2013 Award Winner: BEST Bookstore (Runner-Up)

The voters have spoken and the results are in. View the complete list

City Lights Bookstore

Nominated for: BEST Bookstore

City Lights Bookstore 261 Columbus Ave San Francisco CA (415) 362-8193

The nation's first all-paperback bookstore, City Lights has expanded several times over the years; we now offer three floors of both new-release hardcovers and quality paperbacks from all of the major publishing houses, along with an impressive range of titles from smaller, harder-to-find, specialty publishers. The store features an extensive and in-depth selection of poetry, fiction, translations, politics, history, philosophy, music, spirituality, and more, with a staff whose special book interests in many fields contribute to the hand-picked quality of what you see on the shelves.

The City Lights masthead says A Literary Meetingplace since 1953, and this concept includes publishing books as well as selling them. In 1955, Ferlinghetti launched City Lights Publishers with the now-famous Pocket Poets Series; since then the press has gone on to publish a wide range of titles, both poetry and prose, fiction and nonfiction, international and local authors. Today, City Lights has well over a hundred titles in print, with a dozen new titles being published each year. The press is known and respected for its commitment to innovative and progressive ideas, and its resistance to forces of conservatism and censorship. All City Lights Publications that are currently available are proudly featured in the bookstore.

Is this your business? Manage this page

Awards

See all 4 awards

15 Tips from Voters

Debra R. on March 6, 2013

Lose yourself...find yourself...

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

Melissa on February 14, 2013

So much more than just the beats.

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

nitenurse2001 on March 27, 2012

a classic!

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

H C. on March 9, 2012

Been around forever and has author visits.

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

Amanda C. on March 7, 2012

Make time to go...there are so many interesting, non-mainstream books to look through.

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

Dale H. on February 14, 2012

I used to live across the street...miss this place!

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

Gina B. on February 10, 2012

The history alone makes this a worthwhile visit

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

Kathe W. on February 7, 2012

A bunch of history in the store - you can feel it. Not to mention the thousands of books you would not find anywhere else...

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

ohho on March 17, 2011

Go City Lights!

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

lynnfriedman on March 16, 2011

the first paperback bookstore. Founder Laurence Ferlinghetti was arrested for publishing Alan Ginsberg's HOWL. This place is Beatnik ground zero

Vote: BEST Bookstore

0 Likes

Load More Tips

Popular Nominees: Bookstore

See More »
The Booksmith, Shopping, Bookstore, 1644 Haight Street San Francisco CA 94117

The Booksmith The Booksmith Haight-Ashbury

BEST Bookstore

22nd
3
Half Price Books - Kress Building / Arts District, Shopping, Bookstore, 2036 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Half Price Books - Kress Building / Arts District Half Price Books - Kress Building / Arts District UC Campus Area

BEST Bookstore

13th
6
Green Apple Books, Shopping, Bookstore, 506 Clement St San Francisco CA 94118

Green Apple Books Green Apple Books Inner Richmond

BEST Bookstore

1st
27
Dog Eared Books, Shopping, Bookstore, 900 Valencia St San Francisco CA 94110

Dog Eared Books Dog Eared Books Mission

BEST Bookstore

4th
5

Voters also love

Sections
Arts and Entertainment
Automotive
Fitness
Food
Health and Beauty
Housewares
Local Flavor
Nightlife
Parenting 101
Pets
Shopping
Weddings
Wineries
Contest Tools
Business Owners
Top Voters
Napa/Sonoma Winery Showdown
Sitemap
Information
FAQs / Help
How it Works - Deals
CityVoter Blog
About
The Bay Area A-List features more than 12,834 businesses competing for title of Bay Area's best.

Connect with Bay Area A-List