Play Full Ground is excited to announce that our Afterschool Co-Creation Studio for middle and high school students has begun! Registration is ongoing, and students can start at any time. Learn more here.

The program, led by artist and educator Mai Ryuno, brings students together to share ideas and develop community-focused projects. Now offering free trial sessions for potential new students - email Mai.

The Coastal Roots Hospitality Group - including Montrio restaurant at 414 Calle Principal - has designated Monterey County Film Commission as the nonprofit recipient of its Pick It Up - Pay It Forward Program for May and June 2026.

When you order takeout food from Montrio , 10% of your order will automatically be donated to this nonprofit organization which promotes our county to the film industry. (Offer doesn't apply to delivery orders.)

On a film set they say "Take Two!" But MCFC says "Take Out!"

In May and June, if you order takeout from Montrio , Rio Grill , or Tarpy's , 10% of the cost will be donated to the Lighthouse District's own Monterey County Film Commission, a nonprofit organization promoting Monterey County locations, crew, and businesses to the film industry.

Monterey Core Fitness women's gym is excited to welcome our new 6am coach and personal trainer, "Z".

Z has been part of the Core Fit family for 2 years and is an absolute powerhouse. In addition, she genuinely cares, shows up for others, and wants to help you become your best self.

To sign up for a group class or make an appointment with Z for personal training, visit our website .

April is Autism Awareness Month and Scoops Ice Cream Parlor is selling limited edition Scoops t-shirts for $30 each. 100% of the proceeds will support the special needs program at Ord Terrace Elementary School in Seaside. Visit Scoops at 595 Munras Avenue to get your shirt!

We're offering both black shirts ("Scoops Autism Awareness") and white shirts ("Peace - Love - Scoops"). Even after April ends, we'll be selling these shirts until we run out.

Grit + Tonic Pilates Studio at 476 Tyler Street is now offering a beginner-friendly class to introduce you to the fundamentals of the Pilates reformer machine every Saturday at 11:15am.

This class is for the first-timer who wants to get their bearings and understand the basics. Learn more.

Thank you to Monterey's newest 4th of July Parade sponsors!

BFS Landscape Architects
Cannery Row Company
Carmel Bach Festival
Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa
Cooper-Moolera Adobe

Learn about becoming a parade sponsor.

MY Museum's 2026 Online Auction is ready for your bids! Whether you are looking for trips, spa services, gift cards to local restaurants, wine, new experiences, or family fun adventures, we've got you covered.

The best part? Every penny goes directly to making this non-profit children's museum a better, safer place for the kids of Monterey County. The auction ends May 6 at 8pm.

Alvarado Street Brewery's Howzit Punch has won Gold in the Fruited American-Style Sour Ale category at the 2026 World Beer Cup...for the second year in a row! This year their POG sour went straight off the canning line and into the show. No hocus-pocus.

Visit them at 426 Alvarado Street to try Howzit Punch and more amazing beers.

Venture Gallery presents the work of Gordon Mayfield , our featured local artist for May. His exhibit of watercolors, entitled Alive , depicts places of peace and beauty.

Venture Gallery is open daily, 10am-6pm, at 260 Alvarado Street.

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street, is offering Mother's Day specials through the month of May, including a Mom's Coastal Escape (110 min., $370 for 1 person) and a Mother's Day Duo (50 min., $370 for 2 people).

To learn more and make an appointment, phone 831-647-9000.

The New Monterey Business Association (NMBA) is excited to announce that Lighthouse District street banners have been installed by the City of Monterey along Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey.

The bright and cheerful blue banners you see along the street have taken a small village to bring to life, and they're a testament to everyone's dedication to our community and their commitment to raising awareness of New Monterey's Lighthouse District. Here's to neighborhood pride!

On The Beach Surf Shop is celebrating their 40th anniversary on April 24. It's not every small, locally-owned retail business that can boast that kind of longevity.

