What are the coolest used bookstores in California?

I just read an interesting article in Wednesday's (2/7/07) LA times about how more indepedent and used bookstores in the Bay Area are closing.

I'm a huge fan of used bookstores, so I was sad to see this.

Anyway, I thought we could compile a list of the coolest used bookstores in California.

I'll nominate Bart's Books in Ojai. If you haven't been there, you should check it out. It's a large, rambling kind of ramshackle structure, that's actually a bunch of connected courtyards. They've got a great, eclectic collection and great deals. Wonderful place to browse.

Next, Beers Books in Sacramento. Once again, nice, eclectic collection.

I have a few more to throw into the mix, too, if you guys are interested.

I still miss Duttons North Hollywood. :(

Tin Can Mailman in Arcata (Humboldt County), Green Apple Books in San Francisco (though it's been quite a while since I've been there...tried to get there last Sunday but no parking at all), and Logos in Santa Cruz has had some good stuff. I have some favorite independents too.

Northern California

San Francisco: Aardvark Books; Green Apple Books; City Lights (landmark!)

Berkeley: Cody's; Moe's; Universtiy Press Books; Black Oak Books

Oakland: Diesel

Menlo Park: Kepler's

Without a doubt I nominate Acres of Books in Long Beach. It's gigantic and strange, oddly organized, but with clerks that know the intricacies. I actually worked there for a year, and I return as often as I return to that corner of California. It's inspiring enough that Ray Bradbury wrote an essay about it.

#6 ~ Sweet! Next time I'm down in that area, I'll check it out. Thanks!

Bookman in Orange & Huntington Beach in the real OC and Camelot books (disorganized though) in Huntington.

Yes, Bookman in Orange. I've never been to the one in Huntington.

Abandoned Planet in San Francisco

Spectator, Walden Pond, Pendragon and the Bookmark in Oakland

Half Price Books and Pegasus in Berkeley

I've also visited one in Walnut Creek, but I can't remember the name

Bookbuyers in Mountain View is one of our favorite haunts. Especially after dinner and some gelato!

There's a wonderful store in Placerville on Main Street but the name is eluding me at the moment!

Aardvark Books!
227 Church Street (at Market)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 552-6733

EXCELLENT - Used & New. I used to work there and the buyers are excellent!!

I second the recommendation from bvs for Bookbuyers in Mountain View. The best collection of tech-related second-hand books I've found. Further south, there is Recycled Books in San Jose on the Alameda, which is pretty good. Nice cats too. They opened a Recycled West in Campbell which has a nicely balanced collection and helpful staff.

Not entirely a used-book store, but very cool is Hijinx Comics in Willow Glen. It's my local comic/graphic novel store, and the owner is particularly good with children. Well, my children, at least. Worth checking it out.

I'll add a vote for Tin Can Mailman in Arcata (got a great edition of Randall Jarrell's *Collected Poems* when we were on vacation up there).

In Sacramento, there's Beers Books (10th & S, both new and used, with coffee shop and cat).

I also like Time-Tested Books (1114 21st Street). They just moved next door to their old digs, and it's a wonderful space: airy, with skylights, and chairs for browsing. A mix of new and used (mostly used), and they have a section on labor history that's outstanding. They'll also order new books--and they pay the sales tax on special orders.

Then there's The Book Collector (1008 24th Street). They're pretty cramped, but what they're best at is local poetry--they've got all sorts of books, chapbooks and broadsides by local poets in a big display rack near the door.

Any other Sacramentans here?

Kel

Half Price Books in Fremont, CA

I used to always find something at the Book Den in Santa Barbara, but I was disappointed the last time I visited. Lost Horizons on the other hand is a treasure of fine used books.

Thanks for the invite to the group.
My favorite used bookstore is Book Haven, 559 Tyler St., in Monterey.

I like perusing garage sales and Friends of the Library bookstores. There's just something about the yellowing and the smell of old books that gets me.

There was a semi-recent post about used bookstores over on LJ and some great things were said about the Iliad Bookshop in North Hollywood.

Also mentioned were A&M Book Cellars in Canoga Park (91306), Brand Book Shop in Glendale (91203).

Great topic!

Some of my favorites in CA are:

Monterey - Old Capitol Books

Newport Beach - Friends of the Public Library bookstore (incredible finds!)

Oakland and Berkeley - Pegasus & Pendragon

San Francisco - Book Bay @ Fort Mason (fantastic!)

