Old Monterey District Blog

Through February 2025, Webster Street Art Gallery is featuring the work of its proprietor, Marc Stephen Johnson, at 188 Webster Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Enjoy an exhibit of Marc's paintings and fiber art (knitting) plus portraits of him done over the years by his many talented artistic friends in a variety of media. Open Tue-Fri, 11am-3pm.

About Marc Stephen Johnson

Marc Stephen Johnson is a longtime artist, teacher, and collector with a sharp eye and a lot of great stories up his sleeve. Webster Street Art Gallery is his labor of love, a space that features a wide range of creative expression by American artists, primarily Californians.

If you haven't stopped by the cozy gallery yet, be sure to pay it a visit this month and spend some time chatting with Marc about his work and the gallery. It's well worth the trip. This place is a hidden gem in the Monterey art scene.

Congratulations to Manasiri's Crepes and Sandwiches on becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant! Visit the cafe at 321 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey to try Blue Zones inspired dishes including Avocado Toast, Mary's Bagel, the House Salad, and the Greek Salad, and more healthy, plant-based options.

Did you know that journaling isn’t just a creative outlet, it can be tool for mindfulness, clarity, and personal growth? Writing out your thoughts by hand can help you process emotions, spark creativity, and organize your thoughts.

The beautiful collection of floral-edged journals at Luminata Books and Gifts are designed to inspire every page you fill. With exquisite botanical designs along the edges and a ribbon bookmark, these notebooks are the perfect companion for reflection, goal-setting, or capturing the beauty of your everyday moments.

These journals also make thoughtful gifts for writers, dreamers, and thinkers. Visit Luminata at 631 Cass Street in Downtown Old Monterey to see our selection.

Alma del Mar has created super cute indulgent items for your Valentine! We have bath salts, bath fizz, soaps, bathbombs, and candles, all made in-house with sustainable ingredients. Visit us at 269 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Old Monterey. Proceeds from all sales at the shop benefit The Wahine Project.

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street, is offering Valentine specials January 21 - February 28, 2025 including a Rose Romance Massage (60 min., $160) and a Radiant Rose Facial & Hand Treatment (60 min., $160). To learn more and make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

Valentine Specials 2025

Rose Romance Massage
$160 for 60 minutes
Celebrate love and relaxation with a luxurious massage perfect for singles or couples. Enhance your senses with our signature rose oil blend.

Radiant Rose Facial & Hand Treatment
$160 for 60 minutes
Restore your skin's radiance with a hydrating rose infused facial including a moisturizing hand treatment.

On Valentine's Day, February 14, guests can indulge in complimentary champagne and truffles.

If you haven't visited High Scores Arcade recently, they now have a giant Tomb Raider game available to play. It's an intense shooting game for up to 4 players where you can test your skills in 3 chapters.

In other arcades, this beauty usually costs $1-$2 per play. At High Scores Arcade, you pay a flat fee ($10/hour or $22/day) and you can play all the games in the arcade (including this one) as many times as you want.

Visit High Scores at 459 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Beer and seltzer is available for purchase onsite. Space is limited, so every guest on the game floor must have a paid wristband. Open Mon-Thu, 5pm-10pm; Fri, 3pm-12am; Sat, 12:30pm-12am; Sun, 12:30pm-11pm.

Did you know that Freedom Bakery offers a gluten free version of their classic Dream Cake? This delicious chocolate chiffon cake is filled with a generous portion of whipped cream and iced in whipped cream covered in Belgian chocolate shavings. It's light, delectably moist, and melts in your mouth!

Order Your Cake Online

Order through our website and pick it up at our Monterey Boutique Friday - Sunday, 10am-1pm, at 305 Webster Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Our main Watsonville bakery is open seven days a week.

Cake Samplings

Want to try it before you order? We offer free cake samplings at our Monterey Boutique, Friday - Sunday, 10am-1pm, 305 Webster Street. Please call us in advance to make sure we'll have a sample of the gluten-free version of our Dream Cake available, 831-722-5223. Our samples change from week to week.

Mythic Monterey is holding a sale through the month of January...or as long as the sale items last...at 561 Tyler Street in Downtown Old Monterey. There's a table full of items marked at 20% off here at 561 Tyler Street.

Mythic Games Monterey is open Wed (1pm-6pm), Thu-Fri (1pm-9:30pm), Sat (12pm-9:30pm), and Sun (12pm-6pm).

Looking for a non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy in January? Alvarado Street Brewery now offers two hop-infused sparkling waters! Their classic Froth Water, featuring Citra and Mosaic hops, is now joined on the menu by the newest variant, Southern Hemisphere Froth Water, featuring fresh Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron hops from New Zealand.

Both varieties of Froth Water have zero alcohol, zero calories, and give you zero hangovers. Come and get hoppy at Alvarado Street Brewery, located at 426 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Venture Gallery presents a group exhibit of local jewelry artists Liliy Campos, Vanessa Martin, and Sandra Saldivar in January. Each fashions beautiful necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

Lilly Campos creates mesmerizing fused glass with the colors of the sea. Vanessa Martin creates stunning modern and classic designs with pearls, gems, gold, and silver. Sandra Saldivar creates dramatic yet classic designs with Austrian crystals, abalone, and gems.

