Coalesce A Book Store & More

Morro Bay, United States

4.1

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 805-772-2880
Website:
coalescebookstore.com
Address:
845 Main St, Morro Bay, CA, 93442
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1.9 mi15
2.7 mi2nd St & Santa Maria Ave
2.7 miSanta Ysabel Ave & 7th St
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes

Today

Today 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Morro Bay) 21:39 Sunday, 8 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Description

Specialties

New and used books, out of print book searches

Garden Chapel hosts weddings, musical events, workshops, yoga, book events, memorials

Nearby

Near this location:
1
ft
Garden Wedding Chapel
845 Main St
30
ft
Top Dog Coffee Bar
857 Main St
40
ft
Morro Bay Art Assn Gallery
835 Main St
70
ft
Oriental Foot Massage
865 Main St
90
ft
Guerrill Gardening Club Collective/Thrift shop
859 Main St
100
ft
Jojo’s Candle Co
800 Main St

20 reviews of Coalesce A Book Store & More

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Yucaipa, CA
I loved the ambiance of the store when I visited, last summer! The two ladies working were very sweet and friendly. I came to browse the new age/​metaphysical section and was pleased to find they also had a selection of oracle/​tarot decks; I left happily with a new oracle deck. The area out back is pretty and good for a few floral photo ops. I will stop by again, next time I’m in the area! :)
Place rating: 5
Los Osos, CA
It’s awfully hard to visit Morro Bay without popping in to this little gem. With a magical garden and wedding chapel in the back, you’re sure to enjoy stepping off the sidewalk and into this magical little world.
Place rating: 4
Pismo Beach, CA
Coalesce is located on the hottest block of downtown Morro Bay. It’s a sunny spot for a neighboring cup of coffee, and a walk through the back to their famous garden wedding chapel/​concert venue makes this a must stop when in Morro Bay. It’s just a few doors down from historic «Legends at the old Circle Inn» bar on the corner of Main and Harbor Street, just three blocks above the Embarcadero. You’ll find some real good used books in here too.
Place rating: 3
Arroyo Grande, CA
This could be the best bookstore ever but I may never know. From the point of view of a preschooler’s mom, holy cows, it’s tight and crowded in there. I had no chance at all of moving around either holding the petite one’s hand or carrying her. We did go into the little garden in the back and that was a very nice short diversion for a small child, but we had to hustle back out through the store when the center aisle was clear. When she’s a teenager I may come back and actually try to shop.
Place rating: 5
Moorpark, CA
My husband and I recently got married at the Garden Wedding Chapel behind the book store. It is such a beautiful venue! Both the garden and the chapel made for amazing photos. And Sherri is the warmest, most sincere minister I’ve ever met. Our day was absolutely incredible. Our guests raved about the intimate setting.
Place rating: 1
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
The last time I was in Morro Bay I stopped in to see if anything had changed… still stuck in 1960! Don’t think the place has been cleaned since then either! Grumpy people behind the counter, dusty books on the shelves and one or two creepy people covered with tattoos wandering around both inside and near the door. Thank goodness the bright color of the coffee place next door beckoned and I went over there for coffee and a croissant! Can cross this book store off the list of places to visit when I’m in town! Actually would love to give it no stars… and what is up with the petition garbage posted out front???
Place rating: 1
Morro Bay, CA
This store has a mean-​spirited owner. She published untruths about the Parklet, buys books at the library $ 1 sale and then sells them for $ 10. I will never shop in her store again.
Place rating: 1
Morro Bay, CA
My fiancé and I scheduled a wedding at this location and put down a hefty deposit for our budget. Plans changed and we had to cancel two months prior to the wedding. She called to cancel and find out how the deposit would be returned and the woman stated we would not be receiving our deposit back. Being as how a wedding is such a sensitive, intimate matter I find it disgusting and extremely rude that the deposit would be held. Shame on them. I would never recommend or purchase products from this store.
Place rating: 5
San Luis Obispo, CA
We held my mom’s memorial service here and is was beautiful! The back garden area was full of plants and was just exactly what she’d love. I had been planning to get married here as well prior to my mom passing away and I still want to. I think it would be nice to have both ceremonies held at such a great little spot. Since my mom can’t be here, it’s the next best thing I can do. The staff are very helpful, they worked with us as we tried to raise money for the cost. I would highly recommend using the back garden for any kind of intimate gathering.
