Best Bookstores in The Bay Area
If you're needing a little break from reality, it's time to get familiar with your local bookstores. There are tons of adventures just waiting for you to join in. And the best part: you can bring them anywhere you go! Treat yourself to a new adventure, and grab a book from one of my favorite bookstores (online or IRL).
Note: Not all these stores allow in-person browsing, but for those that do, pretty please wear a mask. Make sure you follow social distancing guidelines and dip into some of that hand sanitizer, whether it's your own or provided by the store. Keep your browsing clean and sanitary, so others can enjoy!
SAN FRANCISCO
Booksmith
(1644 Haight St. // Haight Ashbury)
Booksmith is located in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, the psychedelic center of San Francisco. What does that mean? It means that this is one of the only bookstores with a whole “Counter-culture” section. However, there is so much more. You can find books on art, music, and sustainability, along with fiction and memoir. And the Booksmith literary events attract everyone from Augusten Burroughs to Daniel Clowes and everyone in between.
Dog Eared Books
(Mission // Castro)
Even with locations in two of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods, Dog Eared Books is a standout to visit on its own. While the Mission location is larger and has a great number of books and sections (including one labeled “Druids, Drugs and Secret Societies”), also stop by the Castro location to check out the extensive queer literature selection there.
Black Bird Bookstore
(4033 Judah St. // Sunset)
Located in the Outer Sunset, Black Bird Bookstore may be small, but its selection is strong. A beautiful book display highlights the books’ front covers, which is great for those readers who like to, well, judge a book by its cover (we all do it). Check out the website to purchase specially curated themed boxes of books and merchandise, such as the “Bay Area Box” or the “Poetry Box.”
Green Apple Books
(Richmond // Sunset)
When SF residents think about used bookstores, they’re likely thinking about Green Apple. There’s actually a great selection of both used and new books in both locations. And Green Apple has pretty great events as well, having recently (virtually) hosted some exciting newer writers like Esme Weijun Wang and Juli Delgado Lopera.
The Bindery
(1727 Haight St. // Haight Ashbury)
Ever been to a bookstore with a bar? If you haven’t, you have to check out The Bindery, Booksmith’s sister store. With a uniquely curated book selection (organized by date of publication, dating all the way back to ancient times), The Bindery has perfect food for thought. The comfy lounge area in the back is great for curling up with a book, but can also transform into a perfect space for hosting events at night.
Russian Hill Bookstore
(2162 Polk St. // Russian Hill)
If you’re looking for a more classic bookstore experience, Russian Hill Bookstore will give you what you need. Get lost amongst shelves upon shelves of books, from genre fiction to vintage photo books, a large collection on Freemasonry, and even sheet music. There is plenty to explore here, so feel free to let your eyes wander.
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
(261 Columbus Ave. // North Beach)
Known as the premier distributor of Beat literature, and where Allen Ginsberg first read his infamous poem “Howl,” this bookstore is a San Francisco landmark. In the 21st century, City Lights remains a cozy place to hide away from the bustle of North Beach and look for your next read. For an even more peaceful reading experience, check out the reading room upstairs (after the pandemic, of course).
Borderlands Books
(866 Valencia St. // Mission)
A lot of bookstores boast a wide variety of titles, but what if you’re looking for something a little more specialized? Borderlands Books has developed a fantastic selection of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and mystery stories for readers looking to delve into a completely different world. And to be honest, who doesn’t need a little escapism right now? Let the books at Borderlands whisk you away.
Adobe Books
(3130 24th St. // Mission)
Wait...so this is a bookstore and an art gallery? Yes indeed! For the reader who is also a multi-faceted creative, this is nirvana. Not to mention, Adobe Books has probably some of the most affordable used books in the Bay Area. A good mix of classic and new titles will keep you browsing happily for a long time.
Mission: Comics & Art
(2250 Mission St. // Mission)
Maybe this isn’t your classic bookstore, but Mission: Comics & Art will give you something good to read. From superhero comics to more experimental graphic novels, this store is a great fit for the reader who appreciates story and visuals in equal measure.
EAST BAY
Walden Pond Books
(3316 Grand Ave. // Oakland)
As the oldest and one of the most celebrated bookstores in Oakland, Walden Pond Books gives readers tons of material. The local bookstore vibe is only by Walden Pond’s Bookshop Lists, directing readers to “Espionage Fiction” or books about “Understanding & Uprooting Racism.” And collectors, be sure to check out the rare books on hand. You won’t be disappointed!
