Frequently Asked Questions
About Sunset Center
General information about the Sunset Center and our Presenting Partners, Services for People with Disabilities, Lost and Found, Gift Certificates, Mailing Lists, Volunteer Opportunities, and the Sunset Center's Educational and Community Programs.
Visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea
Experience Fine Dining and Lodging in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Directions & Parking
Driving to the Sunset Center, Sunset Center Parking, and Handicapped Parking.
Box Office
Ordering Tickets to Events, Box Office Hours, and Seating Charts.
Web Site Help
Answers to frequently asked questions about navigating the Sunset Center Web site.
Privacy Policy
Sunset Center's Privacy Policy and Web site security.
About Sunset Center
What is Sunset Center?
Sunset Center is a community gathering place, where citizens of the region meet to enjoy the full spectrum of performing arts, view visual-arts exhibits, exchange ideas, learn, and attend organization meetings and educational events. The Center is also home to some of the region’s leading performing-arts organizations, visual and arts service organizations, and volunteer groups. For more information, please see the History section of the Sunset Center Web site.
What is a Presenting Partner?
Sunset Center's Presenting Partners are organizations that bring quality live performances to the people of Monterey County. Sunset Center is the home of four historic Presenting Partners: Carmel Bach Festival, Carmel Music Society, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, and the Monterey Symphony. Together, these four nonprofit organizations offer more than 50 classical music events each year. In addition, Sunset Center is host to events presented by various producers. In addition, Sunset Center brings a wide variety of arts and entertainment to the region through Sunset Presents. For more information, please see the Who’s Who section of the Sunset Center Web site.
Is there a calendar for classes and community events at Sunset Center?
For a list of currently scheduled classes, meetings, and community events held at Sunset Center, select Meetings and Classes from the Upcoming Events/Tickets menu. This page lists all the classes and regularly scheduled meetings taking place at the Sunset Center as well as the name and phone number of the person to call for more information.
What provisions are there for people with disabilities?
Parking for handicap vehicles is located in the parking lot directly adjacent to the Sunset Theater. Select Parking/Directions from the Upcoming Events/Tickets menu to view a map of the Sunset Center and its handicap parking spaces. The Sunset Center Theater is equipped with wheelchair accessible aisles and an elevator; wheelchair designated seats are reserved in the theater. To reserve these seats, please contact the Sunset Center Box Office at 831-620-2048. Assisted Listening Devices are also available.
Is there a Lost and Found?
Call 831-620-2040 for assistance during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Does Sunset Center offer Gift Certificates?
Gift certificates can be purchased online by going to Upcoming Events and clicking on Gift Certificates, by calling the Box Office at 831-620-2048 or visiting the Box Office between 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Monday through Friday or on Saturdays from noon to 4:00 pm.
How can I be added to a mailing list or request a brochure?
Click on Join Our E-mail List at the bottom right of the homepage or anywhere on this Web site where you see “Join”, and enter your contact information. To receive a brochure from one of our Presenting Partners, use the link on this Web site to contact them directly.
How do I find out about volunteer opportunities and internships at Sunset Center?
Select Volunteer from the Support menu to get more information about volunteering at Sunset Center. To sign up as a volunteer or inquire about an internship, please contact our Volunteer/Intern Coordinator at volunteers@sunsetcenter.org or call 831-620-2047.
How does the Sunset Center support Arts Education?
Sunset Center has a process/product oriented Arts Education program called Classroom Connections. This program places artists in schools, conducts workshops with students, and brings student groups to Sunset Center for performances.
Can my community group perform at the Sunset Theater?
Our staff welcomes the opportunity to discuss your performance plans with you. Contact clientsvcs@sunsetcenter.org, or call 831-620-2053.
How can I donate to Sunset Center?
Donations of any amount are gratefully appreciated. Sunset Center is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) tax-exempt California corporation, and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donate online by clicking on Contribute from the Support menu. Contact donorprogram@sunsetcenter.org, or call 831-620-2040 for more information.
Visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea
I would like to have dinner before a show. Can you recommend any restaurants in Carmel?
Carmel is well known for its fine dining. To see a list of restaurants in the area please visit the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Web site
Directions and Parking
Where is the Sunset Center Located?
Sunset Center is located three blocks from Ocean Avenue in Carmel. The Sunset Center Theater is on the east side of San Carlos Street past Ninth Avenue. For complete driving directions to Carmel, please refer to Parking/Directions on the Upcoming Events menu.
Is there public parking available at Sunset Center?
There are three public parking lots at Sunset Center. The parking lot at Mission Street and Eighth Avenue is free to Sunset Center patrons after 6 pm. The parking lot at San Carlos Street and Ninth Avenue and the lot at Tenth Avenue and San Carlos Street are free any time. For directions to the parking lots, please refer to Parking/Directions on the Upcoming Events menu.
Ticketing and Sunset Center Ticket Services
How can I tell if there are tickets available for a performance?
We update the Events Calendar every day to tell you the availability of tickets for each event. A red dot means that the show is sold out. A yellow dot indicates that there are few tickets and the show could sell out at any time. A green dot means that there are ample tickets available.
How do I order tickets to an individual event?
