With Friday's Race Car Classics exhibition in Downtown Monterey, 2026's Monterey Car Week is officially underway. KSBW Action 8 News was there for the scoop from our very own Sabrina Hiltunen. (VIDEO)

Monterey's Lighthouse District has a bunch of businesses that made it to the finals in Monterey County Weekly's Best of 2026 Reader's Poll .

Now we need you to vote! The Lighthouse District mostly consists of small, owner-operated businesses, but we pack a great punch when it comes to quality food, goods, and services. Final voting is open until August 28 . Go ahead, make our day !

Caregivers Count Conference is an annual event created for family members, friends, and others who provide care for a loved one. This conference offers valuable information, practical tools, and support through presentations led by...

Sovino Wine and Beer Bar hosts Karaoke with Ryan Rico every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 7pm-10pm. Come get a drink and enjoy the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of this locally-owned establishment at 241 Alvarado Street.

The Fall Activity Guide is available online and available at the Campbell Recreation Office. Registration for fall classes begins at 9am on Tuesday, August 4th for Campbell Residents and 9am on Wednesday, August 5th for everyone!

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Beginning August 30, Old Capitol Books will host a year-long monthly reading group to tackle Karl Marx's magnum opus, Capital ( Das Kapital) . We'll meet on the last Sunday of every month at 10am.

Each meeting, we'll introduce key ideas from the assigned readings , watch a lecture by CUNY professor David Harvey, and then move to a cafe to discuss main ideas and dive deeper into the texts.

Venture Gallery presents the work of Deborah Russell, our featured local artist for August. Her new exhibit of paintings, entitled Asian Fusion , is an exploration of iconic Asian elements intertwined with floral and avian motifs.

Venture Gallery is open daily, 10am-6pm, at 260 Alvarado Street.

This fall, Dream Lab at Play Full Ground welcomes a new program for ages 13-19: the Creative Research Lab . This 8-week journey in creative inquiry, beginning Sept. 8, is an intensive studio residency for teens who are ready to develop original artwork and build their creative portfolios.

Through research, making, sharing, and reflection, participants will develop creative projects rooted in their own questions, interests, and observations. Learn more.

Swissflex frames are back at InSight Eyewear! Stop by 490 Lighthouse Avenue and explore the latest styles, colors, and customizable options available for these lightweight frames made in Switzerland. We can't wait to help you find your perfect pair.

After a short closure for renovation, Sahara Sun Tanning Salon has now reopened with a beautiful new interior. Step inside 585 Lighthouse Ave. and see - every corner is designed to make you feel like you’re already on vacation.

We're open daily, 9am-2pm and 2:30pm-8pm.

Hair loss affects millions of women every year. At Oya Salon, we help women regain confidence with custom toppers and wigs that blend seamlessly with your natural hair and add volume and fullness.

No pressure. No judgment. Just beautiful, natural results. Book your private consultation today, 831-656-0570. Oya is located at 201 Lighthouse Ave.

Mission 19 Taqueria introduces our new Shrimp Cocktail! Made with fresh shrimp marinated in our signature cocktail sauce with lime, tomato, onion, cilantro, and a touch of spice, it's zesty and delicious.

Stop by Mission 19 Taqueria and taste summer in every bite at 598 Lighthouse Avenue.

Meet Mr. Stripes. One of Play Full Ground's students spent hours creating him as a birthday gift for another student and brought him to Play Full Ground's Co-Creation Studio, which meets Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

The birthday student named...

Sovino Wine and Beer Bar is now pouring a deliciously complex Syrah from Story of Soil. This organic wine from winemaker Jessica Gasca embodies her passion for small-batch, high quality wines.

One of the few Latina winemakers in California, Gasca is a strong advocate for farm workers and female entrepreneurs. Visit us at 241 Alvarado Street, enjoy this wine, and help us support a fellow female business owner.

The Old Monterey Business Association wants to thank Montage Health for stepping up to be our Presenting Independence Day Sponsor for the 2026 4th of July Parade.

If you were at the parade, you might remember the cheerful float commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Its presence in the parade and all the smiling people on board was thanks to Montage Health!

Thanks to our customers, Bliss Boutique has celebrated 25 incredible years in business. With a full heart, we want to share that our brick-and-mortar location at 380 Alvarado Street is now closed.

We are planning a special event there on Saturday, August 1, selling all of our fixtures and displays - stop by and find a great deal.

In honor of Monterey Car Week, the Monterey History and Art Museum at Stanton Center will host an exhibit entitled Racing to Del Monte & Pebble Beach: A Landmark Celebration of Early Monterey Bay Motoring Culture .

Enjoy antique racing vehicles, local history presentations, rare silent film screenings, and a vintage photo gallery at 5 Custom House Plaza. Open August 7-17, 12pm-4pm daily. Learn more.

New t-shirts are available from La Bahia. On the front , it declares: "La Bahia - hustle in our blood." On the back , there's a dynamic drawing of our seahorse logo. Available in sizes Small - 2XL.

La Bahia is a family business, and we take pride in hard work and hustle, Stop by the restaurant at 675 Lighthouse Avenue, eat some Jeezy Shrimp Tacos, and pick up a stylish shirt.

Oystertown introduces O-Town Espresso Bar at 281 Lighthouse Avenue. Open Mon-Sat, 8am-1pm. You don't have to leave your neighborhood for morning treats!

Proudly serving ACME Coffee, Red River teas, Red's Donuts, and Ad Astra pastries. Come and make your morning awesome.

Hideaway on Hoffman development in Monterey offers mid-term stays, not long-term leases.
by Aric Sleeper
Monterey County NOW, 07/09/26

It's that time of year again, folks! The nomination process for Monterey County Weekly's Best of Monterey County 2026 has begun.

Now through July 26, please consider nominating your friendly local businesses, people, and the Lighthouse District for the honors. The top nominees will go to the final round of voting August 6-28. It's easy: start voting here .

Gold Coast Tattoo is excited to announce that Stefan Johnsson from Paradise Tattoo in Santa Cruz is now accepting appointments at Gold Coast, located at 639 Lighthouse Ave.

Stefan specializes in large-scale custom work, American traditional, Japanese, fine line, black and grey, and portrait tattooing. Text Gold Coast at 831-226-6170 to book an appointment.

Step behind the scenes of one of Monterey’s most significant preservation projects with Hidden Stewards: Documentation Photography of the Cooper-Molera Restoration by Marcia F. DeVoe at Cooper-Molera Adobe, July 9 - September 13.

Guest curated by Megan Goodwin, this exhibition showcases the photographs of the restoration of Cooper-Molera Adobe, 1976–1985. Discover the archaeology, architecture, and the often-overlooked people whose dedication helped preserve this site for future generations.

Photos from the 2026 4th of July festivities in Downtown Old Monterey are now online! View moments captured at the parade , the Colton Hall lawn party , the pancake breakfast , Cooper-Molera Adobe , and Monterey State Historic Park .

The Old Monterey Business Association, which produces the 4th of July Parade, thanks everyone who marched, sponsored, volunteered, and attended! It was a beautiful celebration of our community on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

It's your last chance to get a ticket for a drawing to win a beautiful 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ electric sedan. (Yes, an electric car!) All proceeds support Monterey County Youth Museum , the beneficiary of a charity drawing sponsored by Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Mercedes-Benz.

Tickets for the drawing are $100 each. All funds go directly to MY Museum. Reserve tickets online or call MY Museum at 831-649-6444. Drawing is on August 16.