection. Included in this area the Superbike motorcycles and even some bicycles from time to time. This race is the season’s final race. Many hearts will be broken and efforts for next year will begin. You can see what happens up close and personal. Watch the races but make sure to get down to the infield and the pits. More info and details are at https://www.weathertechraceway.com

Festa Italia/ Fishermans Festival
2026-09-11 10:00 - 2026-09-13 21:00 | Custom House Plaza, 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Since a significant portion of Monterey’s history and population has been Italian or influenced by Italians it only makes sense to celebrate that connection. Here we have three days of celebration. Food, (of course) beverages, music, dancing, and culture in its many forms will be there. All that is missing is you. Find out more at https://www.festaitaliamonterey.org

Eden Rift Food Truck Saturday
2026-09-12 12:00 - 16:00 | Eden Rift Vineyard, 10034 Cienega Rd., Hollister, CA, 95023, United States
Eden Rift Vineyards sponsors this event monthly. They bring lots of food trucks to their lovely setting in San Benito County and you can partake of their wines and the delicious food offered by the chefs. So get out of town and see the lovely setting and enjoy the quiet part of the Central Coast. More info and future dates are at https://www.edenrift.com

Pure Insurance Golf Championship
2026-09-18 - 2026-09-20 | Lodge at Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach, CA, 93953, United States
Not just another golf tournament, this one specifically aims at supporting the local Fist Tee program which has the goal of establishing the best aspects of golf in the minds and spirits of young people. Honesty, good sportsmanship and concentration. Likely the weather will be better than other well-known golf events in the area. Not the middle of winter. Go to https://www.pureinsurancechampionship.com and get lots of details and info.

Grid Life Laguna Seca Festival
2026-09-18 12:00 - 2026-09-20 22:00 | Laguna Seca Raceway, Highway 68 , Monterey, CA, United States
The track at Laguna Seca hosts an amazing variety of races from Indy cars to vintage racers restored to perfection. Included in this area the Superbike motorcycles and even some bicycles from time to time. This time it is a celebration involving cars and music. You may not know this but Laguna Seca has hosted several music events and they are good at helping them happen. LAst year’s Grid Life was a big success and you can anticipate a great experience. More details and tickets are at http://https;//www.weathertechraceway.com

Monterey Jazz Festival
2026-09-25 - 2026-09-27 | Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Rd., Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Almost 70 years of jazz performances by the greatest and most promising performers in America’s home grown musical genre come to the Central Coast annually and make it the center of jazz for several days. Come on out and check the scene and see why this is the case.
Go to https://www.montereyjazz.org for lots more info and the lineups for each stage.

Salinas Air Show
2026-09-26 12:00 - 2026-09-27 17:00 | Salinas Municipal Airport, Airport Blvd. , Salinas, CA, 93907, United States
The stars of this year’s show are the USAF Thunderbirds. They will be soaring through the local skies along with several trick pilots in their custom aircraft. In addition there are many sights to see on the ground. Displays of aircraft, technology, and fun learning experiences for young people are on the tarmac. For all the info and fun go to https://www.salinasairshow.com
