DP Tool Club 8/CDASC08.ISO/VRAC/BOOK0145.ZIP/BOOK0145.TXT

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From: [e-mail] (evelyn.c.leeper)
Subject: Bookstores in San Francisco Bay Area (SF) List (rec.arts.books)
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Archive-name: books/stores/north-american/bay-area

Last change:
Mon Aug 16 08:51:54 EDT 1993

Additions:
William K. Stout Architectural Books (downtown)
Bassett Book Shop (downtown)
Adobe Book Shop (Mission and Noe Valley)
Books & Company (Civic Center)
Kinokuniya (Lower Haight)
Comics & Comix (Palo Alto)
?  (Mountain View)
Heldford Book Gallery (San Anselmo)
Michael Good (San Anselmo)
Oliver's (San Anselmo)

Changes:
Tillman Place Bookshop (downtown) (major changes to write-up)
A Clean Well-Lighted Place For Books (downtown) (changes to write-up)
Freedom Forum's Books (Mission and Noe valley) (name correction)
Aardvark (Mission and Noe Valley) (still has used books)
Maelstrom Books (Mission and Noe Valley) (more description)
Valencia Books (Mission and Noe Valley) (full address)
Forest Books (Mission and Noe Valley) (full address)
The Abandoned Planet (Mission and Noe Valley) (was The Book Center)
Modern Times (Mission and Noe Valley) (full address and more description)
Manzanita (Mission and Noe Valley) (more description)
Cody's (Berkeley) (updated description)
Books Inc (Palo Alto) (moved to smaller location)
Phileas Fogg (Palo Alto) (merged with Sprots Central)
Sports Central (Palo Alto) (merged with Phileas Fogg)
San Antonio Hobby Shop (Mountain View) (updated decsription)
Tincan Mailman (Arcata) (address correction and change in description)
many phone numbers added

Deletions:
Castro Kiosk (Castro)
Berkeley Book Consortium (went out of business the end of July)

Much thanks to Michael Oltz ([e-mail]) for all the
additions, especially phone numbers!

Copies of this article may be obtained by anonymous ftp to rtfm.mit.edu
under /pub/usenet/news/answers/books/stores/north-american/bay-area.Z.  Or,
send email to [e-mail] with "send
usenet/news/answers/books/stores/north-american/bay-area" in the body of the
message.

[Note 1: 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 2: I am cross-posting this to rec.arts.sf.written, but the bookstores
listed include *all* types of bookstores, so please don't tell me that a
particular store has a limited SF section unless I have specifically
claimed otherwise.]

SAN FRANCISCO:
(Thanks to Joseph Brenner, this is arranged geographically, roughly east to
west, or starting "Downtown" and moving outwards.  If something is grossly
misplaced, please let me know, but it's difficult to order linearly a
two-dimensional map!)

Chinatown:
Louie Bros Book Store (754 Washington near Grant).  Chinese
language.  Noted a Lotus 1-2-3 manual in the window.

Downtown:
William K. Stout Architectural Books (804 Montgomery,  415-391-6757).
This is a beautiful bookstore on all facets of architecture,
including furniture.  The books are stored in a seemingly
chaotic fashion, but the staff is helpful and knowledgeable.
Closed Sunday, open late Thursday.
City Lights (Broadway and 261 Columbus).  The best place for general
literature.  Famous beat era shop.  Go downstairs.
Alexander Book Co. (south of Market on Second Street downtown).
Pleasant to hang out in, and carries a more interesting
selection of everything than many larger places.  It's
hidden away behind Stacey's. (Stacey's is valuable but really
just a giant Waldenbooks in spirit.  Alexander is not--they
will order *anything* from anyone if even just suspected to
be in print.)
Rand McNally (Market near 2nd).  Huge selection of maps and travel
books.
Stacey's (581 Market near 2nd).  It is remarkable for technical
books.  Another branch at 383 Sacramento between Front and
Battery.
Bassett Book Shop (865 Market in the San Francisco Centre,
415-543-0933).  This used to be Brentano's.  It has recently
opened on two floors of the "Nordstrom Mall."  The store
itself has three floors of new books; it's spacious, and
looks inviting.  The selection is reasonable.  There are
chairs that are not very comfortable.  The staff is not up
to speed yet, but that will probably change.
Tillman Place Bookshop (8 Tillman Place off Grant between Post and
Sutter, 415-392-4668).  Was previously called Charlotte
Newbegin's Bookshop.  Contrary to previous reports, they do
*not* specialize in Russian books (can someone help me out
on what bookstore the person might have been thinking of?)
and does not carry used books.
Argonaut Books (786 Sutter at the corner of Taylor, 415-474-6353).
Used.
The Bookstall (570 Sutter btwn Powell and Mason 415-362-6353).  Used.
It has a general selection of books.
Albatross (166 Eddy btwn Mason and Taylor, 415-885-6501).  Used.
Much more upscale than McDonalds, excellent selection.  In a
very seedy area, but you are probably safe during the day.
McDonalds (48 Turk, 415-673-2235).  Used. You gotta see this place:
rickety shelves stacked to the rafters with old books and
magazines.  The next quake is going to wipe this place out.
In a very seedy area, but you are probably safe during the
day.

