SHOPPING & SERVICES got scratched, warped and perhaps misused, there is something enduring about the medium. Fortunately, there are those who continue to stock old (and now new) vinyl records. And readers say that Pop & Hiss is the best place to find them. When you walk in, you can’t help but make the chef’s kiss gesture at their curated selection. Plus you can grab a beer or even a cocktail while you dig through their infamous bargain bin for that hidden gem you’ve been looking for. Mwah. BEST FURNITURE STORE Mum’s Place 246 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 372-6250, mumsfurniture.com There’s an online game for just about everything, including home decor, with dozens of games where players pick out and place furniture in digital homes. If only it were that easy in real life. The furniture specialists at Mum’s Place, with a combined 50-plus years of experience, will help you choose the exact right piece that will fit perfectly in your real-life space. No guesswork about what’s the right size couch, or which coffee table will work best. Mum’s employees are there to help. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for in their 10,000-square-foot showroom, they’ll source it for you and deliver it straight to your door. BEST DIVE SHOP Aquarius Dive Shop 2040 Del Monte Ave., Monterey (831) 375-1933, aquariusdivers.com There have been many board games where the goal is to collect pirate treasure. The 1970 classic and aptly titled Pirate Treasure is about collecting gold coins…plastic gold coins, that is. If you’re disappointed by that, you’ll need to dive into the ocean yourself to find the real thing. First, head over to Aquarius Dive Shop to get the training and certifications you need. The instructors are specialized in training everyone from beginners to the pros, with plenty of equipment on hand to buy or rent. They can’t, however, promise you’ll find gold—but underwater exploration is a treasure itself. BEST TOY STORE Thinker Toys San Carlos and 7th, Carmel (831) 624-0441, thinkertoys.com The times of old-fashioned toy stores, as mysterious and full of wonders as a Santa’s workshop, are almost gone. The more thankful the readers are for Thinker Toys in Carmel, a place that makes hearts—those of children and many adults—beat a little bit faster. Here, stuffed animals rule, dolls are waiting for their future parents, games are waiting to start the adventure and an electric toy train takes happy loops, dropping off and picking up imaginary passengers. Spacious and full of surprises, the store opened in 1969, and since then the magic continues. It’s a place “where play is a way of thinking,” according to the shop’s motto. BEST BIKE SHOP Work Horse Bicycles 486 Washington St., Monterey (831) 375-2144, workhorsebicycles.com For a young mind and body just learning how games are played, there is a pivotal point where a new world of possibilities opens up—learning to ride a bike. Because once those training wheels come off, it’s game on, baby: Let’s. Frickin’ Go! Open seven days a week smack in the heart of downtown Monterey, locals and tourists alike flock to Work Horse Bicycles to up their pedal-power game—and now that e-bikes are in the mix, the bikes have never been working harder. BEST SURF SHOP On the Beach Surf Shop 693 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 646-9283, onthebeachsurfshop.com There are tons of video games that simulate surfing, but On the Beach Surf Shop is all about helping you get the gear (and the stoke) required to do the real thing. The team, led by owner Kelly Sorensen, has been at it since 1986 so they know a thing or two about the wetsuit thickness you need, the board length and maybe even will let you in on a secret about a local surf spot. It’s not just gear and apparel but expertise that makes On the Beach truly stand out. It extends beyond the store footprint, too: Sorensen has created a community of surfers who travel together to chase the waves. From groms to pros, all are welcome. BEST GOLF SHOP Bayonet & Black Horse Pro Shop 1 McClure Way, Seaside (831) 899-7271, bayonetblackhorse.com Golfers know the two courses that make up Bayonet & Black Horse for both the challenges and the spectacular view. Those who just want a little 19th hole enjoyment frequent Bayview Grille. But did you know that the pro Best New Business of 2025 | Hops and Fog Brewing Co. 60 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2025 montereycountynow.com/bestof
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