District Blog

Lighthouse District in the News, 12/30/25

Posted on December 30th, 2025 by lighthouseave

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.

About Rosebuds Kids Co.

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.

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The New Monterey Business Association congratulates the winners of our 2025 Lighthouse District Holiday Display Contest. We had so many good entries this year that we awarded a winner and runner-up in each category!

**Best Holiday Display with Lighting**
InSight Eyewear
490 Lighthouse Ave

Honorable Mention
Carpets & Floors, Inc.
471 Lighthouse Ave

**Best Holiday Display, Minimally Lit**
On The Beach Surf Shop
693 Lighthouse Ave

Honorable Mention
The Leather Company
638 Lighthouse Ave

We encourage residents and visitors to come down to Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey and view the many creative, amusing, and beautiful holiday displays in the windows of shops and restaurants. See some photos here.

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Cypress Boutique now carries all-natural spa products made by Tabetha's Healthy Spa, a small, local business operated by a mother and daughter team.

Come and check out Tabetha's moisturizing oil, salve, deodorant, bar soap, lip glosses, eye shadows, and more. Everything is made in small batches using natural scents and they make great stocking stuffers. Cypress Boutique is located at 800 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite C in Monterey.

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Play Full Ground microschool is launching new part-time programs on January 26, 2026! In addition to our full-time microschool offerings, there will be part-time options for high-school aged students to participate in specific classes, independent study time, or afterschool programs at the studio. This is great for homeschoolers and for students enrolled full-time in public or private school.

From 2D & 3D art and design to storytelling projects and AI × Creativity, Play Full Ground's programs are designed to spark creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. There's something for every learner.

Schedule Highlights

Daily, 9am-12pm
Independent Study / Learning Studio
self-directed projects and exploration

Daily, 1pm-3pm
Afternoon Art & Creativity Classes

Monday: 2D Art & Design
Tuesday: 3D Art & Community Projects
Wednesday: Lens-Based / Digital Storytelling
Thursday: AI × Creativity
Friday: Community Share / Open Critique

Daily, 3pm-5pm
Afterschool Collaborative Art Studio
conduct student-led, socially engaged projects that connect creativity with community impact

About Play Full Ground

Play Full Ground, located at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E, is led by artist and educator Mai Ryuno, who brings more than 15 years of experience as a community-based artist and creative educator to this initiative.

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International Market and Deli strives to work with ethical companies and distributors to source our delicious food from around the world. We stock all sorts of wonderful products that give you a taste of home or a taste of something completely new and we research everything we sell to see exactly where it's coming from and how that company does business.

If you've been reading the news, you'll know there's been some turmoil in the import business recently. When you see changes on our shelves, rest assured we're doing our best to stock the finest products at the best prices available. We're a small family business, and we want to support longtime family-owned businesses that manufacture and/or import quality foods. Before we put something on our shelves, we learn where the supplies are coming from and who owns the company.

We invite you to visit us at 580 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and browse the store. If you have any questions, please call us at 831-375-9451 and ask to speak with the owner, Gloria. We're an old-fashioned market that takes pride in providing personal service to our community.

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Mission 19 Taqueria is happy to introduce the Birria Bomb to our menu! It's a giant corn dumpling (with a crispy exterior) filled with birria and cheese and served with our special birria consome for dipping. Take one bite and BOOM! It's an explosion of flavor.

Visit Mission 19 at 598 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. We're open 7 days a week, 11am-8pm.

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This holiday season, Off The Charts is teaming up with the Food Bank of Monterey County to help fight hunger in our community. December 1-22, people can drop off non-perishable food items at Off the Charts Monterey, 734 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. We're open 7 days a week, 6am-10pm.

For each item donated, you'll receive 1 ticket for a chance at our Holiday Gift Basket which includes a PS5 Pro! (More items = more chances.) Catch our live random drawing on Instagram or in-store at 10am on Saturday, December 27.

Food insecurity affects thousands of families right here in Monterey County and together we can make a real impact. Let’s spread kindness, give back, and lift up our neighbors this holiday season.

Full giveaway terms available in-store.
C10-0001536-LIC

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Monterey Firefighters Holiday Toy Drive 2025

Posted on November 26th, 2025 by lighthouseave

Monterey Firefighters and Pacific Grove Kiwanis are teaming up to provide presents to families in need this holiday season and they need your help! They are seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys.

You can make your donation at Fire Stations #11-15, including the fire station located at 582 Hawthorne Street. Donations will be accepted through Thursday, December 18, 2025

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Rosebuds Kids Co. has a bright and cheerful selection of holiday clothing for infants, toddlers, and children up to size 10-12. Come and check them out! We're located at 535 Foam Street in Monterey and open Tuesday - Friday, 9am-4pm, and Saturday, 10am-4pm.

