District Blog

Oya Salon Introduces Stylist Ana Gonzalez

Posted on November 16th, 2025 by Oya Salon

Oya Salon is happy to introduce our newest stylist, Ana Gonzalez. Ana delivers beautiful hair, exceptional service, and a welcoming vibe every time. Bilingual in English and Spanish and community-focused, she makes every client feel right at home.

Oya Salon is located at 201 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Please call 831-656-0570 to book your appointment.

Holiday Special

For a limited time, book any service with Ana and get a free deep-conditioning treatment for healthy, shiny, holiday-ready hair.

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For all the mushroom lovers out there, Cypress Boutique has something truly magical: mushroom sculptures that double nicely as nightlights. These sculptures are locally made right here in Monterey Bay by Leana Yeager of Big Sur Inspirations and feature ocean blues, forest greens, and glowing LED lights on driftwood with preserved moss.

These beauties are rechargeable, waterproof, and totally unique - the perfect gift for yourself or someone who loves mushrooms as much as we do, and enjoys clever, functional art for the home.

Now available in-store at Cypress Boutique, located at 800 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite C in Monterey.

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Give the gift of fun times! Escape Room 831 offers gift cards good for any of our locations in Monterey so you can let your friends, family, or coworkers choose their own adventure.

Rob a bank, stop a runaway subway train, disarm a nuclear submarine, or travel through Alice's wonderland... It's a chance to leave the world for a bit and enter your imagination, solving puzzles together.

Buy gift cards online anytime or visit us at 599 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey to pick up a physical card. No restrictions.

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Monterey Core Fitness introduces our newest personal trainer, Claire Hunziker, to our women's fitness studio at 191 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey beginning on December 1, 2025.

About

Claire Hunkziker is currently earning her certificate in personal training through ISSA, with a specialization in corrective exercise. At Monterey Core Fitness, she'll be leading group classes at 6am and offering personal training sessions.

Claire's philosophy of training is, in the words of Arthur Ashe, to "start where you are, use what you have, do what you can." Whether you're just beginning or pushing towards a new training goal, she wants you to build strength, confidence, and resilience.

Monterey Core Fitness

Monterey Core Fitness is a women's based boutique gym and fitness studio located at 191 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey that focuses on functional strength training, resilience, and connection to ourselves and those around us.

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Photos from 2025 Halloween Trick-or-Treat on Lighthouse

Posted on November 5th, 2025 by lighthouseave

Photos from the 2025 Annual Trick-or-Treat on Lighthouse can now be viewed on our website! Thanks to everyone who came down to celebrate Halloween with us on Saturday, October 25, 2pm-5pm.

We got a little rain, but it didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm - it was a joy to see the smiles on so many faces.

Outtakes and high resolution copies of photos are available. Please email [email protected] to inquire.

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Throughout November and December 2025, Rosebuds Kids Co. is featuring the work of amazing local makers and artists in the shop. Rosebuds is open Tue-Fri, 9am-4pm, and Sat, 10am-4pm at 535 Foam Street in Monterey.

Each week we'll feature a different local brand - discover new small-batch gifts, handmade treasures, and unique goodies you won’t find anywhere else. These make great holiday gifts and you'll be supporting local artisans and their families.

Local Maker Spotlight Schedule

Nov 4-8: Coastal Club 831
Nov 11-15: Meninas
Nov 18-22: Made4You Monterey
Dec 2-6: Brightfire Artworks
Dec 9-13: The Green Craft Club

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On The Beach Surf Shop now has a wide array of UGGs in stock! Come and get your feet all cozy or find the perfect gift for a loved one at 693 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

The collection of women's UGGs alone is mind-blowing. They've got boots, slippers, and shoes - slip-ons, zip-ups, and laced - in a variety of colors. View them all on Instagram.

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We have sad news for the Monterey diving community: Bamboo Reef Dive Shop has closed after 64 years in business. They got their start in 1961 in San Francisco and later opened their Monterey location on Lighthouse Ave. in 1970.

For nearly 55 years, they sold, rented, and serviced diving gear, taught people how to dive, and organized diving trips. They've been stalwarts of the New Monterey retail community for nearly 55 years and they'll be missed.

We've assembled some photos we've taken of the shop over the past 15 years as a tribute. We hope that the diving community that they've helped create in Monterey will be their enduring legacy.

- Lighthouse District Staff

A message from the owners of Bamboo Reef Dive Shop

November 3, 2025

After over 64 years of serving the Bay Area and Monterey diving communities, Bamboo Reef is closing its doors.

It has been our profound honor and joy to be a part of your adventures and guiding you through the water. Since 1961, we've equipped divers, certified countless students, and shared in the wonder of the underwater world. The memories we've helped create are our legacy and what we are most proud of.

To everyone who has shared in our journey we extend our deepest gratitude for being a part of our story. Thank you for the memories. It has been a wonderful dive.

Important Information for Current Customers

If you have pending gear service, classes, or other inquiries, please contact us directly via email. In the subject line include your: name - gear service, class, or orders. This will help to expedite your reply and we will respond as quickly as we can to all inquires.

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The New Monterey Business Association congratulates the 12 Lighthouse District businesses and organizations that won Monterey County Weekly's Best of Monterey County 2025. Click the links to read what the Weekly’s writers and editors had to say about each business.

Bulldog Sports Pub
Best Bar for Darts

Crystal Fish
Best Japanese / Sushi

First Awakenings
Best Breakfast
Best Biscuits and Gravy

Gianni's Pizza
Best Pizza Place

Goodwill
Best Thrift Shop

Hula's Island Grill
Best Specialty Cocktails
Best Restaurant for Gluten-Free

Lighthouse Bistro Global Cuisine
Best Menu that Actually Offers Something for Everyone

Lighthouse Books
Best Bookstore - Used

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Best Local Nonprofit / Best Place to Take Visitors

On The Beach Surf Shop
...Read More

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Need a new sofa? Mattress Nation's Monterey location, at 296 Lighthouse Avenue, has a special floor model clearance sofa that needs to find a new home. Stop by the showroom and try it out!

