Pick Up a New Read at One of These Charming Shops
Thereās something so nostalgic and comforting about an independent bookstore. Spending a Sunday afternoon browsing rows of books, old and new, is indisputably the perfect start to any week. Looking for a particular new romance novel? Wanting to explore a new genre? Going in plan-less, hoping something will catch your eye? Whatever the case, it doesnāt matterāyou canāt have a bad time in a bookstore. We donāt make the rules.Ā
Tucked away in neighborhoods all across the city, weāve put together a list of 11 of our favorite bookstores in San Diego. So, literature lovers, crawl out of your nooks and go shop for some books!
Verbatim Books
Verbatim Books is a North Park favorite, and itās the largest independent bookstore in San Diego. Walking down 30th Street, you canāt miss its giant mural with quirky paintings of books, toys, skeletons and antiques. The inside is cozy and eclectic, with quaint furniture, hanging chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. They even masterfully spell out the name of the store in stacks of books with toys sprinkled throughout. The best part? Theyāve got tons of affordable used books (many only $5-7). Make sure youāve got timeāyou could spend all day here.
Location: North Park
Meet Cute Romance Bookshop
Also in North Park, Meet Cute Romance Bookshop has an entirely different vibe. Everything in this place is cute and colorful, with lots of pink and purple decor. Everything is neatly organized into specific and inclusive categories like Enemies to Lovers, Queer Fantasy Romance, Books by Trans Authors and Black Romance. They have an iconic āRomance-Landiaā mural on one wall, and they have lots of cute merch related to the genre for sale. They even have a little pink gumball machine filled with conversation starters! Itās the perfect place for a meet-cute, if you ask us.
Location: North Park
San Diego Central Library
San Diego Central Library ā East Village
In the heart of downtownās East Village, the San Diego Central Library is a soaring, nine-story hub of culture, creativity and community. Topped with an iconic steel-and-glass dome, this architectural marvel offers far more than booksāthough its shelves are well stocked. The upper floors house rotating art exhibits, panoramic rooftop views and the Hervey Family Rare Books Room, home to literary treasures including one of the worldās smallest published books. Just steps from Petco Park and the Gaslamp Quarter, itās a peaceful urban oasis where you can dive into a novel, catch a gallery show or simply take in the skyline.
Location: East Village
LibƩlula Books & Co
LibĆ©lula Books & Co is all about representation. This San Diego bookstore has an extensive library of literature written by people of color. This lends a unique perspective to several fascinating topics, including social justice-driven nonfiction along with the history and stories of Black, indigenous and Chicanx folks. Beyond novels and nonfiction, this book shop in Barrio Logan also has a large collection of art and poetry, and they even have books written in Spanish. Their focus is on creating an inclusive environment for all, and the store doubles as an event space that fosters learning and community. Plus, theyāve got a friendly kitty named Billie Books to welcome you in.
Location: Barrio Logan
WarwickāsĀ
The oldest family-owned and -operated bookstore in the entire US, Warwickās in La Jolla is worth the visitāand has been for over a century. The store doubles as a gift shop, with about half the store filled with knick-knacks, collectibles, greeting cards and more. This bookstore in San Diego is especially known for its extensive stationery and fountain pen and ink selection if youāre looking to get a little crafty. Itās just a few blocks away from La Jolla Cove as well, so itās perfect if you want to grab a new book and go cozy up in the sunshine.
Location: La Jolla
Bluestocking Books
Bluestocking Books is a classic San Diego bookstore in the heart of Hillcrest. They have both new and used books, all well-organized and documented in their online database so theyāre easy to find. If youāre looking for childrenās books, this is your spotāand itās a fun place to take your little ones! Their inventory is always changing, so each time you come in, thereās more to discover. They order new books every week; if you get in touch with them before Monday, they can include your request in their order!
Location: Hillcrest
Camino Books
A beloved indie bookstore with deep literary roots, Camino Books (formerly Diesel, A Bookstore) continues to charm San Diego readers from its new location at Del Mar Plaza. Known for its warm atmosphere and handpicked selection, Camino Books strikes the perfect balance between beachy calm and intellectual curiosity. Inside, the thoughtfully designed space invites quiet browsing, while the outdoor patio is ideal for community events, book signings or just soaking in the coastal air with a good read. Whether you’re searching for literary fiction, compelling nonfiction or a storybook for the little ones, Camino Books remains a welcoming haven for readers of all kinds.
Location: Del Mar
Barnes & Noble Point Loma (the Bookstar)
Housed in a beautifully preserved 1940s movie theater, the Barnes & Noble in Point Loma is more than a bookstoreāitās a stunning example of adaptive reuse that blends nostalgia with literary discovery. Originally designed by famed architect S. Charles Lee, the theater’s marquee still shines, while the original snack bar now serves as the checkout counter. Inside, the art deco details create a one-of-a-kind browsing experience, drawing architecture buffs and book lovers alike. With its cinematic history and curated shelves, this unique location turns a simple book hunt into an experience you wonāt forget.
Location: Point Loma
The Book Catapult
Just down the road in South Park, youāll find The Book Catapultāa charming little bookstore with a friendly staff and an adorable reading room for kiddos. Throughout the shelves, staff members have placed thoughtfully written notecards with ideas and recommendations to help you make your choice. And if youāre still having a hard time narrowing it down (we get it: The struggle is real), theyāre always happy to chat with you in person as well. They also have lots of fun gifts, puzzles and journalsāyou know, bookstore goodiesāto browse!
Location: South Park
D.G. Wills Books
In the heart of La Jolla, D.G. Wills Books has quietly built a reputation as one of the cityās most iconic literary landmarks. Since 1979, this unassuming bookstore in San Diego has been a go-to for serious readers, scholars and curious minds, offering a vast collection of new, used and rare academic titles. The storeās cozy interior and overflowing alleyway of books invite hours of exploration, and its longstanding tradition of author talks has welcomed names from every corner of the intellectual world. For anyone craving a bookstore with soul, substance and a touch of old-school charm, D.G. Wills delivers.
Location: La Jolla
Bay Books
A local bookstore that serves coffee? Sign us up. Bay Books, in Coronado, doubles as a coffee shop, with a little seating area out front perfect for reading, socializing or getting some work done. The cafe serves your classic espresso drinks and some fun extras like their lavender matcha and vegan pastries. As for the bookstore, they have everything you could wantāneatly organized rows of books across a number of different categories. You can even order online and have books delivered to your houseāalthough why miss out on the fun of coming in?
Location: Coronado
