Bookstores in San Francisco

101 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Green Apple Books is recommended across its San Francisco shops, and many visitors specifically point to the Clement Street shop. Several visitors call it a go-to for used books, and a few name it as a top general pick for almost any topic. One visitor says the upstairs art section is wild, with out-of-print finds among the stacks. Caveats: one visitor finds it pricey for used books, another feels it aims to suit everyone rather than a niche, and one who visited recently finds the used selection much thinner than it used to be.

Clement

50 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

City Lights is a North Beach institution that many visitors recommend. Many point to its literary history and Beat-era ties, several call it a classic or an institution, and several suggest pairing a visit with a drink at Vesuvio next door. One visitor finds it always fun to explore, another says it has quirky stock, and one says it holds lots of author events. Caveat: one visitor remembers it as quiet but not set up for lingering.

North Beach

35 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Many visitors recommend Dog Eared Books, and many place it on Valencia Street in the Mission. Several call it a favorite. Several visitors mention its used books, and a couple note it also carries new titles. One visitor finds its art book selection pretty decent, and one says it keeps a locked case of collectible used titles. One visitor describes it as smaller than Green Apple but still good.

Mission

30 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Borderlands Books in the Haight focuses on science fiction, fantasy and horror, and most visitors recommend it for those genres. Several visitors name it a favorite, and one says it holds regular signings with genre authors. Caveats: one visitor who called ahead was pointed to other sources but found the book they wanted was not in stock, and another notes it is on the smaller side.

Haight

20 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most visitors recommend Bird & Beckett Books, a small Glen Park shop. Many mention its live jazz and music evenings, and several say it sells both new and used books. A couple of visitors call it cozy, and a couple call it a hidden or neighborhood gem. One visitor feels its rare-book cases hold mostly used stock that is pricey.

Glen Park

15 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Omnivore Books on Food is a Noe Valley shop devoted to food books, and many visitors recommend it for cookbooks. A few visitors say it sells only cookbooks, while one adds that gardening and cocktail books sit alongside them. A couple point to rare, vintage or out-of-print finds, and one praises its talks with food authors and cooks.

Noe Valley

15 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Many visitors recommend The Booksmith on Haight Street. One visitor calls it broadly stocked and one of their favorites, another describes it as well-curated and cozy, and one finds nooks to explore and seats for reading. A couple of visitors say it has a good range of books. A few suggest combining it with other Haight Street shops. One visitor says it holds author readings and signings, though whether big-name authors appear depends on what counts as big.

Haight

13 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Adobe Books is a bookstore on 24th Street in the Mission that many visitors recommend, and one calls it a San Francisco legend. One visitor thinks it may have the biggest used-book selection among their picks, another says it usually stocks a wide range of art titles from earlier decades, and another mentions plenty of pulp paperbacks and strong science fiction shelves. One visitor describes an indie, artsy feel with regular events.

Mission

12 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Medicine for Nightmares is a bookstore on 24th Street in the Mission that many visitors recommend. One visitor finds it fun to browse and describes an interesting selection in English and Spanish, and a couple of visitors mention the art on display in the back. A few visitors mention or enjoy its events. Two visitors have mixed feelings: one misses the wider selection it carried under its earlier name, and another found the selection just okay.

Mission

12 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Many visitors recommend William Stout Architectural Books on Montgomery Street in Jackson Square for architecture and design books, and a couple of commenters describe it as a focused specialty shop. One visitor calls it a lovely space, one says it carries plenty beyond architecture titles, and another says the stock leans toward architecture. One commenter was unsure whether it stocks used books.

12 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Many visitors recommend Bound Together on Haight Street, and several describe it as an anarchist and counterculture bookstore. A couple of visitors mention its used books, though one notes the section is small. One visitor calls it legendary, and another says walking past it feels like the Haight's one link to its past.

Haight

11 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most visitors recommend Blackbird, a bookshop with a cafe in the Outer Sunset. Several visitors praise its atmosphere or neighborhood feel, and one calls it the standout newcomer. Caveats: a few visitors find the shop small or its selection limited for broad browsing, and a couple note there is little seating.

Outer Sunset

11 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Many visitors recommend Fabulosa Books in the Castro, and several single out its LGBTQ+ and queer book selection. One visitor describes a laid-back atmosphere and strong queer titles, one says the picks suit the neighborhood well, and one finds it pleasant to browse for a short while.

Castro

10 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Many visitors recommend Russian Hill Bookstore on Polk Street. One visitor describes a well-organized used shop that also stocks new releases, one says it is full of treasures, one finds it nice to browse, and one calls it small yet excellent. A few visitors point to antique, out-of-print or ephemera finds.

Polk

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Visitors recommend the Books Inc chain in San Francisco, and several name it among their favorites or best local options. Two visitors name the Van Ness shop: one finds it roomy, and another thinks it is a good bet for a new release. One visitor used to split book orders with the chain but now plans to buy elsewhere.

Van Ness

7 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Many visitors recommend the Japantown mall branch, and a few say its manga range is a draw. One visitor says its design book range is strong, and another mentions anime items. One visitor has mixed feelings, describing it as a large outfit even while praising its manga and imported art-book range.

Japantown Mall

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Many visitors point to Browser Books, a bookstore on Fillmore Street. One visitor calls it a cute local bookstore, one lists it among their favorites, and one includes it among shops worth digging through. One visitor notes that it sells only new books, which would not suit someone looking for used ones.

Fillmore

6 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Christopher's Books is a bookshop in Potrero Hill that many visitors recommend. One visitor calls it small and charming, another calls it a great bookstore, and one suggests it as a likely place to find a new release. Little else is said about its stock.

Potrero

6 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Many visitors recommend Bookshop West Portal in the West Portal neighborhood. One visitor calls it an excellent independent bookstore, and a couple suggest it as a better alternative to the big chains. One visitor says it puts less focus on used books, and another says its smaller selection is intentional.

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most visitors recommend Forest Books in Japantown, and a couple call it wonderful or amazing. Two visitors like its used books sorted by country, one calls it their favorite used shop for its careful curation, and one says it offers better odds of finding rare titles than Kinokuniya. Caveats: one visitor spent only a few minutes inside because of a strong incense smell, and another feels its rare-book cases hold mostly ordinary used stock priced higher than it merits.

Japantown

5 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Visitors recommend Books & Bookshelves at 14th and Sanchez. One visitor describes a very large postcard collection, including many vintage cards, and says they spent hours browsing there. Another suggests it as a lesser-known pick, and one says they love it but have not been in for years. One visitor found the book selection limited but praised the sturdy bookshelves.

14th Sanchez

5 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most visitors recommend Bolerium Books, a specialist shop for radical and labor material. A couple single out those titles, and one says they are hard to find elsewhere. One says few people know the shop is there, and one suggests it for specific finds. One visitor says how well it suits depends heavily on the genre you want.

5 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Visitors recommend Kayo Books. One visitor says it ranks among the country's best bookstores, another points to it for rare finds, especially vintage paperbacks and hardcovers, and one names it for pulp titles. One names it among the bookshops to look for toward Nob Hill.

5 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Visitors recommend Argonaut Book Shop on Sutter Street, though the reasons vary. One visitor points to it for older and out-of-print books, another lists it among options for collectors, one suggests it for California- or US-related titles, and one names it among the bookshops to look for toward Nob Hill.