District Blog

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.

Seeing Double [International Cafe]
by Jacqueline Weixel
Monterey County Now, 05/30/24

The Lighthouse District welcomes International Cafe to 296 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey! Opened by the same wonderful family that has owned and operated International Market and Deli for years, International Cafe has a cozy, relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and a menu bursting with mouthwatering dishes. It's the perfect place to unwind and savor a meal or enjoy a Turkish coffee.

The Mediterranean menu caters to every palate, whether you're looking for a leisurely dinner with loved ones, a quick lunch catch-up with friends, or a solo meal at the bar. Gluten free and vegan options are available. There are also some great desserts.

Come as you are and leave with a satisfied heart, a full stomach, and a smile. The cafe is open 10am-7:30pm on Sun, Tue, Wed, & Thu, and 10am-8:30pm on Fri & Sat. Closed Mondays.

Get ready for summer fun! On The Beach Surf Shop has new clothing and accessories for women. Come on in and check out our selection of Maaji swimwear, O'Neill, Billabong, RVCA, Roxy, Volcom, and more.

On The Beach is located at 693 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Throughout 2024, the Lighthouse District's own Escape Room 831 and Cannery Row's Oscar's Playground are supporting local nonprofit Central Coast Overdose Drug Prevention (CCODP) with Fundraiser Fridays.

Every Friday in 2024, Escape Room 831 and Oscar's Playground will donate a percentage of their proceeds for the day to CCODP. So you can have fun on Fridays while supporting an important initiative working to raise awareness and eliminate overdoses in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. Book your escape room here.

Escape Room 831's three New Monterey locations and Oscar's Playground on Cannery Row boast a total of 9 unique, wildly creative escape rooms plus a full arcade lounge only at Oscar's. Both businesses are owned and designed by local couple Christina and Barrie Riddoch.

Why focus on CCODP in 2024? Christina Riddoch commented, "We feel that overdosing is an epidemic that's affecting many families in Monterey County and there's a need to bring awareness to our community."

CCODP is an initiative that focuses on addressing substance use realities through harm reduction strategies, treatment options, and community support services. Their programs include NARCAN Now Boxes, offering free Naloxone at: Monterey Transit Plaza (500 Tyler Street), Monterey Police Department (351 Madison Street), and the Monterey Outreach and Navigation Center (401 Camino El Estero).

Cypress Boutique Monterey now carries our own exclusive line of men's Hawaiian shirts, designed for the man who appreciates classy, upscale fashion with a relaxed vibe.

Select from four stunning shades - sleek black, crisp white, cool mint, and warm caramel. Each is infused with a subtle floral pattern that’s boldly masculine. Cypress Boutique Hawaiian shirts offer superior comfort and make you look effortlessly sharp. These aren't your average button-ups.

Complement your shirt with our lightweight beach hats available in four matching colors. Elevate your wardrobe! Visit Cypress Boutique at 800 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite C in Monterey.

Did you know that On The Beach Surf Shop sells our own line of skateboards? Building skateboards is one of the most satisfying parts of our job! You can watch us assemble one on Instagram.

OTB Complete skateboards are our most affordable boards in the store. They're perfect for anyone who’s looking to start skating. Visit us at 693 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and check them out.

This Memorial Day, upgrade your sleep sanctuary with incredible discounts on mattresses at Mattress Nation, located at 296 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Save up to $800 off select Stearns & Foster, Tempur-Pedic, and Sealy mattress sets; up to $500 off select Tempur-Pedic adjustable mattress sets; and up to 50% on select floor model Tempur-Adapt mattresses. All-new Tempur-Adapt mattresses are now only $1999. Our sale continues through June 4, 2024. See all the details here.

Mattress Nation is locally owned and operated.

The City of Monterey, in partnership with the Central Coast Overdose Prevention Coalition, has installed NARCAN Now Boxes to provide free access to the lifesaving opiate overdose reversal medicine Naloxone.

Boxes have been placed at Monterey Transit Plaza (500 Tyler Street), Monterey Police Department (351 Madison Street), and the Monterey Outreach and Navigation Center (401 Camino El Estero).

Naloxone is an opiate antagonist that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system.

Why is the City of Monterey doing this? Drug overdose deaths in California continue to rise. In Monterey County, statistics show that drug related overdose deaths in the first six months of 2023 surpassed the drug related deaths in all 12 months of 2022. Use of Naloxone can prevent death from opioid overdose.

Learn more about the NARCAN Now program in Monterey.

New item alert! If you like quesabirrias, Mission 19 Taqueria's menu now offers a SUPER quesabirria for even more delicious goodness. Visit us at 598 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and try it. We're open Sun-Thu, 11am-8pm, and Fri-Sat, 11am-9pm.

Birria is a regional variation of barbacoa from western Mexico, consisting of beef marinated in adobo sauce then cooked in broth. We serve ours Tijuana-style with melted cheese, onions, and cilantro in a freshly handmade corn or flour tortilla with a side of consome (broth) for dipping.

Cypress Boutique just got in some great spring styles for men, including t-shirts, shorts, hats, and bracelets (leather or beaded). Go check them out at 800 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite C in Monterey.

"Just Good Times” Tee: Our earthy green t-shirt (pictured here) is more than just clothing - it’s a mood booster. Wear it when you’re out with friends, exploring the coast, or simply enjoying life.

Dark Navy Shirt-Jacket: Wrap yourself in cozy elegance with our long-sleeved blue shacket (pictured here). It’s not just a shirt; it’s a hug from your favorite fabric. Perfect for chilly evenings by the bonfire or casual outings.

At Carpets and Floors, Inc., we're feeling all the spring vibes with brilliantly patterned carpets from Missoni, the iconic Italian fashion house. Even our shop dog, River, gives his stylish paw of approval.

Transform your space with Missoni's unmistakable designs - visit our showroom at 471 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey to see them in person.

Carpets and Floors, Inc. is an independent, locally owned business with the largest selection of flooring on the Monterey Peninsula.

Good news, New Monterey! The nonprofit Monterey Hostel, offering overnight lodging for school groups, families, and adventure travelers, has reopened under new management at 778 Hawthorne Street in Monterey.

Are you a New Monterey resident and have friends or family coming to visit you this year? In 2024, local residents can save 15% and receive free guest parking for reservations of 2+ nights when you book via our website - just use the promo code NMNA2024.

The newly renovated hostel has 13 rooms with space to host around 50 overnight guests. These include 9 private “family and friends rooms” with a queen bed, twin/twin bunk bed, and ensuite bathroom, and 4 dedicated “shared dormitories” with bunk beds and ensuite bathroom options where guests can reserve a bed in a room shared with other travelers starting at $60 per night.

The Hostel now has wheelchair-accessible guest rooms, bathrooms with roll-in showers, an accessible community kitchen, and a new exterior deck and ramp that connects the building with accessible parking, public transportation, and the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail.

All guests share a community kitchen, indoor/outdoor lounges, dining, and a shared workstation ideal for remote workers looking to catch up on emails while on the road. The hostel also offers on-site parking, day-use passes, weekly events, complimentary tea and coffee, and storage for luggage, bikes, kayaks, scuba gear, and surfboards.