If you’re someone who still values the environment of a bookstore, we’ve got the best for you.
There’s nothing like the peace and quiet that comes with finding your new favorite book at a bookstore. Although the internet doesn’t require you to leave your own home, at a brick and mortar bookstore you can sit down and read the synopsis of several (usually with a freshly made coffee), meet your favorite author for a book signing, or meet people with the same interests when you find them in your favorite genre aisle.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best bookstores across San Francisco and the Bay Area here:
Book Passage
1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA
Open 10 AM- 5 PM Monday through Friday, 9 AM- 5 PM Saturday, 11 AM- 5 PM Sunday
The “Bay Area’s Liveliest Bookstore” earned its name from hosting a broad spectrum of events every year. From children’s books to book groups and writer’s organizations, every reader or writer will find an event for them.
The Booksmith
1727 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA
Open daily from 12-6 PM.
This woman-owned bookstore is located in the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood in San Francisco. They have many in-person, and now virtual, events you can attend, and their employees are bound to help you pick out your new favorite book.
Sausalito Books by the Bay
100 Bay Street, Sausalito, CA 94965
Open daily Mon.– Fri. 11 AM – 7 PM, Sat. & Sun. 10 AM – 7 PM
This bookstore, opened by a local resident, has an expansive section focusing on maritime and nautical reads. It also has a great selection of local authors. This bookstore is specially curated for the community, and its employees have over 30 years of experience.
Dog Eared Books
900 Valencia St. , San Francisco, CA 94110
Open Daily 10 AM- 10 PM.
Dog Eared Books was established in 1992 and has been distributing many different genres, crowds, and puppy sightings ever since. You’ll also find books from a lot of local Bay Area writers (like James Bostwick).
The Henry Miller Library
48603 Highway One, Big Sur, CA 93920
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11-5 PM.
This memorial library opened in 1981. Not only can you read and buy books at this serene library, but you can also host or attend a private event. They feature Big Sur authors and have had performances from some of the most notable musical artists (Red Hot Chili Peppers and more).
City Lights Bookstore
261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
Open Daily from 12-8 PM.
City Lights Bookstore was America’s first all paperback bookstore. It was established in 1953 by Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin, both poets. It now offers all kinds of books, genres, and events dedicated to the knowledge of art, history, music and more.
Bell’s Books
536 Emerson St., Palo Alto, CA 94301
Open Daily 11 AM- 5 PM.
Bell’s Books was established in 1935. It is a family-owned independent bookstore and has bay area residents raving about their rare book selection and signed copies. Bell’s Books has two stories of a wide variety of genres (everything including children’s books).
Here are some great ways to support Acts of Omission AND your local bookstore!
- Shop in-store.
- Pre-order releases.
- Purchase an audiobook through Libro.fm
- Shop online through your local bookstore.
- Buy gift cards.
- Engage with your favorite bookstore on social media, and spread the word!
Two of James Bostwick’s favorite local bookstores are included on this list (Book Passage and Sausalito Books by the Bay) so if you swing by, you could potentially run into him! Check out the bookstores on this list, or if you’re not from the Bay Area, take a trip to your local bookstore and purchase Acts of Omission in stores (or through the bookstores’ websites)!