Are all the stressors of the Covid pandemic getting you down? The Monterey Bay Aquarium has reopened for in-person visits, but their Live Cams are still available for viewing on their website. Be delighted by the antics of the sea otters or mellow out to the hypnotic drifting of the jellies, it's all a great stress reliever you can experience no matter where you are.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean. You can make a donation today and help them pay for the ongoing care of their wonderful animals and the maintenance of this legendary gem.

Wherever you're headed, the Verve+ 3 Lowstep, now at Epicenter Cycling, is the best way to get there. This electric hybrid bike from Trek is ultra-comfortable, super intuitive to use, and a ton of fun to ride. You can power up hills, easily carry groceries, and explore new destinations knowing you'll have more than enough boost to do it all.

The Bosch pedal-assist system is powerful and reliable, and the battery is fully encased in the frame for great looks and better balance. Plus, this e-bike comes equipped with parts that put your comfort and safety first, including a road-smoothing suspension seatpost, wide tires, and front and rear lights.

Visit Epicenter Cycling, located at 230 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey to give it a test ride!

Bamboo Reef Dive Shop's Freediving Line Sessions are the perfect place to practice your breath-hold and diving skills. If you're a certified freediver or have taken our Safe Buddy Course, join us - we offer sessions several times a month on Thursdays and Sundays at 10am. Fee is $25. Register on our website.

This is a great opportunity to be able to safely push yourself under the direct supervision of a freedive professional, building upon your training and learning some new tips and skills along the way. Getting line time with our pros is a great way to prepare yourself for those deeper, longer, dives while getting more comfortable in the water.

Bamboo Reef Dive Shop is located at 614 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Monterey Museum of Art invites you to join London-based artist Kaffe Fassett and his niece, Big Sur-based artist Erin Lee Gafill, in their respective studios for a showcase of their joint still life painting process online on Thursday, May 27, 11am-12pm. Fee is $10. Register in advance online.

Inspired by the pair’s twelve years of annual creative retreats, which were recently interrupted by the pandemic, Kaffe Fassett and Erin Lee Gafill will once again paint the same arrangement of objects in unison. But instead of sitting side-by-side, Kaffe and Erin will be working together virtually, as they sit on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. After the session, connect and reflect with the two artists during a question-and-answer session.

Portola Hotel & Spa is thrilled to share that Jacks Monterey is reopening on May 19. Jacks will be open Wednesday - Sunday for breakfast, 6:30am-10:30am, and dinner, 4pm-10pm. Reservations are available through OpenTable or by phoning 831-649-7830.

Jacks Monterey serves a variety of dishes made from fresh, local ingredients (including guest favorites such as the Monterey Bay Salmon, Portola Burger, and seasonal salads) paired with award-winning cocktails and wine. View the full breakfast menu or dinner menu.

In addition to indoor dining, enjoy outdoor dining on Jacks Terrace, featuring pet-friendly seating, fire pits, and bistro lighting. Locals and members of the military enjoy 15% off at Jacks Monterey (excludes alcohol).

Jacks Monterey is located inside Portola Hotel & Spa at 2 Portola Plaza in Downtown Old Monterey.

The Monterey History and Art Association Salvador Dali Exhibition is happy to reopen our doors to the public on Friday, May 28 in the Stanton Center at 5 Custom Plaza in Downtown Old Monterey.

Dali was one of the 20th century’s most celebrated surrealist artists, and lived for a time in Pebble Beach. This exhibit, which includes original lithographs, etchings, mixed media, rare sculptures, and tapestries, seeks to showcase Dali's local influence and capture the rich history that ties him to the greater Monterey region. This collection is the first and only permanent exhibition of Salvador Dali's works on the U.S. West Coast, curated and donated to the City of Monterey by local residents Dmitry and Rebecca Piterman.

Contactless tickets for the Dali Exhibition will be available on our website. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors, $15 for members of the military, and $10 for youth and students. Save 50% on tickets to the Dali Exhibition when you purchase tickets to Monterey Magic and Comedy Club's Magic Fusion show!

In association with Monterey History and Art Association, the Monterey Magic & Comedy Club is proud to announce Magic Fusion, a new magic show opening Friday, May 28 in the Stanton Center at 5 Custom House Plaza in Downtown Old Monterey.

Magic Fusion is a fast-paced, high-energy, 75-85 minute show featuring show-stopping, jaw-dropping feats of mind-bending magic and comedy suitable for all ages. All of the world-class performers featured in the show have graced the stages of the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, made numerous television appearances (including Masters Of Magic on the CW Network), and had residencies at some of the biggest resorts in Las Vegas.

Each featured magician will perform two-week runs in at the Monterey Magic & Comedy Club, which will give locals and visitors alike a chance to experience a different magician and show each time they visit.

Beginning May 28, Magic Fusion will appear at 7pm Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday, with additional 9pm shows Friday-Saturday. Advance tickets are $32 for adults, $22 for children age 16 and under. Day-of-show tickets are $37 for adults, $27 for children age 16 and under. Purchase your tickets online here.

An important reminder from the Monterey County Health Department: Monterey County is still under California State masking guidelines. At this time, people fully vaccinated for Covid still need to wear a mask indoors when they are out in the community.

On May 17, the State of California's Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, announced that California will keep the current mask mandate in place until June 15. Read Dr. Ghaly's full statement here.

An important reminder from the Monterey County Health Department: Monterey County is still under California State masking guidelines. At this time, people fully vaccinated for Covid still need to wear a mask indoors when they are out in the community.

On May 17, the State of California's Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, announced that California will keep the current mask mandate in place until June 15. Read Dr. Ghaly's full statement here.

Namaste India Bistro has reopened at 538 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey! After extensive renovations, this local favorite is now open for limited indoor dining and take-out, Tuesday - Sunday, 11:30am-2:30pm and 5pm-9:30pm. They're excited to have a newly expanded menu full of Indian and Nepali cuisine and a completely redecorated dining room which continues to be casual yet elegant.

The much-beloved lunch buffet is currently closed because of pandemic regulations, but in addition to choosing items from the regular menu for lunch, you can also order bento-style specials which include curry, rice, salad, pickle, naan bread, and dessert.

Namaste still has plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options on the menu, and they've added some exciting new items. These include entrees such as lamb shank vindaloo, sea bass, and vegan eggplant curry, as well as appetizers such as tandoor quail, momo (steamed Himalayan dumplings), and avocado chaat. They've even expanded the bread selection to include cilantro pesto naan and onion chili kulcha. Come enjoy your old favorites and try something new!