Bookstores in San Diego
If you judge a town by its bookshops, San Diego, CA gives you 59 to judge by. That's 59 bookshops mapped around San Diego, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Staff picks shelves are the fastest way to read a shop's personality.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around San Diego (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Christian Science Reading Room and Barnes & Noble, plus Barnes & Noble. If a bookshop's missing from San Diego's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The San Diego bookstore lineup
59 mapped within about 40 km:
Christian Science Reading Room
Bookstore
Christian Science Reading Room is Bookstore on 300 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista. Christian Science Reading Room also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
300 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, 91910
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00
Phone: +1-619-422-6400
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore, found on 11744 Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00.
11744 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, 92128
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore, found on 5500 #331 Grossmont Center Drive in La Mesa. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5500 #331 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, 91942
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
Phone: +1-619-667-2870
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore, found on 10775 Westview Parkway in San Diego. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
10775 Westview Parkway, San Diego, 92126
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
Phone: +1-858-684-3166
Comic-Kaze
Bookstore
Comic-Kaze — Bookstore.
Goodwill
Bookstore
Goodwill is Bookstore.
Upstart Crow bookstore & cafe
Bookstore
Upstart Crow bookstore & cafe is Bookstore on 835 C West Harbor Drive, San Diego. Upstart Crow bookstore & cafe also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
835 C West Harbor Drive, San Diego, 92101
The Torrero Store
Bookstore
The Torrero Store — Bookstore.
papeleria
Bookstore
papeleria — Bookstore.
Bookstar/Loma Theatre
Bookstore
Bookstar/Loma Theatre — Bookstore, found on 3150 Rosecrans Place in San Diego. Also worth knowing about Bookstar/Loma Theatre: the map lists its hours as Su 10:00-19:00; Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; it has a website with more detail.
3150 Rosecrans Place, San Diego, 92110
Hours: Su 10:00-19:00; Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore, found on 7610 Hazard Center Drive in San Diego. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: the map lists its hours as Su 10:00-21:00; Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; it has a website with more detail.
7610 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, 92108
Hours: Su 10:00-21:00; Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00
Rising Sun Creations
Bookstore
Rising Sun Creations — Bookstore.
Librerías Gandhi
Bookstore
Librerías Gandhi is Bookstore.
UC San Diego Bookstore
Bookstore
UC San Diego Bookstore is Bookstore on 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. UC San Diego Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 08:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 92093-0008
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-16:00
Phone: +1-858-534-7326
sandiweb
Bookstore
sandiweb is Bookstore on 5185 Luigi tre, San Diego. sandiweb also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5185 Luigi tre, San Diego
Phone: +1-800-518-1233
Self-Realization Fellowship
Bookstore
Self-Realization Fellowship — Bookstore, found on 1150 South Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas. Also worth knowing about Self-Realization Fellowship: it has a website with more detail.
1150 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, 92024
Bonita-Sunnyside Friends of the Library;Bonita Sunnyside Friends of the Library
Used bookstore
Bonita-Sunnyside Friends of the Library;Bonita Sunnyside Friends of the Library — Used bookstore. Also worth knowing about Bonita-Sunnyside Friends of the Library;Bonita Sunnyside Friends of the Library: it has a website with more detail.
Libro Club
Bookstore
Libro Club — Bookstore on Avenida Río Bravo.
Avenida Río Bravo
Libreria Cristiana
Bookstore
Libreria Cristiana — Bookstore.
West Grove South Park
Bookstore
West Grove South Park — Bookstore, found on 3010 Juniper Street in San Diego.
3010 Juniper Street, San Diego, 92104
Librería de Cristal
Bookstore
Librería de Cristal is Bookstore.
A&S Books
Bookstore
A&S Books — Bookstore.
Librería CETYS Por DIXTEMA
Bookstore
Librería CETYS Por DIXTEMA is Bookstore.
Cuyamaca College Bookstore
Bookstore
Cuyamaca College Bookstore — Bookstore, found on 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon. Also worth knowing about Cuyamaca College Bookstore: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 10:00-15:00; Fr-Su off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon, 92019
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-15:00; Fr-Su off
Phone: +1-619-660-4333
Sandcastle Tales of Del Mar
BookstoreRun by Sandcastle Tales LLC
Sandcastle Tales of Del Mar is Bookstore run by Sandcastle Tales LLC on 1414 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar. Sandcastle Tales of Del Mar also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 08:30-17:00, Su 08:30-15:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1414 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, 92014
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-17:00, Su 08:30-15:00
Phone: +1-858-777-2086
San Ysidro Friends of the Library Book Store
Bookstore
San Ysidro Friends of the Library Book Store — Bookstore.