I second the nomination for "Acres of Books" in Long Beach - it is an absolutely delicious delight for the book-lover! :)

In SoCal, I also recommend "Berkelouw's Books" (between Melrose & Santa Monica Blvd.) and "Bodhi Tree" in Hollywood as well as "The Paperback Exchange" in Santa Barbara.

In NorCal my favorite for the last 10 years or so has without a doubt been "Ames Bookstore" in Grass Valley, a real indesputable hidden treasure.

Happy hunting! :)

I've been to Bart's books in Ojai. It is really unique.

The closest used bookstore to me closed last year, so I'm looking around for another one within a reasonable driving distance.

RE # 16:

They moved their location, though are still in the same city. However, it's no longer a 'cool' bookstore. Rather, they've lost my interest and aren't nearly as good as before. Also, they've really downsized. Needless to say, I'm very glad I discovered BookMooch.

The Bodhi Tree has a used bookstore right next door. I like it.

Bodhi Tree Bookstore
(310) 659-1733
www.bodhitree.com
8585 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069

I wanted to add an addendum to my previous recommendations (message #22):

I recently traveled to Santa Barbara for a weekend and I found a delightful, enchanting little gem of a used bookstore called "The Fictitious Business: Paperback Exchange".

The owners are absolutely charming, the business is well-stocked, the books are very reasonably (and sometimes deliciously under-) priced and they are more than happy to offer advice, knowledge, suggestions, and even some tea or coffee if it sparks your interest. Highly recommended if you are ever near the area. :)

Here's the info:

Paperback Exchange
1838 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA
(805) 966-3725

For people just looking for a good selection of paperback fiction, not collectables or first editions. There are a couple of good stores near me.

Paperback Alley on Hollister Ave in Goleta (near Santa Barbara)

The Book Rack on Main St in Ventura

Both are well organized by genre and alphabetized by author

Re: Message 11 from bvs
I LOVE bookbuyers. They have job openings too.....*jumps for joy* my whole salary would be spent on books!

I'd like to chime in (months after the fact)! My favorite bookstore in L.A. has to be Alias books on Sawtelle/Santa Monica. It's sparse but so many of the books are good and inexpensive. The owner has excellent taste in books...

In San Diego, Wahrenbrocks Book House in downtown, Broadway and 9th. Three stories, very eclectic mix of books. They also know all there is to know about books, so if you're a collector it's a great place to go for them to search them out for you. They're books are not cheap, however.

In Carlsbad, there's a new shop, Farenheit 451(intentionally misspelled so as not to be confused with the book). They were just getting started when I was in there about 6 months ago, but already had a nice mix of both fiction and non-fiction, HB and PB. Managed to pick up several nice Vonnegut books for fair prices.

Hmmm... think it's time for a drive up the coast! Thanks for the tip...

Re #30:
Thanks for mentioning Farenheit 451 in Carlsbad. I had no idea it was there until I saw your post. Finally made a visit there today and found it to be a lovely shop. Clean, well-lit, and not so cramped that you can't see what's on the shelves. I bought four books today and will definitely be going back.

Farenheit 451 Booksellers
325 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite B-1
Carlsbad 92008
info@farenheit451books.com
(760) 720-3373
(760) 518-3771

Glad you enjoyed it. I know they were just getting started when I was in there. The owners were burned out in Julian by the fires 3 years ago (thus the name of the store) and are completely rebuilding their stock. I need to make another trip to see how they're doing.

Is there any connection to the Fahrenheit 451 bookstore that was once in Laguna Beach, CA?

Recycle Bookstore - the main store is in San Jose, and they just opened a second store in Campbell.

Also Logos in Santa Cruz.

...I love used bookstores! (Bookbuyers is pretty good too. I've never seen a used bookstore before that carried cross-stitch patterns.)

I heard a news report this morning that I think said that Acres of Books in Long Beach will be closing, blaming the online sale of books. I was getting dressed in the other room at the time, but I think I heard they are considering selling their inventory of approx. 700,000 books online. I don't know any dates, but I'm going to try and find out and get there before another one bites the dust.

I don't think I've seen Kayo Books on Post in SF mentioned, for "vintage paperbacks, pulp and popular culture". A lot of Beat stuff!

I have to agree with Antares in #23, Bart's Books in Ojai is definitely unique. It's a great little independent shop with plenty of little niches to sit and read. If you're in Ojai or even anywhere around Ventura, it's definitely worth the time. I posted a longer review on my blog, if you would like to know more.

