Did you know that bookstores in San Francisco have written history (pun intended) and helped define the creative rights of all authors?
SF is a great American literary city. And authors love it here: Mark Twain, Allan Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Hunter S. Thompson have all been inspired by that same literary magic that fills the city.
It’s a confirmed fact that, if given a chance, I will spend an entire day lost in a bookstore, eclectic neighborhood, or too-cute bakery. So, getting lost in San Francisco’s literary landscape is pretty much a given.
These are the best places to get lost/most interesting bookstores in San Francisco:
How the Beat Generation Gave Freedom to All American Writers
The Beat Generation colored San Fran’s literary scene and the entire country’s.
Embracing the unconventional
From the 40s- 60s, the Beat Generation popped out literary works that focused on personal experiences and inner thoughts.
The most famous Beat writers are Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. If you’re a rough-and-tumble travel badass like me, and you haven’t read Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road Again,” you’re doing yourself a serious disservice.
Anyways, City Lights Bookstore was a gathering place for Beat writers and intellectuals, but it was publishing Allen Ginsberg’s soon-to-be-banned “Howl and Other Poems,” which it famous.
Allen Ginsberg sets the limit for obscenity
Ginsberg’s public trial questioned the boundaries of written expression and the First Amendment.
Basically, the book was banned because it was said to be too obscene. The public watched on the edge of their seats as poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the publisher of City Lights Books, was charged with obscenity.
Protecting the future of literature: beating the charge
It was ruled that “Howl” had social value and was not obscene under the law, setting a precedent for future censorship cases!
A Word on the San Francisco Zine Scene
I love San Fran. That is a fact.
The city has my heart, and there is always a piece of me living there, no matter where the rest of me is. One of my absolute favorite things about this city (and there are so many) is the Zine culture.
What is a Zine?
A zine is basically a tiny magazine that is independently published, usually by one person.
Zines are considered more self-expression than literature. If you’re a book lover visiting San Francisco, absolutely do not leave without picking up a Zine from any of the bookstores mentioned above.
They also make great souvenirs that are uniquely San Francisco!
Bird & Beckett Books & Records
Neighborhood: Glen Park
Vibe: Eclectic Soul, Artisitic AF
This is the type of book joint you wander into when you don’t have a title in mind but, instead, a feeling.
What sets Bird & Beckett apart from other bookstores in San Francisco is its live jazz music and rotating menu of traveling musicians. B&B’s setting is very intimate, so plan ahead to snag a seat and enjoy some world-class, live music.
Argonaut Book Shop
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Vibe: Historical California, Love for San Francisco
You must pop into the Argonaut Book Shop if you love the West Coast and beautiful California.
Book collectors, historians, scholars, and literature lovers from all walks of life come here seeking rare and hard-to-find books on subjects related to California and the American West.
You can also buy antique maps and first-editions, rare and out-of-print historical books, which adds to the overall aesthetic. While in the area, consider learning the history and food by taking the best walking tour in Nob Hill.
Note:
Argonaut’s hours are sporadic. I recommend calling ahead to see if they’re open.
Omnivore Books on Food
Neighborhood: Noe’s Valley
Vibe: Foodie Meets Bibliophile
Calling all foodies! San Francisco is known for its incredible food culture and badass breweries, but one hidden gem that is often overlooked is Omnivore Books on Food.
The ambiance at Omnivore is cozy and inviting, with shelves lined with cookbooks that range from classic French cuisine to vegan alternatives. If you’re in town for a while, make time for a demonstration or cooking classes.
You can also sign up for the Signed Cookbook Club, where you will receive four autographed cookbooks yearly.
Pro-tip: Always eat before you shop here.
Borderlands Books
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
Vibe: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Haven
Borderlands Books is a worthy stop if you’re searching for a new adventure or ready to take on a new galaxy.
Borderlands has everything a true fan could ever want, from science fiction and fantasy to mystery. But it’s not just the massive selection – the staff is passionate about the genres they specialize in, and the feeling is contagious.
Isotope Comics
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
Vibe: Funky; Comicon Cool
Isotope Comics is a hip store with a vibe that will make any comic fan feel at home.
The ambiance at Isotope is filled with pop culture references and funky decor. You’ll find all types of comics, from the most popular series to undiscovered gems.
