DIESEL, A Bookstore

One of my go-to places in the neighborhood for sure. Not only is the service really chill and…read morefriendly, but the selection is insane (managed to find some of the books I've been searching for), and the value is absolutely worth it and not expensive at all.

My son, just like me and his grandpa are avid readers. We've probably been to every book store in…read moreOrange County. I spotted Verbatim while looking for parking for a pho and pokemon store down the street. This store has the variety I love, new release copies along with formerly loved ones. We were looking for NBA books but they didn't have any, but they had everything else the 12 yr old loves to read. They even carried an impressive Southeast Asian collection for Cambodia which is what my Pha had every single copy of already.

Coolest bookstore in San Diego! Luyi Zhao photos

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*The organization*

Bluestocking Books

4.6(150 reviews)

14.7 mi•Hillcrest

What a nice independent bookstore! I can't tell you the last time I held a book in my hands (I…read moreknow! I kind of suck!), but I do love books and try to shop at them whenever I can. I love to give books or gift cards to bookstores to children. Bluestocking Books is the kind of bookstore I would specifically go out of my way to buy gifts for people, or to (gasp) buy a book for myself. There are little cozy nooks around the bookstore, as there should be in a bookstore. There's also a section for kids, with a little table and some reading material to peruse. Inexplicably, Bluestocking Books is closed on Wednesdays! What an interesting day to be closed, but I guess you have to be closed at least one day, right? Why not Wednesday? The people who work here are very friendly and helpful, and there's just a palpable welcoming vibe emanating from the store. It's a nice place to browse and find the perfect book.

Bluestocking Books is an awesome indie bookstore located in the Hillcrest area. There is no parking…read morelot here, but a ton of street parking all around. Inside, they have a cozy and welcoming setup with both new and used books organized neatly by genres. The books are priced very fairly here and they have a good amount of books to dig through. All of the staff are friendly and welcoming. Definitely stop by and you will most likely not leave empty-handed!

Cozy and wint'ry bookshop

The stairway to Heaven. Oh and great books on tippy top shelves

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The Library Shop

4.6(25 reviews)

17.4 mi•East Village

We visited after the April Book crawl- The best selection of…read moreunique books, stickers, T-shirts for the lectiophile (new word!) in your life. Well sorted and fun to browse- The one down side, a few potential gift items (ie those funny and cringeworthy coasters) without price tags. And note, it's okay not to interrupt the very busy staff to ask, just go along on your merry way until next time.

Very tiny area by the library but pack full of super cute and original works. Very kawaii and…read morebookish.

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Footnote Books

3.7(103 reviews)

14.9 mi•Hillcrest

Books galore! Friendly, welcoming and informative service. As far as I saw there was a bounty of…read moreSci fi, history, international, mystery. I didn't reach all the sections so theres a lot I didn't get to see among the twists and turns. It's a maze of books, stacks neatly piled high with the space given. Metered street parking in front. Decent pricing

Hidden Gem for Book Lovers - A True San Diego Treasure…read more Footnote Books in University Heights might not catch your eye from the street, but step inside and you're entering a book lover's paradise. It's a small, tightly packed shop, stacked floor to ceiling with everything from quirky romance to vintage collectibles--and that's exactly the charm. AND what increiible value here! Nothing was overpriced even when you know you found a real gem. Don't let the curb appeal fool you--this place is the real deal. My wife scored a stack of fantasy romance novels (SJM, Ana Reyes, etc), and I stumbled upon a first issue of Sports Illustrated and a beautiful 1950s first-edition history of some of baseball's most iconic early legends. Talk about treasure hunting. The owner? An absolute gem. Super knowledgeable, approachable, and clearly someone who lives and breathes books. You can feel the passion in every corner of this store--Footnote is truly a labor of love. If you're in San Diego and love books with character (and characters), do yourself a favor and visit Footnote Books. 10/10 I highly recommend.

Hiding spot

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Books

Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore

4.8(137 reviews)

14.0 mi•Loma Portal

One of my favorite bookstores!…read more I think I found out about them because of the L.A. Times' Festival of Books that occurs annually. They were one of the vendors, and they always had such a great selection of books. And their staff was amazing, especially working under the pressure of a book festival! I've had the privilege of being able to visit their physical location, and it was such a lovely (and expensive) visit. Their store proved on what a great selection of books they have, and a good number of them were special edition, signed bookplates, or inked signatures! Staff was great at the physical location, as well. Also, we were able to visit on a Friday for a free book! They do have special events quite often, where an author may come by and speak about their book and do signings! Their Instagram page is quite active, thankfully, so I've been able to order a few special events' books to be delivered to me ( I don't live in the SD area). For the physical location, the parking can be a bit limiting, depending on what time you go. We visited them two (three?) times in a given week and had most success for a parking space earlier in the day, and didn't try to venture for an evening visit. Highly, highly, highly recommend you visit this bookstore and support their business!

