Gold Coast Tattoo, located at 639 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, now has a piercer in-house and they're accepting appointments Friday - Monday, 12pm–10pm. (Walk-in clients are always welcome, but appointments are preferred to guarantee your spot.)
Whether you’re adding something new or upgrading your jewelry, they’ve got you covered. Learn more and make a reservation.
Artist Casey Starks, owner of Casey Starks Studio at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite A in Monterey, has officially shifted her popular pottery workshops to become fully customizable private group events!
In the past, Casey offered workshops with set dates and individual sign-ups - but behind the scenes, that system took a lot of energy and admin to manage. So she's redesigned her workshop offerings to be more flexible and customizable for you.
Workshops are now available only as private events for groups of 2-10 people on site. YOU pick the date and time that works for your group (a great option for folks visiting from out of town). You can choose from hand building project options such as Make a Mug, Ceramic Jewelry, or Intro to Slab-Building.
Your group gets a relaxed, personalized experience - perfect for special occasions, office team-building, or creative get-togethers with your favorite people.
This move to private groups allows Casey to give each group her full attention, create a more enjoyable experience, and reduce the behind-the-scenes admin for herself. It’s a win for everyone.
If you’ve been wanting to plan a workshop or a creative outing, Casey would love to host your group. See all the details and submit a request here.
The New Monterey Business Association (NMBA), the organization of small businesses in the Lighthouse District, is excited to announce that our new Administrator, Sabrina Hiltunen, will participate in the City of Monterey's First City Academy in Spring 2026 as a strategic community partner.
Meeting weekly March 4 - May 14, First City Academy, a community program presented by the City of Monterey, teaches participants about topics such as city management, community engagement, community services, public works, police, community development, fire and emergency management, economic development, budgeting, technology, and human resources. In short, it covers how the City is funded, how services are delivered, and how decisions are made.
An integral part of Sabrina Hiltunen's job in serving and representing the businesses in the Lighthouse District and Downtown Old Monterey is to work with the City of Monterey to conduct day-to-day operations, coordinate community events, and fulfill the districts’ visions.
Sabrina writes, "I recognize First City Academy will teach me invaluable information and processes into how local government operates that will not only benefit me but our businesses and the City of Monterey staff I work closely with. As a Monterey native and civic engagement aficionado, I am looking forward to learning about our government programs and services as well as getting to know the civil servants who dedicate their lives and careers to making our city a vibrant community to live, work, and play."
Namaste India Bistro has been part of Monterey's Lighthouse District for nearly a decade, offering authentic Indian cuisine made with care, tradition, and a whole lot of heart.
We’ve recently refreshed our interior to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, perfect for a casual lunch, family dinner, or a relaxed night out. Our goal is simple: to make every guest feel welcome the moment they walk through our door at 538 Lighthouse Avenue.
If you’ve been meaning to try Namaste or haven’t visited in a while, we invite you to stop by and experience it for yourself. Supporting local restaurants keeps the Lighthouse District vibrant.
Casey Starks Studio's Valentine’s Day ceramic collection is now available on her website and in the store at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite A in Monterey! Casey has handmade cups, mugs, and trinket dishes - all wonderful gift ideas for people you care about...or a sweet little gift for yourself.
Casey makes all her products herself in her studio on Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. A talented ceramist and illustrator, her pieces are beautiful and whimsical.
Congratulations to Rosebuds Kids Co., voted Best Resale Shop in Monterey Bay Parent Family Favorites 2026. Visit the store and see for yourself at 535 Foam Street in Monterey.
At Rosebuds, you'll find gently loved clothing, shoes, and accessories, from baby basics to big kid favorites (10-12 years). Founded by a local mom who believes families deserve a better way to shop for stylish, affordable kids’ clothing without sacrificing quality, sustainability, or charm.
Artist and educator Mai Ryuno of Play Full Ground is introducing a special, one-on-one program this spring for teens and adults looking for deeper support in developing their own creative practice, Creative Mentorship.
Creative Mentorship is individualized, project-centered guidance for those who want to explore their own ideas with structure, support, and intention. Projects may involve visual art, design, writing, research, performance, or interdisciplinary work. The medium is determined by the idea, not the other way around.