About Rosebuds Kids Co.

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.

More Info

Malinka European Mini Market offers a wealth of traditional holiday treats and a beautiful selection of wooden Christmas ornaments and decorations from Europe. We invite you to visit us this season at 484 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

European Holiday Treats

Malinka has a wonderful selection of sweet holiday delights on our shelves, including stollen, gingerbread, marzipan, fruit cake, and chocolates, and drink mixes, all imported from Europe. Come stock up!

Christmas Ornaments & Decorations

Malinka also carries a selection of charming wooden tree ornaments and holiday decorations from Germany, built to be enjoyed for years to come.

These include an assortment of tree ornaments, handcrafted gnomes from Christian Ulbricht, small nativity scenes, and Weihnachtspyramide, traditional German Christmas pyramids that bring gentle light and cheer to the home.

About Malinka

Malinka European Mini Market, locally owned and operated by Natalia, carries popular brands from across Europe and beyond. It may be a "mini" market, but it's chock full of merchandise, stocking all top European food favorites of Monterey residents.

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This holiday season, buy a ukulele for a loved one at Carmel Valley Guitar. These instruments, made by Olive Ukulele, are reasonably priced and great for kids and budding musicians of all ages. We're open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am-6pm.

About Carmel Valley Guitar

Carmel Valley Guitar, locally owned by a master luthier named Bernie, is a cozy, welcoming guitar shop designed to inspire creativity and exploration. Whether you're a seasoned professional musician, an aspiring player, or a curious newcomer, there will be something for you here.

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Holiday Dresses at Fashion Trade

Posted on November 23rd, 2025 by Fashion Trade Boutique

Holiday dresses are now in stock at Fashion Trade Boutique! Look great for all your upcoming events, whether it's a holiday party or a formal New Year's Eve celebration. We have short and long dresses in a variety of striking styles. Let us help you look fabulous. Visit us at 554 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

About Fashion Trade

Fashion Trade is a small boutique filled to the brim with vintage and consignment clothing and accessories for women and men. It's owned by Kim, a veteran and active member of the community who has an amazing eye for style and a warm welcome for every visitor to her shop.

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Make your Thanksgiving Feast exceptionally delicious with a little taste of Oystertown at home with our special Thanksgiving starters and sides.

Pre-order deadline is Monday, November 24 at 12pm for pick up on Wednesday, November 26, 3pm-6pm. Call 831-312-8150 or email us to place your order. Oystertown is located at 281 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Thanksgiving Starters

Oyster Kits (you shuck at home)
$35 per dozen (add shucking knife for $10)
Includes mignonette, lemon, and cocktail sauce

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
$42 per dozen
Jumbo shrimp plus Oystertown’s provocative cocktail sauce and lemon

Thanksgiving Sides

Super Delicious Oyster Stuffing
$32 (serves 4)
Pacific oysters, Ad Astra milk bread, mirepoix, and love

Heirloom Beans & Greens
$36 (serves 4)
Iacopa Farms' butter beans with Swiss chard, carrots, and garlic

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Just in time for the holidays, Monterey Hostel is now a designated drop off site for the Food Bank for Monterey County.

Neighbors can bring canned and dry goods to the hostel at 778 Hawthorne Street any day between 9am and 8pm. Anyone who drops off a donation can pick up a free Monterey Hostel water bottle sticker as a thank you!

Come make a donation anytime from now through Christmas. It's a great time to support local families in need.

About Monterey Hostel

The nonprofit Monterey Hostel offers overnight lodging for school groups, families, and adventure travelers. The newly renovated hostel has 13 rooms with space to host around 50 overnight guests.

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Holiday Gifts at Play Full Ground 2025

Posted on November 16th, 2025 by Play Full Ground

Give the gift of locally made art! During the holidays, Play Full Ground is selling artist Mai Ryuno's Happy Monterey Sardine Pillows and a selection of Monterey Bay themed art prints online.

Sardine Pillows

A symbol of the Monterey Bay, the colorful, cotton Happy Monterey Sardine pillows will liven up any space! These are limited edition, Mai Ryuno originals - each is individually designed, cut, and sewn and is apx. 36"x12". Purchase pillows online and pick them up at Play Full Ground by appointment.

Art Prints

Play Full Ground also has a limited number of art prints by Emily Underwood and Tim Nixon available at the studio and online. Each depicts Monterey sardines and other Monterey Bay ocean life. Pick up by appointment at the studio.

Proceeds Benefit Play Full Ground

All retail sales will directly support Play Full Ground and its innovative educational programming. Play Full Ground is located at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E in Monterey.

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