Shamous’es Rocks

What a great little shop, ran by a kind wizened rock hound who loves his calling. I really enjoyed visiting with him and learning about rocks and minerals and trinkets. I can’t wait to go back! Shamouse really knows his stuff!

The owner of the store was so kind to my daughter when she asked to use his bathroom shortly after we arrived in Seaside on Easter Sunday. This store has it all, and the owner is very knowledgeable. He also gave of lots of good feedback on hikes, etc. Towns like Seaside become family favorites because of experiences with business owners like this one. It is so nice to talk with people who love what they do. He told my daughter that if she didn’t find a sand dollar on the beach, to come back before we left town and he’d give her one for free. We bought an awesome petrified trilobite, and a section of rock with a seashell fossil.

I recently visited the coast once again, and was thrilled to find Wise Guys Burger across the street (affordable and gluten free friendly). After enjoying an early lunch there, we strolled across the street to this lapidary shop as I’m a fan of rocks, as well as my daughter. This place has everything from $ 1 tumbled stones, to thousands of dollars in rare, beautiful cut slabs that have been polished. They even had a whole, fossilized turtle shell. There is a lot more to see than first greets the eye upon stepping in the shop. There are two back wing rooms on the left and right, trippling the number of rocks to look through. I could have spent at least an hour there, but cut it short to accomidate the boys.
There were wire wrapped, polished rocks hanging behind the counter. They man who runs the place is a font of knowledge. He finds some of the rocks himself and brings in some from other sources, but he clearly knows what he sells and what is available well. He also offers to slice rocks open for a small fee, for you. If you are traveling along Hwy 101, this rock shop and Wise Guys Burgers are two stops you need to make.