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 article.

A new spot in Monterey travels the culinary world, offering something for everyone – with a surprise or two [Lighthouse Bistro Global Cuisine]
by Dave Faries
Monterey County NOW, 07/31/25

Testing the Waters: Oystertown latches onto its new home, joining a rising tide of of pop-ups going permanent
by Becky Duffett
Concept Carmel, 06/24/25

Monterey Car Week celebrates community and passion for cars [Mattress Nation]
by Michael Rosales
KSBW, 08/11/25

Monterey's Lighthouse District has a bunch of businesses that made it to the finals in Monterey County Weekly's Best of 2025 Reader's Poll, including TWO spots nominated for Best New Business of 2025: Carmel Valley Guitar and Oystertown. (Whoo-hoo!!!)

Now we need you to vote! The Lighthouse District mostly consists of small, owner-operated businesses, but we pack a great punch when it comes to quality food, goods, and services. Final voting is open until August 29, 2025. Go ahead, make our day!

On The Beach Surf Shop's brand new palm tree logo is in and ready to add to your collection! Rep OTB in style - we've got tees, crewnecks, hoodies, and hats now in stock in a variety of colors. Come snag yours at 693 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Now Enrolling for the 2025–2026 School Year!

Campbell Recreation Pre-School begins September 2, 2025, and registration is open with limited spots remaining!

Give your child the best start in a trusted, play-based program that’s been supporting families for over 30 years!

Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 Class Offerings:

Tiny Tots (Ages 2.5 – 4)

Mon–Wed | 9:15 AM – 11:45 AM

Must be 2.5 years old by 9/1/25

Kinder Kids (Ages 3 – 5.5)

Mon–Wed | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Must be 3 years old by 9/1/25

Our nurturing, engaging environment encourages young learners to explore art, music, movement, and build foundational math, reading, and social-emotional skills — all through the power of play.

Register today to secure your child’s spot:...Read More

To celebrate ADOR's first year in Downtown Campbell, every $80 spent in the month of August gets you an entry to win a $300 shopping spree at ADOR!

The fun doesn't stop there! Your entry also could potentially win a gift card or basket from one of our local Downtown Campbell businesses:

• Palazzi Salon
• Bestie's Boutique
• Simply Smashing
• Cloud City
• Sushi Confidential
• El Guapo's
• Doppio Zero

Winner announced 8/31/25 at our 1st year anniversary Sip & Shop!

Attention high school students! Do you feel that traditional classroom learning is too restrictive? Do you want to have more freedom in your learning, with assessments that reflect your growth and potential beyond just numbers and scores?

If the conventional educational model doesn't fit your creative spirit, consider joining Play Full Ground's creative learning community.

Artist and educator Mai Ryuno is opening her artist studio in the heart of Monterey's Lighthouse District as a micro school for high school students who want to learn creatively and grow into caring citizens of the world. Join this fall for creative and collaborative learning. Check out the website and make an appointment for you and your family to chat with Mai and learn more.

Here's a chance to break free from traditional education and design a future that’s uniquely yours.

Did you know? Recycled Records carries CDs by some local musicians including local R&B singer Ktbaaby. Come to 604 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey - support local talent and your local record shop.

About Recycled Records

Recycled Records is a locally-owned record store with a great selection of used vinyl, new pressings, CDs, and DVDs in a variety of genres. Established in 1975, the shop is now owned and operated by two Monterey locals, Kellen and Bree, who are building community one music lover at a time.

Downtown Old Monterey welcomes our newest boutique, New June! Located at 176 Bonifacio Place, New June carries thoughtful goods, new and found. Clothing, accessories, homewares, both curated vintage and artisan-made pieces - there are treasures for everyone. Go browse the latest drops; you never know what you'll find.

The boutique is a new venture by Ryan Zen Lama, the owner of East Village Cafe and Maybe on Monday. It's slow style with a warm spirit. Visit and see for yourself.

Tip: New June is now accepting consignment. Let your pre-loved pieces find a new home.

Welcome to Lighthouse District in the News, an occasional post featuring recent news articles on Monterey's Lighthouse District. Please click the link below to read the article.

An event venue in Monterey is ready for Car Week with a new permit [Veloce Valuations]
by David Schmalz
Monterey County NOW, 07/17/25

Venture Gallery presents France Ruhnke, our featured local artist in August and September. This exhibit of her contemporary mixed media work, entitled Creative Flow, uses contour drawing, oil painting, shadow boxes, and objects such as vintage maps, feathers, and wire.

About the Exhibit

In Creative Flow, France Ruhnke uses paper, canvas, fabric, gold leaf, paint, ink, natural flowers, feathers, egg shells, vintage French literature, maps, and wire to explore the delicate essence of nature’s flow. Her uplifting, ethereal work is remarkable for its exploration of movement, colors, light, and transparency.

About Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery is open 10am-6pm daily. France Ruhnke's artwork will be featured through September 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.

The Rose Books and Obscurities, located at 136 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Old Monterey, has just added over a dozen new titles on Eastern philosophy and religion to our collection.

Highlights include an 1884 first edition of The Life of Buddha by Rockhill in excellent condition; an early edition of The Celestial Song by Edwin Arnold featuring the sought-after binding variant; and a stunning copy of The Buddhism of Tibet by Laurence Waddell.

About The Rose Books

The Rose Books and Obscurities carries a well-balanced selection of antiquarian collectible works and second hand books in all price ranges. The bookshop is small but dense in subject matters and carefully cultivated to satisfy serious collectors and general readers alike.

🎉 Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month! 🎉

Join Us for a Month of FREE EVENTS This July!

www.campbellca.gov/july

🎶 Summer Concerts – Weekly on Thursdays, 6:30–8:00 PM

⚽ Day at the CCC – July 26, 12:00–2:00 PM

🕺 Adaptive Dis-Glow Dance – July 30, 7:00–9:00 PM

🌟 All events are free and open to the community!

It’s not too late to join us for summer camps and classes! Visit www.campbellca.gov/register 

Fall Activity Guide is now available online!

Visit www.campbellca.gov/activityguide

Youth Arts Collective invites you to view our 2025 Summer Art Show, showcasing over 100 original works created by YAC’s talented young artists and mentors. The show will open with a reception on Friday, July 25 and continue for a month at our studio and gallery, 472 Calle Principal in Downtown Old Monterey. Hours are Monday - Friday, 3pm-7pm & Saturday, 12pm-4pm

Online Gallery

Can’t make it in person? Visit our online gallery to see the full Summer Show and enjoy delightful "meet the artist" videos, each one offering a glimpse into the unique personalities and creative journeys behind the work. The online exhibit will open July 25.

About YAC

Youth Arts Collective is a nonprofit art studio and mentorship program for motivated high school and college artists. Our mission is to inspire creativity, kindness, and confidence in our youth through artistic expression and mutual respect. Do art. Be kind

Are you a Monterey resident having trouble paying your electric/gas bill? PG&E has two financial assistance programs - details are below.

Match My Payment Program

This new program provides bill assistance to eligible customers. Enroll to match every dollar you pay up to $1,000 toward your past due balance. This program offers qualified customers help paying past due energy bill balance. Find out about eligibility and apply here.

Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH)

REACH offers qualified customers help paying the energy bill during a crisis. REACH provides an energy credit up to $300 based on the past due bill (energy credit support is subject to funding availability). PG&E contracts with Dollar Energy Fund to accept and process assistance requests for the PG&E REACH program. Find out about eligibility and apply here.

Thanks to the City of Monterey for sharing this information with the community! Sign up for the City's weekly email updates here.