Green Apple Books

What you need to know

Green Apple Books opened on Clement Street in 1967 when Richard Savoy was 25 years old. He started with 750 square feet and expanded over the decades into a labyrinth of rooms holding over 250,000 titles. The store occupies a pre-1906 building that survived the earthquake, and the creaky floors and packed shelves give it the feeling of a bookstore that’s been accumulating knowledge for as long as the building’s been standing.

What to expect

New and used books in every subject, organized well enough to navigate but densely packed enough to reward browsing. The staff picks are genuinely useful. Vinyl records and music fill a dedicated section. The store buys books and music daily (buyback hours 10am to 6pm), which keeps the used inventory fresh.

Author events and book signings happen regularly, many hosted at the sister location, Green Apple Books on the Park. The store also acquired Browser Books on Fillmore Street in 2019, and opened a location at SFO airport in 2024.

Visiting

Located at 506 Clement Street (at 6th Avenue), San Francisco, CA 94118. Open daily from 10am to 9pm, with buyback hours 10am to 6pm. Free to browse.

Getting there

On Clement Street in the Inner Richmond. Several Muni bus lines serve Clement Street. Street parking is usually available on the side streets off Clement. Combine with a meal on Clement Street, one of the best food corridors in the city.

📍 Location: This activity is in The Richmond. Explore the neighborhood →