Independently owned Heaven on Earth Cleaning, based in the Lighthouse District, is now offering a New Year Special! For a limited time, get 10% off when you book both our carpet cleaning and house cleaning services.

Heaven on Earth Cleaning serves homes and businesses in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Castroville, Prunedale, Salinas, and Pebble Beach. Book online 24/7 or request a quote.

Poppleon's Winter Clearance Sale is here! Beginning January 2, 2026, every item in the store is reduced and custom orders are 15% off.

Visit our 16,000 sq. ft. showroom at 299 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. We have new shipments arriving daily.

About Poppleton's

Poppleton's interior design firm and fine furniture showroom first opened in 1981. Still locally owned and operated, our store now carries over 100 of the finest furniture brands and helps furnish homes from coast to coast.

Be inspired by poetry as you begin the new year. The Rose Books and Obscurities has a beautifully curated collection of poetry books available at our shop at 136 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Monterey and online.

We have assembled a wide-ranging group of poets, from early twentieth-century voices to contemporary writers. Authors represented include Edgar Allan Poe, Alfred Tennyson, Philip Levine, Robert Pinsky, Derek Walcott, Pablo Neruda, T. S. Eliot, Thom Gunn, and many more.

Signed Editions

A highlight of the catalog is a two-line autograph poetic inscription, signed by Robert Frost, in this 1934 edition of Selected Poems. The lines - adapted from “Spring Pools” -appear in Frost’s hand, supported by strong, well-documented provenance.

Other signed works in the catalog include: The Crooked Lines of God by Brother Antoninus, Omeros by Derek Walcott, a limited edition of only one hundred copies of Thistles by Philip Levine, and An Exploration of America.

Hours of Operation

The Rose Books and Obscurities is open Tuesday, 1pm-6pm, and Thursday through Sunday, 12pm -5pm. Closed Monday and Wednesday.

If you pick up a copy of Monterey Bay Parent magazine in January 2026, you'll notice that Downtown Monterey is featured, both on the cover and in an article on page 23! View the magazine here.

The Cover

The cover of Monterey Bay Parent magazine for January 2026 features a photo of Hazel and Chloe Lama, whose parents own and run East Village Cafe and New June boutique in Downtown Monterey. Hazel and Chloe are perched on the California grizzly bear statues, placed on the lawn in front of Colton Hall, which is a great spot for families.

The Article

On page 23, you'll find a full article devoted to ways families can explore and enjoy Downtown Monterey together. There are lots of good ideas, including a visit to Colton Hall, Monterey State Historic Park, the Tuesday Farmers Market on Alvarado Street, and kid-friendly spots such as MY Museum, High Scores Arcade, Revival Ice Cream, Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, and The Hot Spot Studios.

If you're looking for regular classes and workshops for children, Wendi Kirby Music and Monterey Martial Arts provide great opportunities.

Welcome to Lighthouse District in the News, an occasional post featuring recent news articles on Monterey's Lighthouse District. Please click the links below to read the article.

Found Treasure: Paprika Cafe
by Mark C. Anderson
Edible Monterey Bay, 12/20/25

Recycled Records in Monterey celebrates what is believed to be 50 years in business
by Sloan Campi
Monterey County NOW, 12/18/25

On Target: Birria Bomb [Mission 19 Taqueria]
by Jacqueline Weizel
Monterey County NOW, 12/18/25

After a tumultuous year for the scuba diving community, enthusiasts and leaders regroup
by Sloan Campi
Monterey County NOW, 11/27/25

A spritz at Oystertown proves that beauty can be more than skin deep
by Dave Faries
Monterey County NOW, 11/20/25

New Year, new look! Not only for you but our boutique!

Help us liquidate our overstock so we can bring you more of what you want! Just flash this post and get a free gift!

Offer good through January 18, 2026.

The Old Monterey Business Association announces the 2025 Downtown Business Awards!

Old Monterey's MVP
Diego Quevedo of Teeth Whitening Monterey

Most Unique Business
Slowfiber

Best Renovation
Peter B's

Good Neighbor Award
Esteban Restaurant

New Kids on the Block Award
Monterey Touring Vehicles

Downtown Street Beat Award
Golden State Theatre

Best Historic Project Award
Cooper-Molera Adobe Museum

Downtown Anchor Award
Trader Joe's

The Old Monterey Business Association (OMBA) is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing and promoting the economic vitality and community spirit of Old Monterey. We strive to enhance and promote the economic vitality and community spirit of Old Monterey as well as maintaining the Downtown as a unique retail, entertainment, and commercial center for both residents and visitors of Old Monterey.

Awards photos by Erin Burd, See Monterey

Freedom Bakery is offering Yule Log Cake for the holidays! This traditional Christmas treat, shaped like a wooden log, is made with our melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chiffon cake rolled with a layer whipped cream, iced with chocolate truffle, and decorated with a bright red frosting poinsettia.

Dessert Board

Want to go a step further for a larger gathering? Order our Yule Log Dessert Board! On an exquisite 14x19 inch bamboo board, we surround our delicious Yule Log Cake with zesty lemon cream puffs, rich chocolate cream puffs, fudgy Belgian chocolate brownies, flavorful snickerdoodle blondies, chocolate-dipped shortbreads, red velvet cupcakes, pistachio macarons, and fresh berries.

Ordering

Please place your order for the Yule Log Cake or Yule Log Dessert Board on Freedom Bakery's website for pick up Tue-Sun, 10am-1pm, in our Monterey boutique at 305 Webster Street. Please note: we'll be closed Dec. 24, 2025 - Jan. 1, 2026. We'll reopen January 2.

Cypress Boutique now carries all-natural spa products made by Tabetha's Healthy Spa, a small, local business operated by a mother and daughter team.

Come and check out Tabetha's moisturizing oil, salve, deodorant, bar soap, lip glosses, eye shadows, and more. Everything is made in small batches using natural scents and they make great stocking stuffers. Cypress Boutique is located at 800 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite C in Monterey.

Play Full Ground microschool is launching new part-time programs on January 26, 2026! In addition to our full-time microschool offerings, there will be part-time options for high-school aged students to participate in specific classes, independent study time, or afterschool programs at the studio. This is great for homeschoolers and for students enrolled full-time in public or private school.

From 2D & 3D art and design to storytelling projects and AI × Creativity, Play Full Ground's programs are designed to spark creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. There's something for every learner.

Schedule Highlights

Daily, 9am-12pm
Independent Study / Learning Studio
self-directed projects and exploration

Daily, 1pm-3pm
Afternoon Art & Creativity Classes

Monday: 2D Art & Design
Tuesday: 3D Art & Community Projects
Wednesday: Lens-Based / Digital Storytelling
Thursday: AI × Creativity
Friday: Community Share / Open Critique

Daily, 3pm-5pm
Afterschool Collaborative Art Studio
conduct student-led, socially engaged projects that connect creativity with community impact

About Play Full Ground

Play Full Ground, located at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E, is led by artist and educator Mai Ryuno, who brings more than 15 years of experience as a community-based artist and creative educator to this initiative.