District Blog

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.

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.

A complete makeover of a New Monterey building brings five new housing units
by Pam Marino
Monterey County Weekly, 03/30/24

From intimate gatherings to grand corporate affairs, Namaste India Bistro's catering services bring the authentic taste of India to every occasion. With a customizable menu tailored to your preferences, our team will ensure a culinary experience that leaves a lasting impression on your guests.

Proud recipients of the Monterey Herald Reader's Choice Awards 2023 for Best Indian Food and Best Caterer/Catering Service, and featured in America's Best Restaurant Roadshow, Namaste is dedicated to exceeding your expectations with every bite.

Please call us at 831-641-0130 to discuss your catering needs. We're located at 538 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Cypress Boutique introduces our Big Sur Button Down Shirt, the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe. This stylish, comfortable shirt is lightweight and breathable. Dress it up with chinos or shorts - it's perfect for any casual occasion.

Visit our brick-and-mortar store at 800 Lighthouse Ave, Suite C in Monterey. We're a local, owner-operated shop that offers a variety of clothing and accessories for men and women.

Monterey Pacific Rotary Club is collecting new and gently used luggage (backpacks, duffel bags, carry-on bags, etc.) for The Kinship Center / Seneca through May 31, 2024.

Many local foster children carry their things in garbage bags, shopping bags, even pillow cases when transitioning into care homes. Monterey Pacific Rotary Club wants to help these kids in protective services by giving them their own luggage.

If you would like to donate your new and like-new luggage to a child in need, please call Carolyn Harris at 831-869-8655 by the end of May 2024. A pick-up can be arranged for those near Monterey or Salinas.

Wow! The Pearl Hour recently got a shout out in the NY Times! In her article, A Cheapskate in Monterey (gift article link), travel writer Elaine Giusac, toasted The Pearl Hour after visiting the local institution for Happy Hour.

We met during happy hour — 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday — when classic cocktails such as the Corpse Reviver No. 2 go for $10 (normally $13). Ms. Blandin plants the bar’s back patio in succulents, flowers and herbs, many of which make their way into her cocktails.

“I think even a cocktail should have a sense of terroir,” she said.

The link to the article above is a gift article link so you can read more about what else the NY Times budget travel writer had to say about The Pearl Hour and Monterey in general. You may also want to take her suggestion and stop by The Pearl Hour during Happy Hour when fourteen of their classic cocktails are only $10.

The Pearl Hour's happy hour is Wednesdays through Sundays from 6pm to 8pm. They're open until 1am at 214 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Classic cocktails on the Happy Hour Menu:

• Manhattan
• Sazerac
• Boulevardier
• Vieux carre
• Martini
• Corpse reviver no. 2
• Bee's knees
• Negroni
• Daiquiri
• Mai tai
• Paloma
• Cosmo
• Lemon drop
• Long Island iced tea

Mission 19 Taqueria at 598 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey celebrates an extended Happy Hour Mondays-Thursdays, 1pm-6pm, when micheladas and mimosas are only $5.

The michelada, one of the most popular drinks in Mexico, is a beer-based cocktail made with lime, hot sauce, salsas negras, and, often, tomato juice (Clamato), all served over ice in a glass with a salted rim. Come enjoy one!

Long dresses are perfect for spring and summer, especially when the dress grazes the ankles or gently sweeps the floor. It exudes elegance without feeling overly formal - the magic lies in simplicity.

At Cypress Boutique, you can choose a dress that makes you feel effortlessly beautiful whether you’re strolling through a sun-kissed garden or enjoying a leisurely picnic. The Cypress Maxi Dress shown here is available online and in our store at 800 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite C in Monterey.

Fashion Trade Boutique has some fantastic vintage jackets in the shop that are perfect for spring. Check out this retro denim jacket one lucky customer found!

Visit us at 554 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and see what you discover on the rack - we have a variety of jackets for women and men in denim, leather, and more.

TrekFest is happening at Epicenter Cycling, March 15 - April 30, 2024. That means huge discounts on Trek bikes, incredible deals on cycling apparel, and the year’s best savings on all the bike gear you need for your best-ever riding season. Visit the shop at 230 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

You'll find up to 30% off men's and women's apparel, up to 50% off select Bontrager shoes and select helmets, up to 25% off select wheels, and up to 20% off select cycling gloves, tires, and essential accessories. There's a full list online.

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.

Frugal Traveler: A Cheapskate in Monterey [Pearl Hour]
by Elaine Glusac
New York Times, 03/20/24

Two new cocktails at Pearl Hour tell their own stories, as well as those of the ingredients
by Dave Faries
Monterey County Weekly, 03/21/24

A growing number of chefs offer vegan Mexican cuisine, proving the flavors go beyond meat [El Cantaro]
by Sara Rubin
Monterey County Weekly, 03/21/24

Found Treasure: 9 Spots for Cheap Eats [Pelican Pizza]
Mark C. Anderson
Edible Monterey Bay, 03/22/24

Do you have books gathering dust on your bookshelf? Monterey Public Library Friends & Foundation (MPLFF) is seeking donations of gently used books, which they will then sell, all proceeds going to Monterey Public Library programs and events.

MPLFF now welcomes book donations in the following genres:
First edition or rare books
Adult fiction
Mystery
Biography / Memoir
Local interest
History
Children’s picture books

At this time, MPLFF is not accepting coffee table books, children’s nonfiction, teen, DVD, CD, self-help, textbooks, or any books that are musty or damaged.

When dropping off your gifts, please pack donations in disposable bags or boxes and bring them to the Library's basement door (off the rear parking lot) on Wednesdays, 1pm-3om. If that time doesn't work for you, please email MPLFF and a volunteer will arrange a convenient time to meet you.

PLEASE NOTE: Book donations can NOT be accepted by Library staff, at the book return, or at the loading dock.