Bookstores in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA has 144 bookstores on the map. That's 144 bookshops mapped around San Francisco, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Give yourself an hour minimum — bookshops are the one errand that always takes longer than planned.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around San Francisco (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Barnes & Noble and Books Inc., plus Nomadic Bookshop. If a bookshop's missing from San Francisco's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The San Francisco bookstore lineup
144 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore on 11 West Hillsdale Boulevard. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: it has a website with more detail.
11 West Hillsdale Boulevard, 94002
Books Inc.
Bookstore
Books Inc. is Bookstore on 1344 Park Street, Alameda. Books Inc. also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
1344 Park Street, Alameda, 94501
Phone: +1-510-522-2226
Nomadic Bookshop
Bookstore
Nomadic Bookshop — Bookstore on 326 23rd Street. Also worth knowing about Nomadic Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
326 23rd Street
Pegasus
Used bookstore
Pegasus — Used bookstore, found on 1855 Solano Avenue in Berkeley. Also worth knowing about Pegasus: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-18:00.
1855 Solano Avenue, Berkeley
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-18:00
Telegraph Hill Books
Bookstore
Telegraph Hill Books — Bookstore, found on 1501 Grant Avenue in San Francisco. Also worth knowing about Telegraph Hill Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1501 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, 94133
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su off
Phone: +1 628 2551998
Kayo Books
Bookstore
Kayo Books is Bookstore on 814 Post Street, San Francisco. Kayo Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as "by appointment or happenstance"; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
814 Post Street, San Francisco, 94109
Hours: "by appointment or happenstance"
Phone: +1 415 7490554
Bibliomania
Bookstore
Bibliomania — Bookstore.
Pegasus Books
Used bookstore
Pegasus Books is Used bookstore on 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley.
2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
West Portal Bookstore
Bookstore
West Portal Bookstore is Bookstore on 80 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco.
80 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco, 94127
Louie Brothers Book Store
Bookstore
Louie Brothers Book Store is Bookstore.
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore.
Book Passage
Bookstore
Book Passage is Bookstore.
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore on 325 Corte Madera Town Center. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: 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.
325 Corte Madera Town Center
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
Phone: +16283861744
Dan Webb Books
Bookstore
Dan Webb Books — Bookstore on 322 15th Street.
322 15th Street
Chronicle Books
Bookstore
Chronicle Books — Bookstore on 680 2nd Street.
680 2nd Street
Walden Pond Books
Used bookstore
Walden Pond Books is Used bookstore on 3316 Grand Avenue. Walden Pond Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Su-Th 10:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-22:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3316 Grand Avenue
Hours: Su-Th 10:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-22:00
Phone: +1-510-832-4438
Mrs. Dalloway's
Bookstore
Mrs. Dalloway's — Bookstore, found on 2904 College Avenue in Berkeley. Also worth knowing about Mrs. Dalloway's: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 12:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
2904 College Avenue, Berkeley, 94705
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Phone: +1-510-704-8222
34 Trinity Arts & News
Bookstore
34 Trinity Arts & News — Bookstore on 34 Trinity Place. Also worth knowing about 34 Trinity Arts & News: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 12:00-15:00 "weather permitting".
34 Trinity Place
Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-15:00 "weather permitting"
Books on B
Bookstore
Books on B is Bookstore on 1014 B Street, Hayward. Books on B also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00.
1014 B Street, Hayward, 94544
Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Christian Books
Bookstore
Christian Books — Bookstore, found on 1712 El Camino Real in Redwood City.
1712 El Camino Real, Redwood City, 94063
Builders Booksource
Bookstore
Builders Booksource is Bookstore on 1817, Berkeley. Builders Booksource also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1817, Berkeley
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-18:00
Phone: +15108456874
Green Apple Books
Bookstore
Green Apple Books — Bookstore, found on 506 Clement Street in San Francisco. Also worth knowing about Green Apple Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-21:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
506 Clement Street, San Francisco, 94118
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-21:00
Phone: +1 415 3872272
Coastside Books
Bookstore
Coastside Books is Bookstore.
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore on 5604 Bay Street.
