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Do The Bay’s Best Book Stores

Written by Riley Huff

If you're needing a little break from reality, it's time to get familiar with your local bookstores. There are tons of ink-and-paper adventures just waiting for you to join in. And the best part: you can bring them anywhere you go!  Treat yourself to an engrossing story and grab a book from one of our favorite bookstores.

San Francisco

Booksmith
(1727 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.

Dog Eared Books
(900 Valencia St. // Mission)
Despite its location on a street of independently owned businesses, Dog Eared Books is a standout to visit on its own. The store is large and has a great number of attention-grabbing books and sections, including one labeled “Druids, Drugs and Secret Societies."

Green Apple Books
(506 Clement St. // Richmond + 1231 9th Ave. // Inner 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 — they've (virtually) hosted some exciting newer writers like Esme Weijun Wang and Juli Delgado Lopera.

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.

Borderlands Books
(1740 Haight St. // Haight-Ashbury)
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.

Black Bird Bookstore
(4541 Irving St. // Outer Sunset)
Located in the Outer Sunset, Black Bird Bookstore may be small, but its selection is strong. A beautiful book display highlights front covers, which is great for those readers who like to, well, judge a book by its cover (we all do it). It also doubles as a beautiful cafe!

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
(5560 College Ave. // Oakland + 1855 Solano Ave. + 2349 Shattuck Ave. // 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).

Sleepy Cat Books
(2509 Telegraph Avenue // Berkeley)
What can we say, Berkeley is a college town and thus a hotspot for electic bookstores. Sleepy Cat books might be a small space, but its curated selection of interesting titles, unique postcards, and more will keep you coming back. The best part? The shop lives up to its name — say hi to titular "Sleepy Cat" Lyla when you visit!

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,” Book Passage remains spirited and engaged in the community. We recommend joining 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 we 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.

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 they also offer online experiences, including their Kinship Book Club and author events.

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!

** This article was originally published by Do The Bay. CLICK HERE to view the full article.


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