City Lights published Howl in 1956 and got prosecuted for it, which sets a certain tone for a city’s bookshops. Ten shops, ranked, split between books and records because here they draw the same crowd.
Budget your time. Amoeba is in a converted bowling alley and needs an hour minimum, and Jack’s Record Cellar only opens on Saturdays, and only for 78s and 45s.
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1
City Lights Bookstore
The North Beach bookstore that opened in 1953 and published Allen Ginsberg's Howl. Three floors of books at Columbus and Broadway.
Head upstairs to the Poetry Room. Ferlinghetti published the Beats here, and signed and first editions turn up on the main floor.
261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133 Full write-up → -
2
Amoeba Music
An independent record store on Haight Street since 1997, in a converted 24,000-square-foot bowling alley. Vinyl in every genre and an active buy-sell-trade counter.
1855 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 Full write-up → -
3
Green Apple Books
An independent bookstore on Clement Street since 1967, with new and used books, vinyl, and music. Acquired Browser Books on Fillmore in 2019 and opened a Green Apple location at SFO in 2024.
506 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94118 Full write-up → -
4
The Booksmith
An independent bookstore on Haight Street since 1976 (San Francisco Legacy Business since 2016). New books across literary fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and politics, plus regular author events and silent reading parties.
1644 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 Full write-up → -
5
Dog Eared Books
An independent bookstore on Valencia Street in the Mission, with new and used books across literary fiction, art, politics, and graphic novels. Open until 10pm daily.
900 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 Full write-up → -
6
Black Bird Bookstore & Cafe
An independent bookstore and cafe in the Outer Sunset, opened by Kathryn Grantham. Books from small presses and underrepresented authors. Cafe from 7am, bookstore from 9am.
Outer Sunset, San Francisco Full write-up → -
7
Groove Merchant Records
A Lower Haight vinyl shop opened in 1990, now owned by Chris Veltri. Specializes in rare grooves: jazz, soul, rock, blues, disco, international, hip hop, and avant garde.
Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 Full write-up → -
8
Tunnel Records
An independent vinyl shop opened in 2017, with two San Francisco locations: 3614A Taraval in the Parkside and a second spot inside the 4-Star Theatre at 2200 Clement. Specializes in rare-groove soul, jazz, funk, and reggae.
Husband-and-wife vinyl shop (Ben Wintroub, Andrea de Francisco) specializing in rare-groove soul, jazz, funk, and reggae since 2017.
Outer Sunset, San Francisco Full write-up → -
9
Grooves Vinyl Attractions
A Market Street vinyl shop since 1993, selling previously-owned records at non-collector prices. Inventory leans 50s through 70s: jazz, rock, folk, fusion, soundtracks, comedy, and classical.
Market Street, San Francisco Full write-up → -
10
Jack’s Record Cellar
A record shop at 254 Scott Street that opens only on Saturdays from 2 to 7 PM. Founded in 1951, specializes in 78s and 45s, run by Wade Wright since 1961.
254 Scott St, San Francisco Full write-up →
Last checked August 17, 2026
