You probably know this. On June 15th, California re-opened.

What does that even mean?

It means that most, but not all Covid-19 related public health orders have been lifted for all the lucky people who've been vaccinated. For people who haven't been vaccinated, the new rules are relaxed, but remain more similar than not to what they were before.

As of the June 15th re-opening, businesses no longer have any capacity limits and for everyone who've been vaccinated, they're not required to enforce masking and social distancing. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean they can't still request on their own to have everyone wear a mask while on their premises.

Businesses that had specific restrictions on how they were allowed to operate, will no longer have those restrictions. Bars can be bars straight up. They don't have to serve food with your beer anymore. Entertainment venues can do their normal thing with only precautions required for people who haven't been vaccinated.

Some places may still require everyone to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. If they do, they surely have a good reason. Please remember that every single small business is run by people who have families and we are all dealing with challenges that you can't see.

We're thrilled to be starting the return to the old normal, but the reality is that things are still a long ways from normal for people operating shops, restaurants, and services. 2021 is going to be a year of transition. Please help us get through this year by being your most compassionate and understanding self.

Farmers' Market + Outdoor Festivities

Many of you are probably eager to know when the Farmers' Market will be back in Downtown Campbell. That'll eventually happen, but there's no news for now.

Outdoor festivals and festivities? Some of those may happen and the organizers of those events want them to happen, but public health concerns are not the only logistical factors making their imminent return difficult.

Let's End the Pandemic for Good

If you haven't yet been vaccinated, please please please make it a priority to do so. The results are in and the so named Delta variant of Covid-19 has shown itself to be approximately twice as contagious as the initial strains of Covid-19 and might also be more severe. The good news is that if you've completed your shots, you're unlikely to get it and are well protected from developing a severe case even if you do.

Getting vaccinated is not only free, but you can actually collect a $50 reward for getting vaccinated and be entered into drawings for prizes donated by supporting organizations. If you need help finding a vaccination location, just go to...Read More

The Monterey trolley is returning soon! This free service will operate July 3 - September 6, 10am-6pm daily. Park in the Downtown Monterey or Cannery Row garages or at the Waterfront lot and get a free ride to all of your favorite attractions including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Lighthouse District, Downtown Old Monterey, and Old Fisherman's Wharf.

Avoid the hassles of driving to each location and finding places to park - let the trolley give you a fast, convenient and free ride. Look for the green MST Trolley signs to board along the route.

The Monterey trolley returns! This free service will operate July 3 - September 6, 10am-6pm daily. Park in the Downtown Monterey or Cannery Row garages or at the Waterfront lot and get a free ride to all of your favorite attractions including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Lighthouse District, Downtown Old Monterey, and Old Fisherman's Wharf.

Avoid the hassles of driving to each location and finding places to park - let the trolley give you a fast, convenient and free ride. Look for the green MST Trolley signs to board along the route.

The City of Monterey has announced that the Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program has reopened with more funding. Monterey residents who need help paying rent due to economic hardship caused by the pandemic can call United Way by dialing 211, or learn more about eligibility and apply online. Please note: this county-wide program is also open to residents of other Monterey County cities.

By now, all of you have probably heard that California reopened on June 15. You may be asking: what does that mean?

It means that most, but not all, Covid-19 related public health orders have been lifted for all the lucky people who've been vaccinated. For people who haven't been vaccinated, the new rules are somewhat relaxed, but remain similar to what they were before.

As of June 15, businesses in Monterey's Lighthouse District no longer have any capacity limits and most are not required to enforce masking and social distancing for anyone who's been vaccinated, Keep in mind that they can still request that everyone wear a mask while on their premises.

If a business is still requiring everyone to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status, they surely have a good reason for doing so. Please remember that each small business is run by someone who has a family and is dealing with challenges that you can't see. While we're all thrilled to be starting the return to normal, the reality is that for people operating shops, restaurants, and services, things are still a long way from normal. 2021 is going to be a year of transition.

Please help us this year by being your most compassionate and understanding self. If wearing a mask is not something you're willing to do, just take your money to another business until their rules change.

What if you want to keep wearing a mask? If you're vaccinated but still want to wear a mask, that's your business. You're allowed to do that regardless of what other people are doing around you.

What if you want to get vaccinated for Covid-19? Now is a great time to get vaccinated - there are many free vaccine appointments available in Monterey County. Increased vaccination rates protect your physical health as well as our economic health. We simply do not want to return to shutdowns and curfews. Vaccines are the most important tool we have to return California to a vibrant, growing, and healthy economy. Anda!

By now, all of you have probably heard that California reopened on June 15. You may be asking: what does that mean?

It means that most, but not all, Covid-19 related public health orders have been lifted for all the lucky people who've been vaccinated. For people who haven't been vaccinated, the new rules are somewhat relaxed, but remain similar to what they were before.