5604 Bay Street
Borderlands Books
Used bookstore
Borderlands Books — Used bookstore on 1740 Haight Street. Also worth knowing about Borderlands Books: the map lists its hours as 11:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
1740 Haight Street, 94117
Hours: 11:00-18:00
Phone: +1-415-824-8203
Whatever
Bookstore
Whatever — Bookstore on 548 Castro Street. Also worth knowing about Whatever: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
548 Castro Street, 94114
Phone: +1-415-861-9428
B Street Books
Bookstore
B Street Books is Bookstore on 301 South B. Street, San Mateo. B Street Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 11:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-20:00; Su 11:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
301 South B. Street, San Mateo, 94401
Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-20:00; Su 11:00-18:00
Phone: +1 650-343-2800
Los Olivos
Bookstore
Los Olivos — Bookstore on 3203. Also worth knowing about Los Olivos: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
3203
Phone: +1-650-839-1550
SFSU Bookstore
Bookstore
SFSU Bookstore — Bookstore, found on 1600 Holloway Avenue in San Francisco.
1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco
Green Apple Books on the Park
Used bookstore
Green Apple Books on the Park is Used bookstore on 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco. Green Apple Books on the Park also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-21:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, 94122
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-21:00
Phone: +1-415-742-5833
Books Inc.
Bookstore
Books Inc. is Bookstore. Books Inc. also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 09:00-21:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 09:00-21:00
Phone: +1-415-931-3633
Coastside Comics
Bookstore
Coastside Comics — Bookstore, found on 116 Manor Drive in Pacifica.
116 Manor Drive, Pacifica, 94044
Omnivore: Books on Food
Bookstore
Omnivore: Books on Food is Bookstore on 3885A Cesar Chavez Street, San Francisco. Omnivore: Books on Food also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 11:00-18:00; Su 12:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
3885A Cesar Chavez Street, San Francisco, 94131
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-18:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Amazing Fantasy
Bookstore
Amazing Fantasy is Bookstore on 650 Irving Street, San Francisco. Amazing Fantasy also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
650 Irving Street, San Francisco, 94122
Two Cats
Bookstore
Two Cats — Bookstore, found on 320 West Portal Avenue in San Francisco.
320 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco, 94127
Diesel
Bookstore
Diesel — Bookstore.
Globus Books
Bookstore
Globus Books — Bookstore, found on 332 Balboa Street in San Francisco.
332 Balboa Street, San Francisco, 94118
Isotope - The Comic Book Lounge
Bookstore
Isotope - The Comic Book Lounge — Bookstore on 326 Fell Street. Also worth knowing about Isotope - The Comic Book Lounge: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
326 Fell Street
Phone: +1-415-621-6543
Comix Experience
Bookstore
Comix Experience is Bookstore on 305 Divisadero Street, San Francisco. Comix Experience also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo,Tu 11:00-18:00; We,Sa 10:00-19:00; Th,Fr,Su 11:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
305 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, 94117
Hours: Mo,Tu 11:00-18:00; We,Sa 10:00-19:00; Th,Fr,Su 11:00-18:00
Phone: +1 415-863-9258
CCSF Mission Campus Book Store
BookstoreRun by City College of San Francisco
Run by City College of San Francisco, CCSF Mission Campus Book Store is Bookstore, found on 1125 Valencia Street in San Francisco.
1125 Valencia Street, San Francisco, 94110
CCSF North Beach / Chinatown Bookstore
BookstoreRun by City College of San Francisco (CCSF)
Run by City College of San Francisco (CCSF), CCSF North Beach / Chinatown Bookstore is Bookstore.
Oakland Book Store
Bookstore
Oakland Book Store — Bookstore.
Cape & Cowl Comics
Bookstore
Cape & Cowl Comics is Bookstore.
Clio’s Bookshop
Bookstore
Clio’s Bookshop is Bookstore on 353 Grand Avenue, Oakland. Clio’s Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Sa,Su 11:00-23:00; Mo-Fr 16:00-23:00.
353 Grand Avenue, Oakland
Hours: Sa,Su 11:00-23:00; Mo-Fr 16:00-23:00
gogo Music & Books
Bookstore
gogo Music & Books — Bookstore.
Books Inc.
Bookstore
Books Inc. is Bookstore on 3515 California Street, San Francisco. Books Inc. also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-18:30; Sa-Su 09:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3515 California Street, San Francisco, 94118
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:30; Sa-Su 09:00-19:00
Phone: +1 415-221-3666
Sino American Books & Arts
Bookstore
Sino American Books & Arts is Bookstore on 751 Jackson Street.