Very clean spacious retail store and another Sam Diego business with excellent customer service…read more Asked about hard sci-fi and the staff there all pointed to the in house sci-fi guy. Very helpful, interesting to chat with and I got a few new authors to check out! They even have a free book Friday shelf! This place is great! I shoulda got a tshirt

Next to a Smash Burger place I wish I went to. Very clean and tidy.

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Reading by author Jeffrey Ford.

Bookstar / Barnes & Noble

3.8(108 reviews)

14.2 mi•Loma Portal

Cool little Barnes and Noble in an old theater space! I love that they kept the theater marquee out…read morefront. It looks super cool! The bf also got a kick out of it since he worked as a theater manager for years and loves checking out different theaters. The inside of the store was pretty similar to other Barnes and Nobles, maybe a bit smaller. Good amount of book merch and themed table sections, but I think the lighting could have been a bit brighter. They were running some great deals before new years so I picked up a few new books. I have noticed that sometimes Barnes and Noble doesn't pick up the discounts listed on the stickers on the front covers of books, so I pay extra attention when those are rung up. The guy at the register was super nice and corrected it, no problem!

Loved how this old movie theater was repurposed into a bookstore/Barnes and Noble. The interior has…read morethe old remnants of the theater, pretty evident through the decor running along the ceiling. Super cool! And of course, the Bookstar sign out front giving it old theater vibes. Selection was similar to what other B&N have. Their record section was cute, displayed in the front window. The store was well organized, easy to navigate, and had all the featured table displays. I was searching for The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig when I went, but they were out of stock. The employee who helped me offered to call another store in the area, which was really nice of her! I ended up getting it at the Mission Valley location. Overall worth a visit, if only to take pictures of the cool sign. Otherwise, it's like any other Barnes & Noble.

Cool old movie sign

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Libélula Books & Co

4.9(45 reviews)

18.5 mi•Barrio Logan

This charming little bookstore is a true gem in the Logan Barrio neighborhood. From the moment you…read morewalk in, you're welcomed by a warm, creative atmosphere with beautiful decor and shelves full of unique books you won't find just anywhere. One of the highlights is meeting the shop's two resident cats, who add a lot of personality and make the space feel even more inviting. And don't skip the restroom, it's a destination in itself. The creative artwork and attention to detail make it a fun and memorable part of the visit. Whether you're searching for your next great read or just want to enjoy a cozy inspiring place, this bookstore is absolutely worth a visit. It's a wonderful local business that captures the artistic spirit of the neighborhood and is a must stop when you're exploring Logan Barrio.

Libélula is a newer BIPOC owned and community-based bookstore in Barrio Logan. To get here, street…read moreparking will be your best and there is tons of it around the area. Inside, they have a fun and well-organized setup with tons of different new and used books plus other goodies to browse. The staff here are friendly and welcoming and the prices are very fair. I definitely enjoyed the vibes and the selection of products they have here. If you are ever in the area, this is a great business to support and show love to!

Inside

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Hey Books

5.0(21 reviews)

17.0 mi•East Village

Stumbled by this adorable bookstore, which is a ways away from the hubhub of Gaslamp East Village…read more A very cute, compact, and quaint spot with a combo of new and used books. I like the tables of spread out books, like cover art mosaics to gauge interest of those browsing. They had a bunch of chairs set up when I visited, but not sure of the event. Their website calendar is not very helpful (an empty page as of this), but their Instagram is frequently updated.

This is a cute little bookstore with a great selection of new and used books! Very good pricing and…read morethe owner is so nice and friendly. I'm visiting from out of town and he recommended some places nearby to kill time before my flight. He wrote them down for me on a card. You're also free to read in the store for however long you'd like. I definitely recommend stopping by!

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Bay Books

4.4(111 reviews)

18.6 mi

This was my first stop at the San Diego Book Crawl, I had no idea there was a bookstore in Coronado…read moreand one that also has a cute little cafe. I was stoked, the store was packed with people because of the crawl, but the store was so welcoming had a good assortment of book genres. I ended up picking up A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab. It was really hard to choose which book to pick up and my best friend picked up a magazine and a book to meet the Crawl criteria. Definitely going to be coming back!

Really nice bookstore with a very wide selection across many genres. You could easily spend a long…read moretime browsing here. The prices are a little on the higher side, but nothing unreasonable considering the selection and overall atmosphere. The staff was also very friendly and helpful, which made the experience even better. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy bookstores.

