PARKING UPDATE – If you live on a block that has a parking permit sign, even if on the other side of the street, you can still register until April 20 if you want the parking permit signs to continue. Otherwise, parking will become open to high school students, tourists and the general public for up to 72 hours. See details below about the special meeting April 6 at City Council chambers, as well as other events coming up.
Saturday, April 4, 3-5 pm Ikebana and Painting Demonstration at the Venture Gallery, 260 Alvarado Street at the Portola Hotel. See this exciting art as part of their new “Spring into Beauty” exhibition through April. Wearable art on sale April 11-12, 10-6.
Saturday, April 4, 10am -12noon “Azorean Fishermen- Whaling and the Portuguese Legacy in the Monterey Bay”, a wharf walk with Tim Thomas. The tour will meet at the head of Old Fisherman’s Wharf near the pink “Harbor House store, and is limited to 15 people aged 10-adult. Reserve your space at Monterey.gov/library/events or by calling 831-646-3933.
Monday, April 6, 6 pm – Old Town Neighborhood Meeting for Residential Parking Program at City Council Chambers, at the Few Memorial Hall, 580 Pacific St. Hear updates from the Parking division on the requalification results so far and what they mean for your block. Come with questions to get answers.
Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, 2026, 11-4pm– Whalefest – This free, family-friendly festival features interactive exhibits, live music, research and rescue vessel tours, and educational activities for all ages.
The popular Symposium, with renowned marine experts, is scheduled for both days from 11:00 am–4:00 pm at the Stanton Center. Interactive exhibits, hands-on activities such as Abalone Races, Origami, and Gyotaku, plus appearances by “Dee” the inflatable humpback whale. Maritime Historian Tim Thomas will lead history walks, and live music and plein
air painting will add to the fun. Dozens of local, regional, and national marine organizations will be represented, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Save the Whales, Western Flyer and many more. Whalefest raises awareness and support for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. For updates, schedules, or sponsorship info, visit www.whalefest.org. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! If you can help, go to: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/821742122020/false#/invitation
Saturday, April 11, 11-4 pm Monterey Museum of Art Block Party, in the sculpture garden and street adjacent to the museum. Enjoy art and music at this free event. In the evening, from 8-10 pm, there will be a Dance Party for adults over 21, with a DJ and beer to be sold. Tickets $25.
Monday, April 13, 7 pm- 8 pm – “Margaret Jacks and Her Legacy”, a presentation to the community by Mimi Sheridan at the Casa Serano, 412 Pacific Street. You will hear how Margaret Jacks shaped the Monterey we know through her determined advocacy and targeted donations of her family’s money and property. Following the lecture, which is sponsored by Native Daughters of the Golden West, refreshments will be served. A $10 donation is requested. Please RSVP to Wendy Brickman at 831-592-1500 or brickman@brickmanmarketing.com.
Saturday, May 2, 10-3 pm and 7-9 pm Japanese American Citizen’s League Centennial Celebration at the JACL, 424 Adams Street (across from the Sports Center). Save the date! Free, and fun for the whole family! More details to follow.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 1-3 pm Monterey County Pops Memorial Day Concert at the Colton Hall Lawn, Monterey. The opening acts begin at 1 pm with full pops concert at 2 pm. Bring lawn chairs or blanket to sit on.
June 6, 2026 SAVE THE DATE: La Merienda celebration of Monterey’s founding in 1770 in the gardens of the Pacific House museum. Our tables are almost full. See below.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parking Permit Program Update – For those of you who live on a street with a parking hours limit except by permit, the city is requiring a new qualification system, based on 51% of eligible residents registering that they want one of the new permits. Without that, the signs come down and there will likely be much more crowding of the limited spaces near your home. Go to https://monterey.getapermit.net to register and for more information. There will be an Old Town Community Parking meeting to announce current results on April 6 at 6 pm at City Council chambers. After that, they will let residents continue to register until April 20, with parking signs coming down on April 30 if registering levels are not met. Old Town Neighborhood Association board has requested that City Council revisit this implementation due to major inconsistencies and conflicting guidelines, asking instead that the program be frozen for now while problems are ironed out. Your letters to city council (cityclerk@monterey.org) requesting delay are appreciated.
