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City Lights Bookstore

Bookstore

Chinatown, San Francisco

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9.2^/10

920

ratings

Ranked #3 for bookstores in San Francisco
The folks at Michelin Travel & Lifestyle and SF Weekly like this place. Would you agree?
"... (app) called The Beat Generation and visit City Lights to learn some history..."(4 Tips)
"Buy a book by Allen Ginsberg and other Beat writers!"(4 Tips)
"Poetry room upstairs is unique"(4 Tips)
"OMG. Absolutely worth it for beat generation fans."(3 Tips)

121 Tips and reviews

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Dillon ChenJanuary 9, 2015
If you like to browse your books late at night, this is the place to go. Open till midnight. Staff is super helpful, they don't turn to a computer straight away to find something.
Upvoted 1 week ago
SavoteurAugust 2, 2016
City Lights is a can't-miss for its historic past. The bookstore and non-profit publisher focuses on progressive works and printed locally authored collections like Allen Ginsberg's famous Howl. Read more
Eric SabbanApril 8, 2017
Very special, old bookstore. Be sure to spend your time downstairs: it's roomier, not rushed, and have very interesting material. In the post-bookstore era, this one reminds you how great they can be.
Anna K.March 16, 2016
Independent bookstore-publisher est. 1953 and became widely known after publishing Allen Ginsberg in 1956. Today, you can buy all kinds of books here.
Brian StraussAugust 14, 2016
A legend still doing high volume. Fun to see that they can assert a strong literary perspective in their recommendations and staff picks offline, in today's best seller, Amazon universe.
Dean MoriartyFebruary 7, 2017
If your looking for something new, hip or different. If you're lost and looking for a bible that's significant towards the development of your personal mythology..look no further.
Sravanti TekumallaJuly 9, 2018
The loveliest bookstore in SF. The gems are in the nooks and crannies. Very extensive non-fiction section with place to sit downstairs.
Liza PNovember 15, 2015
The best book store in the world! Legendary place, and the people who work here actually read. Always ask for recommendations.
Shawn CalhounOctober 24, 2018
The best bookstore in The City! Be sure to make it upstairs to the poetry section.
KaitlinMarch 7, 2017
A charming, expansive store! Great selection of fiction, political works, literary magazines, and poetry -- plus friendly, helpful staff.
Michelin Travel & LifestyleFebruary 5, 2013
Relax with a book in the original Beatnik hangout, the first all-paperback bookstore in America when poet-owner Lawrence Ferlinghetti opened the doors in 1953. - Green Guide Editor
SFistAugust 3, 2014
Founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin, the independent bookstore and publisher specializes in world literature, the arts, and progressive politics. Read more
SF WeeklyMay 30, 2012
SF Weekly’s Best Of 2012 Winner – Editorial Pick - Best Place to Buy New Books. San Francisco’s status as one of America’s best book cities was somewhat threatened by closures over the last decade... Read more
Kian LaviNovember 17, 2015
One of many amazing bookstores in the city. I get lost in writers every time I come here
Milad CerkicJune 12, 2019
My wife’s and daughter’s fav place. Must visit!!
Bobak EsfandiariFebruary 17, 2016
Support excellent and civic minded bookstores! This is the beating heart of our first amendment.
Allison AbbottJune 29, 2015
Not as funky as I would have imagined it to be, but great selection (and obviously a worthwhile landmark for any lover of books or beatniks) nonetheless
Tom EvansApril 7, 2013
This place is fantastic in its selection of books, historical significance and proximity to the Beat Museum! Worth the trip to visit.
KarenJanuary 14, 2023
Has a good amount of literary works. Three floors total. Take your time and browse.
.:. sAugust 13, 2015
You can feel the history of this place as you go down each and every row of books. Do you like books? You have to check it out.
Owen HauptDecember 20, 2018
It's so awesome! Take the Detour (app) called The Beat Generation and visit City Lights to learn some history of the Beats.
MartinaJune 6, 2019
OMG. Absolutely worth it for beat generation fans. I totally love this bookstore. I need back.
