Bookstores in the San Francisco Bay Area (Berkeley, Oakland, and East Bay)
Last change:
14 Aug 2008
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Berkeley/Oakland
East Bay
San Francisco
North Beach
Chinatown
Downtown
Civic Center
Japantown
Lower Haight
Upper Haight
Mission (and Noe Valley)
Castro
Richmond
West Portal
Marina
Sunset
North of San Francisco
Peninsula
South Bay
Central Coast
Comments
other geographic areas
[Note 1: This list contains stores in Berkeley, Oakland, and the East Bay.
San Francisco and north Bay listings can be found in the San Francisco
list.
Peninsula listings can be found in the Peninsula list.
Los Angeles listings can be found in the Los Angeles area list.
San Diego and Hawai`i listings can be found in the San Diego area list.
Sacramento and other California listings (outside of southern California)
can be found in the Northwestern US list. ]
[Note 2: I collected these comments from a variety of people. I personally
have no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if you
buy a book you don't enjoy. :-) Phone numbers and precise addresses can be
gotten by calling directory assistance for the appropriate city. Call ahead
for precise hours, as even when I list them they are subject to change.]
[Note 3: If you can add information for any of these, in particular
addresses when they are missing, please send it to me. *PLEASE SPECIFY CITY
AND STATE.*]
[Note 4: Area codes change so quickly these days that these may be wrong.]
============================================================================
Berkeley/Oakland:
Berkeley/Oakland (Berkeley unless otherwise noted):
Afikomen (3042 Claremont, 510-655-1977, 510-655-3598). Judaica, including
gift items. Closes before sundown Friday and is closed Saturday.
Anacapa (Claremont, a couple of doors down from Dark Carnival). A fairly
small antiquarian shop specializing in 19th and 20th century art
movements and European literary movements (their pataphysics
selection is one of the best in the States).
Barnes & Noble (on Shattuck in Berkeley). "The Berkeley store is quite large
without the crowding which often occurs between rows of bookcases.
They even put out some benches around a fountain in the center of the
store. The magazine selection is huge. I found 'Car Design and
Technology,' a British magazine. It was the latest issue (flown in,
according to the sticker), and still only cost a few dollars." The
one in Jack London Square (see below) is supposedly twice the size.
Barnes & Noble (Jack London Square, Oakland). About twice the size of the one
in downtown Berkeley.
Bibliomania (1816 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, 94612, 510-835 5733). A very nice
used bookstore, among the Bay Area's finest. Very attractive--
varnished pine shelves, books arranged alphabetically by author
within each section, dustjackets protected with mylar sleeves.
Fiction, poetry, Californiana, general titles.
Big Bad Book Sale (2349 Shattuck Ave). New books greatly reduced, with very
little order to the chaos.
Black Oak Books (1491 Shattuck Ave, 94709, 510-486-0698,
http://www.blackoakbooks.com). I think you either love it or hate it.
One reader says, "They have a good mix of new and used and their
used selection includes particularly good mythology/folklore and
cookbook sections. Their women's section is quite good and they
have one of the better humor sections I've run across (e.g.,
that's where I picked up Sally Swain's GREAT HOUSEWIFES OF ART)."
But another claims, "Black Oak Books is all shuck and jive.
Lots of new Politically Correct stuff up front, but slim pickins
for used goods in the back." "Good selection, but very pricey."
Yet another thinks the used selection is not particularly PC
and reasonably priced. Clearly it's one everyone will have to
see and judge for themselves. Open 7 days 10AM-10PM. (Also has
a branch in San Francisco.)
Boadecia's Books (398 Colusa, Kensington, 510-559-9184).
Lesbian/gay/bisexual books, women's authors. Open Mon,
Wed-Fri 12N-8PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-8PM.
Book Zoo (6395 Telegraph Ave, North Oakland, 510-654-2665,
http://bookzoo.net). Used books. "Funky little used
bookstore [run by] mavericks who don't use a cash register or
sell books online and are trusting souls who leave a cart with
sale books out overnight with a slot in the door for payment."
Stock is often unusual, edgy, and radical. Occasional author
events. [This is a different store than that of the same name
in Berkeley a few years ago, but with the same owners.] Open
Thu-Fri 4PM-10PM. Sat-Sun 10AM-10PM. [08/08]
Builder's Booksource (1817 4th, 510-845-6874). Architecture, construction,
landscape architecture, engineering, interior design, etc. From
coffee-table books all the way to the AISC Steel Manual.... Also has
a smaller store in San Francisco.
