Fall 2026

Journalist and author Susan Page with Jim and Cynthia McGillen. The McGillens founded the Pebble Beach Authors & Ideas Festival 20 years ago. 80 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 6 T he Pebble Beach Authors & Ideas Festival marks its 20th anniversary this September, continuing two decades of bringing world renowned authors, Nournalists, public offi - cials and innovators to the Monterey Peninsula. Founded by Jim and Cynthia McGillen, the festival has featured a wide variety of speakers, including Sandra Day O’Connor, Condoleezza Rice, Leon Panetta, Dave Barry, David Brooks, Frank Gehry, Elizabeth Gilbert and Helen Mirren. (As of press time, this year’s approxi- mately 22 speakers have not been announced.) “Our bottom line is we want people who can convey interesting ideas in an entertaining way, so when people walk away, they say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that,’” Jim McGillen shares. Beyond the marquee names, McGillen is especially proud of the festival’s student pro- gram, which invites students and teachers to attend for free. Students introduce speakers and spend time with them before each presen- tation, often forming lasting connections. “We hosted a student who was last in his class, and after encouragement from NFL coach Don 7hula, he is now first in his class,² 1c+illen says. The festival also encourages respectful dia- logue. “We won’t invite someone who just tells us about the problems in the world,” McGillen says. “We beg people to speak positively about how it can be fi\ed.² The Pebble Beach Authors & Ideas Festival takes place Sept. 18–20 at Stevenson School. For more information, call 831/626-6243 or visit www.pbaif.com. Pebble Beach Authors & Ideas Festival Celebrates 20 Years B Y B R E T T WI L BUR SHORT CUTS EVENT Photo: DMT Imaging