Christmas on the Wharf
What is everyone’s favorite holiday destination this year? Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf! Monterey Fisherman's Wharf Association is proud to sponsor and hold the first ever “Christmas on the Wharf” Weekend festivities on Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California featuring great holiday entertainment, beautiful holiday lights, a 19-foot Christmas tree, sweet treats, free Santa “meet and greet” visits, holiday princesses and much more!
Beginning Friday, December 2nd through Sunday, December 18th, on Friday evenings from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m, Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., families are encouraged to come meet Santa and create wonderful memories with free Santa visits at his “house” and have a photo op for kids and family. Christmas holiday princesses will also be on hand to greet the children and for photo ops on Fridays from 6:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m., on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. There will also be a toy drop at Santa’s house for Salvation Army.
Each weekend, there will be complimentary cocoa, coffee, apple cider and cookies (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) at the Wharf tent courtesy of Fisherman’s Wharf Association, Old Fisherman’s Grotto and Water and Leaves. Staffing the Wharf tent will be volunteers from three local non-profits: Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science (December 2-4), Marine Life Studies and the Whale Entanglement Team (December 9-11) and the American Cetacean Society Monterey Bay Chapter (December 16-18).There will also be free drawings for a dinner for two and more. Christmas carolers and live entertainment will also be featured each weekend. And, there will be great Christmas shopping, dining, whale watching, fishing, watching marine life and more fun this holiday season on the Wharf.
The Wharf businesses will be beautifully decorated with lots of colorful holiday lights and a majestic lit Christmas tree. Ice Skating By the Bay and the new Dali17 at the Museum of Monterey will be available for visits in the adjacent Custom House Plaza.
On December 9th and 10th, the Wharf will be a stop off during the Christmas in the Adobes tours in downtown Monterey.
For the first time, there will free 2-hour parking for Monterey locals with (939) ID in the City of Monterey Waterfront Parking Lot from November 28-December 23, 2016. More details about Christmas at the Wharf festivities will be included at http://www.montereywharf.com/
Many of the restaurants, stores and other businesses are open 365-days a year and you can celebrate your special holidays at the Wharf.
There will also be many Christmas specials provided by Wharf merchants:
Domenico’s on the Wharf: Holiday Monterey Bay Grilled
Fresh Spot Prawns (Delivered right to the Dock) with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables
Café Fina: Pumpkin Gnocchi
Crab House: Christmas Seafood Platter: Crab, Shrimp, Oysters and Mussels over Ice
Crabby Jims: Chef’s Holiday Special Lobster Thermidor
Paluca Trattoria: Canneloni Bolognese Stuffed with Spinach
Water and Leaves: Nitro Cold Brew Affogato - Nitro Chai Affogato using local ice cream purveyor Revival Ice Cream
Also available from the Wharf merchants:
Monterey Bay Sailing has two holiday specials:
A two-person one-hour cruise for only $69
A two-person – two-hour Sunset Appetizer Cruise for $169
Carousel Candies: Homemade gourmet Christmas Salt Water Taffy and 3-ft homemade Candy Canes
Harbor House: Home-made ocean-themed holiday ornaments
And many more holiday gift ideas!
About Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf was designated as the #1 most visited attraction in Monterey County in a recent study conducted by the Monterey County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf is open 365 days a year including during the holidays (holiday schedule is on the events page on www.montereywharf.com). Visitors to Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf will want to plan their visit to include lunch or dinner at one of the many Wharf restaurants. A visit to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula just isn’t complete without a rendezvous with Old Fisherman’s Wharf in downtown Monterey that was built in 1845 for regular passenger and freight service. Known as the “Monterey Bay Whale Watching Capital of the World™” and a top destination of visitors from around the world, Monterey’s Old Fisherman's Wharf provides a wide array of award-winning dining, shopping, live theater, special events, whale watching, bay cruises, a glass bottom boat, marine life, fishing and sailing, and strolling leisurely in a gorgeous setting overlooking the Monterey Bay.
Savor delicious cuisine at a myriad of fabulous restaurants featuring stunning views and award-winning Italian food, sustainable seafood, grass-fed steaks, including the region’s famous clam chowder and calamari. Enjoy salt water taffy, homemade chocolates, caramel apples, cotton candy and many other yummy treats. View sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins, whales, sea birds and other wildlife “up close and personal” that also share the Wharf. Watch people who have gone out and caught their own fish on the local and chartered fishing boats return with their own “catch of the day”.
Celebrate the first location in Monterey County where tender abalone was cooked and served in a restaurant. Check out the many fun shops to find the perfect memento of your visit and a variety of unique gifts. Enjoy the exquisite views and the “best place to walk and people watch” in Monterey County!
Situated near downtown Monterey, Old Fisherman’s Wharf is conveniently located along the Monterey Bay Recreation Trail and has plenty of nearby parking.
For more information about Old Fisherman’s Wharf, go to www.montereywharf.com or call (831) 238-0777.