Cartesian (2445 Dwight Way). Small, good quality, scholarly.
Collected Thoughts Bookstore (1816 Euclid Ave, 94709, 510-843-1816).
New and used books: poetry, science, literature. "The proverbial
little bookstore. Funky place about one block from UC Berkeley on
the Hearst side of campus. Great poetry selection."
Comic Relief. "Around half of their considerable stock is books, with
plenty of art/alternative culture/etc. material in addition to
the usual graphic novels, manga and trade collections of comic
books and comic strips." [08/03]
Dark Carnival (3086 Claremont, 510-654-READ [510-654-7323]). "An unbelievably
fantastic book store. Simply the best. Nirvana. The volume,
quality, thoughtfulness and variety are overwhelming. Tucked away in
every nook are displays of sub-genres which are impossible to pass by.
Their table and bookcase of signed books beats many stores entire
selections of SF. I've even had recognizable authors serve me from
behind the counter. The store is too large to browse fully in one
visit. Large collection of hardcovers, including some limited
editions. Large non-fiction section. Frequent signings, readings and
parties. Many imports. And much, much more!" [03/05]
Dave's Smoke Shop (2444 Durant, 94704, 510-841-7292). In the indoor shopping
passage between Durant and Channing Way just west of Telegraph; same
mini-mall as Revolution Books). The periodical selection in there
used to be amazing. They even had Pravda (untranslated). However,
they have recently changed ownership and the selection has become
somewhat smaller. Whether this is a permanent change is anyone's
guess.
De Lauers (1310 Broadway, Oakland, 510-451-6157). "This place is open 24
hours a day, and has the widest selection of newspapers and magazines
that I've *ever* seen in one place."
Diesel, A Bookstore (5433 College Ave, Oakland, 94618, 510-653-9965,
http://www.dieselbookstore.com). New and used general,
children's, contemporary fiction, culture studies, "Simply the
best. I used to work with them, and can say from the inside
out that they are great booksellers, with a passion for
providing the best that an independent bookstore can offer:
excellent service, a wide-ranging, intelligent selection, and
a groovy atmosphere - a well designed space for browsing,
shopping and hanging out with books. I definitely recommend
this book store."
Easy Going Travel Shop & Bookstore (1385 Shattuck Ave, 510-843-3533 and
800-675-5500, http://www.easygoing.com). Specializes in
travel books, including guidebooks, travel literature, natural
history and field guides, overseas employment, outdoor adventure
guides, family travel, gay and lesbian travel, language
learning aids, ethnic and cultural awareness guides. Complete
selection of international maps. Does book searches, has
in-store readings and slides shows. Also supplies luggage and
travel accessories.
Half-Price Books (Solano Ave). "Their new location has a very pretty
sweeping staircase to the basement, good light, and a lot more
space, which they've filled with a wide variety of books. Good
used SF selection; they even have used role-playing books, which I
have trouble finding elsewhere. And I'm especially tempted by the
heavily discounted brand new books they offer. Nice people; great
bookstore."
Liberty Tree (134 98th Ave in Oakland). Not just libertarian but also general
civil liberties and history books.
The Library Bookstore (2433 Channing Way, 510-841-5604). Good bargains and
academic titles. All profits go to support the Berkeley Public
Library. Open Tue-Sat 10AM-4PM.
The Little Book Shop. "One of the best neighborhood stores I've encountered,
it which lives up to its name but has a good mix of new and used books
and excellent customer service."
M C Newburn (950 San Pablo Ave, Albany 94706, 510-524-1370). Mysteries and
more.
Mr. Mopps' Children's Bookshop (1405 Martin Luther King Jr. Way)
Moe's (2476 Telegraph between Haste and Dwight, 510-849-2087;
http://www.moesbooks.com). Five floors of mostly used books.