Pegasus Books
(Oakland // Berkeley)
Looking to fly away? Pegasus Books will transport you with its selection. And with three locations in the East Bay, you are never far from your next great read. And with a bevy of great events under its belt, it’s no surprise that Pegasus Books was named “Best Bookstore” by East Bay Express and Oakland Magazine readers in 2018.
Moe's Books
(2476 Telegraph Ave. // Berkeley)
Founded by Berkeley radical Moe Moskowitz in 1959, this bookstore has seen its fair share of Bay Area history. With new arrivals, rare books and vintage posters, Moe’s beautifully merges the past and the present. Today, the store remains a testament to the enduring power of literature and family (the store is now owned by Moe’s daughter, Doris).
A Great Good Place for Books
(6120 La Salle Ave. // Oakland)
As its whimsical name might suggest, A Great Good Place for Books is known as a bookstore for all ages. This includes, most notably, a fabulous kids’ section, which caters widely to book lovers of all ages. The store also hosts online book clubs on Zoom and virtual author chats, which are perfect for keeping in touch with fellow readers and writers
NORTH BAY
Book Passage
(51 Tamal Vista Blvd. // Corte Madera)
Known as “The Bay Area’s Liveliest Bookstore,” in-store activity may have decreased recently, but Book Passage remains spirited and engaged in the community. The store is not currently hosting in-store book clubs, but you can always join the Aunt Lydia Book Club. Members of this club will receive a gift-wrapped book hand-picked specifically for them by staff on a regular basis.
Alibi Bookshop
(624 Marin St. // Vallejo)
“A town isn’t a town without a bookstore” reads the unofficial slogan of Alibi Bookshop, courtesy of author Neil Gaiman. And I couldn’t agree more. Though Alibi opened in 2019, so it’s still a baby, this “proudly independent” bookstore is feeding Downtown Vallejo with a healthy combination of classics and new releases. The store also has a strong social media presence, so you can keep updated on all things Alibi from home.
Point Reyes Books
(11315 CA-1 // Point Reyes Station)
While the Point Reyes Books location has gone through many changes over the past 50+ years, it has endured as a special place for readers to congregate. The charming store remains open for browsing, though nowadays most of the action happens online. Future events featuring novelist Ann Patchett and poet Kazim Ali will give readers at home something to be excited about.
Stinson Beach Books
(3459 CA-1 // Stinson Beach)
There’s nothing more relaxing than reading a book on the beach. And with Stinson Beach Books, you have a multitude of ways to unwind. While this quaint bookstore has an assortment of recent fiction and classics, it’s also known for its great selection of nature books and local field guides. Stinson Beach will surely have the perfect beach read for you.
Open Secret Bookstore
(923 C St. // San Rafael)
Sure, there are other specialty bookstores in the Bay Area. But as of this moment, Open Secret can claim the title of being “the largest spiritual and metaphysical bookstore” around here. Alongside new and used books, you can find videos, CDs and sacred art images here. With a decorative setup evoking Tibet, Open Secret is certainly one of the most meditative places to shop for books.
SOUTH BAY + PENINSULA
Linden Tree Books
(265 State St. // Los Altos)
For young readers, there isn’t a better place to be than Linden Tree Books. You can find picture books, chapter books and young-adult novels, all in a setting peppered with games, puppets and puzzles. Linden Tree may cater mostly to kids, but there’s also plenty to read for adults, including an extensive parenting section.
Kepler’s Books & Magazines
(1010 El Camino Real #100 // Menlo Park)
Kepler’s Books have over 60 years of history in the Bay Area, and yet it has never looked better. The bookstore is still operating with full plaza service, which includes an inventory sticker system designed to let readers know exactly when they will get their books before ordering. And with its Kepler’s 2020 initiative still in effect, designed to make it community-owned and operated, this bookstore isn’t stopping any time soon!
B Street Books
(301 S. B St. // San Mateo)
If you’re looking for a book with a past, B Street Books has got you covered. San Mateo’s only used bookstore sells collectible and antiquarian books, with everything from the 1st editions of Charles Dickens novels and Nancy Drew stories to old landscape prints from the 18th century. Basically, B Street Books sells the literary equivalent of buried treasure. Happy hunting!
