Blog

Freedom Bakery introduces our new Tuxedo Cake! It’s a sharp-looking, delicious combination of classic chocolate cake filled with layers of decadent Belgian chocolate ganache and dreamy white chocolate mousse, iced with whipped cream.

This flavor is ready to party, so we’re celebrating with free samples at Freedom Bakery's Monterey Boutique for a limited time - visit us at 305 Webster Street in Downtown Monterey. We're open Tuesday - Sunday, 10am-1pm. Order on our website for pick up.

Don't forget - Freedom Bakery has a wide variety of cakes perfect for graduation celebrations!

Ballot Drop Box at Monterey Public Library 2026

Posted on May 23rd, 2026 by omba

The California primary election is June 2, 2026, and it's time to vote! A permanent Monterey County Elections ballot drop box for voters is installed at Monterey Public Library, available 24 hours a day until 8pm on June 2. The County will empty it on a regular basis. Just drop your ballot safely in the box at 625 Pacific Street.

To view a list of other ballot drop box locations in Monterey County, please click here. To check your voter registration status, please click here.

Venture Gallery presents the work of Cheryl Kampe, our featured local artist for June. Her exhibit of paintings, entitled Water Lilies and Paris Lights, was inspired by a trip to Paris and Giverny, France last fall.

About the Exhibit

In this exhibit, we travel with Cheryl to France, where she recreates scenes from her trip there in the fall. She enjoyed spending time in Paris at the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the D’Orsay Museum, the Dior Exhibit, and Le Secre Coeur as well as at outdoor cafes, patisseries, and parks which left lasting impressions.

Monet’s garden in Giverny was particularly beautiful on a sunny autumn day. Walking through the colorful flower beds to the renowned water lilies was like seeing a painting at every turn.

About Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery is open 10am-6pm daily. Cheryl Kampe's artwork will be featured through June 2026. Venture Gallery is located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Visit our website to shop online for work by our local artists.

Monterey Trolley Returns May 23, 2026

Posted on May 23rd, 2026 by omba

The Monterey trolley has returned! This free service will operate May 23 - September 7, 10am-6pm daily. Trolleys run every 10-15 minutes. Look for the green MST Trolley signs to board along the route.

Park and Ride

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 Monterey, and Old Fisherman's Wharf.

Monterey Trolley Returns May 23, 2026

Posted on May 23rd, 2026 by lighthouseave

The Monterey trolley has returned! This free service will operate May 23 - September 7, 10am-6pm daily. Trolleys run every 10-15 minutes. Look for the green MST Trolley signs to board along the route.

Park and Ride

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 Monterey, and Old Fisherman's Wharf.

Volunteer with Monterey Pride 2026

Posted on May 18th, 2026 by lighthouseave

Calling all volunteers! Monterey Peninsula Pride is getting ready for our annual Pride Parade and Celebration in Downtown Old Monterey on Saturday, June 27. We rely heavily on community members just like YOU to pull off this joyful, family-friendly celebration.

Interested in volunteering on June 27? Sign up here. We have a lot of fun, and it's a great way to give back to the community and get to know local LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and allies.

Donate to Keep Monterey's 4th of July Parade Going Strong!

Posted on May 18th, 2026 by lighthouseave

The 4th of July Parade is an important annual event in Downtown Monterey. It's consistently the most fun, family-friendly way to celebrate our love for our community, our country, and the many joys of summer.

This event is presented by the small but mighty staff of the nonprofit Old Monterey Business Association (OMBA) - the same staff that assists the Lighthouse District's business association (NMBA). But we can't do this event alone! Did you know it costs us $40,000 to put on the parade every year? (Yes, it blows our minds, too.) And when it comes to paying the bills for the parade, we can use all the help we can get.

Individual Donations

Would you like to make a tax-deductible donation to keep this beloved event going strong? The OMBA and our parade partner, the Old Monterey Foundation, now welcome donations by members of the community up to $249.

Simply make your check out to “Old Monterey Foundation” and mail it to:

Old Monterey Foundation
98 Del Monte Ave., Ste 201
Monterey, CA 93940

All Community Contributors will be recognized on the Old Monterey website in July. Let us know if you wish to remain anonymous.

Family Foundation Donations

Do you have a family foundation and want to make a tax-deductible contribution of $250 or more? Please visit this page and become a sponsor of the parade at any level.

Ballot Drop Box at Monterey Public Library for 2026 Elections

Posted on May 18th, 2026 by lighthouseave

The California primary election is June 2, 2026, and it's time to vote! A permanent Monterey County Elections ballot drop box for voters is installed at Monterey Public Library, available 24 hours a day until 8pm on June 2. The County will empty it on a regular basis. Just drop your ballot safely in the box at 625 Pacific Street.

To view a list of other ballot drop box locations in Monterey County, please click here. To check your voter registration status, please click here.

Off The Charts Monterey is now offering a free, local delivery service! Order online for pickup or delivery straight to your door.

