Way back pre-pandemic, in a more tactile, huggy and innocent age, I made a command decision that changed the way I look at food festivals.
Instead of attending and covering Big Sur Food & Wine, which I had since its inception a decade previous, I volunteered to staff it. The result was revelatory. Now I was behind the curtain, not missing out on flavor and experience as much as gaining it.
I had volunteered at plenty of other community efforts and events, but there’s only one Big Sur, and one BSFW. The characters there arrive as rich as the grape juice and grub. And I dug the kinetic adventure of operations enough that they quickly added me to the logistics team.
Since tickets sell out (and are heading that way as I type) — and aren’t cheap if you can get one — I encourage interested parties to consider volunteering. It’s fulfilling for the tastebuds and the soul. Exercise comes included.
BTW, BSFW leads off another intriguing month of events around Monterey, many of them flavorful and soulful too:
Featured photo by Monterey Whalers.
Monterey
Nov. 9
The opening night of Chamber Music Monterey’s 58th Season comes out smashing, with a profound program by the Pacifica Quartet. The multiple Grammy Award-winning PQ has three decades beneath its wings, spanning from the 1998 Naumburg Chamber Music Award to Musical America’s Ensemble of the Year in 2009 and beyond. The program is “American Snapshots: JFK, Vietnam, and Ellis Island,” with Dvořák’s beloved “American String Quartet” coming after intermission.
Nov. 1
This 2-hour walking tour explores the history of Monterey’s whaling industry and more, and in the state’s first capitol — and home of its first theater, newspaper and constitution — there’s a lot of history. Guide Tim Thomas is a fourth-generation native of Monterey, and its first-rate historian, known for his expertise in the region’s maritime history and his books like The Abalone King of Monterey: ‘Pop’ Ernest Doelter and The Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula. The walk-and-talk pairs well with a meal at one of many standout Fishermen’s Wharf restaurants — and is free, but please RSVP.
Nov. 8-9
The weekend of races comes managed by world-famous Big Sur International Marathon, and provides a multi-dimensional peek at what the big daddy event is like, including the By-the-Bay 3K, the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5K, and the half-marathon on Sunday. The 9,000 slots sell out every year, but it’s also a fun watch in a gorgeous place.
Nov. 18-23
The TaylorMade PBI quietly creates a thoroughly unique event annually by combining the PGA, LPGA, Champions and Web.com tours. It also taps the iconic tracks that are some of the most celebrated on Goddess’ green(s) Earth: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and The Links at Spanish Bay. A bonus twist: The pros play from different tees, but compete for the same $300,000 purse.
Santa Cruz
Nov. 8-9
This oceanic event summons dozens of two-legged mermaids and mermen to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove for a weekend of deep-diving art with a splash of eating and drinking. The other key details: 60-plus artists, $5 entry includes chance to win an “amazing” gift basket (kids free), full bar and tasty food, the event supports ocean conservation, and there’s a collectors showcase and sea glass discovery zone rounding things out.
Carmel
Nov. 8
The tiny hamlet with the huge art inventory was founded by artists, and they run this free and family-friendly open house every month, so let’s have them do the introduction too: “Support our local artists and keep the HEART of Carmel beating strong! Carmel Art Walk is the second Saturday every month from 4pm-7pm and is open to the public. Tour artist-owned galleries and meet the artists who carry on the Carmel-by-the-Sea artist colony legacy. Follow the blue lanterns at each gallery.” Done.
Big Sur
Nov. 6-8
The loaded lineup at BSFW changes every year. For 2025, it includes Hiking with Stemware along new trails beside the sea and fresh collaborations for the sold-out Sommelier Dinner. Other things are more predictable — the world-class flavors in the Sierra Mar gardens for the Sip & Saunter at Post Ranch, and, most importantly, the fact all proceeds funnel to South Coast nonprofits like Big Sur Fire, Big Sur Grange, Big Sur Health Center and Big Sur Historical Society.