Around for over 25 years, they are one of the largest bookstores
of their kind. (Their old store can be seen briefly in THE
GRADUATE). More Moe's, located on the fourth floor, is an art
and antiquarian shop. One reader writes, "My favorite bookstore
and probably the best bookstore on the face of this earth. Okay,
okay, that may be an exaggeration (especially since I haven't
been to New York). However, how many used bookstores do you know
that charge 1/2 of the cover price for *all* paperbacks--
including the old 25- or 35-cent paperbacks!" Another says, "In
agreement with all of your readers, I found this store to be
excellent--wide selection, carefully organized and reasonably
priced. The half-price on all paperbacks from any era is a fine,
fine deal. One of the best used bookstores I've ever visited."
(Although another reader calls them "very pricey" on hardbacks.)
Will ship worldwide. [06/07]
North Atlantic Books & Frog, Ltd. Outlet (1435A Fourth, 94710, 510-559-8277
ext 17, FAX 510-559-8279, http://www.northatlanticbooks.com).
Publisher of alternative medicine, martial arts, and
somatics. Shopworn books are available at up to 75% off list
price. Open Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM.
O'Neil Book Co. (1150 Sixth Street, one block north of Gilman, 510-527-9855).
Great selection of remaindered books.
Other Change of Hobbit (2020 Shattuck Avenue at University Avenue,
510-848-0413; http://www.otherchangeofhobbit.com). "An
excellent selection of new SF, paperback and hardcover. Plus,
there's a decent selection of used SF, some used pulps, with an
occasional outstanding collectible under the glass case in the back.
Occasional signings." One of the classic SF specialty shops,
in business since 1977. In spite of rumors to the contrary,
they are still open. Open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 12N-7PM, Sun
12N-6PM. [06/04]
Pegasus Books (1855 Solano, 510-525-6888).
Pen Dragon Books (5560 College Avenue, Oakland, 510-652-6259). Pegasus and
Pendragon are owned by the same management. Both of them stock
primarily used books, remaindered books and recent releases.
Revolution Bookstore (2425 Channing Way). In a mini-mall between Durant and
Channing Way off Telegraph; underneath building on west side of
Telegraph--the same mall as Dave's Smoke Shop. Angry books about
politics and human right issues. Marxist theory, ecology, media
criticism. Large pictures of Marx, Lenin, and Mao on the wall.
2nd Edition: Gently Read Books (6120 La Salle Ave, Oakland, 94611,
510-339-7315). New and used books. General stock. In Montclair
Village.
Serendipity (1201 University Ave one block east of San Pablo, 510-841-7455).
A warehouse full of first editions and rare books. Used books. "One
of the Bay Area's finest, but they know books and there are few
bargains there. Also worth a visit just to admire some very fine
woodworking in their bookcases and cabinets." "I have yet to find
anything of any interest to me in Serendipity Books." "I've never
found anything of interest to me there either, but it's one of my
husband's favorite bookstores. He collects first editions of dark
fiction and has found a lot of what he considers to be real treasures
there." "Awesome selection ... this place is huge. Full of
surprises--a delightful store for serious book collectors."
Shakespeare and Company (2499 Telegraph). Diverse store. "They've got a
wider selection of SF than Moe's, and they seem to have a knack for
aquiring books I've been looking for for years and selling them for
far less than I'd pay elsewhere. On the other hand, many times they
will cover over the original price of a book with a black marker (or
even scratch it out!), which makes my blood boil. I think these are
both sides of the same coin: they don't know much about collectible
books. "
Turtle Island Book Shop (3032 Claremont Ave, 94705, 510-655-3413,
FAX 510-655-4238). Used, out of print, and antiquarian books in
literature, poetry, art history, and architecture. Small section of
rare SF titles and some SF pulps from time to time. Open Tues-Sat
10:30AM-6PM.
University Press Bookstore (across from the intermural athletic
center, 2430 Bancroft Way).
Walden Pond (3316 Grand Avenue between Lake Park and Mandana, Oakland.
Distinct from Waldenbooks, a used and new bookstore. They have a
particularly good selection of international writers (in translation)
and radical literature and magazines.
East Bay:
Livermore:
The Firehouse Bistro & Bookstore (2369 First). DUE TO OPEN MID-SUMMER
2007. It will sell used and books as well as serve food. All
customer credit accounts from Book Oasis (the previous store
at that location) will be honored. [02/07]
Emeryville:
Borders Books & Music (Emery Bay Public Market, 5800 Shellmound, 510-654-1633).
Walnut Creek:
Bonanza Books. Used. "One of the two best used book dealers in Walnut
Creek."
