The Feral Market now has Monterey t-shirts and sweatshirts locally screen printed by Chris Powers. Come check them out at 261 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.
The Feral Market is a locally owned clothing and gift shop where there's a little fun for everyone. Open weekdays, 11am-7pm, and weekends, 11am-8pm.
Are you gearing up for 2025 graduations? Freedom Bakery offers beautifully decorated cakes and cookies perfect for your celebrations. We make everything in our Watsonville bakery and you can pick up your order at our Monterey Boutique open 6 days a week, Tue-Sun, 10am-1pm, at 305 Webster Street in Downtown Old Monterey.
A custom decorated cake is a beautiful centerpiece for any celebration and our highly skilled team of cake decorators bring all their artistry to every design. Need a way to celebrate BIG? Consider Freedom Bakery's stunning tiered cakes - the perfect showstopper for an unforgettable event.
Want to sample our cake flavors? Stop by our Monterey Boutique Tue-Sun, 10am-1pm for a free tasting.
Our delicious butter shortbread cookies are made from scratch in our Watsonville bakery. Iced by hand with a light lemon icing, printed with your custom design, and individually wrapped, they make lovely party favors or gifts.
Order cookies with a personal message of congratulations, your grad's cap and gown photo, or an image of the school mascot. Learn more about our cookies here.
You'll need to order our custom cakes and cookies in advance on our website. See ordering deadlines here (under "Lead Time"). Please call us at 831-722-5223 if you have questions, or visit our Monterey Boutique, Tue-Sun, 10am-1pm, to speak with our staff.
Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street, is offering Mother's Day specials May 1-31, 2025, including a Tropical Bliss Massage (80 min., $185) and a Mom's Tropical Escape (2 hours, $320). To learn more and make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.
Tropical Bliss Massage
$185 for 80 minutes
Have Mom relax her body and mind with an exotic blend of coconut and lime oils. This luxurious massage deeply hydrates while energizing the senses.
Mom's Tropical Escape
$320 for 2 hours
Treat Mom to a day of tropical relaxation with our cocobalm massage followed by a brightening papaya facial and hydrating guava treatment.
Summer is just around the corner, and we’re excited to share our lineup of engaging activities designed to keep your preschool-aged child active, learning, and having fun! Here’s what we have in store for you this summer.
🌟 Summer Kindergarten Prep (4-5.5 YRS) M-Th 8:30am-11:30am
Prepare your child for the upcoming school year with our Kindergarten Prep program! Over a 4-week session, children will attend school 4 days a week, participating in creative learning experiences that promote social interaction, language development, motor skills, science, math, and art — all in a play-based learning environment.
⚽ Soccer Tots (3-5 YRS)
Kick off the summer with Soccer Tots! This program introduces young athletes to the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, and shooting through fun, age-appropriate games and activities. Participants will develop balance, coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a safe, supportive environment.
🏀 Skyhawks Mini Hawk Baseball, Basketball & Soccer Camp (4-5 YRS) M-F 9am-12pm July 7th-11th
This program is the perfect introduction to athletics for young children! Skyhawks Mini Hawk focuses on the fundamentals of baseball, basketball, and soccer in a safe, structured, and fun environment. Through engaging games and activities, kids will explore balance, movement, hand/eye coordination, and skill development at their own pace.
🌳 Day Camp: Teeter Totters (2.75-5.5 YRS) M-F 9:30am-12:30pm
Perfect for younger campers, Teeter Totters provides a safe introduction to the day camp experience. Activities include group games, art, storytelling, water play, and camp songs in a well-supervised setting at the Campbell Community Center.
🐻 Day Camp: Camper Cubs (4-5 YRS) M-F 10am-3pm
Camper Cubs is a fantastic first outdoor day camp experience for young children, held at John D. Morgan Park. Campers will enjoy group games, art, water play, storytelling, and a special themed activity each Wednesday. This program is ideal for children who can stay with a group and follow camp leader instructions.
For more information and to register for one of the activities listed above, visit...Read More
The Monterey trolley is returning! This free service will operate May 24 - September 1, 10am-6pm daily. Trolleys run every 10-15 minutes. Look for the green MST Trolley signs to board along the route.