Civic Center:
European Books (925 Larkin a couple of blocks uphill/north
of Fantasy Etc., 415-474-0626).  THE place to go for
European-language books.  Mostly French, German, and
Spanish, but other languages as well.
Fantasy Etc. (808 Larkin).  SF and mysteries.
A Clean Well-Lighted Place For Books at Opera Plaza (610 Van Ness
Ave between Golden Gate and Turk).  A good general selection
of books, and a helpful staff.  "Only in San Francisco will
you find a bookstore where the children's section is next
to the lesbian and gay section."
San Francisco Opera Shop (2nd floor of the War Memorial Opera House,
Van Ness at Grove).  Open every night an opera is given;
features opera-related items which are sometimes hard to
find elsewhere.
Acorn Books (740 Polk between Eddy and Ellis next-door to Sierra
Club HQ, 415-563-1736).  Used.  Everything over $15 is on
the computer. They also have printouts by topic.  "Very
large collection of SF paperbacks.  Some hardcover.  Some
highly priced collectibles.  A good selection of pulps in
average condition (AMAZING, ASTOUNDING, ANALOG, etc.).
There are a few other used book stores in the immediate
area, which I would recommend staying away from."
Books & Company (1323 Polk near Bush, 415-441-2929).  "This is a
cramped, low-ceilinged place, painted blood-red throughout,
with books overflowing every imaginable horizontal surface.
Classical music wafts through the air, as does the faintest
aroma of the Bookstore Cat's ... uh ... facilities.  There
are oriental rugs on the floor, the better to cushion the
fall of all those precariously-perched books, and a rather
curmudgeonly appearing proprietor, who becomes an absolute

sweetheart with the slightest provocation.  If you peek
behind the piles of current titles, you'll find all kinds of
used treasures on the shelves.  And new titles are *heavily*
discounted--at least 40% off the list price!  Its hours are
rather eccentric--something like Wednesday thru Saturday,
afternoons only, but don't quote me.  [Sorry, too late!]
Anyway, the place is a bibliophile's (and ailurophile's
too--the Cat is perfect) paradise....
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art bookstore (Van Ness and
McAllister, near the Opera House).  A great selection of art
and art-related books; also some interesting children's
books.
Richard Hilkert, Bookseller (333 Hayes, near the Performing Arts
Center, 415-863-3339).  Has a large number of books on
architecture, as well as a large collection of books, new and
used, on design, the arts, collecting, gardening, cooking,
travel....  Carries new and used books, and has book signings
from time to time.
Drama Books (134 Ninth St, San Francisco CA 94103, two or three
blocks off Market, 415-255-0604).
U. S. Government Bookstore (Room 1023, Federal Building, 450 Golden
Gate Avenue, 415-252-5334).  "Did you know that the U.S.
Government Printing Office operates 24 bookstores across the
country?  ...and that they have some of the most >ahem<
unusual and interesting things you'll find anywhere?"

Marina:
Charlotte's Web (2278 Union).  Children's bookstore.  Excellent
selection of children's books along with tapes, cards, art
supplies and other good stuffcards, that children and parents
will enjoy.  The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and
helpful.  Will do special orders for items not in stock.
Special features: monthly talks/presentations by local
authors and illustrators, story hours, newsletter, and Joe
the Dog.
Russian Hill Bookstore (2234 Polk, 415-929-0997).  New (Spring '93)
used bookstore, specializing in religion, philosophy, history,
art and sports; also general subjects.  Next door to the
Gateau Boutique which, though little-known, has some of the
best fancy pastries in San Francisco.
Writer's Bookstore (2848 Webster, between Green & Union,
415-921-2620).  A tiny store with new and used books.
Classical music on the radio, sports on TV!  *All* new books
discounted up to 40-50% off cover-price!
Maritime Book Store (Hyde Street Pier near Fisherman's Wharf).  A
very good selection of new maritime books.  While there,
must visit the Balclutha, one of the few remaining
square-rigged Cape Horn sailing ships.

