Picture this — you’re sitting on the beach, reading your new favorite book. Better yet, you got a great deal because you bought it secondhand.
This story doesn’t have to be fiction. San Diego is home to many used bookstores, and here are 11 installments with shelves full of pre-loved page-turners.
Verbatim Books, North Park
The best stories are retold. This shop calls itself San Diego’s largest independent bookstore. Here, you’ll be able to dig through pages and discover old classics, local history books, or “Twilight” — last we saw, the series has its own shelf.
Pennywise Books, Pacific Beach
If you’re in PB without a book to read, just walk down Garnet Avenue and you’ll find “It.” This shop has books across genres and offers a daily $1 book sale.
Bluestocking Books, Hillcrest
This store gets its name from an oddball term, so book nerds come here to browse its collection of both used and new titles, plus hidden gems.
Friends of the Central Library Bookstore, East Village
You’ll find this shop inside the San Diego Central Library that allows you to give books and other media permanent homes on your bookshelves. Better yet, 100% of the store’s revenue benefits the library so you can check out more books in the future.
Pro tip: You can donate books, CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks here.
La Playa Books, Point Loma
Bookworms love the selection they’ll find at this shop — including rare titles. If you’re looking for something specific, you can browse the shelves virtually.
We’re going to book it to Maxwell’s House of Books.
Photo via @vinomamajc
Maxwell’s House of Books, La Mesa
Since 2003, readers have visited this store in La Mesa Village to browse its ever-changing selection. We wish you good luck during your next book hunt, even if you encounter the black cat who “manages” the store with its owner.
Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library, Hillcrest
This store supports the San Diego Public Library — particularly this branch — and helps to fund its programs, equipment, and resources. If you’re looking to make a donation, the store accepts books, media, magazines, or puzzles.
This store holds history in its pages.
Photo via @wordsarewhatyoumakethem
Artifact Books, Encinitas
This store is for the history books. Here, you can buy and sell recent titles, but it’s also a treasure trove for collectors — you’ll find rare, vintage, and first-edition titles for sale.
Footnote Books has us covered.
Photo via @castingbypatrickbacacsa
Footnote Books, Hillcrest
If you need a new book, this store’s got you covered. Buying and selling since 1989, its walls are fully stocked with previously-loved stories.
Helen’s Book Mark, Escondido
Once upon a time, this book exchange was named Elaine’s Book Mark, but the store started a new chapter when Helen — a former customer — became the owner. Today, much of the story remains the same. Customers can bring in books (mostly paperbacks) and swap them for credits to buy different ones.
Book Place, La Mesa
Scale Book Place’s “book mountain” — 60,000 used books and counting, plus puzzles, games, CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks. Go in with a plan, or get lost in the stacks and come out with something unexpected.
Let’s make it a trilogy. We revised this list with your suggestion, but if there are more used book stores we missed, let us know.
