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I once heard a statistic that San Franciscans buy more books per capita than any other major metropolitan area in the U.S. (it was paired with a stat that said we also drink more wine than any other city, but that's a discussion for another time). Moreover, San Francisco is a hotbed of social literary events, and many literary heavy lifters—Jack Kerouac, Amy Tan, Danielle Steele, Dave Eggers—have made their home here.
So it's not surprising that this city is home to an impressive number of indie bookstores. These neighborhood stores manage not just to survive but to thrive in the age of Amazon, Kindles, and iPads (not to mention a wicked recession). Four of these bookstores are worthy stops for your next visit:
City Lights
Considered by some to be the ground zero of the beat movement, City Lights was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin. The eponymous publishing company produced works by Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, Gregory Corso, Allen Ginsberg, and more. Grab a book of poetry and take it across Jack Kerouac alley to Cafe Vesuvio, a regular beat hangout back in the day, for the quintessential Beat Generation experience. 415/362-8193, 261 Columbus Ave., open daily 10 a.m.-midnight.
826 Valencia
Dave Eggers, author of Zeitoun and A Heartbreaking Work of a Staggering Genius, founded 826 Valencia, a volunteer tutoring center, in 2002. The front of the store is a Pirate Supply Store that sells everything from messages in bottles ($12) and Mermaid bait or repellant ($4) to posters and publications put out by Eggers' publishing company, McSweeney's. Pick up the latest copy of the McSweeney's Quarterly Concern or a back copy of Might magazine, which Eggers founded in the early '90s. 415/642-5905,826 Valencia Street, open daily noon-6 p.m.
Modern Times
Down the street from 826 Valencia is Modern Times. This store stands out for its selection of books on radical lefty politics, gender and sexuality, and a number of 'zines and graphic novels. They also have a great section dedicated to Latino topics, including children's books in Spanish. While you're there, grab a "Reading is Sexy" T-shirt as a souvenir. 415/282-9246, 888 Valencia Street, Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Green Apple
Founded in 1967, Green Apple Books has perhaps the largest selection of used books in the entire city. The 8,000-square-foot space has the worn-in feeling of a much-loved bookstore that invites you to spend hours browsing the shelves. Green Apple also hosts lots of events and author signings. 415/387-2272506, Clement Street at 6th Avenue), Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
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these stores have an ambience..an aura..
you pass through portals at these places..words 7 ideas are clues to be relished in these sanctuaries..go go go..they have been the bases of various plays I ve authored I'd add Green Arcade to this list!!
Posted By dr larry myers on August 17, 2010, 4:32 PM
There was a recent article in the SF Chronicle that Modern Times is struggling financially. If you value your local indie bookstore, please go out and visit one today!
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inthemission/detail?entry_id=70369
Posted By AliceinSF on August 19, 2010, 1:38 PM
I don't get to the Mission enough to comment on Modern Times or 826 Valencia. City Lights and Green Apple are city treasures! A tourist needing to decompress? Head to City Lights in North Beach, a bastion of quiet and civility with a funky edge. They have a greatest selection of poetry and good fiction with nary a fang in sight. Find something great to read, sit on the floor and lose yourself. City lights is the perfect bookstore.
Green Apple: new books you wouldn't think to read you find you can't live without, reviewers copies, 30-40% off San Francisco Best Sellers (much better reading than the NY Times), professional books, used books on EVERYTHING, zines, music, cookbooks, 1st editions. It's hard to leave without breaking my budget and I specifically budget for Green Apple! I love this place. It's busy with people sharing books and suggestions and a kids area. Buy some books, go to a neighboring inexpensive Chinese or other Asian restaurant, read and eat. It doesn't get much better than that. Hey, they'll mail for you. The #2 bus stops right in front.
Posted By Julia Conrady on August 20, 2010, 12:43 AM