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San Diego has no shortage of large corporations, retail stores and boutiques. Most people may not think of books when they think of this sun-kissed city, but it turns out there are plenty of amazing bookstores where you can find copies of new, used, and rare books. Whether you want to buy the latest novel by a famous author or an old book of poetry, there are plenty of bookstores in San Diego to browse and find copies of your favorites and books you’ve never discovered.
the best bookstores in san diego, ca
San Diego’s bookstores range from your basic retail establishment to boutique thrift stores where you can find rare first editions. With the ability to find the best bookstores in San Diego, you’ll be amazed at the options to find just what you’ve been looking for or something you never knew you needed. independent bookstores in san diego will blow your mind. Take a look below to find some of the best options for buying books in San Diego.
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Warwick’s
Warwick’s (7812 Girard Ave), for example, is an iconic store and one of the best bookstores in San Diego. Located in La Jolla, the store has a wide variety of books, stationery, journals, pens, and other items. It holds the title of the oldest family owned and operated bookstore in the country. If you want to find a wide selection of books without going to a corporate store, look no further than Warwick’s. You won’t be disappointed in the selection or the atmosphere.
the book catapult
Another great option for one of the best independent bookstores in San Diego is The Book Catapult (3010-B Juniper St.). With an incredible selection and a laid-back atmosphere, this store in the South Park neighborhood is a great option. they specialize in contemporary fiction, but pride themselves on their ability to provide books you didn’t know you wanted. the book catapult has 5,000 books in the small shop, accompanied by clothing, accessories and folk art.
barnes & noble
there are ten barnes & noble places in san diego. If you’ve been to one of their retail stores, you probably know what you’ll find at a San Diego branch, but it’s an option for when you need to find something specific they have in stock. Not only does the highly corporate bookstore have a wide selection of books available, but there’s usually a cafe serving Starbucks inside. if you type “bookstore near me”, barnes & noble will probably be the first to appear.
bay books
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Located in Coronado, Bay Books (1007 Orange Ave.) has an inventory that includes titles by local writers, travel books, and a variety of other items. You can grab a cappuccino at Cafe Bay Books while you browse through the selection of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. offers an excellent environment to search for exactly what you want. In addition to the Coronado location, Bay Books is also within the San Diego Airport.
the mysterious galaxy
the mysterious galaxy (3555 rosecrans st. suite 107) is a store in san diego that sells fiction genres such as mystery, fantasy, horror and science fiction. The store not only carries niche books for fans of genre fiction, but also hosts book signings and readings from various local and out-of-town authors. With thousands of genre fiction installments, this bookstore is perfect for anyone looking for the next book in a series or looking to dive into the worlds of specific genres.
The Best San Diego Used Bookstores – Verbatim Books
San Diego’s secondhand bookstores vary, but they all offer excellent options for getting rare and early copies of your favorite titles. Verbatim Books (3793 30th St.) in North Park offers a highly curated selection of rare and used books. They also have a selection of magazines as well as works by local authors and writers. the space is adorned with art and the atmosphere is eclectic. verbatim has a great selection. dive into their inventory and you’ll find something you’ll love.
the best used bookstores in san diego – la playa books
la playa books (1026 rosecrans st.) is located in point loma. there are thousands of used and out-of-print copies in store. Not only will you be able to find a specific book you’re looking for, but you’ll stumble across titles you never knew about. An integral part of the community, the beach has been around since 1886 and continues to thrive.
the best independent bookstores in san diego
San Diego has a decent number of independent bookstores where you can support local owners and book lovers. Verbatim Books is an independent bookstore in North Park that offers high-quality options. galaxy mystery bookstore in point loma is another independent bookstore in san diego that goes above and beyond to meet the needs of its customers.
These two stores curate their selections for their customers, creating vibrant communities around specific book lanes. Another independent bookstore in San Diego is Bluestocking Books (3817 Fifth Avenue) in Hillcrest. This retailer stocks a wide range of books for children and adults. Their inventory consists of fiction and nonfiction, as well as graphic novels, humor, self-help, and more.
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You’ll also find Footnote Books (1627 University Ave.) tucked away on the other end of Hillcrest, near North Park and University Heights. Footnote Books is a must-visit for true bibliophiles who love to search the stacks for hidden treasures. One Yelp reviewer writes, “Tightly packed treasure trove! Every topic, and not just the standards, but some rare and hard to find titles. Obviously collected by someone who knows at least a little about a lot of things.” Another writes: “They really have it all, you just have to look for it. This place is filled to the brim with books.”
These are great options if you want to support independent shops and people who really care about books.
frequently asked questions about bookstores in san diego
Supporting Bookstores
With independent bookstores becoming scarcer, it has never been more imperative to support them. San Diego is full of independent and used bookstores where you can find titles that the book giants don’t stock. Not only will you be able to find rare and vintage books, there are independent stores where you can talk to people who love to read.
When it comes to bookstores in San Diego, you have a wide variety of options. You don’t have to settle for corporate booksellers. instead, dive into the selection of books available at these independent stores. you can lose yourself in the impressive inventories, where you can discover books you never knew you needed. If you’re interested in ordering notebooks and journals online for your favorite style or material, don’t forget that a charming bookstore and coffee shop are still great places to hang out and write!
About the authors:
ryan beitler is a writer, journalist and blogger who has written for a variety of publications including the slovenia times, paste magazine, news deadline and more. he used to live in san diego.
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sterling guelich has spent many a pleasant hour in san diego’s best bookstores. While he mourns the loss of Wahrenbrok Books, Fifth Avenue Books and Adams Avenue Books, he offers his patronage to independent booksellers whenever he can.