By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | October 3, 2023 | Culture, Guides,
From serene parks, to our cozy speakeasy bars, wherever you go in San Francisco, there are always people seen deeply engaged with books that they brought. Yet where are they getting all of these compelling novels? Our 7x7 is truly a literary-loving city, and there are plenty of charming bookstores here that impressively carry the most classic, current, and compelling collections.
Here is a list of our must-visit bookstores, notable for not only their expansive inventories, but for their delightful atmospheres and significant contributions to both our storied history and culture.
See also: 5 Must-Read Books That Quintessentially Capture San Francisco's Charm
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261 Columbus Ave.; 415-362-8193 / Website
The iconic City Lights starts our list with its legendary status as a key influence during our midcentury Beat counterculture era. Founded in 1953 by prolific Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, City Lights was the pivotal meeting space for other prominent Beat figures, including Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady and more, to congregate and blossom in their critical and transgressive writings. Today the North Beach bookstore continues to uphold its spirit by carrying a wide array of counter-culture, anarchist, and thought-provoking poetry and literature. We recommend fully exploring this hallowed labyrinth of bookshelves to find something to take upstairs next door at the equally historic Vesuvio's.
See also: City Lights Booksellers Is The Must-Visit Tribute To The 1960's Poetic Spirit
506 Clement St.; 415-387-2272 / Website
Whether you visit the Green Apple bookstore in Richmond or the Sunset, this store will draw you into its endless bookshelves brimming from floor to ceiling. The Richmond District flagship is certainly the largest bookstore in the city, replete with several floors with corridors and lounge chairs for you to relax and get lost in before reemerging with a new favorite. There are so many books and media that a whole 'nother building next door carries more of its eclectic comics and records!
1018 Valencia St.; 628-280-8436 / Website
Silver Sprocket is fully stocked with the cutest and politically relevant zines, comics, hand-drawn art and more, all of which unapologetically put queerness, punk culture, revolutionary leftist ideas, and uplifting POC, disabled, neurodivergent, and other marginalized communities in the transgressive spotlight. Founded in 2007 by kind icon Avi Ehrlich, Silver Sprocket is a beautifully bright, inclusive, progressive, and colorful shop on Valencia Street that empowers local artists and voices, and is an instant inspirational favorite for visitors of all ages. This spot even hosts live music occasionally, which is a definite must-see.
See also: Discover the Radical World Of Silver Sprocket With These Must-Read Indie Comics And Graphic Novels
489 Castro St.; 415-658-7015 / Website
Fabulosa Books is a Castro St. landmark providing the most relevant queer literature, both contemporary and classic. From LGBTQ+ history, fiction, autobiographies, critical pedagogy, and so much more, owner and proprietor Alvin Orloff offers a sanctuary to browse and learn without judgment. There are also huge shelves of literature on every other topic, a monthly LGBTQ+ book club and frequent author readings for inclusive community engagement.
See also: Owner of Fabulosa Books, The Castro's LGBTQ+ Bookstore, Shares Insights and Favorite Titles
1581 Webster St.; 415-567-7625 / Website
For all things manga and anime, historic Kinokuniya is your absolute must-visit in Japantown. Its two floors overflow with full stocks of the most popular and niche manga and stationary, trinkets, and other books, as Kinokuniya is devoted to thoroughly providing an authentic feel of Japanese culture. Even George Takei has been known to visit and provide a powerful talk, solidifying this warm and inviting store as a place to feel inspired, welcomed, and impressed with their collections.
See also: Japantown's Kinokuniya Is The Perfect Bookstore For Manga And Anime Lovers
1740 Haight St.; 415-824-8203 / Website
Borderlands focuses on texts that are intriguingly otherworldly. This is the place if you love fantasy, sci-fi, horror and other cryptic or mystical topics. From classic vintage sci-fi to new titles, come aboard this fantastically cozy and helpfully amicable shop to ensure your next literary journey that is comprehensively out of this world.
900 Valencia St.; 415-282-1901 / Website
Dog Eared Books on Valencia has the ultimate collection of small print, local authors, and esoteric titles. If you enjoy used books for affordable prices, definitely take time to carefully rifle through the full bins outside before stepping inside the captivatingly curated cornerstone.
1644 Haight St.; 415-863-8688 / Website
Over in the Haight, Booksmith looks as chic and sultry as it is well-stocked. This large and helpful store will undoubtedly have your next binge-read, which you can take next door to the speakeasy-type Alembic to enjoy with an equally enthralling Brown Butter Old Fashioned. This is a great store to stop into for calm and peaceful browsing away from the otherwise busy bustle of Haight Ashbury.
One Ferry Building 42; 415-835-1020 / Website
As if you needed another reason to visit the Ferry Building! The Book Passage is located toward the back, gorgeously overlooking the Bay, and many readers can be typically seen gathering for notable visiting authors. This charming shop carries current releases of progressive fiction, critical nonfiction, political science, and more, with a large children’s section as well. Stop in here before grabbing a coffee or some brunch in this refined food haven.
653 Chenery St.; 415-586-3733 / Website
Since 2002, Bird & Beckett has been known for Jazz in the Bookshop Fridays, the thoughtful cherry on top of already-impressive selections. It may be a tight squeeze to peruse between the overstocked shelves of the finest poetry and non-fiction, but it is a cozy and enjoyable time that will bring you back for the impeccably talented live music.
San Francisco has no shortage of books to elucidate and entertain you, and these shops go above and beyond with frequent community events and expert service!
Photography by: FotografĂa de eLuVe / Getty