Old Monterey District Blog

Webster Street Art Gallery presents an exhibit of the vibrant paintings of Heidi McGurrin, running through April 2025 at 188 Webster Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Monterey County resident Heidi McGurrin is a photographer, writer, and painter who is the great granddaughter of artist Jane Gallatin Powers. She has exhibited her art widely, including in the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Her work creates beauty for the eye to rest and wonder.

Franklin Street Collaborative welcomes Feel Into Fashion to our business collective at 201 W. Franklin Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Join April Elizabeth and Stacia Nicole for monthly styling workshops at the shop and weekly IG lives most Mondays at 6pm.

Feel into Fashion was founded by fashion stylist April Elizabeth, whose goal is to help women ignore the fast trends and rediscover their unique style. April strives to help women, especially mamas, rediscover their inner icon - the self who's ready to throw caution to the wind and make space for a wardrobe that actually feels like their own so they can feel fabulous in their own skin.

April wants to help you find your groove again. If you're lost in the noise, struggling with self-doubt, or wresting with body image, April's here to help. Life isn't about squeezing ourselves into someone else's idea of "beautiful," it's about rocking our own vibe.

Come visit April Elizabeth at Franklin Street Collaborative!

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street, is offering spring specials, now through mid-April 2025, including a Relaxed and Refreshed Massage (60 min., $160) and a Dewy Glow Facial (60 min., $160). To learn more and make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

Spring Specials 2025

Relaxed and Refreshed Massage
$160 for 60 minutes
Relax your body and mind with the healing essence of lavender. Enjoy a 60 minute massage followed by a stimulating eucalyptus foot treatment.

Dewy Glow Facial
$160 for 60 minutes
Refresh and replenish your skin with a blend of healing botanicals, including a hydrating eye treatment.

Did you know that East Village Cafe brews our own chai from scratch? Our homemade chai is brewed with Assam tea, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, cloves, and fresh ginger. There are no artificial syrups or preservatives, just real spices and tea. Come sip the difference at 498 Washington Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Our chai can be served with oat milk or dairy milk on request.

Luminata Books and Gifts, located at 631 Cass Street in Downtown Old Monterey, welcomes our newest reader, Ursula. She's available Sundays, 12pm-5pm, by appointment only - please call us at 831-333-1110.

Ursula harnesses the wisdom of astrology with an intuitive gift for deciphering symbols and synchronicities as a tarot reader to illuminate the paths of her clients with transformative predictive readings. Ursula's profound insights delve deep into the core complexities of love, life, and financial abundance to arrive at self-empowering solutions.

Luminata Books and Gifts is open Tuesday - Friday, 10:30am-6:30pm; Saturday, 11am-6:30pm; and Sunday, 12pm-5pm.

The very talented tattoo artist Krystal Kaia of Seattle, WA will be at Wholehearted Tattoo March 14-23. Please DM Krystal to ask for a booking. Availability is limited.

About Wholehearted Tattoo

Wholehearted Tattoo started with the idea that tattooers should put their whole hearts into what they do. From the first interaction, we strive to create a positive experience where our clients can feel safe and relaxed. Here at Wholehearted we embrace each client's idea and are driven to do the best work possible every time we pick up our machines.

Wholehearted Tattoo is located at 140 W Franklin St, Ste 205 in Downtown Old Monterey

Alta Bakery and Cafe is happy to announce our February drink of the month, a carmelized honey and pistachio latte. Come and try it - we're located at 502 Munras Avenue in Downtown Old Monterey.

Compact Disco now offers the ultimate late brunch every Sunday starting at 3pm - two glasses of champagne and charcuterie for $40 per person. Relax with great music, delicious food, and happy hour pricing all day. Don't miss out - seating is first come, first served at 420 Tyler Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Congratulations to Fleet Feet Monterey, which was recognized by its parent company as one of the top 25 Fleet Feet stores in the nation! There are more than 280 Fleet Feet locations across the country, so that's quite an honor.

Fleet Feet Monterey offers great gear for runners and walkers plus classes and events year-round to strengthen physical fitness as well as friendships and community. We're proud to have the store in Downtown Old Monterey at 472 Alvarado Street, and thank them for contributing to the vibrancy of our district.

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.