16.5 mi•South Park, North Park

3/23/25

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3/23/25

The Book Catapult

4.7(97 reviews)

The Book Catapult is a thoughtfully curated independent book shop that has an eclectic and…read moresurprising array of books on offer. They have a small selection of cards, totes, and gift items, but they primarily serve a bibliophile's need to always have a good book in hand. This evening was dedicated to poetry and I was lucky enough to hear from Kazim Ali and Adam O. Davis, each well-regarded and thought-provoking in their own way. As I sat and listened to them read from their new books of poems, I felt better than I have in months. The space we were in, cozy and a little warm, became a cocoon of beauty, wisdom and care for nature that I wish could have shielded us from the realities of our flawed society for more than an hour. While the evening has to come to an end, I know that a return visit to this magical sanctuary will hopefully ensconce me in knowledge, joy, and to the power of language once again. Perhaps the Book Catapult will provide what you need or are looking for as well. I'm grateful to the owners for making this very special bookstore a place that welcomes all of us. Peace.

Nice cozy location. It was really busy here when we arrived with our Shuttle Bus Crawl…read more I LOVED this location; it had lots of Stationery items to purchase as well as new books! The counter staff was so helpful, and they had plenty of recommendation note cards underneath books that staff had read and liked; this is always a nice touch. Respectfully Reviewed.

Need This Book Immediately!

Books display

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Interior

DIESEL, A Bookstore - bookstores - Updated September 2026

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Footnote Books

3.7

(103 reviews)

Books galore! Friendly, welcoming and informative service. As far as I saw there was a bounty of…read moreSci fi, history, international, mystery. I didn't reach all the sections so theres a lot I didn't get to see among the twists and turns. It's a maze of books, stacks neatly piled high with the space given. Metered street parking in front. Decent pricing

Hidden Gem for Book Lovers - A True San Diego Treasure…read more Footnote Books in University Heights might not catch your eye from the street, but step inside and you're entering a book lover's paradise. It's a small, tightly packed shop, stacked floor to ceiling with everything from quirky romance to vintage collectibles--and that's exactly the charm. AND what increiible value here! Nothing was overpriced even when you know you found a real gem. Don't let the curb appeal fool you--this place is the real deal. My wife scored a stack of fantasy romance novels (SJM, Ana Reyes, etc), and I stumbled upon a first issue of Sports Illustrated and a beautiful 1950s first-edition history of some of baseball's most iconic early legends. Talk about treasure hunting. The owner? An absolute gem. Super knowledgeable, approachable, and clearly someone who lives and breathes books. You can feel the passion in every corner of this store--Footnote is truly a labor of love. If you're in San Diego and love books with character (and characters), do yourself a favor and visit Footnote Books. 10/10 I highly recommend.

Hey Books

5.0

(21 reviews)

Stumbled by this adorable bookstore, which is a ways away from the hubhub of Gaslamp East Village…read more A very cute, compact, and quaint spot with a combo of new and used books. I like the tables of spread out books, like cover art mosaics to gauge interest of those browsing. They had a bunch of chairs set up when I visited, but not sure of the event. Their website calendar is not very helpful (an empty page as of this), but their Instagram is frequently updated.

This is a cute little bookstore with a great selection of new and used books! Very good pricing and…read morethe owner is so nice and friendly. I'm visiting from out of town and he recommended some places nearby to kill time before my flight. He wrote them down for me on a card. You're also free to read in the store for however long you'd like. I definitely recommend stopping by!

Library Shop Mission Hills

5.0

(8 reviews)

This place was AWESOME!! Also on the Bookstore Crawl tour. Again, as with all the locations we went…read moreto, service was helpful and efficient. So many good things for sale for bibliophiles. I felt like the book selection was limited, but it had enough to find something in any genre you might want to look for. Lots of stationery here as well. Respectfully Reviewed.

I love this place! What a great addition to the Mission Hills area, and what a great use of the…read morespace where the old Mission Hills library used to be! Knowing that my purchases are supporting the libraries in San Diego is an added bonus. All things book related as well as books themselves are available for sale in the shop. This is a bibliophile's little spot of Heaven. I will be back to purchase Christmas presents here for my family.

Pennywise Books

3.6

(71 reviews)

Very cute and quaint bookstore! Sells used books and has a great selection. I was looking for some…read morefaith-based books and they had a couple along with some other philosophy books, however it was a small selection (1-2 shelf's worth of these categories). The cashier was kind and helped me find the right aisle to explore and he seemed very knowledgeable. You can also exchange your books to get a discount when you purchase from the store, which is a nice deal.

