District Blog

Monterey Bay Aquarium is very excited to open our doors to the public on May 15. We're looking for individuals who are passionate about inspiring conservation of the ocean to join our team!

We have seasonal and limited full-time opportunities in the following roles: guest experience representative, guest support services (custodial), and security officer.

The Aquarium will be hosting a virtual job fair via Zoom on Wednesday, April 14, 4:30pm-7:30pm. If you are interested in interviewing for any of our available roles, we invite you to sign up for a 10-minute interview time slot.

Please read complete instructions and sign up for a time slot on this page.

Hula’s Monterey is hiring! We are looking for lovely people to be part of our family, our clan, our tribe, our pod. We are joyful, outgoing, and friendly. If that sounds like you, come talk with us. We're looking for people with well-rounded hospitality experience and a knowledge of food, service, and cocktails. We celebrate diversity. Applicants must have open availability.

Hula's Island Grill is located at 622 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Our phone number is 831-655-4852.

The Monterey County Health Department has verified that Monterey County will move into California’s Covid-19 Orange Tier as of Wednesday, April 7. What that means is businesses, residents, and visitors, working in partnership with the City of Monterey, have demonstrated their commitment to safety and health protocols and all of us are benefiting from it. Thanks to all of you!

With Orange Tier status:

**Restaurants can increase indoor seating to 50% capacity

**Retail stores can increase indoor shopping to 100% capacity

**Gyms and fitness studios can welcome people indoors up to 25% capacity

**Family entertainment centers can open indoors up to 25% capacity

**Museums and the Aquarium can open for indoor visitors up to 50% capacity

**Bars not serving meals can open outdoors with modifications

**Wineries, breweries, and distilleries can open indoors up to 25% capacity

Everyone, please keep up the good work! Continue to wear your face mask and socially distance so that we can continue to move forward to fewer restrictions and increased activity.

In an official poll conducted by our website staff, New Monterey's Lighthouse District has been voted Best Darned Business District.

"We've got style, we've got fantastic food, and we've got an amazing sense of community," said a local employee who would only speak on condition of anonymity for fear of offending her mother in Old Monterey, her brother in Pacific Grove, and her cousin on Cannery Row. "Lighthouse is the little district that could. We're number one!"

Reached for comment, Buddy the basset hound said, "Woof!" Our translators tell us that means, "I want a sweet potato fry from Hula's."

Happy first day of April, everybody. Thanks for riding out this pandemic with us. It's not over yet, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your masks on and keep the faith.

In celebration of Monterey's entry into the less restrictive Red Tier of Covid regulations, New Monterey's Lighthouse District has updated our online Dining Guide!

Wondering where you can eat indoors, outdoors, or get great take-out or curbside pick-up? Trying to figure out your favorite restaurant's current hours? It's all right here.

The Dining Guide's "Dine-in" category includes all establishments offering indoor or outdoor dining. Just click on a specific restaurant in any category to see the specific dining options available there, hours of operation, and food photos. (Yum!)

Need food assistance? Reservations are now available for the March 2021 Drive Thru Produce Distribution for Families and Seniors offered by the City of Monterey Recreation and the Monterey County Food Bank. This is a contact-free drive-thru program and reservations are required.

Pick-up times are on Mondays - March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10am-1pm - by appointment only at Dennis the Menace Parking Lot, 777 Pearl Street in Monterey.

All produce is pre-packaged and the same for everyone. Please read the official flyer which contains all the details. Questions? Please call 831-646-3866 or e-mail Monterey Recreation.

Paprika Cafe is offering a take-out dinner and dessert special for a limited time only. Purchase any two dinners to go, with a total bill of $33 or more, and get a free box of our homemade vegan baklava worth $9.

Paprika Cafe, a restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2019, is serving delicious Mediterranean fare to-go at 309 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Open Monday - Saturday, 11am-7pm, and Sunday, 12pm-6pm, we're proud to offer a menu with many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Great news, everyone! The Monterey Bay Aquarium will be reopening to Aquarium members on May 1-14 and to the general public on Saturday, May 15. Tickets go on sale to Aquarium members on April 26 at 9am and to the general public on Wednesday, May 5 at 9am.

The Aquarium has made some changes to help keep everyone safe and healthy while you enjoy your visit.

1) To limit the number of people inside the Aquarium, you'll need to reserve tickets on the Aquarium's website for a specific date and entry time.

During busy times, they may have to limit the number of people purchasing tickets on the website at one time. If this happens, you’ll join a line to make reservations. When it's your turn, you'll be notified and will have 10 minutes to start your reservation.

2) All guests ages three and older must wear a face covering that covers your mouth and nose. The Aquarium has great masks available for purchase if you need one! (All purchases from the Aquarium shop support the nonprofit Aquarium and its work.)

3) To keep everyone spaced out and moving in one direction, you’ll follow a one-way path through the Aquarium. Some of the play areas, feedings and auditorium programs are on pause for now, but you'll still be able to enjoy the animals and exhibits, including the amazing views and fresh air from the oceanfront decks.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is located at 886 Cannery Row in Monterey. Please visit the website for more information.