Mission (and Noe Valley):
Dog Eared Books (1173 Valencia, 415-282-1901).  Medium-sized,
general-purpose used bookstore; mostly paperbacks.
Open Mon-Sat 11AM-8PM, Sun 12N-6PM.
Laissez-Faire Books (Howard Street).  Some general philosophy, but
strong classical liberal flavor.
Freedom Forum's Books (1800 Market Street, 415-864-0952) (capitalist).
(Someone else called this "Free Forum Bookstore.")  "Most
bookstores carry plenty of socialist books; how many carry
the works of the Austrian economists such as Ludwig Von
Mises and F.A. Hayek?  ...  Anyone wanting a balanced view
of both socialism and capitalism should patronize this store
frequently."  (according to one poster)
Limelight Film & Theatre Bookstore (1803 Market, San Francisco CA
94103, 415-864-2265).  The Limelight has more scripts, but
Drama Books also stocks used books, and more about the
history/techniques of theater.
Aardvark (237 Church at Market, 415-552-6733).  Used to have separate
new and used stores; now the Church Street location carries
both new and used books.
Ant Hill Books (237 Church Street, next door to Aadvark,
415-626-BOOK).  A small, but promising place that opened in
late '92. General-purpose collection, with some unusual
titles and a growing selection of first editions.
Maelstrom Books (572 Valencia near 17th St, 415-863-9933).
Medium-sized place.  "Looks good."  "[Does] not look very
good.  In fact, it looks dilapidated.  It's dark, and the
books do not look in good condition.  The selection is not up
to par with other stores in the neighborhood."
Valencia Books (524 Valencia, near 16th St, 415-863-6829).  Many
hardcovers on tall shelves, old wooden floors with some
scattered chairs.  A great used bookstore.  The hours are just
listed as "opening" to "closing," but closing seems *late* and
opening is around noon.
Abandoned Planet Bookstore (518 Valencia, next door to Valencia
Books).  Medium-sized selection of used books, mostly
paperbacks.  Specializing in arts and literature.  Good
atmosphere, comfortable seating, very low prices.  "Excellent
steak burritos across the street, at La Cumbre."
Forest Books (3080 16th St at Valencia, 415-863-2755).  Largely used
books.  Spacious, fluorescently lit place with subdued
classical music.  Hours: 11 AM to 9 PM.
The Abandoned Planet (518 Valencia near 16th St).  A general used-book
store.  They don't have a large selection yet, but they have
obviously spent some money to make it look nice.  Great
cushions to sit in the window corners.  This may become a nice
place.  (Was previously The Book Center.)
Adobe Book Shop (3166 16th west of Valencia).  A used-book store.  "It
doesn't look as nice as some of the other stores, but it has
a reasonable selection."
Old Wives' Tales (1009 Valencia).  Feminist.
Modern Times Bookstore (888 Valencia near 20th Street; Next door to
Cafe Beano at 878 Valencia).  A good selection of books along
the lines of contemporary urban/liberal thought; lots of
political stuff.  "I gather from the name they think of
themselves as an alternative to the more backward-looking
City Lights bookstore." "Finally a bookstore that doesn't just
have the tracts on Central-Americal politics, but also books
in Spanish."
Manzanita Used Books & Records (3686 20th St at Guerrero,
415-648-0957).  Incredible, random cluttered collection of
books, comic books, records, whatever.  Incense, light jazz
music, and many rooms which definitely exhibit a Tardis
effect.  Almost a must-see.   "Manzanita is, indeed, a
treat."
Carroll's Books (Church and 24th--Noe Valley, 415-647-3020).  Used.
Jim Carroll was a buyer at Green Apple (see below) and has
excellent taste in used books.  A large used bookstore with a
good selection, but most impressive for its funky living room
area with cool bird cages.  If you're in the area, check out
the Mission: Valencia Books, Maelstrom, etc.
Phoenix Books & Records (3850 24th at Vicksburg--Noe Valley,
415-821-3477). Good general used books store. Has some nifty
chairs.
Cover to Cover Booksellers. (24th at Sanchez--Noe Valley,
415-282-8080).  Smallish general bookstore.  A neighborhood
place.  Lots of kids books.
Small Press Traffic Literary Arts Center (3599 24th Street at
Guerrero, 415-285-8354).  "SPT is a non-profit literary
arts center.  The bookstore carries an extensive stock of
contemporary poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and literary
quarterlies. Many of these items are difficult to find
elsewhere.  It sponsors reading series of new and
experimental writers, a multicultural reading series, and
writing workshops in poetry and prose.  It's a gathering
place for poets and writers.  SPT accepts mail orders and
credit cards.  Hours are Noon to 6PM, Tuesday through
Saturday."

Castro:
A Different Light (489 Castro Street between 17th & 18th,
415-431-0891 or 800-3434002).  This is a branch of the
company that also has bookstores in West Hollywood and New
York City.  They have a very large selection of titles of

interest to lesbians, bisexuals and gay men, and
occasionally carry a few used books.  They also have a
large L/G/B newspaper and magazine section, and sell videos,
cards, T-shirts, buttons and other good stuff, and also
regularly schedule authors' receptions and readings.
Crown Books (Castro near 18th Street). A typical Crown bookstore,
though with a fairly large "Gay Interest" section in the
back.
Books Etc. (538 Castro near 18th Street).  A good selection of
(mostly) used books, notable for having a fairly large
"Gay Interest" section.

Lower Haight:
Diluvian (518 Haight near Filmore, 415-558-9035).  Largely a used
bookstore, with a wide assortment oriented toward
hardcovers.  Atmosphere is relaxed, spacious with a number
of easy chairs scattered around.  They play classical music
in the background.
Naked Eye (533 Haight St near Filmore).  Newstand and video rental
place.  A weird magazine selection, with some nice touches
like "The Skeptical Inquirer" on display next to the UFO
magazines.
Comix Experience (305 Divisidero).  A basic comic book store, with
a bit more open space than usual, for live appearences by
authors and artists.
Kinokuniya (shopping center at 1581 Webster, 415-567-7625).  The
largest Japanese-language bookstore in San Francisco.  They
also have books in English on Japan, translations into
English, Japanese language textbooks, many periodicals, etc.
They have a branch in San Jose and perhaps elsewhere.