Jonathan DiazJuly 19, 2015
So much history here. Go up to the poetry section and check out all the posters from Beat authors on the wall
CarolynAugust 23, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Bookstores don't get any better than this! Founded in San Francisco in 1953 during the Beat Era, it contains three floors of books, all housed in an historic building.
Henna Abbas MerchantJuly 7, 2016
One of my favorites!! They're open late, making city lights a great place to hang out after a few drinks :)
Robert HawkinsJuly 7, 2015
This is one of the most expertly curated bookstores I've ever been to. Long after the Beat Generation faded, Ferlinghetti's voice is strong.
Danny ZlobinskyJuly 7, 2016
A piece of history, and still a fantastic bookshop.
SEGAJanuary 5, 2012
An integral part of SF's beatnik history. The original publishers of Howl, they have a great beatnik section as well as other great books. - Kellie, Community Manager
Angie HarmonJanuary 9, 2016
Extremely interesting book curation here. Really very unique in what it stocks, even among independent bookstores.
Pete MarcusJune 23, 2022
Outstanding, world-class, historic bookshop
shinycatDecember 30, 2015
Been here 5+ times
No public bathroom. The science fiction section is small and at the very back of the basement. They have great graphic novels. :)
squeaselOctober 8, 2014
Any bookstore where you can shop till midnight, and catch Daniel Handler in a fez playing the accordion, cannot be a bad bookstore.
J TNovember 13, 2018
Come here for the books and for a slice of history. Also check out the room on the second floor for events.
SarahSeptember 15, 2014
Amazing bookstore with a well-curated selection. Love the poetry section upstairs.
Tiana DangerApril 23, 2015
This place is magical. Get lost in it. And take a flick by the door- you'll know which one when you see it 😉
Maria NelsonJanuary 23, 2018
Loved this bookstore so much 😍 great selection, politically relevant, and well priced
Ellie PinesMarch 3, 2013
I wish I never had to leave this beautiful three story bookstore! It feels like taking a step back in time whenever you go in!
Jon TerryJune 8, 2016
An absolute treasure! Don't forget to see the poetry and beat section upstairs.
Jonathan KramerAugust 15, 2014
Exactly what you want from an independent bookstore. It's quiet, has charm and a good selection.
Secil SansevenJuly 7, 2016
They have very nice people working and interesting walls. I liked the downstairs the most.
Alan-Arthur AureliaJuly 19, 2017
Amazing book store with tons of books on the Beats and more!
Jay MinerMay 3, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Go to the third floor and find a copy of Ginsberg's "Howl" - the book that embroiled City Lights in an obscenity trial. Sit in the Poet's Chair and read it from start to finish.
Contemporary Jewish MuseumJuly 6, 2013
City Lights Bookstore is the epicenter of Beat History, founded by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin in 1953.
Anna KaminovaNovember 5, 2017
A very good selection of cook books in the basement
Paul FarrellOctober 13, 2015
Sure it is of historical significance, but don't lose sight of the fact that it is a cracking bookstore
m dSeptember 20, 2016
Cool bookstore they're open until midnight. Their collections are surely interesting.
St. Martin's PressAugust 28, 2014
Meet Nayomi Munaweera on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 7:00 PM as she reads from her debut novel Island of a Thousand Mirrors. Also in conversation with Paul Yamazaki. Read more
HISTORYMarch 29, 2010
In 1956 founder Lawrence Ferlinghetti published Alan Ginsberg's beatnik classic poem "Howl", and faced obscenity charges for it. In a landmark ruling, the poem was protected by the First Amendment.
MazdaDecember 3, 2010
Both the store and the publishers became widely known following the obscenity trial of Ferlinghetti for publishing Allen Ginsberg's influential poem Howl and Other Poems (City Lights, 1956).
Claire LeeDecember 18, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Thought I wouldn't be able to find a replacement for NYC's Stand Book Store but.. this place is even better. Words, knowledge, ideas emanate from those shelves like no other.

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