751 Jackson Street
The Escapist
Bookstore
The Escapist — Bookstore on 3090 Claremont Avenue. Also worth knowing about The Escapist: it has a website with more detail.
3090 Claremont Avenue
Cal Student Store
Bookstore
Cal Student Store — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Cal Student Store: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00
William Stout Architectural Books
Bookstore
William Stout Architectural Books — Bookstore, found on 804 Montgomery Street in San Francisco. Also worth knowing about William Stout Architectural Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 12:30-17:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
804 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, 94133
Hours: Mo-Sa 12:30-17:30
Phone: +1 415 391 6757
Harvest Books & Gifts
Bookstore
Harvest Books & Gifts — Bookstore, found on 1237 Noriega Street in San Francisco.
1237 Noriega Street, San Francisco, 94122
Mission Comics and Art
Bookstore
Mission Comics and Art is Bookstore on 2250 Mission Street. Mission Comics and Art also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo,Tu,Th-Sa 12:00-20:00; We 11:00-20:00; Su 12:00-18:00.
2250 Mission Street
Hours: Mo,Tu,Th-Sa 12:00-20:00; We 11:00-20:00; Su 12:00-18:00
Bergeron's Books
Bookstore
Bergeron's Books is Bookstore.
Bound Together Anarchist Collective Bookstore
Bookstore
Bound Together Anarchist Collective Bookstore — Bookstore on 1369 Haight Street. Also worth knowing about Bound Together Anarchist Collective Bookstore: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 11:30-19:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1369 Haight Street
Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-19:30
Phone: +1-415-431-8355
Kinokuniya
Bookstore
Kinokuniya — Bookstore, found on 1581 Webster Street in San Francisco. Also worth knowing about Kinokuniya: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:30-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1581 Webster Street, San Francisco, 94115
Hours: Mo-Su 10:30-20:00
Phone: +1 415-567-7625
Heldford Book Gallery Ltd.
Bookstore
Heldford Book Gallery Ltd. — Bookstore on San Anselmo Avenue. Also worth knowing about Heldford Book Gallery Ltd.: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 23:00-04:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
San Anselmo Avenue
Hours: Tu-Sa 23:00-04:00
Phone: +1-415-456-8194
Books Inc.
Bookstore
Books Inc. is Bookstore on 601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. Books Inc. also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as 10:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, 94102
Hours: 10:00-18:00
Phone: +1-415-776-1111
Juicy News SF
Bookstore
Juicy News SF is Bookstore on 2181 Union Street.
2181 Union Street
Chronicle Books
Bookstore
Chronicle Books — Bookstore on 1846 Union Street.
1846 Union Street
Pauline Books & Media
Bookstore
Pauline Books & Media — Bookstore.
What the map tells us about bookstores in San Francisco
70 of the 144 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
66 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 2 of them sit on 226 Powell Street, so you can string those into one walk and drive between the rest.
8 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 Francisco bookstore crawl
The efficient San Francisco bookstore crawl strings these together: Barnes & Noble on 11 West Hillsdale Boulevard, Books Inc. on 1344 Park Street, Nomadic Bookshop on 326 23rd Street, Pegasus on 1855 Solano Avenue, Telegraph Hill Books on 1501 Grant Avenue, Kayo Books on 814 Post Street, Bibliomania, and Pegasus Books on 2349 Shattuck Avenue — 144 stops, one logical order. 136 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for San Francisco
The regulars' playbook for San Francisco's bookshops:
- Check the bargain carts outside at Barnes & Noble. Sidewalk carts are the shop's clearance rack. A dollar a book, and the turnover is fast.
- Don't overlook the classics wall at Books Inc.. Every shop has one. Cheap editions of the books everyone claims to have read — your chance to actually read them.
- Check the cookbook section. Cookbooks are the most browsed and least bought section, which means the used shelf is full of barely-touched gems.
- Support the shop's own publishing. Some independents publish local authors or print their own anthologies. Buying them funds the ecosystem directly.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around San Francisco — 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 Francisco can take a while to appear. The 144 above are only as current as the community map. A bookstore that's shut, or a new one nobody's added yet, gets fixed with a single OpenStreetMap edit.
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 144 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 Francisco: 144 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.