This sofa is stain-resistant, incredibly comfortable, soft to the touch, made from wood and memory foam (no particle board!), with a pull-out bed and all of the pillows included.

Listed at half-off the already reduced sticker price. This is a Monterey in-store purchase only to the Monterey area. We will deliver within our local area and take away your old sofa if needed.

Call 831-704-3000 for more information. We're open 10am-6pm daily.

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Rosebuds Kids Co., located at 535 Foam Street in Monterey, has some wonderful, gently used children's Halloween costumes in stock! Stop by the shop and catch a great deal. We're open Tue-Fri, 9am-4pm, and Sat, 10am-4pm.

About Rosebuds Kids Co.

Rosebuds Kids Co. is a kids' resale clothing shop. From baby basics to big kid favorites (10-12 years), you'll find gently loved clothing, shoes, and accessories that are ready for their next adventure.

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Casey Starks Studio wishes everyone a happy spooky season! Casey's annual owl, ghost, and skeleton ceramic collections have landed - new goods are available now both on her website and in the shop at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite A in Monterey. All of them are handmade by Casey.

This year you’ll find trinket dishes and trays in a few different sizes. They’re very useful for holding tea bags in the kitchen, your morning vitamins, rings and earrings on your nightstand, or a candle on your coffee table. They’re all a little bit sassy.

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The Perfect Crumb Reopens in Pacific Grove

Posted on October 7th, 2025 by lighthouseave

Fans of freshly baked goods, rejoice! The Perfect Crumb Bakery and Cafe has just reopened in Downtown Pacific Grove at 650 Lighthouse Avenue, #100. Now you can once again enjoy delicious treats baked in-house by Perfect Crumb's owner, Susan Carter.

The Lighthouse District will miss Susan and The Perfect Crumb, which had to vacate their longtime home in New Monterey. But we're really excited to visit the new cafe in Pacific Grove, enjoy a slice of Susan's amazing carrot cake, and place our orders for our favorite holiday pies and goodies.

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We all have a favorite milkshake - commonly vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry. But are you in the mood to try something different for a change? Something truly surprising and delicious? Stop by American Burger and try our original specialty shakes!

At American Burger, we not only offer everybody's tried-and-true favorites, we also offer original milkshakes such as the Vanilla Avocado, Peanut Butter Vanilla, Mocha Cappuccino, Chocolate Banana, Coffee Vanilla, Oreo Cookie Vanilla, and (our favorite) the Crazy Shake featuring peanut butter, bacon, and vanilla.

Visit American Burger at 738 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and tempt your taste buds with something completely new and fun! Our restaurant is family owned and family friendly.

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On The Beach Surf Shop now has the new Aloha Collection dopp kit bag in stock! You can fit all of your travel necessities in this bag and since it's splash proof, anything that spills inside it (i.e. sunscreen, makeup, etc.) can easily be rinsed away.

These bags are super easy to throw in your travel or overnight bag and help you stay organized. Visit On The Beach at 693 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and check out our selection of Aloha Collection bags!

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San Carlos Beach Reopened - October 2025

Posted on October 4th, 2025 by lighthouseave

A message from the City of Monterey about our local sea lions:

Good news, New Monterey residents and visitors! San Carlos Beach, located at Cannery Row and Reeside Avenue in Monterey, has reopened for public use. The City of Monterey's Parks Division closed the beach in mid-August as a safety measure after a colony of sea lions took up residence on the beach. The majority of the sea lions have now moved on.

There may still be sea lions on the beach. We continue to urge residents and visitors to be safe while visiting the coastline, and encourage enjoying and watching the sea lions and other marine mammals from a distance of at least 50 yards.

- October 3, 2025

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Free Emergency Skills Training: Monterey CERT, February 2026

Posted on September 29th, 2025 by lighthouseave

The next free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program begins in Downtown Monterey on February 7, 2026.

Teens through older adults are encouraged to attend (those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Classes continue for 3 consecutive Saturdays, 8am-5pm. Anyone may enroll by sending an e-mail - you'll receive a confirmation with class details.

Topics Covered

You'll learn about emergency medicine, fire extinguishers, disaster preparedness, shutting off your utilities, rescue, communications when phones fail, and assessing a home or workplace after an earthquake or storm.

About CERT

The CERT program uses a FEMA curriculum to educate people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist their families and others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

CERT also participates in searches for missing persons, serves as coastal spotters for persons swept out to sea, storm response, and other emergencies. Learn more.

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At Play Full Ground micro high school in Monterey's Lighthouse District we wonder: what if a birthday breakfast could be a project-based learning experience?

One day, we turned a birthday breakfast into a project-based learning experience! How? Through menu planning (using organizational skills and creativity), cooking (using math and science), and building community as we share a meal. It’s a beautiful reminder that learning happens anywhere and can be fun.

Play Full Ground is a place for dreamers, makers, and everyday artists to play full out. Want to learn more about our school at 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E, in Monterey? Visit our website.

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Fashion Trade now has more than 100 beautiful dresses for Homecoming available in a variety of colors and styles. Whether you're in Monterey, Seaside, PG, or Carmel, come check them out at our boutique, located at 554 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Let our staff help you look fabulous!

Fashion Trade is open 6 days a week, 12pm-6:30pm (closed Tuesday).

Also Seeking Models...

We're also currently looking for volunteer models to try on and model our homecoming dresses. No experience required. If you're interested, please visit us at the shop or send us a DM via Instagram.

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