Explore the Treasures of Carmel-by-the-Sea with a fall lineup that will delight visitors

Aug. 22, 2011 - PRLog -- With bohemian roots reaching back over a century and a host of exciting fall events and the best weather of the season— it’s time to start planning.

Visitors can unveil the treasures that Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer in the walkable village packed with art galleries, spas, shopping boutiques and the best food and wine on the Monterey Peninsula. Guests to the area will note the quirky laws still in effect: prohibited are—neon signs, billboards and hot dog stands; the village has no street lights or parking meters and businesses, cottages and houses have no street numbers. In the charming village a permit is required to wear high-heeled shoes (even though it’s not enforced). However, dogs are welcome, so bring the pet and prepare to be pampered.

With over 60 courtyards and 100 art galleries, shops and entertainment to explore all within walking distance, visitors will be able to spend the entire day perusing the galleries and enjoying a tasty bite at one of the fashionable restaurants, cafes or pubs that pepper the landscape of the treasure known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, shining this fall. Be sure to be a part of the excitement— for a full listing of fall events, itineraries and travel ideas visit www.carmelcalifornia.com.

Sunset Center, various events — September—ongoing
The distinctive, Gothic-inspired arches of the theater ceiling create a graceful, acoustically magnificent venue. The now famous, proscenium arch accommodates full orchestras and chorus’. The Sunset Center hosts more than 50 performances and welcomes artists from around the world to its stage from comedians, musicians, light shows, and entertainers. Enjoy the Mo town sensation of The Temptations (9/15/11). The Bacon Brothers (9/29/11) style of gritty blues mixed with folk and rock ’n’ roll and a touch of Philly soul. Sit back and relax to the sounds of the St. Petersburg String Quartet with Anton Nel, Piano (10/1/11). Enjoy the critically acclaimed, hugely entertaining theatrical production of Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack (10/7/11). Despite his fame on Deal or No Deal, or as a judge with Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Howie Mandel (10/20/11) manages to keep his stand-up act sharp with over 200 shows a year throughout the year, see him in October in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Experience the ultimate Pink Floyd Tribute Show in this live musical performance starring House of Floyd and their incredible laser light show (10/22/11). Other acts include MOMIX BOTANICA (11/10/11), David Sedaris (11/15/11), Paula Poundstone (12/16/11) and an eclectic mix of performers such as or The Peking Acrobats (1/20/12), and Joan Rivers (2/10/12). For a full listing of events visit www.sunsetcenter.com

Carmel Authors and Ideas Festival —September 23-25, 2011
In 2011 the 5th annual Carmel Authors and Ideas Festival will bring to Carmel-by-the-Sea more than 35 award winning authors and speakers, including authors of New York Times best-sellers, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winners, and winners of virtually every prestigious literary award and much more. www.carmelauthors.com

Concerts in Carmel at Carmel Plaza—Through September 30, 2011
Produced by Carmel Plaza, the debut of the 2011 Concerts in Carmel concert series draws both locals and visitors to what has become a community tradition evolving from four fantastic years of the Jazz at the Plaza concert series. The concert series began August 5 and concludes on September 30. New for this year is the expansion from providing pure jazz to many other genres appealing to the diverse music tastes of the Monterey Peninsula. Musicians that specialize in creating a vibrant, danceable atmosphere are the primary focus while introducing local breweries into the traditional food and wine ticket package. Each night The Carmel Plaza highlights a different local non-profit, showcasing what they do for the local community. www.carmelplaza.com

Taste of Carmel — Oct. 6, 2011
The Carmel Chamber of Commerce hosts its popular annual fete, the Taste of Carmel, in the courtyard of the beautiful Carmel Mission the evening of Oct. 6, when nearly three dozen local restaurants offer small bites and 20 Monterey County wineries pour their best selections. Each year, the Taste of Carmel takes on a theme, and organizers selected “Footloose & Fancy Fare” for 2011, encouraging attendees to don ’80s attire for an evening under the stars. Dancing and an abundant silent auction round out the event. www.tasteofcarmel.com

Carmel Art & Film Festival — Oct. 12-16, 2011
The kaleidoscope of ideas ensues in the five jam-packed days of independent film, presented in a half dozen unique venues including the world famous Carmel Beach, a two-day outdoor fine art fair, a photography exhibition, tech expo, music café, lectures, gallery art openings, and an art auction round out the artistic adventure, which is then wrapped in a finely spun cocoon of fine wines and inventive cuisine from a region widely recognized for both. The Carmel Art & Film Festival will transform the town into a compelling venue Oct. 12-16, kicking off with an opening night reception and concert at the Sunset Center. Musicians will play in outdoor courtyards, galleries will host receptions, and the two-day show in a downtown park will afford painters and sculptors a unique opportunity to display and sell their creations. A photography exhibition in a nearby gallery will include the works of 50 artists. Organizers of the internationally renowned Sundance Film Festival will bring their talents and selected pieces to Sunset Center, where features, documentaries and shorts will be shown throughout the entire festival, each followed with a talk by the director. www.carmelartandfilm.com

Pacific Repertory Theatre Season
PacRep’s season features a collection of plays and musicals that span the spectrum of stories from gripping and intense to romantic to family classics to witty naughtiness and comic bedlam - delivering a diversity of live theatre unmatched in the Central Coast Region. At the Outdoor Forest Theater until September 30 is Annie followed by Romeo and Juliet from September 30-October 16. Circle Theatre hosts a fast-moving, irreverent comedy, Every Christmas Story Ever Told November 10 through December 18. The Golden Bough Theatre’s Tribute Concert runs December 28 through January 1. www.pacrep.org

Carmel-by-the-Sea’s 41st Annual Homecrafters’ Marketplace (November 19)
One of the most anticipated events of the holidays, the city’s Homecrafters’ Marketplace features 100 vendors from Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties selling their own handmade crafts and artwork. Each has been subjected to a jury panel for selection, ensuring high-quality goods and a wide range of unique offerings. The sale takes place in the parking lots of the city’s Sunset Cultural Center 9th and 10th Avenues in Carmel-by-the-Sea. www.ci.carmel.ca.us

With so much to do and see in Carmel-by-the-Sea, isn’t it time you designed your visit? To start, find us at www.carmelcalifornia.com to begin planning now.