Booksmith — Local services in San Francisco

This place is Dog Friendly! I couldn't find thatvlisyed anywhere explicitly, but their Instagram showcased Dogs that had visited so decided to try my luck when I was road tripping from Seattle to California and we love to visit bookstores and I was traveling with my dog so wanted a place where we could all stop and stretch our legs a bit. Found this place and they said my little Mia was welcome to come in as we shopped. They are small but have a good variety. I liked there "It was love at first line" section which is a wrapped book with the first line written on the wrapping and if it was a hardback ($7) / paperback ($5) and fiction / non-fiction. My friend had been debating on buying a book at another store but decided not to spend the $30 and fate shined upon her and she bought a hard back, only to unwrap it and find the book she wanted at the last store! It was a fun surprise.

Since it is San Francisco, parking was tough, but after a few circles around the blocks nearby we were able to find a spot, and spent $1.80...

As far as stores specializing in new books go, this is the best. Awhile ago I went in needing books for my new two younger cousins (one 7, one 4). A staff member took me through the kids section picking out books that my cousins and their parents ended up loving. I've enjoyed the handful of events I've been to in the evenings as well, especially when Mary Roach did her Packing for Mars reading and Q&A! Their queer and sexuality sections are great. The general layout of the store, the chalkboard art all around the walls, and the awesome staff make this place a pretty awesome place to shop or just spend an hour in. Also great for...

Really nice bookstore, but they have bad radio rock/pop music playing here so insanely loud all the time that it’s almost impossible to browse. I’ve never written a critical review about a place like this before but it’s so egregious every single time it makes me thinks they don’t actually want people looking at and reading books. I’ve left without buying a book multiple times because the music ensured I couldn’t focus on reading what was on the page. I like music! But in a bookstore it’s sooo obnoxious. Just a completely mystifying choice all around for such a lovely local spot. I hope...