Creative Mentorship seeks to help youth and adults develop their creative voice and agency, turning curiosity into projects through a reflective, project‑based studio process. Mentees receive guidance, feedback, and dedicated time to explore, experiment, and bring their work to life, cultivating creative agency and confidence as they develop habits of attention, experimentation, and reflective practice.
Here, your curiosity becomes your material, your questions become projects, and your process becomes learning. Learn more and register here.
Play Full Ground is located at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E in Monterey.
Play Full Ground welcomes middle school and high school students to register for our Afterschool Co-Creation Studio! This is a process-based collaborative art studio designed to be a space for students' initiative, exploration, and confidence-building through building public-facing art projects. The program supports teamwork, leadership, and creative problem-solving.
You can join at any time via a monthly membership fee. This is a great way to stretch your wings creatively under the guidance of Mai Ryuno, an innovator artist and educator.
Play Full Ground is located at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E in Monterey. Learn more about the Afterschool Co-Creation Studio here.
Lighthouse Bistro Global Cuisine introduces Jhol Momo to our menu at 570 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Come and try it!
In this dish, our delicious Nepalese momo (dumplings) are filled with your choice of ground beef or chicken mixed with finely chopped cabbage, yellow onions, green onions, traditional Nepalese spices, plus a touch of turmeric, oil, and salt. All of our momo are made from scratch, one by one, by our chef and co-owner, Sunil.
The momo are then surrounded by flavorful johl (sauce) - it's a delightful homemade blend of soybeans, tomatoes, sesame, and cumin seeds, seasoned with turmeric and salt.
Both the Mexican Mai Tai and Sade’s Daiquiri at Pearl Hour feature a great spirit: Paranubes Rum. It's a pure and undisturbed representation of raw material, capturing not just the flavor, but a sense of its place of origin.
Pearl Hour, located at 214 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, opens at 6pm Wednesday - Monday.
Paranubes Rum is made by wild fermenting the fresh pressed juice of sugarcane grown without pesticide or fertilizer in the rich soil of master distiller Jose Luis Carrera’s farm.
Distilled to proof with no additives, this rum - or aguardiente de caña as it’s known regionally - is exactly what you would find lost in the cloud forest of the Sierra Mazateca mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Congratulations to local entrepreneurs Steven Kittrell and Bren Walter of 456 Lighthouse which, after a long application process, has finally received approval from the City of Monterey and its Planning Commission to host up to 10 large events a year in their spacious facility.
Bren Walter writes: "Steven and I have know this building was meant to be open, meant to have cars in it, and most importantly, meant to bring people together. It was the focus and goal from the very beginning. We have loved each and every event hosted at 456 Lighthouse.
"Thank you!!! For supporting us and encouraging us along the way. We are endlessly grateful and can’t wait to give back to our much loved auto community."
Located in Monterey's Lighthouse District, 456 Lighthouse Ave. is a 16,500 sqaure foot facility that boasts a spacious three-level floor plan, exposed beams and vaulted ceilings, plenty of natural light, a custom catering kitchen, multiple lounge areas, a beautiful and curated glass front open loft, and a large storage basement.
Three entry points include a wide electric roll-up door for cars or guests, storefront double doors near Lighthouse Ave., and a single side entrance. It is an ideal space for private and corporate events. Learn more here.
Did you know? Nikki at Oya Salon specializes in enhancing your natural beauty through expertly shaped and styled eyebrows. She offers a variety of services including brow shaping, tinting, and laminating to help you achieve your desired look.
Call 831-656-0570 to book your appointment with Nikki at Oya, located at 201 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.
On The Beach Surf Shop has incredibly soft blankets from Local Beach. These make great gifts for Valentine’s Day! Our customers loved these over the holidays so they’re back in the store. Visit us at 693 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey to get yours.
Local Beach is a family owned and operated brand based in the sunny San Diego area.
Rosebuds Kids Co. invites you to come check out our new children's toy area, located in the back of the shop at 535 Foam Street in Monterey.
