For years artist, educator, and Play Full Ground owner Mai Ryuno has dreamed of opening an innovative school where students can explore their unique creativity, blending principles of visual and social art with academics in an open and supportive environment. And now, Mai's dream is coming true.

Play Full Ground, located at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E in Monterey, will be transforming into a creative learning center / micro high school in Fall 2025, offering alternative education for students in grades 9-12 with the help of the Kaipod Catalyst Program.

The new Play Full Ground will be dedicated to offering high school students the education to cultivate independence, prepare for the future after high school, and become active participants in their community and society.

Mai Ryuno is currently developing a school curriculum that combines art and design with academics to create a unique and engaging learning experience, drawing from her diverse background in art and education. Learn more here.

As Mai refines Play Full Ground's educational offerings, she invites feedback from the community, particularly from families whose children are currently experiencing challenges in conventional high school / educational settings. Please schedule an appointment to discuss how Play Full Ground might address your child's specific learning requirements. Your insights will be instrumental in guiding the development of the program.

Visit Play Full Ground's website to learn more about the new school opening in Fall 2025. We encourage you to share the information with students and families that might be able to benefit from this innovative education.

Off The Charts, Monterey's first cannabis dispensary, has just opened at 734 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. A family-owned company with multiple locations in California, the shop's mission is to provide customers with the best quality cannabis products.

The Monterey dispensary has expert staff ready to help you with all of your cannabis needs and questions. Their goal is to ensure a positive and informed experience. Everyone ages 21+ is welcome to stop by and say hello!

First Awakenings has a new batch of screen-printed hoodies, crewnecks, long sleeve shirts, and tees freshly produced by Field of Dreams Designs in Pacific Grove. Sea otters with pancakes....what's not to love?

Get 'em while they're hot at First Awakenings, located at 300 David Avenue in Monterey. We serve fresh, American-style breakfasts and lunches seven days a week. We think you'll agree...there's no otter place like it!

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Monterey congratulates our newly certified instructors, Sam and Josh, who just completed the Gracie University Instructor Certification Program! We're proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the dedication and commitment it took to go through this rigorous six-month process.

Sam and Josh have already been an essential part of our school, and they're excited to bring back their new knowledge and continue to serve our community through the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is located at 800 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. We offer beginner-to-advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for men, women, and children - no prior experience necessary. We believe Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, athleticism, or ability. Visit our website to sign up for a free 10-day trial.

Are your carpets in need of a deep clean? Heaven on Earth, a family-owned cleaning service, offers residential and commercial carpet cleaning. Check out Heaven On Earth's website to request a quote, book online, and see the weekly specials.

About Heaven on Earth Cleaning

The office is located at 225 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite D in Monterey, and offers residential, business, and carpet cleaning services on a weekly, bi-weekly, on-call, and one-time basis.

Heaven on Earth serves Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Seaside, Marina, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Salinas.

Bon Ton L'Roy's Lighthouse Smokehouse now has a beautiful wooden chess table in our restaurant and bar that's open to all. Come play some chess and enjoy delicious food and drink! It's a great spot to hang out.

We're proud to be associated with Days and Knights of Monterey County, a local chess club.

About Bon Ton L'Roy's

Bon Ton L'Roy's, located at 794 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, is open six days a week, 11am-10pm. Closed Tuesdays.

We serve BBQ, New Orleans cuisine, sandwiches and salads, and traditional Russian dishes such as borscht and pelmeni. We're family owned and operated.

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street, is offering Valentine specials January 21 - February 28, 2025 including a Rose Romance Massage (60 min., $160) and a Radiant Rose Facial & Hand Treatment (60 min., $160). To learn more and make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

Valentine Specials 2025

Rose Romance Massage
$160 for 60 minutes
Celebrate love and relaxation with a luxurious massage perfect for singles or couples. Enhance your senses with our signature rose oil blend.

Radiant Rose Facial & Hand Treatment
$160 for 60 minutes
Restore your skin's radiance with a hydrating rose infused facial including a moisturizing hand treatment.

On Valentine's Day, February 14, guests can indulge in complimentary champagne and truffles.

If you haven't visited High Scores Arcade recently, they now have a giant Tomb Raider game available to play. It's an intense shooting game for up to 4 players where you can test your skills in 3 chapters.

In other arcades, this beauty usually costs $1-$2 per play. At High Scores Arcade, you pay a flat fee ($10/hour or $22/day) and you can play all the games in the arcade (including this one) as many times as you want.

Visit High Scores at 459 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Beer and seltzer is available for purchase onsite. Space is limited, so every guest on the game floor must have a paid wristband. Open Mon-Thu, 5pm-10pm; Fri, 3pm-12am; Sat, 12:30pm-12am; Sun, 12:30pm-11pm.

