Old Capitol Books

What a magical, mystical bookstore tucked away unassumingly full of all kinds of books...my favorite kind of bookstore

If you are driving around the coast and make a stop in Monterey and you find yourself wanting a John Steinbeck read to complete the trip…. Then you should stop by here. They have a great book selection, all types of books. We enjoyed our time there. We spent around an hr or so to check the books they have available. I will definitely be coming back to complete my search.

They also have one of the best selections I’ve seen on critical race studies.

Found an amazing book to gift my mom regarding Trova.

Amazing place to stop by and soak up the cozy chill vibes of their new location. Great books all around, and art too. Owners are easygoing, friendly people. Plus they do events and have a unique community. The best of Monterey. Their hours are flexible so just stop by and peek upstairs to see if they’re open!

Very cute and cozy little place. There’s a few chairs in the back for you to sit and browse, and it has that hidden-gem used book store feel that makes me feel at home. We bought a book of poetry for $6 and a German cookbook from the late 1800s for $20. The guy that worked there was very chill and friendly. If I visit Monterey again, I would definitely like to come back here!

Stopped by on a walk around my hotel area, and it was a very pleasant nook filled with 2nd hand books. The space is small, the shelves are full, but the feeling is homey and welcoming. The person behind the desk was kind and asked what I was looking for. It felt like a little secret alcove you only found by chance. Would return if I wasn't only in Monterey for a vacation.

Fantastic place. Meets every criteria of a classic hard-core intellectuals' bookstore. Includes initial cantankerousness, followed by quick witted banter, huge knowledge of books and history, and helpful kind service. I wish I had more time in there because there is an incredible depth of selection. I was just a tourist, having been to Cannery Row the night before, and finding it antithetical to Steinbeck. In this bookstore I found a bit of Steinbeck-like irony. I say this tongue-in-cheek, but its all positive: I was nearly greeted with the phrase, "We don't have Cannery Row right now. We have what we have!" This was almost a challenge. A bit of conversation followed and we learned our ancestors were historic enemies, and there were connections to Percey B. Shelley right here! An apology for not having Cannery Row ensued including directions to a store that probably did have a copy, and I bought two Steinbeck books, low and behold! One of the books was a two-book anthology contained Of Mice and Men AND Cannery Row! A beautiful 1947 edition discarded by none other than the Pacific Grove Public Library. Great experience!

The best bookstore in Monterey Bay. Helpful staff and a huge selection. And if they don't have it they can get it. I'm definitely a regular here. And they have great music shows and poetry readings on weekends!

Best book store ever. They have lots of things happening here and you should check it out. It's like something you would find in San Francisco, if that means anything to you..... just so grateful to have any real-life bookstore at all, ya know what I mean?

Great medium size local book shop. The staff was very kind and helpful, they have a great selection. Good place to pick up a Steinbeck as I did!

Amazing store with lovely owners :) I got myself a whole lot of books I'm excited to read. Great collection.

Great bookstore with lots of wonderful used books, and new. Plus readings. This is a real establishment, and promoter of literary culture I'm Monterey.

Great selection of books. I could get lost in here! Good prices as well.

Nice little place to find used books in Monterrey

fascinating place, warm, challenging to find but worth the effort.

Great selection, well organized. I loved seeing the selection of children's book in other languages.

Great selection and friendly people. Make sure to donate to the books for prisons program- we are all better for it!

Great selection on books old and new prices are very cheap

One of those truly classic book stores where you can just smell the pages!

Thee most amazing bookstore I've stepped into in decades.

Wonderful assortment of good books. (Out of circulation).