Ordering online is the most convenient way to get tickets. To order, find the performance on the Events Calendar and click Buy Tickets. Fill in the ticket order screen with the required information, and hit Submit. We will fill your order and send them to you the next business day. If your request for tickets arrives less than 10 days before a performance, we will hold your tickets at Will Call. For information on the security of online transactions, review the Privacy Policy below.
You can also buy tickets in-person at the Sunset Center Box Office on San Carlos Street, near Ninth Avenue or by phone at 831-620-2048, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday, noon to 4 pm.
What does the Sunset Center Box Office charge to handle my ticket order?
Sunset Center charges a nominal fee of $3.50 per ticket. This fee is added to all ticket sales except in-person box office sales.
Can I see a seating chart of the Sunset Theater?
Yes. Select Seating Chart from the Events menu. Click on any one of the five icons to see a photographic view of the stage from that area in the Theater.
What do I do if I misplace my tickets?
Go to the Box Office window at the Sunset Center Theater and request a reprint, at least one hour prior to curtain. Simply show the Box Office representative your photo ID. There is a $3.50 per ticket service charge.
I have tickets to an event but can’t attend. What can I do?
Tickets purchased through the Sunset Center Box Office are non-refundable. If you are not able to use your tickets, return them to the Box Office least 2 days before the event as a donation. A letter will be sent to you for tax purposes.
For more information about ticket policies, select Box Office Policies from the Upcoming Events menu.
May I exchange my tickets for another event?
Season subscribers may exchange tickets to events they cannot attend for tickets to another event within the series. Exchanges must be made at least one week in advance of the performance you hold tickets to. We cannot guarantee that you will get the same seats to another event; but we will do our best to seat you in a comparable section of the theater.
No other tickets purchased through the Sunset Center Box Office may be exchanged. To learn more about ticket policies, select Box Office Policies from the Upcoming Events menu.
Does the Sunset Center offer group discounts?
Yes. We would like to work with you to arrange special group discounts of twenty or more tickets to events. Please contact us early so that we can make certain you get the best seats at the best price. To inquire about group discounts, please e-mail us at ticketsvcs@sunsetcenter.org, or call the Box Office at 831-620-2048.
When is the Sunset Center Box Office open?
The Sunset Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday from noon to 4:00 pm. When there is an event the Box Office window opens two hours prior to curtain time for the show and remains open until intermission.
Web Site Help
I am having trouble viewing the site; what should I do?
The Sunset Center Web site works best when you use Internet Explorer 7.0, Firefox 2.0 (Mozilla) or Safari 3.0. If you can view the site using one of these browsers, it is recommended. If you are having problems with your Web browser, please e-mail us at webmaster@sunsetcenter.org
Whom should I contact if there's a problem ordering tickets online?
For any ticket orders placed through this Web site, please call us at 831-620-2048, Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday from noon to 4:00 pm.
While I was on the Web site, I saw a message saying that I was about to view an insecure page. Is the Sunset Center Web site fully secure?
Yes. The technology we use to encrypt information as it passes from your computer to ours is called Secure Socket Layer (SSL). SSL is widely the industry standard in Internet security.
I have seen several files on the Web site that are in PDF format. What are PDF files, and how do I view them?
Portable Document Format (PDF) is the standard for the secure and reliable distribution and exchange of electronic documents and forms via the Internet. Sunset Center uses this file format for such documents as our rental agreements, press clippings, and certain other documents that are updated periodically on this Web site. To view PDF files, you need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
Flash is necessary to view some parts of this Web site. What is Flash, and how do I install it?
In order to better serve our patrons, the Sunset Center has developed a new, interactive Web site aimed at providing you with the best possible online experience. In order to take advantage of our new site, you will need the Flash player, available free from Macromedia.
Privacy Statement & Web Site Security
Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. (Sunset Center) knows that users of its Web site care about the personal information they provide to us. This privacy policy will provide you with information about how we collect, store and use the personally identifiable information obtained through our Web site. Sunset Center may revise this privacy policy from time to time. By using the Sunset Center Web site, you are agreeing to the terms of the current privacy policy.
Use of Information We Collect
Personal information collected through this Web site may be used by Sunset Center to: communicate with you; register you as a Patron; allow purchasing and shipping of tickets, subscriptions, memberships and/or merchandise; enable you to participate in special promotions and to navigate the Web site without having to re-enter information; administer our Web site; comply with applicable law and as otherwise provided in this Privacy Policy. We may occasionally make information available to select organizations. If you wish to be removed from this contact list, you may do so by contacting Sunset Center directly.
Administration of Our Web Site / Compliance with Law
We may disclose information when we have reason to believe that disclosing this information is necessary to identify, contact, or bring legal action against someone who may be violating our Terms and Conditions of Use or to protect the safety, property or other rights of our users or the public. We also may disclose your information if we believe in good faith that we are required to do so in order to comply with applicable law, a subpoena, or other legal process.
Security Used to Protect Your Information
We store all user personal information in secure databases protected via a variety of access controls, including password protection, electronic firewalls, and data encryption.
Other Organizations Featured on Our Web Site
We provide links to other Web sites, but Sunset Center is not responsible for the privacy policies, terms and conditions of use, or content of any such Web sites. If you provide information to those companies, that information will be subject to their privacy policies.