Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    B Street Books

    4.2 (181 reviews)
    InexpensiveBookstores
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

    B Street Books Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - B Street Books

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Nina M.

    Bookstores are rare nowadays. Even more, to find one open most days of the week with such a large collection. They have books ranging from the popular to the unique and the rare. I adore this location to just browse around until I find something unique or to reminisce. My brother did find an audio book as well while browsing around. I believe this location also accepts trade-in for credit (if I remember correctly). Support local bookstores!

    Phil A.

    Classic old school style bookstore in downtown San Mateo!! Very small, books everywhere, and comfortable chairs to sit and read. Went here when Covid was still going on, they have you sanitize your hands when you enter. And for a place that sells mainly used books, it's very clean and organized. Glad bookstores like this are still around!!!

    Outside view
    Sue K.

    This is a PSA to support local bookstores! I don't normally review bookstores, but B Street Books is hands down my favorite. They've been in business for over 10 years now, and I am relieved that they stayed afloat despite the huge hit COVID had on small businesses. I've been pleasantly surprised by the rare books I stumble upon here. I first picked up a book here by the American poet Ogden Nash back in 2018, and have spent the last few years scouring countless used bookstores in hopes of finding another anthology. Whaddaya know, I recently found another Nash anthology at B Street Books... talk about coming full circle :') Staff is friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. All collections are well curated, neatly organized, and easy to navigate. Book prices are incredibly fair, considering how much some rare books are worth nowadays. B Street is a must-visit the next time you're strolling around downtown!

    "INTERESTING MISCELLANY"
    Wing Y.

    I love bookstores, and I've been sad to see fewer of them over the past few years. This is a wonderful used bookstore in downtown San Mateo, with shelves full of interesting books on all topics, including "INTERESTING MISCELLANY" - how can anyone resist? We've picked up a lot of good books for the kids here, including the exact same amazing optical illusion book that I had as a kid. There's a comfy reading chair near the kids section if you want to curl up with your kid for a quick story session. The shelves go on for quite a while, so you can spend a lot of time here. Unfortunately it closes at 7pm most weeknights so we're not able to make it on date nights, but it opens later on Friday and Saturday evening. They buy books only at certain hours, so if you're trying to unload some of your books, make sure to check that you're coming at the right time. Unsurprisingly, the (purchase) prices are really good, and it feels good to support a local bookstore.

    Nana, the cutest little book store pupper!
    Kearra B.

    A beautiful book store with a great selection. It has a homey feel, most especially with the cute book store doggie! My friend loves going here for the books & I love going here to see the dog so it works out (hehe)! They have a good selection of used and new books for a solid price. From children's, to young adult, to many other genres of books... they have a great variety. The woman who runs the store is incredibly friendly which adds to the homey feel. There's a couch for people to lay on as well as a cute rocking horse the kids can ride. I appreciate small little gems like this one.

    Rare book case
    Stylishshopper ..

    What a lovely, quaint, independent bookstore. A lovely place to browse after dinner and to pick up a new read. They also have a nice rare book case.... Amazon is squashing charming places like this so, maybe stop in here and buy yourself a new or gently used book?

    B Street books September 2016

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Erich L.
    100
    1508
    4389

    2 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 3
    Love this 21
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Very kind gentleman at the front super helpful. Fun selection of kids books and comic books.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryo T.
    0
    10
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rene V.
    6
    203
    179

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bella L.
    39
    257
    231

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Great local bookstore and we always come here first before going to a bigger chain bookstore or ordering online.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Derrick M.
    29
    172
    18

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Reno U.
    310
    524
    3439

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - B Street Books

    Wondering if there are Bible commentaries and dictionary at this book store?

    Hi Jeannie, Thank you for your question! As a used bookstore, our stock is constantly changing, and… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - B Street Books

    A quaint little book store with a solid selection of art and photography books at low prices (many under $8).

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Asian American Curriculum Project

    Asian American Curriculum Project

    4.9
    (8 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $

    This was a hidden gem in downtown San Mateo! Great curated offerings on Asian American history,…read moreAsian cultures and languages, fiction, cookbooks, children's books, etc. They keep up to date on new releases as well. I saw plenty of titles I would expect in an Asian American bookstore, as well as many others that I was glad to learn about. The offerings seemed to be majority East Asian though were not restricted to that. The shopkeeper was welcoming and gave a tour of the different sections, and found some good picks for us. I wish I had taken photos of the interior, but I was preoccupied with browsing! If I wasn't on a schedule I could have spent a lot longer there. This is definitely worth a visit and they're doing important work!

    I was so excited to see the Asian American Curriculum Project when I looked up bookstores in the…read morearea while we were visiting San Mateo today. I used to visit East Wind Books in Berkeley often before they closed, so I was happy to see another store that focused on writings by Asian authors. It was a great selection to choose from in every category! I wish I had taken some photos! The gentleman working was super friendly and explained where everything was and how it was organized. We had a great time browsing and found some great books to bring home. We were even gifted some handmade knitted bookmarks! We will definitely be back when we have even more time to browse!

    Photos
    Asian American Curriculum Project
    Asian American Curriculum Project
    The exterior of our nonprofit bookstore.

    See all

    The exterior of our nonprofit bookstore.

    B Street Books - bookstores - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...