Unlike most used book stores I've been to, Pennywise is very brightly lit…read more It was cool to be greeted as I entered the shop and left alone to browse to my heart's content. The books were organized by genres and a huge selection was for mystery/thriller. There was a small section for biography/memoirs, which is my go-to genre. They have racks of dollar books for sale out front, while the books inside are mostly 50% off regular price.

The Book Tree

4.9

(21 reviews)

In a few words, a huge/diverse selection and amazing customer service. In many words, this…read morebookstore almost feels like a portal back to the good old days with hidden nooks to plop down and zone out...the smell of old books fills the space and with no screens in sight...it feels like home. I hope they stick around forever.

Picked up "The Encyclopedia Britannica Great Books of the Western World Vol. 4 The Iliad /…read moreOdyssey", 1952 edition, for a great price! I found myself just standing here, amazed by the selection! Lots of mystical books, books on philosophy, religious books, SF; science. I admired the section that has a lot of different Hindu texts from various denominations. I also saw some Tarot, and some CDs. I plan on coming back. Service was good as I was asked if I could be helped and it did motivate me to buy something. I pretty much can't pass up old books on anything regarding Ancient Greece! Right now I have enough books, but once my own little reading library is weeded out, I'll return with some questions, for sure! We need more bookstores like this! Always passed this place by, it would either be closed or I never got the chance to go in. Nice to finally see how cool it is!

Maxwell's House of Books

4.4

(102 reviews)

I've shopped here over the years and I always get at least two books here every time I go in. For a…read moreused bookstore, they have some of the best prices in San Diego and have a great selection of titles, especially compared to some of their competitors (a couple of them I consider overrated but shall remain nameless). The owner is always pleasant and his cats are an absolute treat to interact and pet with! I recently saw their news segment a couple days ago and was happy to see that the owner refused to sell their rare books to AI buyers. It's a tough market for small businesses these days, especially bookstores as readership is on the decline. Good on them for sticking to their integrity and protecting books. I will happily shop here and continue to support this business.

Lived up to the hype! Great books packed into a cozy place. Good choice, too. Picked two mystery…read morepaperbacks for a song.

Libélula Books & Co

4.9

(45 reviews)

This charming little bookstore is a true gem in the Logan Barrio neighborhood. From the moment you…read morewalk in, you're welcomed by a warm, creative atmosphere with beautiful decor and shelves full of unique books you won't find just anywhere. One of the highlights is meeting the shop's two resident cats, who add a lot of personality and make the space feel even more inviting. And don't skip the restroom, it's a destination in itself. The creative artwork and attention to detail make it a fun and memorable part of the visit. Whether you're searching for your next great read or just want to enjoy a cozy inspiring place, this bookstore is absolutely worth a visit. It's a wonderful local business that captures the artistic spirit of the neighborhood and is a must stop when you're exploring Logan Barrio.

Libélula is a newer BIPOC owned and community-based bookstore in Barrio Logan. To get here, street…read moreparking will be your best and there is tons of it around the area. Inside, they have a fun and well-organized setup with tons of different new and used books plus other goodies to browse. The staff here are friendly and welcoming and the prices are very fair. I definitely enjoyed the vibes and the selection of products they have here. If you are ever in the area, this is a great business to support and show love to!

Through The Fold

5.0

(13 reviews)

I love this bookstore, nestled into Mission Hills nursery -- it combines two of my favorite things,…read moreand last time I was there I left with two plants and two books. It feels like a secret garden of sorts (but with signage that makes it easy to find). They have an excellent selection and a cute patio setup plus a lot of community events, including a Book Was Better Than the Movie book club, which I've attended at Paradis, and have had a great time. I actually had stumbled upon this bookstore on a neighborhood walk in advance of it opening and started following their Instagram right away so I knew when it opened officially. It's a mother-daughter team who owns it, which makes it even better. What a wonderful addition to our thriving bookstore community.

There is something magical about a bookstore that is built on a foundation of lifelong learning…read more Through the Fold is exactly that. I've been a book lover since childhood, and walking into TTF felt like coming home. Gail and Jennifer (a powerhouse mother-daughter duo!) have brought 50+ years of experience in education to this space, and it shows. They've curated a selection that reflects a deep love for literacy and a commitment to fostering creativity in both adults and children. Eric Atilano

Artifact Books

4.7

(32 reviews)

I called to see if they had a book and the man was very helpful. A great bookstore! I recommend!read more

Dark,dusty,stinky place with grumpy guy behind the counter…read more He will yell at you for not understanding price on the tag... Books way overpriced.

Book Place

4.1

(52 reviews)