Whether you’re a lover of obscure titles or popular releases, Isotope Comics is a must-visit spot for any comic fan touring the bookstores in San Francisco!
Alley Cat Bookstore & Gallery
Neighborhood: Mission District
Vibe: Artsy; Chill; Local
As you step inside Alley Cat, you’re greeted with a cool, laid-back vibe that sets the store apart from your typical corporate bookshop. I was super impressed with their shelves, brimming with diverse books covering everything from poetry to politics.
Check out the gallery space in the back of the store, which hosts artwork from local artists.
Green Apple Books
Neighborhood: Richmond District
Vibe: Fiercely Independent
Since 1967, Green Apple Books has been a fiercely independent bookstore.
Today, Green Apple has become the largest bookstore in San Francisco, logging in 8,000 square feet at their flagship location.
Walking through the happy green doorway, you’re not immediately prepared for the flooding of books and art tucked away in every corner.
Fabulosa Books
Location: Castro District
Vibe: Bright, LGBTQ+ Focused
Looking for a bookstore that exudes positive energy? Fabulosa Books is it!
The bright colors and clean lines create an inviting space where all are welcome, right in the heart of SF’s legendary Castro District.
Fabulosa carries titles focusing on the LGBTQ+ community, plus other niches and genres. This is a great stop after your LGBTQ+ Tour of the Castro District.
Pro-tip: Parking can be difficult, so I recommend walking to this little gem!
Dog Eared Books
Neighborhood: The Mission
Vibe: Bright, Light-filled, and Happy, Great for Used and Small-press Titles
Dog Eared Books is a haven for book and art lovers alike.
The store’s ambiance is cozy yet vibrant, with unique artwork by local artists scattered throughout.
Love what you see? Many pieces are available for purchase, so be sure to ask about anything that catches your eye! DE also has vintage papers and postcards. You never know what you’ll find in the free book bin.
City Lights Bookstore
Neighborhood: North Beach
Vibe: Beatnik Cool, Legendary, Iconic SF
There’s no competition: City Lights is one of the most controversial independent bookstores in the country.
City Lights Bookstore is known for its rebellious, countercultural atmosphere that rejects societal norms and materialism and advocates for personal freedom.
Beat it
The store was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti (best known for his mindblowing collection of poems, Coney Island of the Mind) and is synonymous with writers of the Beat Generation.
This was the bookstore that published Ginsberg’s “Howl,” the one that protected self-expression for American authors for like, ever.
Still Beating It: City Lights Today
City Lights Bookstore hosts regular events like poetry readings and author signings. Take time for all three levels, especially the top floor’s poetry room, to experience the full Beat Gen culture.
You will find an impressive collection of radical, avant-garde, and literary fiction, cross-cultural studies, and political non-fiction books at City Lights.
Of the bookstores in San Francisco, this is one you legit can’t miss.
FAQ
What is the oldest bookstore in San Francisco?
The oldest bookstore in San Francisco is The Argonaut Book Shop, established in 1941 by Robert D. Haines. Argonaut specializes in rare and collectible books, focusing on California, Western Americana, and the history of printing and bookselling.
What is the biggest bookstore in San Francisco?
The biggest bookstore in San Francisco is Green Apple Books, which totals about 8,000 square feet of paradise.
What are the best used bookstores in San Francisco?
San Francisco has so many awesome used bookstores that it’s hard to pick the ‘best.’ So here are the top 3 best used bookstores in San Francisco-
- Green Apple Books
- Alley Cat Books
- Dog Eared Books
Why is City Lights bookstore famous?
City Lights Bookstore is famous for its role in the Beat Generation, as it served as a gathering place for Beat poets and writers and published influential works such as Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” and the obscenity trial that followed.
Beyond the Beat movement, City Lights is known for its independent publishing and supporting literature that challenges social norms.
Who did City Lights publish?
The list of who has been published by City Lights Bookstore is seemingly endless.
Throughout the 50s and 60s, City Lights continued to publish Beat literature and cutting-edge new works by authors like:
- Allen Ginsberg
- Jack Kerouac
- Charles Bukowski
- William S. Burroughs
- Lawrence Ferlinghetti
- Gregory Corso
- Diane di Prim
- Frank O’Hara
- Anne Waldman
- Ntozake Shange
Pin It for Later