Park in the Downtown Monterey Garage (340 Tyler Street) or the Cannery Row Garage (601 Foam Street) and get a free ride to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Lighthouse District, Downtown Old Monterey, and Old Fisherman's Wharf.
The Old Monterey Business Association and Old Monterey Foundation are seeking volunteers for our 4th of July Parade in Downtown Old Monterey!
This old fashioned community parade, with marching bands, dancers, giant balloons, and community groups is a wonderful Monterey tradition that draws thousands of locals and visitors of all ages for a morning of family-friendly fun.
Volunteers will serve 8am-12pm on Friday, July 4. As a volunteer, you may end up marching in the parade or placed along the route for crowd and parade control. Because of this, it is very important that you be able to walk a mile and stand for a few hours.
Interested? Fill out this short form and you'll be contacted by the Parade Volunteer Coordinator. If you have questions, please phone the OMBA office at 831-655-8070.
The New Monterey Business Association belatedly welcomes Carmel Valley Guitar to the Lighthouse District! This gem of a shop, which moved to 623B Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey in February, is owned and operated by master luthier Bernie Hefner.
Carmel Valley Guitar is a complete guitar and amplifier repair shop - actually, it's fully equipped to handle any stringed instrument repair or restoration. You'll also find an array of acoustic and electric guitars for sale on consignment as well as fresh necessities like guitar strings. The inventory is growing every day!
The shop is open Tue-Sat, 10am-6pm. Come meet and speak with Bernie, who has has 39 years of experience in the guitar manufacturing industry. No appointment necessary.
Carmel Valley Guitar is a great place for guitar enthusiasts of all ages. Owner Bernie Hefner aims to develop a supportive environment where knowledge, experience, and instruments are shared, fostering a thriving musical community.
American Burger presents....the Carnitas Burger! A meeting of North American and Central American cuisines, the Carnitas Burger features tender pork carnitas with cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, and avocado on a hamburger bun. Come try it!
American Burger is a family-run restaurant bringing big smiles and great food to all ages at 738 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.
Mattress Nation is offering the best deals and the best prices of the season during the Memorial Day Sale, now through June 3, 2025.
Save up to $800 on select adjustable mattress sets from Stearns & Foster and up to $500 off select adjustable mattress sets from Tempur-Pedic and Sealy.
Visit Salesperson Laura and her friendly little dog, Hannah, at Mattress Nation at 296 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and let them help you. Mattress Nation is locally owned and the service can't be beat.
To all the mothers out there: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Monterey invites you to celebrate Mother's Day by taking the first step in your Jiu-Jitsu journey and giving yourself the empowerment and community you deserve. Our Women Empowered Program is the perfect place to build confidence while learning essential self defense skills. No previous experience necessary.
In the month of May 2025, moms who are new students to the studio can train for free. Check out our website to learn more and register. We look forward to seeing you on the mat at 800 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.
CSUMB students! Need a place to celebrate your graduation with friends and family? Look no further than Bulldog Sports Pub. Our kitchen is open late and we have an outdoor patio if we fill up indoors.
Make your reservations now, before you have to scramble to find a venue. Call us at 831-658-0686 to book your spot at 611 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.
The Lighthouse District's newest restaurant, Oystertown, is now open Thursday - Monday! Stop by, meet owners Phil Wojtowicz and Monica Schweiger, and try out their menu at 281 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.
Oystertown, true to its name, serves the freshest oysters in town plus a selection of seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes. And don't miss the desserts - they're heavenly. No reservations, walk-ins only.
Thursday - Saturday, 4:30pm-9pm
Sunday, 11:30am-4:40pm
Monday, 4:30pm-9pm
In support of local queer youth, Monterey Peninsula Pride announces its second annual Queer Youth Recognition Scholarship. High school seniors and juniors who have demonstrated resilience in the face of challenges, advocated for the queer community, or have contributed positively to the community on the Monterey Peninsula are encouraged to apply here.
Applications are open May 1-31, 2025. Queer youth selected for the scholarships will be recognized at the Monterey Peninsula Pride Celebration on June 28 at Custom House Plaza in Downtown Old Monterey.