Venture Gallery is open daily, 10am-6pm daily. We are located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

The Old Monterey Business Association announces the 2024 Downtown Business Awards!

Most Inviting Business
Flor De Monterey

Best New Downtown Small Business
IV Lounge by Injected Artistry

Most Innovative Business
High Scores Arcade

Downtown Health & Wellness - Restaurant
Terra Superfoods

Downtown Health & Wellness - Shop
Alma Del Mar

Best Downtown Traditional Event
Christmas in the Adobes
by California State Parks and Monterey State Historic Park Assoc.

Old Monterey Community Partnership Award
presented to Monterey Public Library & Museums
for the Monterey Angels

Downtown Anchor Award
Copy King

The Old Monterey Business Association (OMBA) is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing and promoting the economic vitality and community spirit of Old Monterey. We strive to enhance and promote the economic vitality and community spirit of Old Monterey as well as maintaining the Downtown as a unique retail, entertainment, and commercial center for both residents and visitors of Old Monterey.

Rosine's Restaurant has a new selection of holiday cocktails and mocktails! Join us this season in our beautifully decorated dining room, where the holiday spirit is alive and the new drink menu is ready to delight.

Sip on cozy seasonal favorites and discover exciting new signature cocktails perfect for celebrating with friends and family. Enjoy a Noelle Spritz, Peppermint Bark Martini, Christmas Mojito, Rosemary Bourbon Sour, Apple Pie Old Fashioned, and Candy Cane Hot Cocoa. There's something for everyone to enjoy.

Cheers to making this season even more delicious! Visit us at 434 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

The holiday season is here, and Downtown Old Monterey's artisan bakeries are ready with all manner of baked goods perfect for a thoughtful gift, a family feast, or to enjoy in a quiet moment amidst the hubbub.

Handmade from scratch, these breads, cookies, and traditional desserts will put a smile on any face. Menu highlights and pre-order deadlines are below.

Menu Highlights & Order Deadlines

Ad Astra Bread Co.
479 Alvarado Street
Offering sourdough breads and festive little cookies. No pre-orders available, just stop by the shop.

Alta Bakery
502 Munras Avenue
Stollen and gingerbread cookies are available at the bakery. Order our buche de noel online by Dec 18 for pick-up on Dec. 23 or 24 (specify when ordering).

Freedom Bakery Boutique
305 Webster Street
Preparing holiday cookie and brownie trays, dessert boards, yule log cakes, custom printed shortbread cookies, and an assortment of pies and decorated cakes. Order on our website for pick up at our Monterey boutique, Fri-Sun, 10am-1pm, or at our Watsonville bakery daily. We'll be closed Dec. 25-Jan. 1.

Paris Bakery
271 Bonifacio Place
Baking Christmas princess cakes and a variety of fresh breads, rolls, and beautifully decorated cookies all made in-house. Order in person or call 831-646-1620.

Parker-Lusseau Pastries and Cafe
539 Hartnell Street
Holiday stollen (without marzipan) is now available at the bakery. And we're again making five different flavors of buche de noel for Christmas, three of which are gluten free - order by Dec. 18 at 831-641-9188. Our galette des rois (kings' cake) will be available in a variety of sizes for pick up Jan. 2-4 - call to reserve yours. We'll be closed Jan. 6-20.

In December 2024, all Barrel Picks at The Whisky Club's retail bottle shop are 10% off. Visit us at 425 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey to find unique expressions that make excellent gifts for the discerning whisky lover.

About TWC's Barrel Picks

Barrel Picks are whiskies obtained exclusively by The Whisky Club by the barrel. They're usually selected by a master distiller or distillery team for us for its unique qualities, then tasted and approved by our staff. The entire barrel is then bottled by the distillery exclusively for The Whisky Club. That means that any TWC Barrel Pick in our bottle shop is a one-of-a-kind expression that will make a truly unique gift.

Current Barrel Picks

Angel’s Envy (KY)
Buffalo Trace (KY)
Clonakilty (Ireland)
Elijah Craig (KY)
Frey Ranch (NV)
Hillrock (NY)
Rod & Hammer (CA)
WhistlePig (VT)

Paulina R Photography is offering specials on portrait and wedding photography in Monterey County. Capture the moment in all its beauty with a professional photographer!

Portrait Special

Get $200 off portrait photography services in Monterey County. These aren't old fashioned studio portraits - they're photos shot on location that allow your personality to shine through.

Please contact Paulina through her website for details and use code PORTRAIT25 to receive this special discount. Must book by May 31, 2025.

Wedding Photography Special

Have every detail of your wedding day beautifully documented. Paulina R Photography is offering $600 off photography services at any Monterey County wedding (8 hours).

A variety of wedding packages are available starting at $4100. Please contact Paulina through her website for details and use code WEDDING25 to receive this special discount. Must book by May 31, 2025.

About Paulina R Photography

Paulina loves to capture a blend of creatively candid shots and iconic posed photos, helping people to laugh and feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. The result is a dazzling collection of images that captures the essence of love and joy in her subjects.