Parking
On-site, all-day parking will be available on Fairground Rd., (free, first come-first served), and in pay-to-park lots on either end of the Festival grounds for $20 per vehicle. The east parking lot off Airport Rd., through Gate 8, is General Parking. The golf course lot, off Garden Rd. on the west end of the Festival grounds is General and VIP Pass Parking.
A shuttle is available for Festival guests from the East parking lot (Gate 8) to an additional shuttle-only admissions booth at the back of the Festival grounds. Parking gates will open 30 minutes before the event. Parking passes can be purchased with cash or credit card at the lot entrances.
Directions
The Artichoke Festival suggests that all drivers follow posted directional signs to the parking areas.
Thank you for being a patient and courteous driver!
Coming South on Highway 1 from Santa Cruz/Los Gatos
Southbound traffic on State Route 1 should continue south of the Monterey County boundary through Moss Landing. Once in Monterey, take the Casa Verde Way exit, turn left onto Casa Verde Way, then turn right onto Fairground Rd. Follow signs for event parking.
Coming South on US Highway 101 from San Jose/Santa Clara County
Southbound traffic on US Highway 101, should exit 101 in Prunedale (approximately 17 miles south of Gilroy) at the junction of State Route 156, continue west for approximately 7 miles to the State Route 1 South. Once in Monterey, take the Casa Verde Way exit, turn left onto Casa Verde Way, then turn right onto Fairground Rd. Follow signs for event parking.
Coming West on State Route 156 from Hollister
Follow State Route 156 from Hollister 25.2 miles to Castroville, continue west for approximately 7 miles to the State Route 1 South. Once in Monterey, take the Casa Verde Way exit, turn left onto Casa Verde Way, then turn right onto Fairground Rd. (State Route 156 and Highway 101 are the same from just west of San Juan Bautista to Prunedale.) Follow signs for event parking.
Coming North on State Route 183 from Salinas
Northbound traffic should proceed northwest on West Market Street (State Route 183), which becomes Salinas Road, for approximately 8.5 miles. As you enter Castroville, turn left onto State Route 156 South, which turns into State Route 1 South. Once in Monterey, take the Casa Verde Way exit , turn left onto Casa Verde Way, then turn right onto Fairground Rd. Follow signs for event parking.
Coming North on US Highway 101 from King City/Paso Robles
Northbound traffic should proceed north on US Highway 101 to Chualar, CA. Take exit #317 to Chualar, and continue onto Grant St. Turn left onto Chualar River Rd/Main St., continue as Chualar River Rd heads left momentarily, then turn right at the T-crossing of Foletta and Chualar River Rds. Continue to follow Chualar River Road as it merges with River Road toward Salinas. At Monterey-Salinas Hwy north of Salinas, turn left unto State Route 68 West to Monterey. In Monterey, keep right at the fork and follow signs for Seaside/CA-1 N/Santa Cruz. Keep right at the next fork to exit onto North Fremont St. Turn right onto Fairground Rd. Follow signs to parking areas.
Coming North on Highway 1 from the Monterey Peninsula area
Northbound traffic should proceed north on State Route 1, exit onto N Fremont St. Turn right onto Casa Verde Way, and right onto Fairground Rd. Follow signs to parking areas.
RV Parking Information
A limited number of RV parking spaces will be available on and/or near the festival grounds, at the rate of $70.00 per day. The RV parking fee covers arrival by no earlier than 1:00 p.m. on Friday and departure by no later than 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. For further information about RV space, please contact the Monterey County Fair & Event Center Administration Office at (831) 717-7167, or visit their website at www.montereycountyfair.com.