Recipients who are high school seniors will receive a $1000 scholarship, recipients who are high school juniors will receive a $500 scholarship. Funds are intended to: be used towards the student's educational or personal goals, better the queer community on the Monterey Peninsula, or alleviate some financial stress in the student's family.
Applicants are required to submit a 500 word statement - please refer to the application form for details.
In support of local queer youth, Monterey Peninsula Pride announces its second annual Queer Youth Recognition Scholarship. High school seniors and juniors who have demonstrated resilience in the face of challenges, advocated for the queer community, or have contributed positively to the community on the Monterey Peninsula are encouraged to apply here.
Applications are open May 1-31, 2025. Queer youth selected for the scholarships will be recognized at the Monterey Peninsula Pride Celebration on June 28 at Custom House Plaza in Downtown Old Monterey.
Recipients who are high school seniors will receive a $1000 scholarship, recipients who are high school juniors will receive a $500 scholarship. Funds are intended to: be used towards the student's educational or personal goals, better the queer community on the Monterey Peninsula, or alleviate some financial stress in the student's family.
Applicants are required to submit a 500 word statement - please refer to the application form for details.
Alma del Mar is having a sale on our all-natural, handmade soaps! We have hundreds of bars marked at $1 each, and soap sides (odd sizes) available for $5 per bag.
There are a wide variety of shapes and scents - all made here at our shop at 269 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Old Monterey.
The eco-friendly bar soap made at Alma del Mar is cold processed and contains essential oils. Proceeds from all sales benefit The Wahine Project.
Did you know that Albatross Ridge Winery and Kitchen is available for private events? Whether it’s a wedding welcome party, rehearsal dinner, corporate gathering, or special celebration, we would love to host your gathering at our wine tasting room at 316 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.
Our newly renovated space offers indoor seating and an outdoor patio perfect for live music and gatherings of up to 125 guests. It features a full kitchen with shared plates, local wines, craft brews, and catering options from our top-rated partners.
Please email Albatrross Ridge or call for more information, 831-293-8896.
Calling all volunteers! Monterey Peninsula Pride is getting ready for the annual Pride Parade and Celebration in Downtown Old Monterey on Saturday, June 28. They rely heavily on community members just like YOU to pull off this joyful, family-friendly celebration.
Interested in volunteering on June 28? Sign up here. Everyone has a lot of fun, and it's a great way to give back to the community and get to know local LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies.
📬 The Summer Activity Guides arrived last week and registration for Summer Classes begins April 29th at 9am for Campbell Residents! 🌞🗓️Registration for opens Wednesday, April 30th at 9AM for everyone!✨
Registration for summer camps, swim lessons, and pre-school opened March 11–12, and spots are filling fast! If a camp or swim lesson is full, be sure to add your child to the waiting list!
Venture Gallery presents Lilly Campos, our featured local artist for May. Her latest exhibit, A Summer's Day in a California Bay, captures, in glass, the essence of a beautiful day along California’s coastline.
Lilly Campos has been a dichroic glass and fused glass artist for 13 years. Her exhibit captures a sunny day in which sailboats, kites, and hot air balloons fill the sky, creating a dynamic and colorful scene along our beautiful coastal inlets.
Venture Gallery is open 10am-6pm daily. Lilly Campos's artwork will be featured through May 2025. Venture Gallery is located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Visit our website to shop online for work by our local artists.
Planning a large meeting or conference in Monterey? See Monterey has launched a new site for meeting planners, MeetInMonterey.com, providing personalized trip plans, venue recommendations, and itineraries. Now planning a meeting is easier than ever.
The platform’s design connects meeting planners with Monterey’s diverse offerings, from coastal venues to unique team-building activities, enabling them to create tailored experiences for groups of all sizes. The site, powered by technology from MIndtrip, offers the creation of a custom itinerary, tailored venue recommendations, interactive maps, and user-friendly booking options. Get started here.
And don't forget: when you're sending your meeting attendees out on the town for some free time, be sure to refer them to OldMonterey.org. There they can learn about the dining, entertainment, and shopping available in Downtown Old Monterey which surrounds Monterey Conference Center.
Photo credit: MeetInMonterey.com