Did you know that Freedom Bakery offers a gluten free version of their classic Dream Cake? This delicious chocolate chiffon cake is filled with a generous portion of whipped cream and iced in whipped cream covered in Belgian chocolate shavings. It's light, delectably moist, and melts in your mouth!

Order Your Cake Online

Order through our website and pick it up at our Monterey Boutique Friday - Sunday, 10am-1pm, at 305 Webster Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Our main Watsonville bakery is open seven days a week.

Cake Samplings

Want to try it before you order? We offer free cake samplings at our Monterey Boutique, Friday - Sunday, 10am-1pm, 305 Webster Street. Please call us in advance to make sure we'll have a sample of the gluten-free version of our Dream Cake available, 831-722-5223. Our samples change from week to week.

⭐Keep your kids active, creative, and having fun this February Break! 🎨⚽🎮

✨ Explore our awesome camp options:
⭐ Skyhawks Winter Break Multi-Sport Camp (7-12 yrs)
⭐ Cardboard Engineering (6-8 yrs)
⭐ Coding in Minecraft (10-12 yrs)
⭐ Day Camp at the CCC (4-12 yrs)
⭐ Joyful Melodies Music Camp (5-10 yrs)
⭐ Pokémon Engineering Using LEGO Materials (6-8 yrs)
⭐ Seasonal Breaks Art Camp (6-12 yrs)

Register today and give your kids a February Break they’ll love! 🏃‍♀️🎸🖌️

📅 Learn more & sign up now at the link to register! 💻

Gold Coast Tattoo is now offering piercings by Jake Collins and Stacia Broadhurst here at 639 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Walk-ins welcome Friday-Sunday, 12pm-7pm, or make your appointment through the link in Gold Coast's Instagram bio.

Gold Coast Tattoo has two newly-built private piercing rooms that meet the standards of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) plus a separate jewelry room.

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 articles.

As Dry January begins for some, bars emphasize non-alcoholic creativity. [Pearl Hour]
by Katie Rodriguez
Monterey County Now, 01/02/25

New Restaurants and Good Hangs for 2025 [Oystertown]
by Mark C. Anderson
Edible Monterey Bay, 01/14/25

831 INK welcomes Emily, our newest tattoo artist at 225 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Emily's most interested in neo-traditional, animation, water color, and fine line designs, but she's open to trying other styles.

You can see samples of Emily's work and view her available flash designs on her Instagram page, @easydoesink. Please DM her to book an appointment.

Congratulations to Monterey Hostel, which has been named a “Best of USA” hostel for 2025 by Hosteling.us!

About Monterey Hostel

Monterey Hostel is a nonprofit hostel that provides greater access to the California coast for backpackers, families, and school groups. It's located at 778 Hawthorne Street in Monterey, just one block away from Lighthouse Avenue. Learn more and book your stay here.

Teens looking for interesting job opportunities and businesses looking to hire, the Campbell Youth Commission invites you to this special Teen Wellness and Opportunities Fair held at the Campbell Community Center on March 1st.

We are looking for businesses and organizations to:

💼 Hire for jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities (Summer 2025 and beyond).
📣 Promote programs and brands for youth/teens.
🤝 Offer resources for mental health and wellness.

Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Campbell Community Center

Why Participate?

Join us in creating a supportive and engaging environment for teens! This event aims to:
✨ Connect teens with local businesses and organizations.
✨ Provide free resources for mental health and wellness.
✨ Share volunteer, internship, and job opportunities.
✨ Host activities that promote personal growth and well-being.

How You Can Participate

💡 Host a Resource Table
Share information about:

• Volunteer, job, or internship opportunities.
• Programs and activities designed for teens.

💝 Enhance the Event with Donations
Make a lasting impact by donating:

• Gift cards, branded merchandise, or giveaways.
• Refreshments or engaging activities for attendees.

Your Support Matters!
Donors and participants will be recognized with event acknowledgment and YOUR LOGO featured on promotional materials, showcasing your commitment to our community’s youth.

Ready to Get Involved?

Fill out our Interest Form: bit.ly/CampbellTeenFair2025

For questions, contact us at campbellyouthcommission@gmail.com or call 408-866-2740.

Mythic Monterey is holding a sale through the month of January...or as long as the sale items last...at 561 Tyler Street in Downtown Old Monterey. There's a table full of items marked at 20% off here at 561 Tyler Street.

Mythic Games Monterey is open Wed (1pm-6pm), Thu-Fri (1pm-9:30pm), Sat (12pm-9:30pm), and Sun (12pm-6pm).

Looking for a non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy in January? Alvarado Street Brewery now offers two hop-infused sparkling waters! Their classic Froth Water, featuring Citra and Mosaic hops, is now joined on the menu by the newest variant, Southern Hemisphere Froth Water, featuring fresh Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron hops from New Zealand.

Both varieties of Froth Water have zero alcohol, zero calories, and give you zero hangovers. Come and get hoppy at Alvarado Street Brewery, located at 426 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.