Before moving to Monterey, I honestly thought, 'It's just a small beach town, so it will probably be quiet.' I didn't have high expectations.

However, living here has been completely different. There are events happening throughout the year, both big and small, that require good schedule management. Today, I will summarize the major annual events in the Monterey area that I have personally experienced or noted.

The standout event is the Monterey Jazz Festival. It started in 1958 and has been held every year without fail, making it one of the longest-running jazz festivals in the world. Every year, on the third weekend of September, it takes place over three days at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, with single-day tickets starting at $35 and three-day passes over $200.

Parking can be quite challenging, so be careful. I initially tried to park on-site and ended up wandering for over 30 minutes. It's much better to park downtown and walk. Since this event attracts world-class jazz musicians, even after living in Monterey for a long time, it continues to provide new experiences every year.

In February, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am takes place. This is an official PGA Tour event held simultaneously at three courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Thanks to its unique format where professional players team up with celebrities, just watching from the gallery is a feast for the eyes. Gallery tickets are around $50, and accommodations around Pebble Beach fill up quickly during the event, so it's best to book in advance. As a resident, it's great to have access to such world-class competitions regularly.

August is a month you can't miss for Monterey Car Week. Every year, during the third week of August, it spans five days centered around Pebble Beach and Carmel, showcasing the largest classic and supercar event in the world. The highlight is the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where tickets start at over $550, but just seeing the event vehicles on the road is a delight. During Car Week, accommodation prices more than double, and it's hard to get into downtown restaurants without a reservation. Be sure to plan ahead. Famous auction houses like RM Sotheby's, Mecum, and Bonhams also converge in Monterey during this time for rare car auctions.

On the last Sunday of April, the Big Sur International Marathon takes place. It features a full marathon course of 42.195 km along the stunning Highway 1 coastline, considered one of the most beautiful marathon routes in the United States. Registration is by lottery, and competition is quite fierce. Even if you don't run, just watching near the finish line in Carmel or at the Big Creek Bridge section is enough to get your heart racing.

Additionally, in July, the Steinbeck Festival is held in Salinas, and in the fall, there is the Monterey Bay Seafood Festival. Once you move here, be sure to bookmark the official City of Monterey website or Eventbrite for the local events calendar. A much richer life than you might expect awaits you.