Place rating: 5
Atascadero, CA
This is a very quaint bookstore with a lot of character. I always find a book here and if they don’t have a book that I’m looking for, then they order it on the spot. Really accommodating staff. There is also a beautiful English garden out back with a little chapel where the sometimes hold weddings.
Place rating: 5
Elk Grove, CA
If you love books, this little bookstore is a must-​stop while you are in town. It’s a treasure grotto of books in the nicest form possible. You can get lost amongst the collection of esoteric and varied tomes of printed matter.
You are sure to find something that you will enjoy reading. Also, the little garden adjacent is worth exploring.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Definitely, my favorite bookstore of all time. Small quaint store. With excellent selection of new and used books. Bought a used book for half of full retail price in new condition. A bestseller! The ambiance of the story adds to the whole Moro Bay experience. Plus, it is very organized. Will be back next time we visit this wonderful town.
Place rating: 5
Cambria, CA
This fun, little bookstore has a great variety of used and new books. The children’s area is small but comfortable with a little floorspace to sit down and check out some of the old unique books. The rest of the indoor book space is pretty darn small so there’s not a lot of room to sit and browse otherwise.
Place rating: 5
Morro Bay, CA
Reminded me of my favorite bookstore in norther california. Plenty of reading nooks. No Rushing and super helpful staff!
Place rating: 5
Laguna Niguel, CA
Such a cute little store with so many things you need days to browse. It is tiny, but packed to the brim! Used and new books. Adorable garden and very nice people who work there. They do burn incense, so if you have allergies or are effected by that, beware.
Place rating: 5
Mesa, AZ
Even if you’re not an avid reader, this little gem is not to be missed. This is the most amazing little book store I’ve seen in years. The selection of new and used books is incredible. Obscure, mainstream & everything in between. The garden behind the store is one of most serene & peaceful places you’ll ever be in.
Place rating: 5
Temecula, CA
Mary M and Carrol R
We had our wedding in the Garden Chapel last Saturday. The chapel was beautiful. Sherri did a wonderful job as minister. The music was done perfectly due to Penny’s expertise. The outdoor patio was beautiful with the various plants and flowers so was a perfect place for picture taking. We encourage anyone wishing a beautiful setting for their wedding to give a great deal of consideration to the Garden Chapel at the Coalesce Book Store.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I just have to add my rave to the rest of these reviews. I love used bookstores because they have personality. This one has it in spades. Not large, but plenty of great books and authors. They had three of the four books I was looking for, and I found the two women who run it delightful. We chatted for quite a while and if I lived in MB I’d be there several times a week.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
No trip to Morro Bay would be complete without visiting Coalesce Books. As one of the oldest independent bookstores in California, this awesome shop just around the corner from The Rock Espresso has loads of quality new and used books and a garden chapel in the back, too. My mother and I used to come here often when I was younger and I am glad to see it thriving until this day. Prices are great and there’s a little something for everyone. I’m rather surprised that there aren’t very many reviews for this place, seeing as though their over 40 years old– recent purchases includean out of print copy of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Collected Stories, Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s Endless Life, and a nearly new copy of Roberto Bolano’s Amulet for under $ 20. A gem.
Place rating: 2
Morro Bay, CA
Sadly, I will no longer be shopping at Coalesce. As a former independent bookseller, I love to support small local businesses, especially if they’re bookstores – but Coalesce doesn’t seem to need or want my business. The last two times I went, when I arrived at the counter to buy my (new) books, I was completely ignored in favor of people who were trying to sell jewelry and other consignment items. The second time this happened, I waited for five minutes only to have a second consignment seller walk in the door and be helped ahead of me. I waited another five minutes and then left without buying my books.
This is a cool store if you’re not in a hurry, don’t need help with anything, and aren’t looking for anything specific… but I’ll be taking my business elsewhere from now on.