Congratulations to owner Kelly Sorensen and his family for bringing 40 years of good vibes to surfers, skateboarders, snowboarders, skiers, and beach enthusiasts of all ages.

Stop by On The Beach at 693 Lighthouse Avenue to check out the new and retro OTB logo merchandise and celebrate with them.

Congratulations to Julian Sumano, winner of the $2000 Monterey County Film Commission's Director Emeritus Richard Tyler Film Student Scholarship Award, and Hanna Smith, recipient of a $1000 runner-up award!

Both Julian and Hanna are students in the Cinematic Arts and Technology Department at California State University, Monterey Bay.

Bad news: When it's dog vs. frames, the dog always wins.

Good news: InSight Eyewear repairs eyeglass frames! The frames pictured here survived with just a few scratches and a new string. The next time you have a glasses emergency, stop by the shop at 490 Lighthouse Avenue and we'll try to help you.

Does Oystertown serve dessert? Heck, yeah! Stop by and enjoy decadent chocolate pudding, banana custard with candied oyster crackers, and mermaid pavlova (not pictured).

Visit us at 281 Lighthouse Avenue. Beginning May 1 we'll be open 6 days a week: Mon-Sat, 4:30pm-9pm.

Esteban Restaurant is redefining the cocktail experience with an inspired new menu of imaginative, boundary-pushing drinks available nightly during dinner. Renowned for their inventive approach to mixology, the talented team at Esteban expertly combines unconventional ingredients, bold flavors, and artistic...

Thank you to Monterey's newest 4th of July Parade sponsors!

Copy King
the Marotta Family
MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza
Monterey Hotel Apartments / Silverie Properties
Monterey Museum of Art
The Paul Davis Partnership
Shelley Bennett Skincare
Walker & Reed Attorneys at Law

Learn about becoming a parade sponsor.

Grit + Tonic Pilates Studio at 476 Tyler Street is offering a special for new clients. Purchase a 3-class pack and pay only $99 for a private session with a certified instructor, or $75 for a session with a teacher-in-training. Visit our website for more information and to place your order.

We're keeping this simple. It's just one rate. $375 gets you on the back of this year's t-shirt plus you get on our sponsor grid on the official event page.

Curry Journey ventures to the Thai staple, but keeps its menu manageable
by Dave Faries
Monterey County NOW, 04/02/26

Project to stabilize a hillside of the Presidio overlooking Lighthouse Avenue moves forward
by Aric Sleeper
Monterey County NOW, 03/12/26

Hula's speakeasy features a line of cocktails from both green and yellow chartreuse [Hula's - Next Door]
by Dave Faries
Monterey County NOW, 02/26/26

Beach Rooster sunscreen is now available at On The Beach Surf Shop. A mineral, reef-friendly sunscreen and moisturizer, it doesn’t leave a white cast on your skin.

We carry tubes of SPF 50+ tinted sunscreen, and an SPF 30 body spray in an aerosol-free pump bottle. Check them out at 693 Lighthouse Avenue.

Mission 19 Taqueria invites you to try the newest addition to our menu: flautas. Crispy, golden, packed with flavor, and topped with fresh lettuce, pico, sour cream, cheese and our homemade sauce, it's crave-worthy.

Available a la carte or served with rice and beans at 598 Lighthouse Avenue.

Lighthouse Bistro Global Cuisine is proud to have participated in The Great Taste of PG on April 4, a fundraiser for Pacific Grove P.R.I.D.E., funding educational enrichment in the PG Unified School District since 1982.

Did you miss the event and our delicious baklava? We serve our homemade baklava every day at the Bistro. Stop by and try it at 570 Lighthouse Avenue.

Namaste India Bistro offers more than just indoor dining and takeout, we also offer catering for events, from small gatherings to larger celebrations. We love being part of birthdays, office lunches, and special occasions.

Namaste offers a wide variety of dishes, mild to spicy, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. View our menu and request a quote on our website .