Book Stores in San Francisco, CA

1740 Haight St, San Francisco CA 94117

4.9 Superb 173 reviews

• Today 11AM – 6PM
• (415) 824-8203

“Very interesting bookstore. Specialized selection of sci fi, fantasy, horror, and mystery. You can tell it is thoughtfully curated. It’s a great find if these are you go-to genres.”

653 Chenery St, San Francisco CA 94131

4.9 Superb 145 reviews

• Today 12 – 6PM
• (415) 586-3733

“Very cool bookstore especially for poetry. I have not found a better selection of niche poetry in SF. They also have lots of music events which is a lot of fun. Bird and Beckett is a treasure. A cozy community hub.”

3885 Cesar Chavez St, San Francisco CA 94131

4.9 Superb 161 reviews

• Today 11AM – 6PM
• (415) 282-4712

“Wonderful cookbook shop with both new and vintage finds. The staff are super helpful and friendly. They have an amazing variety of author events on-site. It is the go-to place for all things cookbook related.”

489 Castro St, San Francisco CA 94114

4.8 Superb 159 reviews

• Today 10AM – 9PM
• (415) 658-7015

“Such a great place! Spent over an hour there just glancing over books. I've past by the place sooo many times, yet I'm now ashamed I've never been there before. Learn to love yourself and those unlike you here!”

80 W Portal Ave, San Francisco CA 94127

4.8 Superb 141 reviews

• Today 10AM – 7PM
• (415) 564-8080

“I had a wonderful first-time visit to BookShop West Portal today. This bookstore has all the current must-reads in politics, history, non-fiction, and fiction titles. Neat and clean space with an organized layout. The two ladies working today were very nice; when I called to ask for a specific book and when I arrived to purchase it. There is a few benches around the entrance and there are restaurants, a bar and a coffee shop a few steps away so folks can get reading in their preferred environment. Can’t say enough nice things about this local book store and I will be back as soon as I am done with my current read. Special thanks to the girls working today that made me feel welcomed.”

99 Sanchez St, San Francisco CA 94114

4.9 Superb 84 reviews

• Today 12 – 6PM
• (415) 621-3761

“Cozy mostly used book shop with unique collection of book and miscellaneous items.Appreciate the political awareness and great consideration the owner put into the items carried in store.”

332 Balboa St, San Francisco CA 94118

5 Superb 55 reviews

• Today 11AM – 5PM
• (415) 668-4723

“Excellent experience. Delivery from the US to the UK was very fast. The book was securely packaged and arrived in perfect condition. The 1981 edition is in very good shape, especially for the price. Communication was top-level — responsive and professional. I really appreciate the service. Highly recommended.”

900 Valencia St, San Francisco CA 94110

4.7 Superb 222 reviews

• Today 10AM – 10PM
• (415) 282-1901

“My favorite local bookstore! Our dog can browse with us and the staff are always so kind and quick to respond to requests when I order books for pickup🧡”

1400 18th St, San Francisco CA 94107

4.8 Superb 103 reviews

• Today 10AM – 8PM
• (415) 255-8802

“A wonderful neighborhood bookstore and exactly the kind of place every community should have. The shop is charming, thoughtfully curated, and staffed by genuinely kind people who seem to enjoy helping readers find their next book. When I couldn’t find a title I was looking for, they immediately offered to order it and made the process effortless. They also have an excellent rewards program. Simply signing up earned me a discount on my next purchase, which was a pleasant surprise. In an era when independent bookstores have to compete with companies that can deliver a book to your doorstep overnight, places like Christopher’s remind you why local bookstores still matter. The experience is personal, the recommendations are thoughtful, and your money stays in the community. I’ll be back often.”

601 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco CA 94107

4.8 Superb 95 reviews

• Today 10AM – 6PM
• (415) 776-1111

“My absolute favorite bookstore! If they don't have a title for which I am searching, they will actually order it and call me when it arrives. I mean seriously, who else does that?”