Diablo Books (1831 Ygnacio Valley Rd, 925-943-2400). Used. "One of
the two best used book dealers in Walnut Creek." [08/03]
Easy Going Travel Shop & Bookstore (1617 Locust, 510-947-6660 or
800-675-5500, EASYGO1@aol.com). Specializes in travel books, including guidebooks,
travel literature, natural history and field guides, overseas
employment, outdoor adventure guides, family travel, gay and lesbian
travel, language learning aids, ethnic and cultural awareness guides.
Complete selection of international maps. Does book searches, has
in-store readings and slides shows. Also supplies luggage and travel
accessories.
Hooked on Books (1956 Tice Valley Blvd, Roosmoor Shopping Center,
510-933-1025). Used bookstore that specializes in mysteries and
romance novels as well as having a reasonable SF section.
Concord:
Barnes & Noble (near where Willow Pass intersects I-680). Formerly Bookstar,
it has a noteworthy selection of new books.
Bay Books (1669 Willow Pass Rd, 94520, 925-671-2245, FAX 925-671-0136,
Baybooks2@baybooks2.com; 2415 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon,
94583, 925-855-1524, FAX 925-855-7341, Baybooks@baybooks.net).
New, used, and antiquarian books. Contra Costa's largest used
bookstore. [07/03]
Berkshire Books (3480 Clayton Rd, Concord, 94519, 925-685-9999,
vjz@tavbooks.com ). General antiquarian. 19th century British and
American literature, Dickensiana, books About books; children's serial
fiction; Vietnam conflict literature.
Waypoint (1813 Clement Ave #24, 94501, 510-769-1547, FAX 510-769-1573,
info@waypoints.com). For the nautically inclined. Books, charts,
computer navigation software, computers, GPS and more.
Wilmot's (123 Central Ave, 94501).
San Leandro:
Gray Wolf Books (was Roskie and Wallace Bookstore) (14595 E 14th,
510-483-4163). "This is a rather unique used book store. The prices
are quite cheap by Bay Area standards, the collection is huge, though
not as organized as some stores. In fact, it's kind of like a cross
between a bookstore and a rummage sale. It's not usually a place to
go looking for something specific, but it's a browser's heaven--you're
guaranteed to find something unique, something you'd never even think
of, let alone find in another bookstore." Another person says, "The
store is huge, with three connected warehouses of books in tall
orange-crate shelves in narrow aisles, with most shelves being stacked
two or three layers deep and not in very good order. Worth visiting
if you aren't picky about condition and enjoy rummaging." Open
Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM.
Fremont:
Borders (in mega shopping mall on Fremont Blvd between Mowry & Walnut Aves).
Half-Price Books (in a shopping center on Paseo Padre Parkway between Mowry
& Walnut Aves). Used books.
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Comments:
For more used bookstores, you might check http://www.abaa-booknet.com/ or
http://www.bookweb.org/bookstores/usa_states.html.
For more bookstores in California, see also http://www.nciba.com/stores.html.
Sonia Sachs (ssachs@moonlight.berkeley.edu) reports on the availability of
BROWSING THE BEST WEST COAST USED BOOK STORES: A SELECT GUIDE:
I have discovered a new and very thoughtful California travel
guide called BROWSING THE BEST WEST COAST USED BOOK STORES,
[subtitled A Series of Guides to The Foremost General Stock
Used and Out-of-Print Establishments in Los Angeles, Berkeley,
Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, Sacramento &
Orange County]. This terrific little guide -- which is
actually a series of eight separate folio guides -- was
probably intended for visiting scholars and other bibliophiles,
but it will likely appeal to local residents as well because it
offers fresh views of well-known places. Four cities are
featured in the first series of guides -- Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Berkeley, and Seattle. A second series of four
guides -- due out later this year -- tours San Diego, Orange
County, Sacramento, and Portland, Oregon. Each guide begins
with introductory essays that expound, quite eloquently and at
some length, on the value of out-of-print bookstore browsing.
