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    Green Apple Books

    4.6 (1.5k reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Elma C.

    This bookstore is a part of San Francisco's cultural backbone. As a local, I visit whenever I am in the neighborhood. I love: * The maze like layout where people get lost (in a good way). Note: sections are still clearly labeled because - duh, it's a bookstore. * "Staff picks" culture - handwritten notes with brief book highlights that help select the right fiction or non-fiction book * Used books are upstairs and for those interested in them - be prepared to spend at least an hour here. * Notebooks, cards, pens, miscellaneous items? Also available!

    My bobbing for apple pick!
    Jessica H.

    I'm a big reader so this place was top on my list to visit! I wanted to support a local independent bookstore, and this did not disappoint! There were so many books that were signed by authors (yay!) and also had a very large curation of books by the staff. The service was so great - they were all friendly and talkative with the customers like me! They also had a used book selection upstairs at discounted prices of books -- including a section upstairs to "Bob for apples"! I highly recommend that because I basically got a brand new book (that has been on my TBR!) for $5!!!

    Greeting Cards
    Eli L.

    This place is bigger than I expected. Turn the corner, more books, up the steps, then up a stair case, second floor more books! They have a big selection of new and used books. They have a big selection of kids books too. They also sell unique board games and greeting cards. I enjoyed browsing this store, what a great find!

    Bob K.

    This place was pretty amazing. It has a relatively narrow storefront that belies how much space is inside, on two floors. It's mostly used books, but not entirely. There are rooms off of rooms, and two different staircases (which could use some new anti-slip protection), so you have to look around thoroughly. I found an upstairs room with history books just as I thought I had seen all of it. It's like a smaller version of Powell's. They even have store merch. The place is incredibly dense with shelves, kind ndof the opposite of bookstores that I've reviewed recently, where the books face out. That means it can be overwhelming. Some additional labelling or a map would be useful, but there were plenty of employees to ask where certain sections are. The front left side as you enter is a huge art section, films and travel upstairs front, fiction and sci fi upstairs back, and so on. If you're in a hurry, then you better ask. They have a monthly book club too, and you can order stuff online easily.

    Upstairs
    Leilua L.

    This is the biggest used and new bookstore I've ever been in! I spent two hours in there so if you are visiting from out of town like me then give yourself time. They have every genre of books, I loved all their used selection and it's very well organized. Has an upstairs and a pretty extensive children's section as well. Merchandise for purchase as well and overall just a fantastic experience and I LOVED this bookstore! Overall GREAT selection and GREAT prices! Check it out

    Roxane P.

    Always love this place. Favorite bookstore. On a beautiful Sunday, discounted books outside called our names. Walked in, greeted kindly. The kid wanted to see the children's books- great! Straight to the back we went... Love this area. It was a little messier than usual with some toys on the floor, but it's to be expected for a Sunday afternoon. The kid could peruse at her leisurely and asked for help when needed something higher. I grabbed a few books for her that I knew I'd purchase for her home library. We sat together to look over them briefly. As she looked at books on her own she said, "this is fun!" My thoughts, exactly. We purchased a calendar, two children's activity books, and 4 children's books including a Greek mythology book all for less than $50. Mind you, 2-3 books were on sale, as was the 2025 calendar. The employee apologized that there was no cardboard at the bottom of the store bag to hold it open but that's okay! I told them it's fine and that I like that it's orange for Giants! To which the worker exclaimed "I'm sure that's no coincidence!" :) great, friendly service. I don't think I've ever experienced poor quality service or any bad attitudes here. Already said it but green apple books is a favorite.

    Drew P.

    A ton of variety of different books, some of which get discounted. Giving out free "special" whistles and pamphlets is a nice touch. I would come back.

    Inside
    Bisan A.

    Was recommend Green Apple Books after someone saw me carrying around a bag from another amazing bookstore in SF. I'm glad I listened to their recommendation. Green Apple is huge and offers a wide and varied selection of new and used books. Maybe even more fun than browsing their books is getting lost in the maze-like store. You'll stumble across aisles upon aisles of every genre you could imagine. A fantastic bookstore that everyone should check out.

    Tina K.

    This is the browsing kind of bookstore where you can completely lose track of time. They have so many books organized in sections throughout the store. They have great sale books in the front if you are ready for a treasure hunt with lots of bargains. Employees here are always nice and helpful. Take the creaky stairs up and they have games and other little gifts. Such a cute place to wander around and find a few books you never knew you needed.

    Stairs in the back of the store with cool posters

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    Great selection and knowledgeable staff. A must visit for any book lover when in San Francisco!

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    Page 1 of 38

    Green Apple Books Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Green Apple Books

    Do they sell manga here?

    We have a small selection of Manga. We used to have a bigger section, but sales declined to the point where we only stock the most in-demand titles. You can always order from our website (even things that aren't in the store right now) for pickup or… 

    Do you guys accept donations? Like old magazines?

    Thanks for offering, but we do not accept donations. Ask the Friends of the SF Public Library or Goodwill, perhaps?

    Are dogs allowed inside?

    Yes I've taken my dog in there multiple times, the staff are very welcoming of dogs

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - Green Apple Books

    Also, the annex has an extremely carefully hand-picked record collection chock-full of new and rare vintage used vinyl.

    Mentioned in 64 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Amoeba Music

    Amoeba Music

    4.4
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    What a cool place!…read more You can find things from vinyls to comics, to toys. There is a whole lot to see. At one of the desks, I received a free postcard and business card--which was cool. I also noticed they have a Photobooth. I believe it's $7 for two strips.

    I still remember when this location was Park Bowl, but that was (gasp) over thirty years ago when…read morebowling was still a popular social activity. I myself was on a bowling team named the Orient Express, and I wish I still had my red team shirt with the dragon on the back. But I digress as this has been an independent record store since 1997, an offshoot of the Berkeley store on Telegraph. Digital downloads be damned, this shop is focused on physical media...CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes, Blu-rays, and of course, vinyl. Even before picking up spares at Park Bowl, I recall that moment in my youth when I made the monumental decision to switch my record purchases from vinyl to CDs. Nowadays, vinyl is making a comeback among a younger generation looking for a higher quality, more realistic sound quality. I saw these Gen Z audiophiles flipping through the long LP bins in search of the elusive underground classic their stereophonic friends could appreciate and envy. Personally I could find nuggets of my own. Albums like The Very Best of Spike Jones (Photo 10) and The Complete 2,000 Year Old Man (Photo 5) resonated with me. I was happy to see individual LPs consolidated into boxed sets like the Linda Ronstadt retrospective. Beyond the music is the expansive DVD collection of movie titles both classic and obscure. There's also books and collectible merchandise like pop-culture lunch boxes and celebrity prayer candles. I'm not sure I need a candle that deifies Aubrey Plaza, but it's good to know where I can get one. RELATED - Exploring the Haight? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/Mq6DbbrGGJ

    Photos
    The Amoeba SF entrance.
    The Amoeba SF entrance.
    Sunset over Amoeba SF and Haight Street.
    Sunset over Amoeba SF and Haight Street.
    Vinyl wonderland!

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    Vinyl wonderland!

    Green Apple Books - musicvideo - Updated August 2026

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