Suggestions for Bookstore near San Francisco

California Girl • August 6, 2012Excellent bookstore and with a rich Beatnik history. Photos of Kerouac et.al. abound.

Janene D. • February 27, 2016A great local bookstore. Perfect place to get personalized recommended books or great presents for someone. The staff is knowledgable and eager to help.

Ashley Y. • October 23, 2016One of my favourite local bookstores. They stock my favourite food mags and also sell second-hand books too!

Maria • October 28, 2014Amazing selection, super friendly staff. Best bookstore!

Rachel • February 2, 2016Possibly the best bookstore in San Francisco. Clear layout, peaceful atmosphere and useful recommendations from a friendly and knowledgeable team. Also offers a cute selection of cards and gifts.

Russell L. • August 11, 2018Wide selection of Japanese books, new and paperback (but seemingly less selection of late). The downstairs manga collection is impressive.

Mary S. • April 12This book store has a fantastic children's section, with a wide range of books for all ages. It's been a lifesaver for me as a parent, if I'm looking for educational and engaging reads for my kids.

Sravanti T. • May 24, 2018One of my favorite bookstores in SF. Really good collection, and decent sale section, too!

Tobias S. • August 18, 2018Charming little bookstore with live jazz on the weekends

City Walks • October 1, 2011Stephen Schmidt talks about Jackson Square. He's a graphic designer who is influenced by the William Stout Bookstore and shares how he finds inspiration in this neighborhood.

Nathan K. • October 30, 2011I wish more spaces like this existed. Great book store with an incredible selection of cookbooks and other treasures, including chef/author talks.

Phil J. • January 29, 2012EXCELLENT bookstore! Always find interesting titles -- and recommendations -- here!

Daniel K. • March 28, 2013Super helpful people, great gift cards, and open later than most other stores in the area.

Wilson F. • September 26, 2016An independent bookstore the way we love them: excellent and diverse selection, extremely helpful staff, warm and inviting interior.

Jussi H. • January 7, 2016Great bookstore!

Jesse A. • September 1, 2014One of the best comic shops in San Francisco. Great selection.

Kendal C. • December 4, 2017Beautiful space. They have workshops often so check their schedule!

Diego R. • March 25, 2011A great selection of independent zines, magazines, comics, graphic novels, and books. They always have a pretty good selection of AK Press titles as well. Worth giving it a try.

Wilson F. • December 19, 2016Super pretty books, magazines, fanzines, stationery and objects store, with a well curated selection of local, national and international products. Love the PF Candle Co candles and natural cosmetics.

Jess L. • March 15, 2016Another well stoked store with an excellent children's section.

Carla M. • August 25, 2013Funky little book store we like to visit when in the city. Small & sometimes interesting art gallery in back room.

Thomas S. • December 30, 2012Good example of why bookstores are dying. Great selection and utterly miserable staff. Go there anyway.

Tobias S. • July 21, 2018Great little bookstore with a pop-up cocktail bar in the back that's open on Saturdays and Sundays

Carl B. • December 12, 2012Purchases at this cool bookstore benefit the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. There's free WiFi and a fantastic adjacent cafe.

Biz T. • July 17, 2017Nice little book store, reasonably priced.

Zack D. • January 16, 2014Buy awesome vintage magazines for cheap!

Julia S. • January 24, 2017Great place to read, work and think. A true SF gem. Open 7 days a week, closes at 9 pm Mon - Thurs.

Alex Y. • February 22, 2023Very friendly staff. Great selection across all genres. Amazing sci fi. Lots of half priced new books. New favorite bookstore

Bennett W W. • November 16, 2014One of the librarians I've encountered here in July was friendly. Great spot for a library!

Laurel F. • April 2, 2019Delicious pastries with slightly out of the ordinary flavors. Today it was a passion fruit coconut macaroon. Last week an everything croissant.