City Lights Bookstore

This place is a legend unto itself. Known best for its days as The Beats hangout -- writers like Jack Kerouac held court here. City Lights is located in North Beach. And although most tourists just take a picture of the front, those who care about history should take a look inside. The store is filled with books you can't find anywhere else. Can you dig?

Posted 02/18/08 | Report Abuse

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You can find lots of hard to find books. They also have many unique and rare books. This is yet another popular books store in San Francisco. The staff is nice and helpful and are ready to assist your needs. This is also a well-known and popular book store to many people who do not even live in San Francisco.

Posted 11/27/05 | Report Abuse

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a very popular store in the city. they have many books and the staff are very friendly and helpful when you ask for assistance. it is also right outside of the 15 muni bus stop so it is very accessible. i used to always take the bus here so i would see the # of customers at city lights, which was also one of the reasons i decided to check this place out.

Posted 09/21/05 | Report Abuse

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This bookstore is famous because of its association with the Beat poetry movement. In addition to selling lots of books, they have some Beat memorabilia too. It's not huge but has a great selection. I especially appreciate the zine selection, which is the best I've ever seen. There are many books here of local interest too. The place has a lot of atmosphere and personality. Everyone should go, locals and tourists alike.

Posted 09/21/05 | Report Abuse

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If you miss the oldage bookstores (trust me this place is a historical treasure) where you could find the wooden staircase and find old unused books, they have an amazing collection of books including an entire floor of books on literature and poetry. Also dont forget to be there for one of the amazing literary readings.

PROS: Historical place where you can find the most amazing collection of books
CONS:

Posted 09/07/05 | Report Abuse

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City Lights Bookstore should be christened a historical monument. It has seen such great things in the past and still today, truly buzzes with a true sense of history. Jack Kerouac read here, it was a huge meeting ground for the original beat poets in San Francisco, and it has always held an anti-government, communist stance. They have a great selection of books too... things youd never find at barnes and noble.

Posted 08/19/05 | Report Abuse

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One day, while coming home from middle school years ago, I passed by a group of tourists who asked me if I knew how to get to a bookstore called City Lights. I gave them the directions, and they thanked me graciously. A few weeks after that, I met a few more tourists who was looking for a bookstore that they could not remember the name of, describing the store by using adjectives like "legendary, special, unique, famous," and "widely-known." I asked them if they were talking about City Lights, and they all nodded immediately, smiles on their faces.

At the time, I could not understand why City Lights was so popular. And then I went there about a year ago, and kicked myself for not going sooner. City Lights is a neighborhood bookstore at its best. A sweet little spot that many people will pass by without noticing, but a grand palace for those who are seeking it. City Lights is, believe it or not, a San Francisco landmark of sorts, and it's only a bookstore! Filled with history, culture, politics, tradition, and - of course - lots of quality books, City Lights is probably the only place in San Francisco you probably would not mind getting lost in.

Posted 08/14/05 | Report Abuse

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City Lights Bookstore sits at the tip of Chinatown and is well known for the many famous autnors who have come to sit and read here. It is also the first all-paperback bookstore in the country. A nice and cozy place to grab a book and relax while your in the area. Many interesting things to do around the area will draw you near the bookstore for sure.

Posted 07/10/05 | Report Abuse

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...make sure you stop in here at least once. Its reputation as one of the best bookstores in a city full of great bookstores is well-deserved. It is a little bit crowded, but you'll hardly notice if you're as into wandering around San Francisco's tiny shops as I am.

Even if you're not, this place has an historical value that makes seeing it at least once worthwhile, especially if you're into Beat poetry. Ferlinghetti started the place, and Ginsberg's "Howl" was published here.

Posted 06/28/05 | Report Abuse

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Located on Columbus Avenue and Jack Kerouac Alley, considered hallowed ground by Beatniks across the globe, City Lights Bookstore has no need of riding upon historical reputation when it comes to the business of bookselling. Their selection remains to be beaten in San Francisco in terms of unused books. There's something here for everyone, including an entire upstairs devoted entirely to poetry. Literary readings here are also frequent, so be sure to pick up a brochure informing you who'll be reading next.

Posted 06/22/05 | Report Abuse

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This is a super cozy place with old, wooden stairs and ceiling-to-floor bookcases. It's exactly what a bookstore should look like. It's a little difficult to navigate for the first time, but you'll be sure to fall in love. Great selection of books. If you need to escape from the city for a little bit, just curl up onto a chair with a book at City Lights.

Posted 05/27/05 | Report Abuse

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