La Merienda tickets are now available to purchase for members of Monterey History and Art Association, and Old Town is having two tables. If you would like to sit at our table, please contact us so we can give you the hostess name to include (subject to availability) when you purchase your tickets from MHAA. More information at montereyhistory.org. Non members may purchase tickets beginning April 1, at a higher price. Don’t miss this great celebration June 6, with music, folklorico dancing, a silent auction, pageantry, and a most incredible barbecue buffet, including, beer, wine, and cake.
Casa Gutierez New Plein Air Art Exhibit- See local artists’ paintings of our historic adobes, painted at Christmas in the Adobes, now on display through June at 590 Calle Principal (next to the sculpture garden and museum), open Fridays and Saturdays 11-3 pm. Free.
College Scholarship Applications are now being solicited by the Monterey County Historical Society. Please view these college student scholarship opportunities at: https://mchsmuseum.com/education/
Crepes of Brittany 16th Anniversary – In appreciation of 16 years, a new Crepes of Brittany Seniors Program will offer 15% to seniors over 55 who show a current Monterey County ID through March 31. Beginning in April, the 15% senior discount will be only on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Those with a military ID card receive a 15% discount daily (ongoing). They also have initiated a Crepes of Brittany VIP Card that earns patrons a free sweet crepe after five prior crepe purchases. Visit them at 211 Alvarado St.
Monterey High School’s Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science is having a Fundraiser Gala at the Club at Pasadera on April 17. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.maosmontereyhigh.org/maos-gala/2026/4/17/2026-maos-gala.
Do you have a story to tell? Porchlight Stories invites you to share your five-minute story with others, a project sponsored by the Carl Cherry Center in Carmel inspired by “The Moth Radio Hour” on NPR. For more information and guidelines, visit: https://carlcherrycenter.org/porchlight-stories/.
Monterey Public Library Used Book Sale Wednesdays and Saturdays 12-2 pm. Find a treasured bargain in the basement below the library, entered from the parking lot. Paperbacks $1.00. Others as marked. Proceeds go to support the library.
“Celebrating California Art: Artistic Alliance in Monterey, 1942-1946”, a new exhibit at Monterey Museum of Art. This exhibit explores the artistic response to Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced removal and incarceration of more than 100,000 people of Japanese descent. The exhibit will be on view until April 26.
Sand Bag Fill Station next to the Fire Station at 600 Pacific Street is now operational for the season. This is a self-serve station. Sand and bags are provided. Bring your own shovel.
PGE Outage Compensation Program – If you have an outage longer than 48 hours, PGE will compensate you automatically on your bill. For more information, go to https://www.pge.com/en/outages-and-safety/.
Free Recycling Bins are available by asking at the Planning Office, main level of Colton Hall at 570 Pacific Street, or by emailing bristow@monterey.gov to arrange for a pick up.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) next training course on three consecutive Saturdays in February is full. Reserve now for the next course, three consecutive Saturdays,, April 25, May 2 and May 9 from 8:30-5pm, as they fill fast. The program instructs local citizens in a wide variety of rescue, search, emergency medical, preparedness, safety, team operations, basic fire control and community service skills. CERT members regularly respond to assist local fire and police with storm impacts, searches for missing persons, fire scenes, evacuations and many other emergency situation CERT members become sworn Disaster Service Workers (DSW). The free training occurs in downtown Monterey. Attendance on all three days is mandatory to graduate. As these classes often fill up way in advance, Email certmonterey@gmail.com with your name, resident address, email you most commonly use, your cell and home phone numbers.
Invitation to Wednesday and Saturday Barbecues at the American Legion. At our Old Town Neighborhood Association Meeting on Wednesday, August 20, our speaker from the American Legion wanted to be sure that we, their neighbors, are always invited to attend the Wednesday Steak Barbecues (at $15, a bargain) and the Saturday Grills of Hot Dogs/ Hamburgers (under $6). Soft drinks are reasonable and it’s a nice way to meet our veterans.
Rental Registry Compliance – All rental properties must be in compliance with the city rental registry ordinance, and be registered annually.
Annual Residential Parking Passes are available to residents of Monterey and active military for $20, good for two hours at both East and West Downtown Garages, Cannery Row Garage and the Waterfront lot. Bring proof of residency, vehicle registration and ID to Parking office, 340 Tyler Street in the East Garage. See Monterey.org/parking for more information.
City of Monterey Accepting Applications for Boards, Committees, and Commissions. For position descriptions and requirements, please go to Monterey.gov/bcc.