Libreria Mexico
Bookstore
Libreria Mexico — Bookstore.
La Playa Books
Bookstore
La Playa Books — Bookstore, found on 1026 Rosecrans Street in San Diego. Also worth knowing about La Playa Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Tu, Th-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1026 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, 92106
Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +1 619-226-2601
Yesteryear Comics
Bookstore
Yesteryear Comics — Bookstore, found on 9353 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in San Diego.
9353 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, 92123
Buddha's Light Book Store
Bookstore
Buddha's Light Book Store — Bookstore.
Friends of the Poway Library Bookstore
Bookstore
Friends of the Poway Library Bookstore is Bookstore on 13137 Poway Road, Poway. Friends of the Poway Library Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu,We 12:00-18:30; Th 10:00-17:30; Fr-Su 10:00-16:30; Mo off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
13137 Poway Road, Poway, 92064
Hours: Tu,We 12:00-18:30; Th 10:00-17:30; Fr-Su 10:00-16:30; Mo off
Phone: +1 858-513-2862
Libreria Colef
BookstoreRun by El Colegio de la Frontera Norte
Libreria Colef is Bookstore run by El Colegio de la Frontera Norte on Autopista Tijuana-Ensenada, Tijuana. Libreria Colef also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00.
Autopista Tijuana-Ensenada, Tijuana, 22560
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Gandhi
Bookstore
Gandhi — Bookstore.
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
Bookstore
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore is Bookstore on 3555 Rosecrans Street, San Diego. Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa,Su 10:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3555 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, 92110
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa,Su 10:00-18:00
Phone: +1-619-539-7137
Liberias Gandhi
Bookstore
Liberias Gandhi is Bookstore.
Maxwell's House of Books
Used bookstore
Maxwell's House of Books is Used bookstore on 8285 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa. Maxwell's House of Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 11:00-16:45; Su 12:00-15:45; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
8285 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa, 91941
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-16:45; Su 12:00-15:45
Phone: +1-619-462-3387
The Book Catapult
Bookstore
The Book Catapult is Bookstore on 3010-B Juniper Street. The Book Catapult also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3010-B Juniper Street, 92104
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
Phone: +1-619-795-3780
Verbatim Books
Used bookstore
Verbatim Books — Used bookstore, found on 3793 30th Street in San Diego. Also worth knowing about Verbatim Books: the map lists its hours as Mo,We-Th,Su 10:00-18:00; Tu 12:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3793 30th Street, San Diego, 92104
Hours: Mo,We-Th,Su 10:00-18:00; Tu 12:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +1 619-501-7466
Pennywise Books
Bookstore
Pennywise Books is Bookstore on 1331 Garnet Ave.
1331 Garnet Ave
Book Nook
Used bookstoreRun by Friends of the San Diego Public Library
Book Nook is Used bookstore run by Friends of the San Diego Public Library on 12911 Pacific Place, San Diego.
12911 Pacific Place, San Diego, 92130
The Jerry Peterson Friends of the Library Bookshop
Bookstore
The Jerry Peterson Friends of the Library Bookshop is Bookstore. The Jerry Peterson Friends of the Library Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Tu 12:30-17:30; We-Sa 10:00-16:00.
Hours: Mo-Tu 12:30-17:30; We-Sa 10:00-16:00
Friendly Finds Bookstore
Used bookstore
Friendly Finds Bookstore is Used bookstore. Friendly Finds Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Tu 11:30-20:00; We-Sa 09:30-18:00.
92130
Hours: Mo-Tu 11:30-20:00; We-Sa 09:30-18:00
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore.
Warwick's
Bookstore
Warwick's is Bookstore. Warwick's also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:30.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:30
The Book Place
Bookstore
The Book Place — Bookstore, found on 6122 Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa.
6122 Lake Murray Boulevard, La Mesa, 91942
D. G. Wills
Bookstore
D. G. Wills is Bookstore on 7461 Girard Avenue, La Jolla.
7461 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, 92037
Librería El Día
Bookstore
Librería El Día — Bookstore.