Good luck on the search!

Hi - I joined this group just long enough to post this message, and then I will be on my way. Please post your suggestions in LibraryThing Local, if they aren't already listed there. You can favorite specific "venues" (stores), add comments, add author events, etc. Local is a great resource because it is searchable, but it is only as good as the info LT members provide.

One of my absolute faves is:
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #302
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 268-4747

they usually have a good collection of author signed books in the sci-fi and fantasy genres.

Now that I live in Long Beach I am definitely going to have to find time to get to Acres of Books.

Hi, daNanner ~ I heard about Acres of Books earlier this year, but only when it was rumored to be closing. If it is still there, will you let me know? TIA.

Where was Fahrenheit 451 located in LB? Is there any nearby that location now? thx :)

I just heard about a bookstore a few blocks from where I live! I think it has new and used books. They are having a promotion next week. Here's the info:

Saturday, October 04, 2008 05:00 PM
Ghost Society, The, will be promoting Ghost Files
Appears on/at: METROPOLIS BOOKS
440 S Main St Los Angeles, CA 90013

I'll be there (D.V.)! Anyone else planning to show up?

#42, the owners of Farenheit 451 (spelling correct for the store, as opposed to the book) originally owned a store in Julian, CA. It was burned out in the horrible fires (2003, I think). They moved to the coast and opened F-451, calling it that in memory of their recent fires. As far as I know they've never owned another by that name.

Are we talking about the Farenheit 451 in Laguna Beach? That bookstore was in LB long before 2003 but it went out of business, I believe embezzlement was involved but my memory of it is fuzzy. Has a new one been opened?

One of my favorite used book stores is the Almost Perfect Bookstore in Roseville (in the Sacramento area). They've got a wide variety. The used romance section is a little bigger than I would like (wasted space that could go to other things, in my opinion), but if that's what you're into, it's a great resource. I've found some pretty interesting books there.

Just an FYI for anyone searching for bookstores in this thread. Acres of Books in Long Beach is no longer around. :(

Black Oak Books in Berkeley. Bell's Books in Palo Alto.

Try the Book Garden in Exeter. Great selection of California titles, statewide, regional and local. New only. For used try the Valley Book Center and Hart's Haven in Fresno's Tower District.

Winston Smith Books in Auburn CA is a great book store. Lots of titles and an interesting place.

I need another group like I need a hole in the head but I came across this topic and had to put my two cents in for Copperfield's. This is a local chain of bookstores in the North Bay area and the store in Petaluma has a wonderfully organized basement of used books.

A trip to Ojai to visit Bart's Books is ... is a really fun trip! Also, I like both Calico Cat and Bank of Books in Ventura.

The Book Exchange in Manteca, Ca
The great thing about them is they accept ALL books for credit and when you buy anything they put your credit towards the purchase for up to 1/2 off. It has a good selection and there is a little bit of just about everything, plus is you ask for a book and they don't have it, they can see if they find it for you.

Yesterdays Bookstore in Modesto, Ca
They're SUPER picky about what they take, and as a result they don't have a great selection. For instance they do not carry any books about the Napoleonic Wars, and only 1 shelf for WWI (if there is actually anything on it that is). The prices aren't bad, but depending on what it is they can be a little pricey. They do have a lot of rare books though.

I have to go to Green Apple whenever I'm in San Francisco...always come out with something and love eating Thai food on Clement Street anyway.
I've spent hundreds of hours in Leon's in San Luis Obispo and bought many, many books by taking in my old unwanted books for store credit!
My favorite, though, is Hein & Co in Jackson, in Amador County. It's a small, old-fashioned store with great character, friendly, knowledgable people, and cats that will sit in the window seats and read with you. (Okay, I guess they don't read, but will keep you company while you do!)

I don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings, but I need to update an earlier post. It makes me very sad to admit that 'Acres of Books' in Long Beach is no more. I will miss those meandering, dusty aisles lost in time.

Also, on the same note, one of the two wonderful bookstores in SLO are no more. Only the one (name escapes me) caddy corner from the movie theater survives. I believe the name is Phoenix?

And I would like to end on an upbeat. There is a great little used bookstore opened in Long Beach, near the corner of Spring and Bellflower, Gatsby books, complete with resident cat. The owner is very active, and often organizes readings of all sorts. I recently read one of my children's books there.