Our initial delivery hours will be 10am-6pm. Make your order online or on the OTC app. Only available for ages 21+ or for ages 18+ with valid medical recommendation.

Off The Charts is located at 734 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. License #C10-0001536-LIC

Plato's Closet Monterey is celebrating the Class of 2026! Class of 2026 graduates, come shop with us now through May 31, 2026 and save 26% off your entire purchase at our store at 402 Lighthouse Avenue. Bring your crew, bring your student ID, and let’s celebrate together.

Please note: this offer excludes all Coach brand items.

Hi All, our annual car show is coming up soon on Saturday, June 6th.

We're only halfway to the number of volunteers we need for an event of this magnitude. We need your help to make the event a fun and special day for all the guests coming to visit Downtown Campbell.

If you can give 3-4 hours of time and want to help represent this downtown, we still have needs at all positions, but especially at popcorn booth and street safety attendant positions.

You'll get a free t-shirt and our eternal gratitude for your help. To learn more about the positions and sign up please visit:
https://carshow.downtowncampbell.com/volunteer

Does your pre-teen love art? Are you looking for a studio where they can flourish and evolve artistically as they grow older?

Youth Arts Collective is bringing back our Teaching Across Generations program (TAG), with summer workshops open to artists ages 11-13. Explore collage, painting, science illustration, and ceramics with us.

TAG Schedule

We're offering two TAG sessions per month, June - August, all on Saturday, 10am-12pm. Dates are: 6/6, 6/13, 7/11, 7/18, 8/1, 8/8.

Registration & Fees

Workshops are $80 per month. Purchase all three months are get $40 off. Learn more and register here.

The Monterey Public Library, located at 625 Pacific Street in Downtown Monterey, is excited to announce that Monterey Public Library, Carmel Public Library, and Pacific Grove Library, while operated independently, are now sharing physical books, audio, and videos to patrons of all three libraries. This will allow community members to use their preferred library to access an expanded catalog of content.

Physical Content

Beginning May 6, 2026, Monterey library patrons will be able to request physical books, audio, and videos from Carmel or Pacific Grove libraries for pickup at the Monterey Public Library, Bookmobile, or Library Lockers.

Likewise, physical items borrowed from Monterey, Carmel, or PG libraries can now be returned to the Monterey, PG, or Carmel libraries.

Digital Content

For eBooks and other digital library content, each library will continue to offer their own unique collections.

Free Library Cards for Californians

Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey continue to allow any California resident to get a library card for free! Visit your local library to get a free library card.

Skip the Circling. Downtown Campbell offers 1,000+ free off-street public parking spaces. The First Street Garage is conveniently located just 2 blocks from the center of Downtown and typically has available spaces – even during peak times.

Downtown Campbell offers:

  • Two well-lit public garages
  • Multiple surface lots
  • Free parking
  • EV charging
  • VTA Light Rail station
  • Bike lockers and racks

Download a Copy of this Map

Play Full Ground is excited to announce that our Afterschool Co-Creation Studio for middle and high school students has begun at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E in Monterey. Registration is ongoing, and students can start at any time. Learn more here.

Free Trial Session for New Students

We're now offering free trial sessions for potential new students, giving you a chance to explore the environment, learn about the studio, and discover the creative possibilities! Email Mai Ryuno for details.

About the Afterschool Program

Led by artist and educator Mai Ryuno, the Afterschool Co-Creation Studio is a space for students to come together, share ideas, and develop community-focused projects with their peers. Weekly meetings provide structure and guidance, while students are encouraged to take initiative, contribute their ideas, and shape the direction of projects.

In this program, Mai facilitates the meetings and mentors students through the process of collaborative project development, helping them plan, experiment, and reflect. Students have access to the studio outside of meetings to continue work, research, and explore creative solutions. The program aims to foster teamwork, leadership, and the development of young voices in meaningful, real-world contexts.

The Coastal Roots Hospitality Group - including Montrio restaurant at 414 Calle Principal in Downtown Monterey - has designated Monterey County Film Commission as the nonprofit recipient of its Pick It Up - Pay It Forward Program for May and June 2026.

What does this mean? When you order takeout food from Montrio, 10% of your order will automatically be donated to this nonprofit organization which promotes our county's locations, crew and businesses to the film industry. (Please note: this offer does not apply to delivery orders.)

On a film set they say "Take Two!" But the Monterey County Film Commission says "Take Out!"

In May and June 2026, if you order takeout food from any of Coastal Roots Hospitality's restaurants - Montrio, Rio Grill, or Tarpy's - 10 percent of the cost will be donated to Monterey County Film Commission as part of the Pick It Up - Pay It Forward Program.

About Monterey County Film Commission

Monterey County Film Commission, a nonprofit organization founded by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1987, promotes Monterey County locations, crew, and businesses to the film industry. Its office is located in Monterey's Lighthouse District.

Pages