Harbor House Gifts

Specialties

Harbor House Gifts has been family owned since 1950. There is a wide selection of souvenir clothing (T-​shirts, Jackets, Hoodies) in all sizes, name mugs, piggy banks, and a great line of nostalgia items as well as replica guns & swords. Some of our favorite for gifts are musical snow globes, hand painted Fairies, Bronze Spiritual/​Inspirational statues, Venetian Masks, Day of the Dead Bobble Heads, Tiaras, and our locally hand-​painted collection of Christmas ornaments. Come & be entertained by our newest arrivals from the Caribbean … hand painted Hermit Crab pets. We also have specialty men’s dress shirts and a boutique women’s clothing section upstairs. While shopping at Harbor House Gifts, be sure to notice the largest hand-​blown glass Murano Chandelier shipped directly from Murano, Italy in 1966. Also notice the largest oil painting of the Lone Cypress.

History

Established in 1950.

This business was originally a restaurant called «Pilot Restaurant» which was frequented by John Steinbeck where he used to sit in the bar and observe characters for his books. The owner, Sonny Boy Velis, sold his business because he had no sons, only daughters, and his wife wanted to go back to Greece. Sonny sold his business to his very good friends, Lloyd & Maxine Elves who converted the restaurant into a gift shop. With little money for merchandise, Mrs. Elves started her business with driftwood & large gift items. She grew the business to be one of the finest gift stores on the Monterey Peninsula. Mrs. Elves was an icon and «Lady of the Wharf» for over 50 years. Currently it is owned and operated by her daughter, Sally Elves, and overseen by her children. At times, you may even be helped by a fourth generation family member.