Free Wharf Walks by Maritime Historian Tim Thomas the first Saturday of every month from 10am to noon. Hear and experience a two hour cultural maritime history tour, with themes changing monthly. Meet at the head of Old Fisherman’s Wharf near the pink Harbor House store. Free, but advance reservations are required and can be made at monterey.gov/library/events or by calling 831-646-3933. This tour is recommended for ages 10 and up with a maximum group of 15 people.
The Presidio Museum of Monterey is open Saturdays and Sundays 10-4 pm – Learn the fascinating history of our Presidio, including the early indigenous settlers, the founding of the fort, the history during three wars, and the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. An interpretive walk with great views of the bay lead up to the Sloat Monument. You can take a short cut from Van Buren over the creek bridge to reach it from Old Town. Free. Please consider volunteering as a docent for this great museum!
Free Public Tours of Ed Ricketts Pacific Biological Laboratories Second Saturdays, 10:00-11:00 and 11:30-12:30 pm, subject to availability. Modeled after famed ecologist Ed Ricketts, “Doc” was featured prominently in John Steinbeck’s novels about Cannery Row. The Lab at 800 Cannery Row was also where the idea of the Monterey Jazz Festival was born and welcomed such prominent figures as Louis Armstrong. Reserve in advance at monterey.gov/museums or by calling 831-646-5648. Visitors are also welcome to drop by without a reservation to self-tour this historic site from 12:00-4:00 pm on the second Saturday.
Casa Serano, the historic adobe at 412 Pacific Street, is now open for free visits on Saturday and Sunday 2-4 pm. Docents can help you learn the interesting history of this adobe built in 1843, as you peruse the art and furnishings.
Old Town Neighborhood Association’s website is LIVE! Visit oldtownmonterey.org for the latest on events, issues, and to find the Historic Homes self-guided walk featuring historic homes in our Old Town neighborhood. Photos of the July 13 picnic are now posted on the social page of the website.
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND CLUBS
Are you interested in finding others with your interests? Below are some of the other local organizations that welcome new members:
American Association of University Women – This national organization promotes equity for women in the workplace and in education. In addition to supporting education through scholarships, they have book clubs, social events, monthly speakers, a Romancing the Coast monthly adventure, a hiking/walking group, and other interesting events. See http://mpb-ca.aauw.net for more information.
Monterey Civic Club – Founded in 1906, the club owns the House of the Four Winds, located at 540 Calle Principal. This beautiful and historic adobe is believed to be the oldest women’s clubhouse in continuous use in the United States. Members meet the first Tuesday of each month for lunch and a social program ($25), often with a speaker of importance to members. Contact (831) 747-1072 for more information.
Gentrain Society is an organization for life-long learners. They generally meet the first and third Wednesdays from 1:30-2:30 at the Monterey Peninsula College Lecture Forum #103. Lectures are free and open to the public (except $3.00 parking fee). Topics range from drama, history, and understanding civilizations and more. Courses are also offered, along with trips organized for special events.
Native Daughters of the Golden West – founded in 1880s, for women born in California. The Monterey Junipero Parlor No 141 meets at 6:30 pm in the Casa Serrano on the second Monday of each month. An added benefit is that members can stay at the NDGW home designed by Julia Morgan on Baker Street in San Francisco. For more information, call or text Jerilynn Crivello at 831-320-2080.
Kiwanis Club of Monterey –founded in 1926, helps support community projects, scholarships, and youth groups in our community. Learn more at http://www.kiwanisclubmonterey.org or by emailing factpath-kiwanis@yahoo.com.
| Not Yet a Member of Old Town Neighborhood Association? Annual membership dues are just $20 for two adults in your household which covers the calendar year in which paid. Your dues help support social events and technical costs of website, Zoom meetings, and newsletter. Members can be renters, owners or landlords of a property in Old Town. Learn how to become a member on our website! If you have any questions, contact us! All residents living above Pacific St between the creek near Madison and the Presidio/DLI are eligible. Checks to OTNA can be mailed, along with your names, address, phone and email to our address below. Old Town Neighborhood Association P O Box 724, Monterey, CA 93942 |
This information is being shared as a service by Old Town Neighborhood Association. Information is presumed accurate, but is not guaranteed, and always subject to change. Visit our website at oldtownmonterey.org.