The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF
Aardvark Books is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

1. Aardvark Books

227 Church St (btwn Market & 15th St.), San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Mission Dolores · 26 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: The staff keep the shelves stocked with a terrific selection of contemporary and classics, cookbooks, poetry, and non-fiction, and for a store this small you'll be surprised at the selection. Read more.

Adobe Books & Art Cooperative is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

2. Adobe Books & Art Cooperative

8.2
3130 24th St (btwn Shotwell & Folsom St), San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Mission District · 8 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: Wall-to-wall books are as much about good reading as warm atmosphere, and Adobe is perfect for its spirited comedy nights, poetry readings, and even live music shindigs. Read more.

Bird & Beckett Books is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

3. Bird & Beckett Books

9.2
653 Chenery St, San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Glen Park · 10 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: The "Beckett" is Samuel and the "Bird" is Charlie "The Bird" Parker, and that should tip you off that, in addition to being a classy bookseller, this Glen Park gem is also a jazz haunt. Read more.

Book Passage is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

4. Book Passage

7.9
One Ferry Building #42, San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Financial District · 14 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: While of course they're known for their wide selection of books, their program of author events is really remarkable, with stops from niche-y, cult writers and mass-market stars alike. Read more.

Books, Inc. is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

5. Books, Inc.

8.5
601 Van Ness Ave (at Golden Gate Ave), San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Civic Center · 10 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: Books Inc describes itself as "the world's oldest independent bookstore," with an origin story that begins during the Gold Rush era. Each store has their own sets of book clubs and events. Read more.

The Booksmith is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

6. The Booksmith

9.1
1644 Haight St (btwn Clayton & Cole St), San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Haight Ashbury · 45 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: A helpful, friendly staff will help you find the latest twee periodical or the hottest beach read, and don't miss bizarre literary happenings like Shipwreck, a fan-fiction take down. Read more.

Borderlands Books is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

7. Borderlands Books

866 Valencia St (btwn 19th & 20th St), San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Mission Dolores · 24 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: While anyone can shop there or take in their author events, sponsors get all sorts of benefits, including free movie passes, table reservations at their neighboring cafe, and even package acceptance. Read more.

City Lights Bookstore is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

8. City Lights Bookstore

9.2
261 Columbus Ave (at Broadway), San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Chinatown · 129 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: Founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin, the independent bookstore and publisher specializes in world literature, the arts, and progressive politics. Read more.

Dog Eared Books is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

9. Dog Eared Books

9.4
900 Valencia St (at 20th St), San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Mission District · 43 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: Dog-Eared Books is an oddity: It's a bookstore... that's growing. In addition to its Valencia Street shop for new, used, and discount books (plus odds and ends like maps), there's a new Castro store. Read more.

Green Apple Books is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

10. Green Apple Books

9.5
506 Clement St (at 6th Ave), San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Inner Richmond · 69 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: Green Apple has thrived and grown to ten times its original size, making it the biggest single-location independent bookseller in SF, with new and used books for sale. (They also ship for 99 cents). Read more.

Kayo Books is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

11. Kayo Books

8.0
814 Post St, San Francisco, CA
Used Bookstore · Lower Nob Hill · 6 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: These purveyors of smutty, sleazy, and scintillating paperbacks are John Waters' favorite bookstore, as he once told Terry Gross on NPR's Fresh Air. "It's the most amazing bookshop," he said. Read more.

Omnivore Books on Food is one of The 12 Best Independent Bookstores In SF.

12. Omnivore Books on Food

8.9
3885 Cesar Chavez St (at Church St), San Francisco, CA
Bookstore · Noe Valley · 29 tips and reviews

SFistSFist: With a huge selection of new and used cookbooks — including a fantastic collection of California vintage cookbooks priced according to their rarity — Omnivore is a home cook's dream. Read more.