Amoeba Music
The Verdict
"Budget at least an hour. The used vinyl section is where the real finds are. Check the staff picks for things you wouldn't find on your own."
What you need to know
Amoeba Music has been on Haight Street since the 1990s, occupying a former bowling alley that gives it the floor space to stock an absurd amount of music. The original Amoeba opened in Berkeley in 1990. The San Francisco location followed, and it became the anchor of Upper Haight retail alongside the vintage shops and head shops that line the street.
What to expect
The store is organized by genre and format: vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and cassettes. The used vinyl section is enormous and well-curated, with staff picks flagged throughout. Jazz, soul, international folk, classical, rock, and electronic all have dedicated sections deep enough to lose an hour in. New releases share space with rare and out-of-print recordings.
The buy-sell-trade counter is active. Bring your records and CDs for cash or store credit. Staff know the inventory and can point you toward what you’re looking for or what you didn’t know you needed.
Visiting
Located at 1855 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117. Open daily from 11am to 7pm. Free to browse, with prices varying by format and rarity.
Getting there
At the corner of Haight and Stanyan, right at the entrance to Golden Gate Park. The N-Judah stops at Cole and Carl, a short walk south. Several Muni bus lines serve Haight Street. Street parking is competitive but available on side streets.
📍 Location: This activity is in Haight-Ashbury. Explore the neighborhood →