375 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco CA 94103

4.9 Superb 56 reviews

• Closed today
• (415) 565-0545

“A small but mighty community giving life to printed materials and books. They give classes on printing and binding using cool equipment and tools from a bygone era. Keeping printing and book binding alive is no small effort in our high tech world. The tools here are low tech and high craft. Watch your fingers on this paper cutter! Well worth a visit.”

804 Montgomery St, San Francisco CA 94133

4.8 Superb 62 reviews

• Today 12:30 – 5:30PM
• (415) 391-6757

“I’ve been all around the world but have never seen such a fantastic selection of beautiful books combined with friendly and knowledgable customer service. Keann is a legend! Please keep up the good work. This store is amazing”

261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco CA 94133

4.6 Superb 252 reviews

• Today 10AM – 10PM
• (415) 362-8193

“Another San Francisco staple. So much history here. Fantastic selection. I particularly like their niche, hard to find books. Their poetry room is wonderful. Been coming here for decades. It’s like a second home. Staff are kind and helpful. I can spend hours here and always walk away with some books.”

Japan Center- Kinokuniya Building, 1581 Webster St, San Francisco CA 94115

4.6 Superb 241 reviews

• Today 10:30AM – 8PM
• (415) 567-7625

“Cool bookstore, nothing else like it in SF that specializes in Japanese books. I enjoy browsing their magazine section, lots of interesting art magazines. Their manga section is downstairs and is quite extensive. I have taken my nieces here and they love it. All of the manga are plastic wrapped so you can’t look inside the books. Understandable for collectors, but wish we could actually read the books.”

Alcatraz Island, GGNRA, Fort Mason, B201, San Francisco CA 94123

4.7 Superb 83 reviews

• Today 9AM – 6PM
• (415) 561-4922

“My friends and I purchased several items from the souvenir shop. Few nice employees approached us and help us, which I appreciated. Cashier Gordon helped us with a big smile and positive attitude, he stamped out posts cards and showed us more around the store. Thank you 😊”

3036 24th St, San Francisco CA 94110

4.7 Superb 78 reviews

• Today 12:30 – 10PM
• (415) 824-1761

“Beautiful bookstore in the heart of SF mission st. Parking is a hard but great ambience and fantastic indoor music concerts. Def a great place to spend an evening”

4541 Irving St, San Francisco CA 94122

4.6 Superb 166 reviews

• Today 9AM – 7PM
• (415) 742-5203

“Kid friendly neighborhood cafe & bookstore with a beautiful cozy backyard. Great selection of coffee and matcha teas & pastries. Recommend the honey almond cake and pistachio berry one too. Very interesting collection of books and magazines too.”

1727 Haight St, San Francisco CA 94117

4.6 Superb 155 reviews

• Today 11AM – 7PM
• (415) 863-8688

“The Booksmith was such a charming bookstore. I visited during my SF day trip and wished I lived closer. There was a good selection of books of various genres, and I left happy with the book I purchased.”

1231 9th Ave, San Francisco CA 94122

4.6 Superb 152 reviews

• Today 10AM – 9PM
• (415) 742-5833

“A bright, refreshing space right by GG Park. I especially enjoy their small press and zine sections. They sell a lot of work (prints, stickers, clothes, knick knacks, etc) by local artists. I love Green Apple. Green Apple Books on the Park has a unique personality from the main location on Clement. They compliment each other well. This store does not have as many used books as the main branch.”

2195 Fillmore St, San Francisco CA 94115

4.6 Superb 120 reviews

• Today 10AM – 9PM
• (415) 567-8027

“Great book selection. And the employees who work here are super helpful!! We went in looking for a gift for a young aspiring lawyer and the long brown hair girl who helped us came up with great suggestions. Plus, we bought a beautiful journal that had a Moomin embroidered on the linen cover.”

1597 Haight Street, San Francisco CA 94117

4.8 Superb 35 reviews

• Today 11AM – 7PM
• (415) 580-7083

“Passed by without the intention of purchasing (as I had already started taking some supplements) but still wanted to learn more. I walked out with a ton of advice and tips from Elithia and Sal (sorry if I mistyped your names). Thank you so much and like I promised, if my supplements won't work, I will come back!”

