Old Monterey District Blog

Downtown Old Monterey's newest fitness studio, Grit + Tonic Pilates, has opened at 476 Tyler Street offering mindful, effective Reformer Pilates workouts at all levels, from beginning to advanced.

Class sizes are small, focusing on quality over quantity so you gain strength, better posture, energy, and mobility. Instructors Arianne and Melody bring humor and heart to every session, inspiring and celebrating you wherever you are on your wellness journey. Private sessions available.

Come as you are. Enjoy the natural light, peaceful vibe, and premium Merrithew equipment. Leave moving well and feeling good. Visit Grit + Tonic's website for more information.

Youth Arts Collective is holding a Pride and Resistance Pop-Up Show through June 30. View work by young local artists at our studio at 472 Calle Principal in Downtown Old Monterey. Open M-F, 3pm-7pm, and Sa, 12pm-4pm.

About the Show

YAC is proud to be an LGBTQ+ affirming space, providing a place for young artists to find, express, and celebrate their identities. This year, YAC wanted to create an opportunity for those young artists to not just express their identities but also express how they feel in today's political climate.

About Youth Arts Collective

YAC is a nonprofit, after school art studio and mentorship program for high school and college artists - brilliant and struggling, confident and fringe, multi-ethnic, multi-tempered, and over 30% financially challenged. The mission is to inspire creativity, kindness, and confidence in youth through artistic expression and mutual respect. "Do art. Be kind."

Get your nacho fix, peninsula-style! Nacho Bizness is now offering delivery within a 15 mile radius. Just place your order through our website, regardless of where you are on the peninsula (including Marina!), and we'll bring your favorite nachos right to your doorstep.

Want to visit us in person? Nacho Bizness is located at 470 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Family owned and operated, our entire menu is halal, with many vegetarian and gluten-free options.

California State Parks presents Los Exploradores de Monterey Summer Day Camp at Monterey State Historic Park, a day camp for students grades 3-5 located in the heart of Old Monterey.

Activities

In this unique summer program, day campers will experience Monterey’s historical buildings and colorful gardens through hands-on activities such as: period games and play, toys, crafts, food, songs, dances, nature observation, and interactive guided tours throughout Monterey State Historic Park and beyond.

Schedule and Fees

All four 5-day sessions will be held in June and July - see the schedule here, and list of activities here. Fee is $325 per week, or $550 for two sessions. Financial assistance is available - please email MSHP for details.

Registration

Los Exploradores is sponsored by Monterey State Historic Park Association and led by California State Park Staff. For more information and to register, visit the Los Exploradores webpage.

Venture Gallery presents Sherree Anderson, our featured local artist for June. Her exhibit, Pacific Ocean Inspirations, features iconic seaside scenes of Pebble Beach and Hawaii.

About the Exhibit

Sherree Anderson’s love of the Monterey Peninsula and Hawaii is showcased in her beautiful and colorful paintings of seascapes and landscapes, one featuring the famous Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach. Her realistic style invites the viewer to feel as if they could step into her paintings.

About Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery is open 10am-6pm daily. Sherree Anderson's artwork will be featured through June 2025. Venture Gallery is located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Visit our website to shop online for work by our local artists.

The Feral Market now has Monterey t-shirts and sweatshirts locally screen printed by Chris Powers. Come check them out at 261 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

The Feral Market is a locally owned clothing and gift shop where there's a little fun for everyone. Open weekdays, 11am-7pm, and weekends, 11am-8pm.

Are you gearing up for 2025 graduations? Freedom Bakery offers beautifully decorated cakes and cookies perfect for your celebrations. We make everything in our Watsonville bakery and you can pick up your order at our Monterey Boutique open 6 days a week, Tue-Sun, 10am-1pm, at 305 Webster Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Graduation Cakes

A custom decorated cake is a beautiful centerpiece for any celebration and our highly skilled team of cake decorators bring all their artistry to every design. Need a way to celebrate BIG? Consider Freedom Bakery's stunning tiered cakes - the perfect showstopper for an unforgettable event.

Want to sample our cake flavors? Stop by our Monterey Boutique Tue-Sun, 10am-1pm for a free tasting.

Graduation Cookies

Our delicious butter shortbread cookies are made from scratch in our Watsonville bakery. Iced by hand with a light lemon icing, printed with your custom design, and individually wrapped, they make lovely party favors or gifts.

Order cookies with a personal message of congratulations, your grad's cap and gown photo, or an image of the school mascot. Learn more about our cookies here.

Ordering

You'll need to order our custom cakes and cookies in advance on our website. See ordering deadlines here (under "Lead Time"). Please call us at 831-722-5223 if you have questions, or visit our Monterey Boutique, Tue-Sun, 10am-1pm, to speak with our staff.

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street, is offering Mother's Day specials May 1-31, 2025, including a Tropical Bliss Massage (80 min., $185) and a Mom's Tropical Escape (2 hours, $320). To learn more and make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

May Specials 2025

Tropical Bliss Massage
$185 for 80 minutes
Have Mom relax her body and mind with an exotic blend of coconut and lime oils. This luxurious massage deeply hydrates while energizing the senses.

Mom's Tropical Escape
$320 for 2 hours
Treat Mom to a day of tropical relaxation with our cocobalm massage followed by a brightening papaya facial and hydrating guava treatment.

In support of local queer youth, Monterey Peninsula Pride announces its second annual Queer Youth Recognition Scholarship. High school seniors and juniors who have demonstrated resilience in the face of challenges, advocated for the queer community, or have contributed positively to the community on the Monterey Peninsula are encouraged to apply here.

Applications are open May 1-31, 2025. Queer youth selected for the scholarships will be recognized at the Monterey Peninsula Pride Celebration on June 28 at Custom House Plaza in Downtown Old Monterey.

Recipients who are high school seniors will receive a $1000 scholarship, recipients who are high school juniors will receive a $500 scholarship. Funds are intended to: be used towards the student's educational or personal goals, better the queer community on the Monterey Peninsula, or alleviate some financial stress in the student's family.

Applicants are required to submit a 500 word statement - please refer to the application form for details.

Alma del Mar is having a sale on our all-natural, handmade soaps! We have hundreds of bars marked at $1 each, and soap sides (odd sizes) available for $5 per bag.

There are a wide variety of shapes and scents - all made here at our shop at 269 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Old Monterey.

About Our Soap

The eco-friendly bar soap made at Alma del Mar is cold processed and contains essential oils. Proceeds from all sales benefit The Wahine Project.