Sleigh bells ring, dancers swing, and choirs sing at upcoming Monterey County winter festivals, while local lodging properties welcome guests with free room nights.

November celebrations begin with events and tastings along Monterey County's wine trail during the annual Great Wine Escape Weekend (Nov. 7-9). Golf greats will play some of the world's best courses in the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational (Nov. 18-24), and visitors can browse art displays and western gear while kicking up their heels at the Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival (Dec.5-7). Popular holiday celebrations include Christmas in the Adobes (Dec. 11 and 13) and the Brighten the Harbor (Dec. 14) lighted boat parade, as well as First Night Monterey, bringing in the New Year on December 31. The annual Whalefest (Jan. 10-11) on Fisherman's Wharf and the Monterey Swingfest (Jan. 15-19) are among favorite festivals that continue in January.

Yet another reason to visit now is the 'Stay for Free' promotion offered by local hotels, motels and resorts. From November 1 through January 30, 2004, visitors purchasing one room night at participating Monterey County lodging properties will receive a second night free. More than twenty hotels are involved in the promotion. During the same time frame, area restaurants and attractions will offer two-for-one deals and special rates on dining, as well as wine tasting, whale watching, movie tours and more.

In addition to great rates and unique festivals, opportunities for wildlife watching make winter an ideal time to visit Monterey County. Coastline hikes and boat tours provide opportunities to spot migrating California gray whales, and hundreds of bird species and bald eagles soar above the waters and woodlands of Elkhorn Slough, Big Sur, and Lake San Antonio this time of year. And, the Monterey pines in Pacific Grove are covered with thousands of Monarch butterflies throughout the winter months.

For more information on off-season values or Monterey attractions and events, visit www.montereyinfo.org or call the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 888-221-1010.

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Media Contact: Julie Armstrong +1 831-657-6405 julie@mccvb.org