2141 Mission St #300, San Francisco CA 94110

4.7 Superb 52 reviews

• Today 10AM – 5PM
• (415) 863-6353

“Shout-out to Bolerium Books. I was in town on vacay and came across this place when looking for bookstores to check out in SF. I ended up spending hours looking through their inventory because they have so many older/rare books on so many interesting topics. I ended up calling them to see when I could come by and was able to the same day. Ahead of time i sent a list of books that I was interested in purchasing for me and my friends. They were every helpful and professional. If I'm ever in SF again. I'll do my best to pop in again and ofc buy more books :) Alexander helped me out and was great! One of the owners was there too and he was dope as well. 🙌🏿”

1748 Buchanan St, San Francisco CA 94115

4.6 Superb 85 reviews

• Today 12 – 8PM
• (415) 563-8302

“One of my favorite bookshops in San Francisco. The owner and staff are all genuinely lovely humans and on offer here is a thoughtful and unique curation of books, presented with care and intention. A wonderful and tranquil place to experience the joy of discovery!”

506 Clement St, San Francisco CA 94118

4.5 Superb 324 reviews

• Today 10AM – 9PM
• (415) 387-2272

“San Francisco staple. Green Apple is one of my favorite bookshops in the city. Their selection is unmatched. They have plenty of new and used books to choose from. Trading and selling your own used books is very easy. You have to check larger bags at the door, which is a bit cumbersome but makes sense for reducing theft. I can spend hours here and almost always walk out with a few books.”

601 Irving Street, San Francisco CA 94122

4.7 Superb 31 reviews

• Today 11AM – 7PM
• (415) 242-5540

“I can't believe this shop is still open! I thought it closed down several years ago! I used to make my mom take me here for my birthday every year in HS because they had great Paul Frank and. Emily the Strange items! So many good memories.”

2862 Mission Street, San Francisco CA 94110

4.8 Superb 22 reviews

• Today 10AM – 6PM
• (415) 821-9710

“I went here a while back to buy some very affordable guitars when I was teaching myself how to play the guitar. I bought a nice electric guitar (Stratocaster style--I don't recall the brand) and a Rosa acoustic guitar. I also purchased a tambourine and a recorder. Even though they were not expensive, the employee (I think his name was Abraham) still added on an additional discount! What a deal! So, if you need to purchase an affordable guitar, which are displayed in the front window, this is just the place for you.”

Landmark Building B, 2 Marina Boulevard Ste 100, San Francisco CA 94123

5 Superb 12 reviews

• Today 12 – 5PM
• (415) 668-2542

“It's hard to describe a place that works in the business of words, but let me try. They specialize in making books and prints. All different kinds of formats. All done by hand. It's very expensive. It's somewhat archaic but there's a charm to it. This is not your regular mass-produced paperback kind of books. They have very limited prints throughout the year and they offer a tour that you can take of the factory to get a glimpse on how it is that they make what they make. If you're in the area and you like books or the crafting of books, I'd recommend come check them out and see for yourself.”

151 3rd St, San Francisco CA 94103

4.5 Superb 112 reviews

• Today 11AM – 5PM
• (415) 357-4035

“I picked up a few unique gifts that I couldn’t find anywhere else. The SFMOMA store is perfect for art lovers and anyone who appreciates thoughtful design.”

3130 24th St, San Francisco CA 94110

4.5 Superb 83 reviews

• Today 9:30AM – 7PM
• (415) 864-3936

“Adobe Books is a great community gathering place that features brilliant artists and musicians. In an era where the commons are dying, it brings me a lot of satisfaction to know i can stop by adobe books any day and be around enriching conversation, and great, affordable books.”

3515 California St, San Francisco CA 94118

4.5 Superb 71 reviews

• Today 9:30AM – 6:30PM
• (415) 221-3666

“These are the type of places that just bring me such joy. A beautiful well stocked bookstore with wonderful energy and warm service. So glad I stopped in to get a gift!”