Wander through San Francisco’s most beautiful bookstores, from vintage charm to modern literary escapes.
San Francisco has often been seen as the cultural capital of the West Coast of America, and for good reason. The city’s got a creative soul, from its trendy districts to its buzzing nightlife, but it’s also packed with amazing bookstores, and we’ve rounded up some of the best ones you won’t want to miss when you visit.
Black Bird Bookstore and Café
Black Bird Bookstore and Café is a community-focused shop tucked away on Irving Street, offering a diverse selection of hand-picked books covering an array of topics, including fiction and poetry. They’ve also been praised for their dedicated section of children’s texts that young readers will enjoy.
With its mix of rustic wooden interiors and cozy corners with comfortable seating arrangements, Black Bird Bookstore and Café gives off that laid-back feeling where you don’t feel rushed and just want to take your time browsing.
Address: 4541 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 7PM
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
Drop in and check out the USA’s first-ever paperback-only bookshop, City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, which has been running since 1953. Founded by the respected poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, it has grown into a real treasure trove of literature packed with books from big-name brands as well as lesser-known publishers.
You’ll find all sorts of reads inside this bright and airy location, from fiction and politics to history, music, and plenty more worth checking out. There’s definitely a left-leaning, progressive theme to many of the books, so just be aware in case that’s not your thing.
Address: 261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Green Apple Books
Running since 1967, Green Apple Books is one of those spots every book lover in San Francisco knows about. This independent bookstore is packed wall-to-wall with thousands of new and used written works, which some might describe as organized chaos. Whatever system they have going on, though, it seems to work because bookworms can’t seem to get enough of it.
You’ll find two floors here, stacked with books on just about every topic imaginable. Whether you’re in the mood for a thought-provoking philosophical cover or prefer something more technical around science, you won’t walk away from Green Apple Books empty-handed.
Address: 506 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 9PM
Dog Eared Books
Dog Eared Books is a general-interest shop on Valencia Street that’s been keeping readers in San Francisco happy since 1992. Publications, both new and used, are here for the taking, along with magazines, and other bits like calendars.
While Dog Eared Books does cater to all types of bibliophiles, they do have a specialty section focused on local literature, which is well worth exploring if you’re looking for something different.
Address: 900 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
The Booksmith
The Booksmith is a brilliant location for both fiction and nonfiction lovers, providing a great mix of reads from big-name and independent publishers. Sitting right on Haight Street, it’s a beautiful little bookshop that’s been thoughtfully put together, from the glowing purple paintwork to the warm lighting that makes the shelves stand out.
Be sure to keep an eye on Booksmith’s website for upcoming events. They regularly host interesting gatherings like book discussions and author talks that any curious reader would love.
Address: 1727 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
Borderlands Books
On the hunt for a specialty bookshop? Borderlands Books is the place to go on Haight Street if you’re after science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery titles at reasonable prices. With such a focused collection, the team knows exactly what’s on the shelves and the type of people each title will suit, which is great if you need advice.
The moment you step inside, you’ll notice how well they take care of the space. Every book is neatly arranged on the shelves, giving the shop a clean, organized look that that invites you to browse with care.
Address: 1740 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 6PM
Omnivore Books on Food
Food lovers are in for a treat at Omnivore Books on Food in Noe Valley. It’s the only shop of its kind in the area, centered around everything culinary-related. You can just tell these folks really know their stuff when it comes to the gastronomic scene, and it shows in their cookbook selection, which they’re so passionate about.
They also run a cookbook club, where members get new cookbooks sent straight to them based on what they like, so you can always discover new recipes!
Address: 3885 Cesar Chavez St, San Francisco, CA 94131, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 11AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 5PM
Fabulosa Books
If you happen to be on the hunt for some LGBTQ+ covers, this is exactly what Fabulosa Books specializes in. They stock it all in a small, yet charming, colorful location on Castro Street, including poetry, fiction, and even vintage erotica.
Several customers have shared that while certain titles may not always be on the shelves at Fabulosa Books, the staff goes above and beyond to track them down and order them in.
Address: 489 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Opening hours:
– Sunday to Friday: 10AM – 9PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 10PM
Browser Books
The first thing you’ll say about Browser Books on Filmore Street when you see it is ‘wow, this place is adorable,’ with the little table stacked with covers sitting out front and the soft rugs on the floor. The coffeeshop next door is also a great stop to pick up a cuppa before you start your literary exploration.
Browser Books keeps things interesting with a solid selection of hardcovers, especially in fantasy and graphic novels, along with a nice stack of magazines.
Address: 2195 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 9PM
Russian Hill Bookstore
What began as a small shop on Polk Street in 1974 has since become one of the city’s best-loved bookstores. Still living true to its word, the Russian Hill Bookstore is truly independent, with fresh releases and pre-loved titles on its shelves, as well as kids’ toys and board games for the younger ones.
Russian Hill Bookstore is open to purchasing certain books in case you need to offload a few before buying more. However, they only do so for certain subjects that align with the store’s vision, such as science, antiquarian works, metaphysics, and philosophy.
Address: 2162 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 8PM
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Adam Ryan
Adam is a distinguished content writer, bookworm, and full-time adventurer with a constant craving for coffee. When he's not working, he loves exploring remote corners of the world, immersing himself in different cultures, and writing about his experiences.
