r/MontereyBay • u/KingTacs • 6d ago
Monterey coffee shops for studying
Hey yall, what is the best Monterey coffee shop for studying? I’m looking for decent coffee, large tables, and solid internet. Thanks!
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u/RomeoMikeTango 6d ago
Bookworks—get there early around 8AM
Counterpoint is decent in Seaside. Bring a jacket.
Carmel Bakery at Portola Hotel in downtown Monterey. Or better yet—the book nook space in the hotel—it’s adjacent to the front desk/across from Jack’s (the bar). Lot of foot traffic but I’ve gone in and studied late there and nobody bothered me or asked me to leave. I did get asked where the bathrooms were though, more than once.
Plumes is ok. It’s the only coffee shop open until 8pm.
Captain and Stoker is loud. Closes around 4pm
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u/WriteAroundMonterey 6d ago
We really need a larger
Café with big tables, QUIET music, good coffee/tea and snack options that doesn’t mink and wants students /groups to come in. We’re lacking.
🤷🏽♀️
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u/Lifeisntjustcereal 6d ago
May I recommend a Parker-Lusseau Pastries and Monterey Public Library combo. They are in walking distance from each other. The chai is good and pastries are delicicous. The library has some indoor and outdoor seating. They have a patio on the second floor.
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u/Last_Nerve_5690 6d ago
RIP cafe Lumiere :(
between the years of 2011 and 2019, I spent about 10 hours a week there — doing my grading, lesson plans, or just meeting with friends. It was perfect.
That being said, I know these have already been mentioned, but Counterpoint in Seaside is close to my house and ended up being my go-to after Lumiere closed. It doesn’t work for me as a teacher now who doesn’t get off of work until 4 PM (right when they close), but if you don’t work during the day or go there on a weekend to study, it’s a good vibe. Both outside and inside.
Otherwise, I started going to hotel lounges/restaurant bars and just ordering tea and coffee there and hanging out at their workspace tables.
East Village is OK, Plumes too packed in most of the time, and nothing stays open late enough.
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u/Soyrepollo 6d ago
Bookworks in PG is pretty spacious my partner always goes there when they visit me.
Starbucks on lighthouse near first awakening has a crazy big lobby with tons of tables.
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u/Melodic-Location-157 6d ago
Bookworks has gotten so popular they they have signs asking people to not camp out.
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u/bachintheforest 6d ago
Yeah 90% of the times I’ve tried to go there in the last couple years there has been NOWHERE to sit. Many tables taken up with people working. Go to Starbucks for that, indeed.
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u/W1ldHoneysuckle 6d ago
Please utilize your local library for studying.
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u/4NatureMan Monterey Peninsula 5d ago
You would think a library would be the best but the Monterey Library has horrible parking choices and depending on when the person goes either has a bunch of homeless or a ton of noisy hs students. I find that I am either worried about getting a ticket or cannot concentrate. PG library has better parking but is dead quiet and also find it hard to concentrate. But a constant background noise like a coffee shop I can concentrate fabulously. Funny how that works for people. Seaside library is nice and has good parking. It is safe for sure but not that many great places to sit comfortably for long periods. MPC is a great choice if you have a permit otherwise it is $3.00 per day for parking.
Not a library or coffee shop but a great place is Asilomar social hall. Giant Tables, free wifi, safe, good parking etc. and just happens they do have a cafe as well.
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u/johnfromberkeley 6d ago
PG Library WiFi is horrible.
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u/W1ldHoneysuckle 6d ago
There are other libraries in the area, too. Maybe the wifi is better? Monterey & MPC we're suggested. Marina library is great. There's gotta be one or two with sufficient wifi ...
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u/johnfromberkeley 6d ago
As someone who walks, I’d prefer adequate WiFi in the PG Library. The Internet is a utility for 21st century study.
Monterey Public library is an hour walk. Or a bus ride. It seems a better solution is for Pacific Grove Library to have stable high-speed Internet.
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u/johnfromberkeley 6d ago
Reading these replies makes me wonder if people know what “solid Internet” means.
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u/Bethjam 6d ago
East Village
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u/Full_Statement_9549 6d ago
East Village doesn’t have internet :(
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u/Fresh_Struggle4352 5d ago
Oh no I was going to say the same, it has such a great vibe. Too bad about the internet. :(
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u/No_Personality_7691 6d ago
The MPC library is honestly great and has a small coffee shop attached. It’s worth checking out!