Upper Haight:
Saint Adrian Company (1334 Haight, near Central, 415-255-1490).
Small, but classy used bookstore.  Atmosphere: has a small
leather couch on a Chinese carpet, with jazz music in the
background.
Bound Together, the Anarchist Collective Bookstore (1369 Haight near
Masonic, 415-431-8355).  An odd collection of new and used
books, plus small press stuff.  It has some strange
left-wing anarchist literature, but it also carries quite a
bit of other material, which might loosely be classified as
"weird": lesbian poets, Tesla Coils, early issues of
"REsearch," and so on.
Forever After Books (1475 Haight near Ashbury, 415-431-8299).
Small, but with every available space packed with used
books.  The staff is very agressively helpful, probably
because they know how hard it could be to find something
here.  They carry all of the usual stuff, though in
particular I thought they had impressive collections of
old DIY/Engineering books and children's books.
Great Expectations (1520 Haight near Ashbury).  Very small place,
but a surprisingly good collection of general literature.
Lots of T-shirts and things, largely on 60s nostalgia
themes, but there are also hints of the newer, punkier
Haight.
Comic Relief (1597 Haight near Clayton).  Mostly comics.  Carries
some other random things like THE ANARCHIST COOKBOOK.
The Booksmith (1644 Haight near Belvedere).  Has a table up front
with a collection of excellent, quirky, discount hardcovers
and trade paperbacks.  Recently (6/93) started producing a
set of "author trading cards" with a photo on one side and
information about his or her current release and Booksmith
appearances on the other; the first group includes Jon
Carroll, William Wegman, Terence McKenna, Jullie Smith,
Mary Bowen Hall, Susan Dunlap, and Linda Grant.

Richmond:
Green Apple Books (506 Clement, 415-387-2272).  New and used.
"Remotely situated in the Richmond district under perpetual
fog and surrounded by a maelstrom of Russian tearooms,
Vietnamese restaurants and greengrocers, the Holy City Zoo,
Tevye's, and the greatest Armenian delicatessen--Haig's--I've
ever smelled."  Go upstairs for used books.  There are a few
other used bookstores within a block or two of there.
Albatross III (143 Clement near Second Avenue, 415-752-8611).  Used.
This is the neighborhood of Green Apple and many restaurants.
Canterbury Books (on the south side of Geary near 17th Avenue).
Very knowledgeable staff.  Just one block from a 38 Geary
bus stop.  "Highly recommended."
Znanije (5237 Geary, 415-752-7555).  A Russian bookstore.  ("It's down
towards Golden Gate park, not towards downtown.  I think the
cross street is 16th.")

Sunset:
Ninth Avenue Books (1348 9th Ave between Irving and Judah,
415-665-2938).
Beard's Books (637 Kirkham near 8th Ave, 415-566-0507).  Mostly used
books.  A little bit of everything, but not a lot of anything.
High prices.  A hard place to be enthusiastic about, but it is
open late (after midnight), and it's got a cafe next door.
Comics & Comix (Kirkham at 8th Ave).  Another entry in the chain
(smaller than Palo Alto's).
Books New & Used (345 Judah at 9th Ave).  "Discount Medical,
Technical & Professional."  Hours around 9 AM-6 PM, closed
Sunday.
A to Z News (1392 9th Ave at Judah).  Good magazine rack, includes
many "academic" journals.  Some used pornographic
paperbacks, displayed with the appropriate magazines.
Includes an Espresso bar.
In and Out of Print books (401-A Judah and 9th Ave, 415-665-1116).
Another great used book store.  Its awning says OPEN TILL
MIDNITE.  "They have a fairly typical assortment of the sort
of stuff which people like used bookstores for, including some
older paperback first editions as suitably outrageous prices."
(The 443 Clement branch has apparently closed as of 1/93.)
Elsewhere (260 Judah and 8th Avenue, 415-661-2535).  Science
fiction and mysteries.  "An excellent collection of
collectibles.  A less than average selection of regular,
used SF.  Prices are fairly high, but I always have been
able to find a rare book, in fine condition, that I haven't
been to find elsewhere."  One person said it seems to be
open only about 10 hours a week; another said it is open
until 8 on Wednesdays; yet another says Wednesday through
Sunday 12-4.

