Activities
Please click below on blue venue name to be connected to their website!
Have we missed anything? Please email suggestions/recommendations to: [email protected]
Alisal Center for Fine Arts (Salinas)
Mentors and teachers provide classes and workshops in fine arts, theater, and dance, with an emphasis on cultural knowledge and traditions.
Carmel Art Association (Carmel)
The Carmel Art Association displays a wide variety of styles and media and changes its exhibitions every month. Events include: film series, lectures, concerts, art demonstrations and special fund-raising events.
Michaels Arts & Crafts Classes (Marina)
Embrace creativity with Michaels. With their exciting array of classes offered, there’s always something new to learn and do! Have fun, be creative, and sign up online for a class today.
Youth Arts Collective (Monterey)
YAC provides supplies, studio space, art training, exhibition, individual mentoring, and a community unlike any other. They’re open 4 hours a day, 6 days a week, year round.
Agricultural History Project Center & Museum (Watsonville)
Preserving the history of agriculture in California’s Central Coast, the AG History Project at the Fairgrounds in Watsonville provides discovery and learning for everyone in the family.
The Andy Ausonio Library (Castroville)
This is an Art Literacy Program designed to assist in developing an art and literacy connection.
Hartnell Planitarium (Salinas)
For over 40 years the planetarium at Hartnell College has opened its doors to the public for regular evening shows. In continuing this tradition please check out either our Children’s show or our Evening show.
Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey)
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a staple of the peninsula and an interactive way to inspire conservation of the ocean while learning about all of its living inhabitants. Call CASA office for free pass availability.
MY Museum, Monterey County Youth Museum (Monterey)
MY Museum offers interactive galleries and programming where children and their grown-ups can explore, discover, imagine and learn together. Call CASA office for free pass availability.
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History (Pacific Grove)
Showcasing the birds and wildlife, plants, geology, and cultural richness of Monterey County County, Santa Cruz County, and the entire California Central Coast.
ARIEL Theater (Salinas)
ARIEL is a nonprofit that allows young people the opportunity to partake in theater arts productions. Call CASA office to check free voucher availability.
Pac Rep (Carmel)
PacRep Theatre produces bold and daring interpretations of the great plays from the world stage – plays that engage, excite, educate and inspire. Call CASA office for free voucher availability.
Dia de Los Muertos (Santa Cruz)
Check website events page in the fall for Monterey County events.
Christmas on the Wharf (Monterey)
This event will feature holiday musical entertainment including a dazzling array of beautiful holiday lights and decorations, a 19-foot Christmas tree, free sweet treats, free Santa “meet and greet”, and much more!
Ciclovia (Salinas)
In early October, we encourage you to partake in this annual youth led event as 1.6 miles of Alisal Street, from Main Street to Sanborn Street, will come alive for community members to enjoy recreational activities- such as running, biking, skating, dancing, playing and many others.
Good Old Days Celebration (Pacific Grove)
This annual Pacific Grove event takes place in early April and includes live entertainment on five stages, old-fashioned games and contests, and lots of family fun.
Ice Skating By the Bay (Monterey)
Celebrate the holidays amidst the scenic coastline at a seasonal ice skating rink located in Custom House Plaza behind Portola Hotel & Spa.
Monterey County Fair (Monterey)
This family- fun event includes carnival rides, games, and tasty fair-food, and an opportunity to celebrate Monterey County’s unique history and heritage.
CASA Office (Salinas)
Our office welcomes advocates and their CASA youth to stop by at any time, just call the office ahead of time to make a reservation. Advocates and their youth can bake, play board games, work on homework, and do arts and crafts.
Highway 1 Golf, Games & Grub (Monterey)
Visit this Cannery Row destination for mini-golf, mirror mazes, and more. Contact CASA office for availability of passes.
Northridge Mall Events (Salinas)
The Salinas mall offers a variety of fun events for kids on various days of the week throughout the year.
Local YMCA Facilities (Assorted locations)
Visit a local YMCA facility by purchasing a $10 day pass. Contact the center you are planning to visit ahead of time to confirm you will not need any additional waivers signed prior.
Water City Skate (Seaside)
This local skating rink is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday’s for people of all ages to enjoy! Admission is $6 and personal skates are allowed, but rentals are also available for $3.
Dennis the Menace Playground (Monterey)
Dennis the Menace is Monterey’s most popular as well as famous, municipal playground.
El Estero Boating (Monterey)
Located right next to Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey is El Estero paddle boat rental.
Everyone’s Harvest (Marina)
A robust nonprofit that operates five certified farmers’ markets and is a catalyst for health-related programs across Monterey County.
Gizdich Ranch (Watsonville)
Pick your own fruit farm, or stop by for coffee & pie.
Hope, Horses and Kids (Salinas)
This nonprofit helps all children, especially those with special needs, build confidence and reach personal developmental milestones.
Monterey Zoo (Salinas)
Visit exotic animals from around the world in a natural setting.
Point Lobos State Reserve (Carmel)
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is outstanding for sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, and walking.
Return of the Natives (Seaside)
Community & school based environmental education program dedicated to native habitat restoration.
Tatum’s Garden (Salinas)
Tatum’s Garden is a fully inclusive park created to foster abundant play.
The First Tee (Salinas)
Visit this site to spend time on the golf course or simply utilize their driving range. Golf is a wonderful way for players to learn values like honesty and responsibility by calling penalties on themselves and reporting their own score.
The Wahine Project (Monterey)
This organization strives to allow young girls access to ocean sports who would otherwise not have the opportunity. Some of the programs that they offer include: a one- day option, and various memberships separated into various age groups.
Guitars NOT Guns (Assorted locations)
Guitars Not Guns provide guitars and lessons to foster kids, at risk youth and other children in a classroom setting with qualified teachers.
Pacific Edge Climbing Gym (Santa Cruz)
Visit Pacific Edge for a wonderful rock climbing experience, just be sure to fill out the waiver prior. They are generously offering 50% off daily kids passes.
Petroglyph (Santa Cruz)
Petroglyph is the original paint-your-own pottery studio. They have generously offered a 50% off discount for CASA advocates and their kiddos to use at your leisure!