Readers are then offered tips on how to browse out-of-print
bookstores and simultaneously avoid big price tags. Would-be
hobbyists are shown how to develop and advance book
collections. Novice bibliophiles are given a glossary of terms
to explain different classifications of books -- rare, used,
out-of-print, first edition, etc. This is not just an ode to
bookstores. It is an ode to books. The travel aspect is the
guides' most exciting feature. Each guide contains an
insightful city essay and ten descriptive bookstore narratives
that go a long way toward situating the reader in the town he
or she is visiting. And who hasn't been looking for a new way
to explore a faraway city? Individually, these guides form a
strong argument that bookstore touring is the best way to learn
the physical and intellectual contours of any town. Taken
together, the guides are nothing less than a grand tour of
literary landmarks all along America's Pacific Coast. Maps, of
course, are included. The author of these guides is a West
Coast native and long-time bibliophile who is not affiliated
with any bookstore or bookstore association. Consequently, and
happily so, the narrative point-of-view is that of a bookbuyer
rather than a bookseller. In terms of style, each guide is
often as humorous as it is telling, and the author does not shy
away from pointed comments. "The Los Angeles metropolitan area
is surprisingly good used book store territory," begins the
city essay for the Los Angeles guide. "Admittedly, there is a
glut of shops that tend to feature first editions of Eddie
Fisher's autobiography, but sequestered between all these
hackneyed enterprises are some very reputable bookstores." The
guides, which read like booklets with a map as centerpiece,
sell for $6.00 each. For more information, write Browsing The
Best Publications, Box 7263, Berkeley, California 94707-0263,
USA.
There is also the NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BOOK FINDER, a pocket-sized
directory of "used bookshops in northern Calfornia from San Luis Obispo
County to the Oregon Border." (Stores that carry both used and new are
also listed.) Arranged geographically, it has address, phone, hours
and a brief description for each store. (Some stores have ads with
more details, but it includes listings for all the used bookstores.)
There are also maps showing bookstore locations for most of the larger
towns, an index of towns, and an index of ads. The ninth edition
(1995) is probably available at bookstores in the area (for $5.95), or
you can order it from Jules Greenblatt, 4021 Campana Drive, Palo Alto
CA 94306 for $8.95 (including postage and handling).
There are also Book Hunter Press's USED BOOK LOVER'S GUIDE TO [various
regions], seven regional guides to over 7,900 used, out-of-print, and
antiquarian book dealers in the United States and Canada. The complete
database is online and can be searched by location, dealer name, specialty,
and type of dealer. Access to the database is available on a two tier basis:
partial access is free, full access is by subscription.The web page also
includes free access to regional and city maps showing locations with used
bookstores. For more information or a free catalog, check their web page at
http://bookhunterpress.com/.
And there is also ANTIQUARIAN, SPECIALTY, AND USED BOOK SELLERS
DIRECTORY 1997-98, covering 5,261 dealers in 863 pages. For more
information, send E-mail request asubs@aol.com, or check their web page
at http://www.auldbooks.com/biblio/asubs.
Anecdote from a reader (circa 1995):
"Had an interesting experience last night: I was having dinner at a
friend's house when he asked me if I had access to internet. This was
curious, indeed, as he is probably the most neo-Luddite younger person I
know, resistant to computer technology to the point of keeping business
records on scraps of paper beneath found paperweights and doing business
correspondence via penciled letters.
It turns out that the reason for this sudden interest is that someone
came into his store [which shall remain nameless here] in San Francisco,
and made a stunning $50.00 purchase on the basis of some recommended
bookstore list that you produced and posted on rec.arts.books. A captain
of industry he's not, so fifty big ones made about as big an impression
on him as a major bus wreck ("Don't mention the money," he says of this
message, "it sounds so crass."). Suddenly, this computer thing had
reality to him. He produced a scrap of paper with your net address on
it and requested that I thank you.
I just thought you might get as big a giggle out of this as I did."
Of all the messages people have sent me over the years, this one is
still my favorite.
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Copyright Notice
Information contained in this FAQ is compiled from many sources. The
compiler accepts no responsibility for the comments contained herein.
The comments are provided "as is" with no warranty, express or implied,
for the information provided within them.
This FAQ is not to be reproduced for commercial use unless the party
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4) They will agree, in writing, that the collection including the FAQ will
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profit donated to a non-profit literacy program. Project Gutenberg
counts.
To support this, this FAQ is Compilation Copyright 2008 by Evelyn C. Leeper
(the FAQ maintainer).
=============================================================================
Evelyn C. Leeper
Evelyn C. Leeper (eleeper@optonline.net)
Go to my home page