The Otter Journal
Local know-how, written down.
Practical guides from the people who run hotels here every day.
Photo: Lianguanlun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Event guide · 4 min read TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational 2026: what to know Pros from four tours share one leaderboard at Pebble Beach, November 17 to 22, 2026. How the week works, tips for visiting, and where to stay nearby. Read → -
Event guide · 5 min read AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2027: dates, tips, and where to stay The PGA TOUR returns to Pebble Beach February 1 to 7, 2027. Here is how the week works, how to plan a visit, and which Otter hotels put you closest. Read → -
Event guide · 4 min read Big Sur International Marathon 2027: race weekend guide for runners and families The 40th Big Sur International Marathon runs April 25, 2027. Key times, road closures, spectator tips, and where to stay on the Monterey Peninsula. Read → -
4 min read Free things to do on the Monterey Peninsula Coastal walks, tide pools, sea otters, and history. The best of the Monterey Peninsula costs nothing at all. Read → -
4 min read Going to a game at Levi's Stadium: where to stay and how to plan Practical tips for a 49ers game or concert at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, from booking a room to getting there and back. Read → -
4 min read Monterey or Seaside? How to choose where to stay Walk-to-the-waterfront convenience or easy value just up the coast. A simple guide to choosing your base on the Monterey Peninsula. Read → -
Event guide · 4 min read Sea Otter Classic 2027: a visitor's guide to the world-famous bike festival The Life Time Sea Otter Classic takes over Laguna Seca April 15 to 18, 2027. What to expect, how to plan, and the closest Otter hotels. Read → -
Event guide · 4 min read Silicon Valley this holiday season: Christmas in the Park and 49ers home games San José's free Christmas in the Park runs November 27 to January 1, with four 49ers home games at Levi's Stadium in between. Dates and where to stay. Read → -
5 min read The best time to visit Monterey: a season-by-season guide Fog, whales, butterflies, and festivals. What each season on the Monterey Peninsula is really like, and how to plan around it. Read → -
Event guide · 4 min read The holidays in Gilroy: North Pole Nights and the Downtown Holiday Parade Gilroy Gardens' North Pole Nights runs select evenings November 21 to December 31, and downtown's free Holiday Festival and Parade is December 5. Dates, tips, and where to stay. Read → -
Event guide · 5 min read The holidays on the Monterey Peninsula: 2026 events guide Christmas in the Adobes, Pacific Grove's Holiday Parade of Lights, and monarch season. Dates, tips, and where to stay for a festive Monterey getaway. Read →