We have lots of gently loved toy cars, arts and crafts and educational toys, cute dolls, stuffed animals galore, games, puzzles, and books for all ages. Better yet, this area serves as a small play zone for your kids, so your children stay busy while you shop.
Rosebuds is open Tuesday - Friday, 9am-4pm, and Saturday, 10am-4pm. We're closed Sunday and Monday.
The new year is a great time to reset your fitness goals! Whether you want 1:1 coaching or to train with a friend, Monterey Core Fitness has got you covered.
We offer 30 and 50-minute personal training sessions for women with the expert female staff at our gym at 191 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. No pressure - just progress. Contact us to begin your journey.
Monterey Core Fitness is a women's based boutique gym and fitness studio that focuses on functional strength training, resilience, and connection to ourselves and those around us. It's about truly feeling our best.
Core Fitness welcomes women at all levels - from beginner to advanced - ages 18 and up.
Independently owned Heaven on Earth Cleaning, based in the Lighthouse District, is now offering a New Year Special! For a limited time, get 10% off when you book both our carpet cleaning and house cleaning services.
Heaven on Earth Cleaning serves homes and businesses in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Castroville, Prunedale, Salinas, and Pebble Beach. Book online 24/7 or request a quote.
You may know that Taqueria del Mar serves some of the tastiest fish tacos in town at 530 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. But did you also know it's a great place to grab brunch?
Open Mon-Sat, 11:30am-9pm, there are several menu items that are perfect for breakfast or brunch, including egg tortas (omelettes) and a breakfast burrito. They're always made fresh to order and are available all day for dine-in or take-out.
Taqueria del Mar's brunch items include a breakfast burrito and four different types of egg tortas (omelettes): avocado, artichoke, shrimp, or crab. Just look for the breakfast burrito on the "Specials" board and the tortas in the "House Specialties" section of the menu. We've listed them below.
Torta de Aguacate
Egg omelette stuffed with avocado, cheese, pico de gallo; topped with salsa and sour cream; served with black beans, Mexican rice, and tortillas.
Torta de Artichoke
Egg omelette stuffed with artichokes, avocado, cheese, and pico de gallo; topped with salsa and sour cream; served with black beans, Mexican rice, and tortillas.
Torta de Shrimp/Crab
Egg omelette stuffed with your choice of shrimp or crab plus cheese, pico de gallo, and dill sauce; topped with salsa and sour cream; served with black beans, Mexican rice, and tortillas.
Breakfast Burrito
Includes al pastor meat, eggs, cheese, and pico de gallo.
Poppleon's Winter Clearance Sale is here! Beginning January 2, 2026, every item in the store is reduced and custom orders are 15% off.
Visit our 16,000 sq. ft. showroom at 299 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. We have new shipments arriving daily.
Poppleton's interior design firm and fine furniture showroom first opened in 1981. Still locally owned and operated, our store now carries over 100 of the finest furniture brands and helps furnish homes from coast to coast.
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.
Found Treasure: Paprika Cafe
by Mark C. Anderson
Edible Monterey Bay, 12/20/25
Recycled Records in Monterey celebrates what is believed to be 50 years in business
by Sloan Campi
Monterey County NOW, 12/18/25
On Target: Birria Bomb [Mission 19 Taqueria]
by Jacqueline Weizel
Monterey County NOW, 12/18/25
After a tumultuous year for the scuba diving community, enthusiasts and leaders regroup
by Sloan Campi
Monterey County NOW, 11/27/25
A spritz at Oystertown proves that beauty can be more than skin deep
by Dave Faries
Monterey County NOW, 11/20/25
Rosebuds' Holiday Sale is here! Enjoy 30% off all holiday items, December 16-23, 2025 (excludes vintage items). There's still a lot of cute stuff left! Visit us at 535 Foam Street in Monterey.
Rosebuds Kids Co. is a children's resale shop chock full of clothing, toys, and accessories. Operated by the owner, Greta, a mom and veteran, the boutique is built from equal parts love, practicality, and community. Don't worry if you have kids and a stroller in tow - our building has dedicated parking.
