Mega City 2

A downtown Bakersfield comic and card haven with deep Magic: The Gathering singles, graded slabs, posters and organized weekly comic racks.

Mega City 2 occupies a storefront on 19th Street in downtown Bakersfield and has the feel of an old-school comic shop that grew a serious card department. Comics are filed alphabetically with new releases separated by week, so browsing is easy even though the floor is packed. Posters, graded slabs and trading cards share the room, and nothing feels like an afterthought.

Magic: The Gathering is the standout for the card side. The shop keeps a wide run of MTG singles, which makes it a practical stop for deckbuilders trying to finish a list without waiting on shipping. A Bakersfield card shop with real Commander and Modern staples on hand is not something every neighborhood gets, and it explains why players come in from across Kern County. Beyond Magic, expect Pokemon and other trading games, plus graded cards in cases for collectors who prefer a slab.

The shop is open every day. Monday and Wednesday through Sunday run 10AM to 7PM, and Tuesday opens early at 8AM, which suits the Tuesday-morning crowd that wants first pick of the week's comic arrivals. Wednesday is traditionally new-comic day nationwide, so expect the pull boxes to be busiest then.

Downtown parking is a mix of street spots and nearby lots, and the block around 19th Street has a few other collector-friendly stops, including antique and toy shops, which makes for a tidy afternoon crawl. Budget real time if you plan to dig through the comic bins, because the selection is large enough to absorb an hour on its own.

Bring a want list if you are building a deck, and ask about their buy policy before you show up with a collection. The owner's online storefront is a good place to check availability before you make the drive in.