BERKELEY/OAKLAND:
Avenue Books (2904 College Ave, Berkeley, 510-549-3532).  Small but
*very* well-stocked.  Offers many services including
gift-wrapping, UPS shipping (no service charge) and special
orders (including ones directly from the publisher--again no
service charge).  Lots of friendly, knowledgeable staff.  A
good old-fashioned neighborhood bookstore.  Their SF section
is mostly a token one--but with Dark Carnival and Other
Change of Hobbit so close by, there's no need to have an
extensive one; excellent mystery section, though!  Open
Mon-Sat 9:30AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-6PM.
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.  One poster writes, "But
seriously, why would you go to B&N when you have Cody's
right there?" Another replies, "Well, let's see ... Barnes &
Nobles prices are better, for one thing, since they discount
everything.  Also, their selection is better.  I suppose it's
more romantic to support Cody's, but some of us can't afford
to be that romantic."
Ben Franklin Books in the North Berkeley Center (Shattuck and
Cedar).  Nothing spectacular but one occasionally finds
something interesting there.  New books.
Bibliomania (San Pablo between 15th and 16th, 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, 510-486-0698).  I think you either
love it or hate it.  One poster 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."  New and used books.
Cody's (2454 Telegraph at Haste, 510-845-7852).  "One of the two
stores in the Bay area I hold up as the definition of the
term 'bookstore.' (The other is Kepler's in Menlo Park.)"
A very large selection of just about everything
(foreign-language books on Dwight just west of Telegraph).
"Cody's is the only book store in the Bay Area with a
significant selection of books on various subjects that
interest me (including Judaica, system dynamics and whitewater
maps).  It is true that it isn't as good as it was when Fred
Cody was alive ... but it's still a damn good store."  (The
cafe that had been added was replaced by a
magazine/journal/newspaper area.  ("This part of Cody's now
sells the usual range of foreign and domestic magazines, art
journals, literary rags, newspapers, etc.--the sort of stuff
that Dave's (also in Berkeley) was once so good at.")  There
is even a book about Cody's: CODY'S BOOKS: THE LIFE AND TIMES
OF A BERKELEY BOOKSTORE, 1956-1977, by Pat and Fred Cody
(released Oct 1992 and still on display at Cody's; it was
described in an article in the August 3, 1992 issue of
"Publishers Weekly").
Dark Carnival (Ashby/Adeline, across the street from the Ashby BART,
about two blocks north of the Adeline and Shattuck
intersection, 510-845-7757).  (The address is 2978 Adeline,
but some people think it's on Shattuck.)  "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 fully browse
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!"
Dave's Smoke Shop (2444 Durant).  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 (Oakland, about 3 blocks away from Holmes Bookstore,
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."
Gull Book and Print Gallery (1551 San Pablo, 510-836-9142).  A
consortium of a dozen or so used booksellers.  Well worth a
visit, although the place has seen better days.  Eclectic
collections of uneven quality.  Strong on fishing titles and
1940s porno paperbacks.
Half-Price Books (2525 Telegraph between Dwight and Parker).  "This
bookstore is abominably organized.  The only time I ever go
in is when I'm waiting for a table at the Ethiopian
restaurant next door."
Holmes (274 14th St, Oakland, 510-893-6860).  Excellent selection,
*excellent* prices.  You might have trouble getting there,
because the freeway collapsed.  (Others claim this isn't a
problem, and there is pretty good parking.)  It's also on the
border of a major crack-dealing district, so you should only
go there in the middle of the day, not at night.  (As someone
else points out, it also closes at 5, so the former seems
redundant.) Lots of Californiana upstairs.  New and used
books.
Liberty Tree (134 98th St in Oakland).  Not just libertarian but
also general civil liberties and` history books.
Mr. Mopps' Children's Bookshop (1405 Martin Luther King Jr. Way)
Moe's (2476 Telegraph between Haste and Dwight, 510-849-2087).  Four
floors of mostly used books.
Mama Bear's (6536 Telegraph, Oakland).  Feminist
bookstore/coffeehouse.  Limited selection.  There's a better
feminist bookstore in San Francisco called Old Wives' Tales.
O'Neil Book Co. (1150 Sixth Street, one block north of Gilman,
510-527-9855).  Great selection of remaindered books.  "I
was told about this by one of the proprietors of The Other
Change Of Hobbit, who thinks most highly of it."
Other Change of Hobbit (2020 Shattuck Avenue at University Avenue,
510-848-0413).  "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."
You can send them you want list and they will get back to
you as things come in.  **MOVED FROM ITS OLD LOCATION 3/93**
Pegasus Books (1855 Solano, 510-525-6888).
Pendragon 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.
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."
Shambhala (2482 Telegraph next to Moe's).  Excellent source for
books on Eastern religion and other forms of mysticism.  New
books.
Shakespeare and Company (2499 Telegraph).
University Press Bookstore (across from the intermural athletic
center, 2430 Bancroft).
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.

OTHER:

Corte Madera:
Book Passage (51 Tamal Vista Blvd, 415-927-0960).  Written up in the
9/21/92 issue of PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.  Over 9000 sq. ft. of
books, including a 3200-sq.ft. section devoted to mystery and
SF and a rare and used book department.  "Book Passage's great
strength is its travel section.  It was the only place in the
Bay Area where I was able to locate a guide to freighter
travel."  The store also carries titles in French, Spanish,
and German, and has a cafe in the back.  In an attempt to fill
the gap left by cutbacks in the California library system,