Friends of the Mira Mesa Library Book Sale Room
Bookstore
Friends of the Mira Mesa Library Book Sale Room is Bookstore. Friends of the Mira Mesa Library Book Sale Room also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Tu 11:30-15:00, 18:00-19:30; We-Th 09:30-15:00; Fr-Sa 09:30-17:30.
Hours: Mo-Tu 11:30-15:00, 18:00-19:30; We-Th 09:30-15:00; Fr-Sa 09:30-17:30
Bunko Librería
Bookstore
Bunko Librería is Bookstore on 1651-8 Avenida Revolución. Bunko Librería also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo, We-Th, Sa 10:00-21:00; Fr 10:00-22:00; Su 11:30-19:00.
1651-8 Avenida Revolución, 22000
Hours: Mo, We-Th, Sa 10:00-21:00; Fr 10:00-22:00; Su 11:30-19:00
Book Tree
Bookstore
Book Tree — Bookstore, found on 3316 Adams Avenue in San Diego. Also worth knowing about Book Tree: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3316 Adams Avenue, San Diego, 92116
Phone: +1-800-700-8733
SDSU Bookstore
Used bookstore
SDSU Bookstore is Used bookstore. SDSU Bookstore also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
92182-1701
Phone: +1-619-594-7525
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore, found on 9938 Mission Gorge Road in Santee. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: the map lists its hours as Su-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr,Sa 10:00-21:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
9938 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, 92071
Hours: Su-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr,Sa 10:00-21:00
Phone: +1-619-562-1755
Bodega del Libro
Bookstore
Bodega del Libro — Bookstore, found on Calle 11 - Plutarco Elias Calles in Tijuana.
Calle 11 - Plutarco Elias Calles, Tijuana
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th,Su 10:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-20:00.
Hours: Mo-Th,Su 10:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-20:00
San Ysidro Branch Library
BookstoreRun by San Diego Public Library
Run by San Diego Public Library, San Ysidro Branch Library is Bookstore, found on 4235 Beyer Boulevard in San Ysidro. Also worth knowing about San Ysidro Branch Library: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
4235 Beyer Boulevard, San Ysidro, 92173
Phone: +1-619-424-0475
La Puerta de la Fe
Bookstore
La Puerta de la Fe — Bookstore on Boulevard Cuauhtémoc Sur Oriente.
Boulevard Cuauhtémoc Sur Oriente
Warwick's
Bookstore
Warwick's is Bookstore.
Book Off!
Bookstore
Book Off! is Bookstore on 4240 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego. Book Off! also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
4240 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, 92111
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
Phone: +1-858-627-9600
Southern California Comics
Bookstore
Southern California Comics is Bookstore on 8280 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego.
8280 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, 92111
What the map tells us about bookstores in San Diego
24 of the 59 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
20 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
6 of the shops are tagged as selling used books — the second-hand shelves are where out-of-print gems and first editions turn up for pocket change.
The San Diego bookstore crawl
Plot these on a map and the day plans itself: Christian Science Reading Room on 300 3rd Avenue, Barnes & Noble on 11744 Carmel Mountain Road, Barnes & Noble on 5500 #331 Grossmont Center Drive, Barnes & Noble on 10775 Westview Parkway, Comic-Kaze, Goodwill, Upstart Crow bookstore & cafe on 835 C West Harbor Drive, and The Torrero Store. That's 59 stops on the San Diego bookstore crawl. 51 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for San Diego
Browsing in San Diego? A little strategy helps:
- Gift buying? Ask for wrapping at Christian Science Reading Room. Many independents wrap beautifully and free. It beats a gift bag every time.
- Read the first page in the shop at Barnes & Noble. The first-page test never lies. If it doesn't grab you standing there, it won't grab you at home.
- Support the shop's own publishing. Some independents publish local authors or print their own anthologies. Buying them funds the ecosystem directly.
- Ask the booksellers. A good bookseller lives for the question 'what should I read next?' Give them three books you loved and watch them work.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around San Diego — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new bookstore in San Diego can take a while to appear. If you spot one of the 59 that's closed, or a great bookstore we missed, the fix is to update the map itself — that's where this guide reads from.
We don't list prices — they change constantly and vary by edition. What we list is the where: real shops, verified by real mappers, in alphabetical order with no favourites.
If you run one of the 59 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Bookstore listings for San Diego: 59 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.