As of June 15, businesses in Downtown Old Monterey no longer have any capacity limits and most are not required to enforce masking and social distancing for anyone who's been vaccinated, Keep in mind that they can still request that everyone wear a mask while on their premises.

If a business is still requiring everyone to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status, they surely have a good reason for doing so. Please remember that each small business is run by someone who has a family and is dealing with challenges that you can't see. While we're all thrilled to be starting the return to normal, the reality is that for people operating shops, restaurants, and services, things are still a long way from normal. 2021 is going to be a year of transition.

Please help us this year by being your most compassionate and understanding self. If wearing a mask is not something you're willing to do, just take your money to another business until their rules change.

What if you want to keep wearing a mask? If you're vaccinated but still want to wear a mask, that's your business. You're allowed to do that regardless of what other people are doing around you.

What if you want to get vaccinated for Covid-19? Now is a great time to get vaccinated - there are many free vaccine appointments available in Monterey County. Increased vaccination rates protect your physical health as well as our economic health. We simply do not want to return to shutdowns and curfews. Vaccines are the most important tool we have to return California to a vibrant, growing, and healthy economy. Anda!

We are happy to announce that the Old Monterey Events Page has returned to our website! Now that California is reopening we have lots of music, pop-up shops, and workshops happening in Downtown Old Monterey and we're compiling them all in one place in chronological order. If you're looking for something fun to do any day of the week, check it out.

Peter B's Brewpub, located at 2 Portola Plaza in Downtown Old Monterey at Portola Hotel & Spa, is happy to announce our reopening on Wednesday, June 16. Come and enjoy our award-winning locally-brewed beer, 18 high-definition televisions, and pub menu stocked with innovative comfort foods.

Our new Head Brewer, Natalie Mika, has been hard at work brewing our flagship ales including Legend of Laguna and Inclusion Amber Ale. And our dining menu? Expect to see some of your favorites, including Macho Nachos, The Wing Man, Crispy Cheese Curds, Jocelyn’s Diablo Burger, Fresh Baked Pizzas, and more.

Come on down and enjoy indoor or outdoor seating! We're open Wednesday - Sunday, 4pm-10pm. Happy Hour is 4pm-6pm, with an extra Late Night Happy Hour 9pm-10pm.

Grace Lifestyle Boutique, located at 459 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is hiring a part-time sales associate. Compensation is $15 per hour (possibly more with experience) plus hiring clothing allowance, 30% employee discount, and commission on sales goals.

If you are excited about fashion, jewelry, and all things cute; are responsible and dependable; have sales experience (preferred but not necessary!); enjoy meeting and chatting with new people, locals and visitors alike; and are available part time but also open to additional on-call days....we would love to meet you!

Please call the shop at 831-324-4200 or visit us in person.

Epsilon Fine Greek Restaurant, located at 422 Tyler Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is now hiring bussers, servers, line cooks, and prep cooks, both days and/or nights. To apply, please e-mail Christos or call the restaurant at 831-655-8108.

Every Saturday morning at 8:45am, Epicenter Cycling invites you to join a mountain bike workshop and guided ride at Fort Ord led by Angie Scarlett, a certified personal trainer and certified mountain bike level 1 skills instructor. We'll focus on a new fundamental skill each week plus teach you bike maintenance and give fitness and nutrition tips.

All are welcome! Reservations are required so we can bring more guides if necessary. Fee is $15 per person. Please register and learn more about our workshops on Eventbrite - we're listed under "Community Mountain Bike Workshop and Guided Ride."

Monterey's locally-owned Escape Room 831 is now open at 599 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and we have some wonderfully fun, creative rooms available for you!

Have you visited Alice's Dream? This beautifully decorated, fun, and challenging escape room, featuring murals by local artist Bryan Gage, immerses you in the magical world of Lewis Carroll's beloved character, Alice, and the many friends she meets during her adventures in Wonderland.

In Alice's Dream, you’ve come to a hotel located in the former house of Lewis Carroll. It’s late. You’re tired. But be sure to catch the tail of the White Rabbit and think about how you’ll get out once you climb into the hole.

Reservations are required, and all reservations are for private groups only. No walk-ins are accepted at this time. Our staff leaves one hour between bookings to clean each room, and everyone in your party must wear a face mask at all times. Ready to sign up? Please visit our website.

Be honest...have you brought your diving gear in for service lately? If Covid-19 has kept you out of the water for the past year, you're not alone, but remember that Scuba gear is life-saving equipment and it's important to get it serviced every year whether it gets wet or not. Make sure things are in tip-top shape before your next dive!

Bamboo Reef Dive Shop, located at 614 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, invites you to bring your gear into the shop or send it in by mail for servicing. Learn more about our gear service program here.