they have recently (6/93) started a (pay) lending library of
books, audiocassettes, and travel videocassettes.  (Corte
Madera is in Marin County, across the Golden Gate Bridge.)
Dan F. Webb Books (1535 San Pablo, 510-444-4572).  Mostly military and
aviation titles, some general stock.  Be sure to haggle over
the prices.  Tue, Thu, Sat 11AM-4PM.
Menlo Park:
East West Books (1170 El Camino).  "A complete New Age book shop,
with sections on herbalism, metaphysics, aromatherapy,
shamanism, inner healing....  Also cards, incense, crystals,
gongs, and other Aquarian doodads.  This is the sort of
thing that people who like this sort of thing will like."
Kepler's (1010 El Camino Real).  "One of the two stores in the Bay
area I hold up as the definition of the term 'bookstore."
Special emphasis on alternative and progressive titles.
Has regular in-person programs, often featuring important
authors.  "They recently opened a separate discount book
section, big, but not as good as Books Inc. (in my
opinion)."
Wessex (558 Santa Cruz half-block off El Camino, 415-321-1333).  A
truly delightful place.  They have a large selection of used
books in wonderful condition and at good prices.  They seem
to have a little bit of everything although the Science
Fiction and Mystery sections are somewhat limited.  The best
used bookstore on the peninsula.  Their other claim to fame:
Classical, Jazz and Blues used records.  Wonderful place!
Across the street from Kepler's.  Open Friday and Saturday
until 9PM, and Sunday afternoons.
Palo Alto:
Bell's (536 Emerson, 415-323-7822).  Used.  In terms of selection
good.  Great for book collectors.  "Unfortunately much of
their stock is out of reach on high shelves, which can be
frustrating.  They also shelve their fiction books in three
layers, so you have to create little temporary piles on the
floor as you mine for books.  Great place!"  People used to
complain that they often changed the price on the book when
you bring it up to the register (so that for a book marked $3
they might say, "Sorry, that's $7.50 now"), but someone
recently reported that they had stopped doing this because it
pissed off too many customers.  Closed Sundays.
Bob and Bob (151 Forest Ave).  Judaica.  Closed Saturdays.
The Book Buyers (504 Emerson, 415-322-1993).  A good general used book
store.  "This is the area's newest used book store, with a lot
of room to grow, which is the current star of the *six* used
bookstores in a five-block radius.  This, and the
Renaissance Bookstore (1 block away,) are the only two worth
a special trip (for SF) if you are in the area."
Books Inc. (Stanford Shopping Center).  New books.  Has a good
paperback selection.  As of 7/93, had moved to smaller
quarters, reportedly due to rent hikes by the mall.  New
location has much less of everything; the big tables of deep
discount hardcovers are essentially gone.  Basically
indistinguishable from Waldenbooks now.  One poster's feeling
is that within a year, this mall will have no bookstores in
continuous operation (see comments on Phileas Fogg and Sports
Central).
Chimaera (University near High, 415-327-1122).  Excellent mostly used
bookstore specializing in well-selected literary and
humanities titles.  Also good selection of used records,
cassettes, and CDs, especially for classical, jazz, and
progressive rock.
Comics & Comix (California Ave).  Good new and used comics collection,
some Frazetta-style "art" books, small humor and gaming
sections.
Future Fantasy (3705 El Camino, 415-855-9771).  An excellent
selection of new SF, fantasy, and mystery.  Frequent signings.
New, larger location with parking lot.  Open Monday through
Saturday.
Know Knew Books (415 California, 415-326-9355).  A good spot for used
paperbacks, SF and general.  A good selection of hard-cover
fiction and non-fiction as well.  "My vote for the best Bay
Area used bookstore.  Although Recycle Books in San Jose, or
Acorn Books in San Francisco may have larger overall volumes,
the SF selection in this store is unbeatable.  There is also
a large, reasonably priced, collectible section."  "My vote
for best, too.  Not only is the SF collection great, but the
SF and fantasy first editions collection is good; excellent
collection of series-format paperbacks.  Reliable rumor:
they're going to open a branch, probably in the South Bay, in
the near future."  Open 7 days.
Megabooks (444 University Avenue near Waverly, 415-326-4730).  Good
general used bookstore which often has real bargains on recent
cook books.
Minerva Books (1027 Alma, 415-326-2006).  Wide collection of books
dealing with the occult, astrology, Eastern religion, etc.
Phileas Fogg (Stanford Shopping Center).  As of 7/1/93, this travel
store has merged with Sports Central at this location.  They
did not expand their shelf space, however, so both collections
have been cut.  Local and West Coast travel is still fairly
good (but cut down from before the merger); the folding map
collection is still good, but all of the non-travelogue,
non-folding map stuff (on the right-side shelves as one
enters) is gone, replaced by sports books.  The staff was
noticeably less friendly; there was a television and VCR
running some sports tape.  "My gut-level impression: will be
out of business within one year if the current format is
retained."
Printers Inc. (310 California) (new).  Smaller than Kepler's, but
more personal, with a cafe in the bookstore (a recent trend
in bookstores).  Though they have recently expanded, the
bookshop itself is as friendly and personal as ever.  The
cafe is also larger but (as one poster says) "I'm afraid,
much less cosy and intimate than before.  One positive
result of the expansion is that the cafe section no longer
closes during readings by authors and poets."  Good
selection of foreign papers.  The same poster writes, "My
favourite weekly ritual is to cycle from work to Printer's
Inc., pick up my reserved copy of the [Toronto] "Globe and
Mail," and peruse it over a cup of dark French roast coffee
with the buzz of conversation in the background.  A very
pleasant and civilized way to spend an otherwise dull
Tuesday evening."
Renaissance Books (230 Hamilton near Emerson, 415-321-2846).
Another used bookstore, specially good for its huge
collection of very cheap popular fiction -- mysteries,
gothic, SF, etc.  (Used to be Recycle Books.)  "An
above-average, well-established store which has recently
been eclipsed by Book Buyers, one block away (see entry.)
Open 7 days.
Sports Central: The Ultimate Sports Bookstore (157 Stanford Shopping
Center, 415-327-7707).  7000 titles, as well as audio and
video tapes, and a few accessories, but no memorabilia or
used books.  Thursday night lecture series.  (Written up in
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, 10/5/92).  (As of 7/1/93, merged with
Phileas Fogg (above) in the Phileas Fogg location.  See that
entry for full details.)
Stacey's (new).  Technical books.
Stanford Univ. Bookstore (on the Stanford Campus).  The largest
bookstore in the Bay Area.  It's the most likely place to
find a new book.  Their inventory is available on the
network for people who have the right accounts.  There's
also a branch on University Avenue in Palo Alto which
specializes in technical books.
Szwede Slavic Books (2233 El Camino, 415-327-5590).  Good selection
of Polish books, among others.
Los Altos:
The Antiquarian Archive (379 State Street, 415-949-1593).  Used books.
"The yuppie nightmare of downtown Los Altos is redeemed only

