District Blog

Our One-Shop-a-Day flash tour of great shops in the Lighthouse District continues with Recycled Records. Recycled Records has been a part of the Lighthouse District landscape for nearly 5 decades so it should need no introduction, but if you haven't been there in a while, you should stop by and take a peek. The store's most recent owners are are a younger couple who have been gradually giving such a beloved street institution a makeover and doing things like inviting artists to make appearances and play intimate shows there.

View more flash tours of our shops.

Our One-Shop-a-Day flash tour of great shops in the Lighthouse District continues with Monterey Bay Restaurant Equipment. Since it's getting late for holiday shopping, we thought you'd like to know that besides an entire emporium of new and surplus restaurant equipment and goods, they also have a very random collection of novelties that are perfect as stocking stuffers or last minute gag gifts.

View more flash tours of our shops.

From now until December 26, 2024, Plato's Closet Monterey is counting down to Christmas with a new deal every single day. Whether you’re on the hunt for a gift or working to refresh your holiday wardrobe, our daily surprises are the perfect way to save big while shopping sustainably. Visit us at 402 Lighthouse Ave in Monterey.

Wed 12/18 - 30% off all jeans
Thu 12/19 - 50% off all graphic tees
Fri 12/20 - 25% off all tops
Sat 12/21 - All shoes: buy one, get one 50% off
Sun 12/22 - Trade & save 30% off
Mon 12/23 - Save $10 off $40+
Tue 12/24 - Closed
Wed 12/25 - Closed
Thu 12/26 - $5 yellow tag sale

Current Comics has holiday gift ideas for all ages at our shop, located at 400 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Whether you have a comic book enthusiast in your life, or someone who might become one, come on in and let our knowledgeable staff help you. There is some great storytelling and extraordinary artwork here.

Our staff is particularly excited about the newest GI Joe comic book, the new Justice League Unlimited comic, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and its spin-off The Last Ronin, and "Kraven's Last Hunt," a classic story from the Spider-Man universe. Read more below.

GI Joe #1 (Series Premiere)

In the biggest comic book launch of the decade, Conrad Hauser, Codename DUKE, has assembled a special force known as G.I. Joe to battle the rising power of the mysterious COBRA in the aftermath of the Autobots and Decepticons' arrival on Earth. But the enigmatic COBRACommander has unleashed the power of Energon like never before.

Justice League Unlimited #1

The Justice League is back and bigger than ever. The villain Darkseid's death has triggered a massive power vacuum in the DC universe, and Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman must unite and expand the Justice League to encompass every hero championing the forces of good in the face of incredible evil.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin

In a future, battle-ravaged New York City, a lone surviving Turtle embarks on a seemingly hopeless mission seeking justice for the family he lost. What terrible events destroyed his family and left New York a crumbling, post-apocalyptic nightmare? All will be revealed in this climactic Turtle tale that sees longtime friends becoming enemies and new allies emerging in the most unexpected places.

Kraven's Last Hunt

Kraven the Hunter has stalked and killed every animal known to man. But there is one beast that has eluded him. One quarry that has mocked him at every turn: the wall-crawling web-slinger known as Spider-Man. And to prove that he is the hero's master, he will pull on his costume and become him... after he shoots and buries him six feet under.

Please note: All our comics are also available on our website.

Our One-Shop-a-Day flash tour of great shops in the Lighthouse District continues with On the Beach Surf Shop. On the Beach is best known as a surf, skate, and apparel shop for both men and women, but at this time of year it wouldn't be incorrect to say they should be called "On the Slopes Ski Shop". If you want to do a some skiing or snowboarding, you can rent your gear at On the Beach.

View more flash tours of our shops.

Our One-Shop-a-Day flash tour of some really great shops in the Lighthouse District in Monterey continues with Lighthouse Books (Formerly known as Book Buyers). Lighthouse Books is truly eclectic. There are calendars, there's some manga, there's a children's section, there's sports books, there's history, there's classic lit, and then there's the sci-fi room! You'll find a special entrance to it toward the rear of the shop and it's an impressive hallway filled floor to ceiling with nothing but sci-fi books on both sides.

There are a lot of great shops in the Lighthouse District in Monterey. We'll help you discover them by giving you a quick peek in a different one each day in our One Shop a Day Flash Tour short features.

Cypress Boutique is today's shop. It has a wealth of holiday gifts and fashion finds waiting for you this holiday season! There's beautiful, locally-made earrings and necklaces, accessories to liven up any hat, and new and gently used clothing for women and men, including jackets and coats that are perfect for staying warm and stylish this winter.

Cypress Boutique is located at 800 Lighthouse Ave. in Monterey.

There are a lot of great shops in the Lighthouse District in Monterey. We'll help you discover them by giving you a quick peek in some of them in our One Shop a Day Flash Tour short features.

Let's meet Second Chance Thrift Store, a thrift shop with a greater purpose. This very well appointed thrift shop is run by people who are in recovery from substance abuse and other issues.

There are a lot of great shops in the Lighthouse District in Monterey. We'll help you discover them by giving you a quick peek in some of them in our One Shop a Day Flash Tour short features.

First up is Plato's Closet, a locally owned store for gently used fashions for teens and young adults.

Is there a record enthusiast on your holiday shopping list? Recycled Records is the Lighthouse District's destination for music lovers, and they have some very nice t-shirts and stickers in stock at 604 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

T-Shirts

These are good quality, 100% cotton tees with the shop logo front and back, available in either white or tan in a variety of sizes. Now is a great time to buy one as the store will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. $20 each.

Stickers

Recycled Records' stickers are designed in-house and they look great. Show your pride in old-school modes of listening with either the record player or the cassette tape. Or why not buy both? They make great stocking stuffers. $3 each.

Christmas Music

If you're looking for Christmas music, Recycled Records has that, too. Go and look through their special holiday music section for some fun finds.

If there's a comic book collector in your life, Current Comics has a great gift for them! We now have a selection of stunning comic book storage boxes at 400 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Most are $12, they'll help keep the comics in good condition, and they look great on any shelf, decorated with images of some of our favorite characters.

Stop by the shop to see what we have available. At the moment, we have designs featuring the X-Men, Spider-Man, Wakanda, and more.

The holiday season is here, and International Cafe offers offsite catering and hosts gatherings for as many as 20-25 people here at 296 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Catering and Event Menu

With our catering and group events, you can select items off the cafe's menu or we can work with you to develop a custom menu to fit your needs. We're happy to accommodate all dietary restrictions including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and allergies. And we can tailor a menu around special regions or a theme. We love to help you make special memories with delicious food.

Booking

Please email or call Gloria at the market, 831-375-9451. She'll be happy to consult with you about catering or hosting a gathering of friends, family, or co-workers at the cafe.

About International Cafe

International Cafe is a locally owned and operated business run by the same friendly family who have owned International Market and Deli for years at 580 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.