Lighthouse Books is a quaint little shop of used books, a real bookstore for real book lovers. Stepping in feels like entering a different world, full of character, charm, and quiet stories waiting to be found. It is a winding, wonderful bookstore where the books stretch to the ceiling and the aisles are narrow, with more squeezed in than feels possible. It offers a great selection of used books, including rare, hard to find, and unique books across all sorts of genres, sorted and organized alphabetically by genre. It is reminiscent of that used bookstore smell and quirky collection, a treasure hunt where you never know what you’ll find, from Tibetan poetry to timeless classics. As the proprietor says, "Sooner or later, all books end up here." The shop is known for its incredible and unbeatable prices, considered the best prices in the Monterey area. The owner is always kind, which makes shopping there personal. It is the perfect place for someone open to finding a new book rather than searching for a specific author, a pleasure to be lost in where you will absolutely keep coming back.
Every town should have a bookstore like Lighthouse Books. Great selection, and the kind of place where you walk in looking for one book and leave with three. I could have spent hours browsing the shelves. If you love books, make time for a stop here while you're in Monterey. 📚🌊
February 2026
Charming bookstore with a large selection of used books, with a back room full of 1960s classics. A great place to visit after the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
February 2026
Lots of fiction books. A bunch of specialized professional books. Not any trivia books available. Seemed a little expensive for used books.