by the presence of the Antiquarian Archive, a serious used
book store."  Fine Californiana, military, nautical
selections.  Decent prices.
The Book Nest (366 Second Street, 415-948-4724).  It takes up several
rooms in a regular house, but the selection is second-rate.
Heintzelman's Bookstore (205 State Street) (new).  Packed to the
roof with a large selection of books.  The owners were
friendly, helpful, and well-read.
Mountain View:
Printers Inc. (301 Castro Street) (new).  Newly expanded, but now
more of a meat market in the evenings than the Palo Alto
store.  The cafe is better run (than Palo Alto) for the
morning, on-the-way-to-work espresso, etc.
San Antonio Hobby Shop (San Antonio Shopping Center, 415-941-1278).
Amazing selection of new books on aircraft, trains and ships
(warships, mostly).  They have many hard-to-find and
imported titles.  "Note to those concerned: this store (and
other parts of S.A.S.S.) have been bought out by the same
people who own the gospel bookstore in the Mall.  It used to
be a good general gaming bookstore; all of the non-military
gaming was purged after the buyout."  Closed Sunday; short
hours the rest of the week.
Tower Books (El Camino and San Antonio)
?  (Castro, next to La Poblanta (211 Castro)).  Used.  Large general
fiction section, fair sized mystery and SF sections.  Large
collection of general fiction firsts and signed firsts in
locked glass cases. Lots of open floor space; very quiet,
like a library.  Clean to the point of feeling antiseptic;
not friendly or inviting, and the size of the clientele
shows it.  But has Hemingway first editions on the shelf, if
that's what one's in to.
Los Gatos:
Curious Book Shoppe (198 W Main at N Santa Cruz, 408-354-5560).
Used.
Campbell:
Books (116 San Tomas Aquino Road, 408-374-0933).  Quality used
books--hardback only.
Poor Pat's (1800 South Bascom Ave, 408-369-1800).  Used.
San Jose:
Books Inc. (420 Town & Country Village, 408-243-6262).  New books.
Recycle Books (138 East Santa Clara, 408-286-6275).  They have a
pretty decent general selection.  Science fiction books are
a strong point, but philosophy books are a weak spot.  "This
is a very large used book store.  They have the best Bay
Area collection of used SF hardcovers.  Very few
collectibles, though."  Open 7 days.
Computer Literacy Bookshops, Inc. (PO Box 641897, San Jose CA 95164;
408-435-5017, fax [phone]; e-mail [e-mail],
[e-mail], [e-mail].)
Santa Cruz:
Book-Cafe (41st Ave in Capitola, 408-462-4415).  New books only.
Good selection of magazines.  Probably has the bests selection
of audio books and literary magazines in Santa Cruz.  Also has
a small coffee-shop inside.
Book Loft (next to the Rio Theatre on Soquel Drive, 408-429-1812).
Used books only.
Bookshop Santa Cruz (in the old St. George Hotel on the Pacific
Garden Mall, 408-423-0900).  A Santa Cruz tradition.  Moved to
this location from their tents 10/92.
Chimney Sweep Books (across from Caffe Pergolesi on Center Street).
A used bookshop, great for philosophy, religion, some rare
stuff too, but small.
Gateways (a block from Logos/Plaza in the old Great Outdoors
Outlet).  A venerable Santa Cruz institution, with twice the
space of its old location and a small cafe.  It is primarily
known for new-age, metaphysics, self-help, etc.
The Literary Guillotine (Union St).  Recently opened (6/93).  They
seem to tend more in the direction of the scholarly than the
popular, but they have a pretty interesting selection of
things.
Logos (has re-opened in a new building at its *old* location on the
Pacific Garden Mall, 1117 Pacifica Ave, 408-426-2106).  Two
full floors of books, used records, and used CDs.  Can be
thought of as Santa Cruz's answer to Moe's in Berkeley.  "It
is this bibliophile's opinion that Logos has *the* best used
book selection (in Santa Cruz, the center of the Universe).
You can get the same book (used) here you can get in Capitola
for 1/2 price (new)."
Plaza Books  (damaged in the '89 quake, but not destroyed.  On Cedar
half a block from Walnut--also described as right next door
to Logos).  New books only.  Plaza Books has the best
tee-shirts, post-card books, and greeting cards, by far
beating out any of the more "touristy" places.
Cupertino:
Booksmart (7287 Coronado Drive, 408-996-1525).  "A good selection of
used SF.  This store is memorable in that its entire stock is
in a data base, tagged by bar codes or title.  If you're
uncertain about a title, their data base will tell you right
away if they have it.  No collectibles."
A Clean Well-Lighted Place For Books  (The Oaks Shopping Center,
across Steven's Creek Boulevard from de Anza College and the
Flint Centre).  Recently moved within the shopping center.
The new shop, though much bigger, is not visible from the s
street.
A Wrinkle in Time (19970 Homestead Road, 408-255-9406).  New and
used SF, comics, videos, games, and collectibles.
San Leandro:
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."  Open Wed-Sat 10 AM to 4
PM.
Concord:
Barnes & Noble (near where Willow Pass intersects I-680).  Formerly
Bookstar, it has a noteworthy selection of new books.
San Rafael:
Horizon Bookshop (832 B Street, 415-453-6830).  Used books.  A
couple of notches below the standard set by the two other
stores in San Rafael, i.e., lots of pulp SF, psychedelic
nonsense, etc.  Worth dropping into when strolling through
downtown S.R., which is charming, and a reminder of what
Marin was like "before the toll on the bridge came down, and
we started getting all kinds of people."  "If you get the
same person I did on the phone, pretune your ears for a
lovely first-generation Scottish accent."
Mandrake Bookshop (910 Lincoln Ave., 415-453-3484).  *The* used
bookstore in Marin County.  A large selection of quality
books.  The owner, Hal Bertram, is worth chatting up--has
some additional goodies in the back room.  Excellent prices.
Just two blocks from the bus plaza.
West Wind Books (1006 Tamalpais Ave., 415-456-6322).  Used books.
A wonderful little bookshop with an excellent
general-purpose stock.  Fine nautical section.  Charming
proprietress. Good prices.
San Anselmo:
Heldford Book Gallery (310 San Anselmo Avenue, 415-456-8194)  Mostly
out-of-print and rare.  "Delightful little pillowed alcove at
the narrow end for perusing (building narrows between two
converging streets).  I only looked at the one case of
children's books, which were high-priced collectibles."
Michael Good (35 San Anselmo Avenue, 415-459-6092).  Second floor over
doctor's office.  Out-of-print and rare.  "This place
resembles what I supposed rare bookstores would be like,
before I had ever visited any.  Creaky floors, a feeling of
time and of Rembrandtian brownness, and a proprietor
frequently engrossed in his merchandise."
Oliver's (645 San Anselmo Ave, 415-454-4421).  Largest of the three
places.  "I wasn't there long enough to get the flavor of it.
I know they carry used and rare, but didn't even bother to
notice if they carry new."


