Saturday, June 22nd
UC Santa Barbara short course on the Economics of Urban Sprawl and
Land Use Change. Event is free but space limited. Consult event website..

Social and Cultural Activities for the Second World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists

Space is limited for most of these events. To reserve your place email Julia Carson at jwcarson@weber.ucsd.edu

PLEASE NOTE: THE HEARST CASTLE TOUR HAS BEEN CANCELLED. FURTHER, BOTH EXCURSIONS TO THE NEPENTHE RESTAURANT ON BIG SUR ARE FULLY BOOKED. THE POINT LOBOS WALKING TOUR IS NOW US$ 20 INSTEAD OF US$ 36 AS ORIGINALLY ADVERTISED.

Monday, June 24th
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Tour of the Elkhorn Slough for Adults and Children 3-14 years old.
Join Captain Yohn Gideon as you explore and learn about one of California's largest wetlands. The wetlands provide an important feeding and resting place for a wide variety of wildlife such as harbor seals, sea otters, and thousands of birds. This two hour excursion is a "floating classroom" complete with kid friendly games, bird bingo, prizes and more. Cost: $20.00

6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Gala Dinner Childcare.
Attention Parents! While you are at the Gala Dinner at the Monterey Aquarium why not let us watch your children! AERE sponsored childcare will be available at the Marriott providing all age children with loads of fun, arts and crafts, snacks, games and more. Kids can bring their pillows and blankets and should have dinner before arriving. Cost: $20 for one child and $5 for each additional sibling.

Tuesday, June 25th
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Salinas Valley Agricultural Educational Tour for Adults.
An expert guide will take you on a sophisticated tour of one of America's leading fruit and vegetable producing areas aptly referred to as the "Salad Bowl of the World." You will visit local growers, a produce stand and salad processing plant. Time will be spent discussing the complexities of vegetable production and various practices such as irrigation, field packing and harvesting, fertilization and organic farming. During a narrated driving tour of the Salinas Valley a discussion of field operations, management practices and diversity of crops will take place. The tour will feature a catered picnic lunch with cold drinks. Cost: $67.00

6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sunset Dinner at Big Sur Nepenthe Restaurant.
Drive down the scenic central California coast stopping at Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur for dinner. Nepenthe offers fresh fish, steaks, chicken and a full bar with dining available on their outside terrace offering great views of the Pacific Ocean and colorful sunsets. Cost: $10 covers round-trip transportation only. (THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED.)

Wednesday, June 26th
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Salinas Valley Farm and Animal Tour for Parents and Children 4-12.
An expert guide will meet us at a local organic farm where we will go on a tractor ride, learn about farming vegetables, visit the petting zoo and pick our own strawberries and flowers. Next we will go to the Salinas High School Farm Animal Center to visit sheep, pigs, cows, goats, rabbits and more. Cost: $36.00, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Walking Tour of Point Lobos.
Pt. Lobos boasts seven miles of trails that lace through the 1,250-acre preserve giving hikers a chance to see what well-known landscape artist Francis McComas called "the greatest meeting of land and water in the world." Our guide will provide commentary on rare plant communities, endangered archeological sites, unique geological formations, and the incredibly rich flora and fauna of both land and sea as we walk along selected parts of the trail. Cost: $20.00 (PRICE DROP!)

6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sunset Dinner at Big Sur Nepenthe Restaurant.
Drive down the scenic central California coast stopping at Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur for dinner. Nepenthe offers fresh fish, steaks, chicken and a full bar with dining available on their outside terrace offering great views of the Pacific Ocean and colorful sunsets. Cost: $10 covers round-trip transportation only.(THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED.)

Thursday, June 27th
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Whale Watching excursion.
Our group will walk to the historic old Fisherman's Wharf on Monterey Bay and board the 75' ship Magnum Force. Wander around and get acquainted with the vessel, as we get under way in search of Mighty Blue and Humpback whales that traverse the waters of the Pacific this time of year. This safe, fun and educational trip will be enhanced by sightings of local marine residents such as sea lions, otters and gulls as well as views of Cannery Row and the Pt. Pinos Lighthouse. Snack bar on board.
Cost: $28 adults; $22 children

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour*.
Over two hundred years ago the first wine grapes were planted by the Spanish Padres. Today, renowned vineyards and wineries call Monterey County home. As we make our way south from Monterey, Carmel Valley points of interest will be viewed and discussed. After arriving at Chateau Julien Wine Estate we will receive a private tour of the winery and go on a vineyard walk. Our tour includes visiting two tasting rooms for wine and light appetizers. Cost: $56.00 *Must be 21 years or older to consume wine in California.

Friday, June 28th
8:30 a.m. - 12: 30 p.m. Elkhorn Slough for Adults.
The Elkhorn Slough is one of California's largest coastal wetlands. Join Captain Yeon Gideon, a naturalist, avid birder and amateur photographer who will lead this three-hour tour designed especially for our group. This precious wildlife-rich reserve winds inland seven miles and provides an important feeding and resting place for a fantastic variety of wildlife, such as otters, harbor seals and hundreds of species of waterfowl and migratory shorebirds. Excellent opportunities to view and photograph wildlife will be close at hand. The cruise includes an in-depth look at various aspects of slough ecology and fascinating history stories by the naturalist. Cost: $36.00, lunch not included.