Sunset Cultural Center
Sunset Cultural Center
5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
70 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Peter L
Carmel, California, United States21 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
To find a facility of the Sunset Center's quality in a small town like Carmel is extraordinary. It is immaculately maintained and features artists you'd expect to see in much larger venues. The acoustics are perfect and the sight lines (except the back three rows in the orchestra) are great. It only seats about 700 people so it's always easy to see and hear. One of my favorite venues.
Written April 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enjoytravelling
10 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
If you like music, particularly classical/Baroque music, this is a must. Although it does focus mainly on Bach, it does cover other aspects of the musical repertoire (such as Haydn's "The Creation". There is always a major Bach work, such as this year's Christmas Oratorio, or previous years' Passions or Masses, and there is a sprinkling of modern music such as Avro Paart.
Not to be missed is the special Wednesday concert at the Carmel Mission, with an evening concert by candlelight in the ancient church. (I would personally skip the brass concert beforehand, they often play out of tune, but the atmosphere in the large church garden is lovely).
Ladies are well advised to leave stiletto heels behind, Carmel is windy and sloping. Much better to bring sandals, your feet will thank you for it. Clothing at the Bach Festival ranges from nerdy to dressy, and everything in between. If you feel particularly festive, go ahead (get your toenails painted and your sandals will look even more party-worthy), but recognize that it gets chilly in the evenings, and a wrap or jacket of some sort is essential for evening concerts.
The Mission church now has cushioned seating, it used to be bare wood, which detracted somewhat from the experience.
The music is worth coming for - musicians from around the world vie for the opportunity to perform here, and the conductor is excellent, as is the choir director. You have an opportunity to meet the performers after the concerts if you wish, as life in Carmel is somewhat casual and informal.
You can spend as much or as little as you want to stay in Carmel; if you want, you can brown bag it with excellent sandwiches from Bruno's and eat in the delightful park nearby, or you can easily spend $150 and up on a dinner for 2. Your pick!
Not to be missed is the special Wednesday concert at the Carmel Mission, with an evening concert by candlelight in the ancient church. (I would personally skip the brass concert beforehand, they often play out of tune, but the atmosphere in the large church garden is lovely).
Ladies are well advised to leave stiletto heels behind, Carmel is windy and sloping. Much better to bring sandals, your feet will thank you for it. Clothing at the Bach Festival ranges from nerdy to dressy, and everything in between. If you feel particularly festive, go ahead (get your toenails painted and your sandals will look even more party-worthy), but recognize that it gets chilly in the evenings, and a wrap or jacket of some sort is essential for evening concerts.
The Mission church now has cushioned seating, it used to be bare wood, which detracted somewhat from the experience.
The music is worth coming for - musicians from around the world vie for the opportunity to perform here, and the conductor is excellent, as is the choir director. You have an opportunity to meet the performers after the concerts if you wish, as life in Carmel is somewhat casual and informal.
You can spend as much or as little as you want to stay in Carmel; if you want, you can brown bag it with excellent sandwiches from Bruno's and eat in the delightful park nearby, or you can easily spend $150 and up on a dinner for 2. Your pick!
Written July 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth527
23 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Just one of the best concert halls I have ever been to. the design of the building inside and out is very attractive and accommodating.
Seating is comfortable; the hall seems intimate and good views from most seats. Acoustics are great!
Seating is comfortable; the hall seems intimate and good views from most seats. Acoustics are great!
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike R
1 contribution
May 2020
They are apparently closed. They are not returning phone calls or emails. They have a few hundred dollars of mine from ticket purchases, but the show was cancelled, then re-scheduled. But the re-scheduled dates have disappeared from the site. Apparently my money has too. If they would communicate, it would help.
Written March 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chechina
Aptos, CA85 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
Of the hundreds of venue's I've patronized - this is IT, hands down. Beautiful surrounding area, lovely gardens and setup, excellent decor, lovely theater with supreme acoustics - every seat is a good view and large enough without feeling like a big "hall." Have now seen the Monterey Symphony here approximately 12 times, and ALWAYS opt to choose this venue to see them in because half the experience is the enjoyment of Sunset Cultural Center itself. The box office is wonderfully efficient and accomodating - have called me back before numerous times to upgrade me when I've had changes to be made to tickets, season tickets, et al - VERY cordial and flexible - made SURE I was satisfied to my every desire. The class and loveliness you expect in Carmel are right here - there is excellent parking, wonderful staff, hospitality and nice concession food at intermission. This is all you could want for an exciting and excellent afternoon as the Sunset TOTALLY enhances the loveliness of the music itsself!
Written April 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MICHAEL M
Monterey, CA28 contributions
Dec 2012
Great seats, acoustics and acts. Reasonably priced. Saw Ira Glass there a bit ago. I was in the front row. I'll never forget it.
Written January 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skein12500
Carmel Valley, CA11 contributions
Jul 2019
We have attended a lot of Concerts here, it is a Great Venue with Great Acoustics, can't wait for more to go to.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elece L
16 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
Wonderful venue for performances. So much going on at the Sunset Center from well know artists to local dance companies. This is where people connect!
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chilvr
Woodbridge, CA154 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We travel to Carmel every July for the Carmel Bach Festival. The Sunset Cultural Center is the primary venue for the main and largest concerts. Good seats for hearing the music. Can see performers well unless there are two or more tall persons immediately in front of you. Nice small concession stand with better than average break treats. Parking can be tough, so plan to arrive early. Nice conference rooms for lectures.
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wordjanitor
Grass Valley, CA85 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
I've attended the annual EG Conference here for the past two years. The theater itself is a gorgeous structure and great for performances, spoken or musical. But the full facility and grounds make it a nice place for an event with meals, networking, art displays, and more.
Written December 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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