The Best Bookstores in San Francisco

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On Columbus Avenue in the heart of North Beach, City Lights is an unmissable San Francisco icon. Founded in 1963 during the height of the Beatnik era, the bookstore began as an all-paperback store but now offers a wide variety of both major publishers and independent ones. City Lights itself is an independent publisher of alternative politics, world literature and art books as well as acclaimed titles such as Allen Ginsberg’s Howl. Try to catch one of the bookstore’s frequently held author signings or events, and be sure to grab a postcard or bookmark on your way out.

Dog Eared Books has been part of the San Francisco literary community since 1992. In the heart of the Mission on Valencia Street, the bookstore offers new and used books as well as magazines, calendars, cards and notebooks. With a turquoise facade and a sunshine-filled interior, it provides an inviting space to grab one of many staff-picks at the ready. Dog Eared Books also offers an entire section dedicated to local artists and writers, making it worth a visit for the uniquely San Francisco atmosphere.

Green Apple Books started in 1967 as a small used bookstore and has now grown to an established San Francisco mainstay with both an Inner Sunset and Inner Richmond location. The latter boasts a main storefront with new and used non-fiction, kids’ books, cookbooks and new releases; the annex a couple of doors down houses new and used fiction, music, graphic novels and science fiction. The Apple-a-Month Club sends staff-picked, new-release fiction paperbacks once a month to customers anywhere in the United States.

A couple of blocks away from the Haight-Ashbury intersection, the Booksmith has a rich history. Originally opened in 1976, the bookstore often hosted celebrated authors – featured speakers have included Hunter S. Thompson, Ray Bradbury and Allen Ginsberg, who gave his very last reading here. The space is inviting with vibrant interiors and prominent tables stacked with staff recommendations; cards, calendars and other gifts are found at every turn. Check out the Booksmith blog for book suggestions, updates and events such as poetry readings, author signings and book parties at a nearby event space, the Bindery.

You’ll find only one literary genre at Omnivore Books – food and drink. Located in Noe Valley, the bookstore features new, antique and collectable cookbooks (separated in store by country and region) and titles focused specifically on food. The interior is sophisticated with bright yellow walls, white bookshelves neatly lined with books and featured titles stacked on display tables. Owner Celia Sack leverages Twitter, Facebook and email mailing lists to keep customers up to date on store happenings such as events, cooking demonstrations and author talks. Omnivore Books also offers a personalized cookbook club where members receive a signed copy of a cookbook from featured chefs four times a year.

While you won’t find shelves jam-packed with every title imaginable, the sunny and inviting Black Bird Bookstore carefully curates a diverse set of titles, including many by women of color, children’s books and contemporary fiction and non-fiction. A short walk from the beach, the bookstore’s interior is airy and bright, with both a reading area near the back and a plant-filled outdoor patio. Black Bird Bookstore features locally designed wood shelving from Woodshop, and the adjacent Trouble Coffee invites patrons to pair a good book from Black Bird with an espresso and cinnamon toast.

Dubbed Potrero Hill’s neighborhood bookstore since 1991, Christopher’s Books is delightfully old-school, having been in the same location for 25 years and taking orders by phone, email or, of course, drop-in. The bookstore offers a wide inventory of calendars, books and notebooks as well as children’s books and toys. Christopher’s Books is surviving the Amazon age with a focus on face-to-face interaction with customers. The beloved bookstore is both pet-friendly and often holds book drives for local charities.

Looking for more literary inspiration? Explore San Francisco’s literary legacy, discover the city’s literary landmarks, and read up ahead of your trip with these SF-based books. And find out more about the iconic Beat Generation.