(All three of these places are on the same street.  By bus, take Golden
Gate Transit route 20 or 23 to San Anselmo.  At the bus stop, go down
the little stairway between the two bus shelters, and you are on the
high-numbered end of the street.)

Pacifica:
Florey's.  Forey's stocks a good supply of books, and Mrs. Florey is
very accomodating.


As for truly NORTHERN California, there is once again an excellent used
book store on the main drag in Ferndale (Ferndale Books?), which had
been closed because of damage from the 4/25/92 quakes.  They also have
branches in Eureka (which has an excellent music selection) and in
Arcata.  Eureka has another good store, located on the square with the
ugly modern fountain in the historic part of town.  Arcata also has the
Tincan Mailman (at 10th and H, a couple of short blocks north of the
town square), a very pleasant used book store with a large selection and
skylights.

Someone else notes in Sacramento (definitely out of the Bay Area, but what
the heck) is The Book Mine (916-441-4609), which specializes in old and rare
books and will do book searches.

============================================================================
Sonia Sachs ([e-mail]) 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.

Anecedote from a reader:

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 remian 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.

============================================================================

Evelyn C. Leeper | [phone] | [e-mail] / [e-mail]

Books & Company, 1323 Polk Street (near Bush St.
415/441-2929).  It's a cramped, low-ceilinged place,
painted blood-red throughout, with books overflowing every
imaginable horizontal surface.  Classical music wafts
through the air, as does the faintest aroma of the
Bookstore Cat's...uh...facilities.  There are oriental
rugs on the floor, the better to cushion the fall of all
those precariously-perched books, and a rather curmudgeonly
appearing proprietor, who becomes an absolute sweetheart
with the slightest provocation.

If you peek behind the piles of current titles, you'll
find all kinds of used treasures on the shelves.  And new
titles are *heavily* discounted -- at least 40% off the
list price!  Its hours are rather eccentric -- something
like Wednesday thru Saturday, afternoons only, but don't
quote me.  Anyway, the place is a bibliophile's (and
ailurophile's too -- the Cat is perfect) paradise...