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    Russian Hill Bookstore

    4.0 (160 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Services - Russian Hill Bookstore

    Cards and stationery

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    The Classic Type
    Juan V.

    It's refreshing to step into an Independent Bookstore in San Francisco which has quality books. The Russian Hill Bookstore has lots of aisles of great book titles. They also have novelties such as cards and games. This is a good place to enjoy browsing so many variety of books. A fun place go if you are in the area. Go read a book and start a discussion On top of the hill in San Francisco called Russian

    Denise C.

    Fifty years independent bookstore..new to me ..I like it quite a bit ..browsed two times..got antique postcards ..antique zines and a book with a directory of antiquarian booksellers ..it's independent ..similar to browser books on fillmore ..more interesting picks and a new section ..happy with my visit and purchase ..Polk St

    Montage of images from Russian Hill Bookstore
    Ed U.

    This one is pea soup thick with atmosphere. It's the type of bookstore that doesn't have room for luxuries like chairs for casual browsers. Both new and used books were stacked on the floor since they've obviously run out of shelf space, and the browsers happily sit on the floor to peruse books like it was a library. It's actually the very last of over a dozen bookstores that used to line Polk Street, and it was narrowly saved over a year ago by two longtime employees who bought the place from their boss. They've done a model job of preserving a sense of community with board game nights and book events. There's quite a selection of books focused on San Francisco, and the note card section is second to none in the city. Here's to this store surviving the next post-Amazon revolution. RELATED - Looking for a good book? Here's a collection of stores I've checked out and reviewed: bit.ly/2KXQ0D6

    Metaphysics / Occult Section
    Elena N.

    When I was younger, I used to love hanging out at bookstores. I could spend hours just browsing all the books and reading excerpts. Luckily, my friends and I were out and about in Russian Hill and decided to check this place out. We walked in on Thursday, July 19th around 7pm. I'm glad places like Russian Hill Bookstore still exist. Sometimes I just want to browse a book in hand before decided to buying it. And there's the novelty of actually flipping through a book while you read it. They had a fair selection of books, some records, etc. I was especially drawn to a couple books about old San Francisco - Misfits, Merchants, and Mayhem: Tales from San Francisco's Historic Waterfront, 1849-1934 by Lee Bruno & San Francisco Then and Now by Dennis Evanosky and Eric J. Kos. I love seeing how SF used to look compared to now. With all the online giants selling books, it's great to see an actual bookstore from time to time.

    My box of "Thank You" cards I personally selected with Benjamin's (co-owner's) help.
    Joanna T.

    Sometimes we don't value things that are in your life until they're gone. I love bookstores and have spent many hours reading, browsing and buying books. Thank goodness we have Russian Hill Bookstore in the neighborhood. One of the few indie stores still in San Francisco. The co-owners Jesse & Benjamin are trying to keep their store afloat. I love their beautiful stationary department. I get fabulous greeting cards there; often cards designed by local artisans or other Bay Area greeting card companies. There's nothing like the delight you feel when receiving a real-live card in the mail! That's why during RHB's fundraising campaign I bought a box of "Thank You" cards to use for expressing my appreciation to those who have been so helpful and stalwart during the CoVid19 pandemic. Go to RHB's website and read their story. If you can afford to make a purchase, email them and they will help you. The helped me choose a box of Thank You cards and one of their staff personally swung by my building to drop it off! Amazing personal service.

    Such a great display
    Tammy T.

    If you need anything to wrap your gifts for the holidays, go here. They have a ton of supplies and lots of unique cards. They obviously have books as well and I thought it was such a cute store!

    Eric B.

    As I walked down this section of Polk Street, my mind wandered back to the time 25 years (or so), ago when I lived near the nearby corner of Union and Van Ness. This and Union Street were my Downtown. There was no Russian Hill Bookstore here back then, and I don't quite remember what was here. The space takes up 2 storefronts and offers an impressive selection of mostly used books, along with proven profit sources like gift cards and notebooks. Everything is crammed in, so watch your book shelf and people clearances.

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    4 months ago

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    22 days ago

    Absolutely amazing selection. You can literally spend hours exploring their volumes of books and other cool stuff! Highly recommended.

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    7 months ago

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    3 years ago

    I absolutely love this bookstore! Lots great titles. Awesome staff. Don't pass by this one.

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    4 years ago

    Best bookstore in the city-best cards! Seriously unmatched one of my favorite stores in sf a true gem

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    Review Highlights - Russian Hill Bookstore

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    City Lights - The staircase leading upstairs to the main floor.

    City Lights

    (816 reviews)

    $$

    Chinatown

    One of the neatest bookstores in the US. The Poetry room upstairs is wonderful. So much fun…read morehistory here to learn about. And this bookstores has some amazing staff book recommendations with little tags on the bookshelf telling you why they loved that book so much; found some great new finds that way. Dont forget to get your books stamped with their bookstores stamp on the way out!

    An amazing bookstore and so glad I asked chatGPT to give me some ideas for a stroll around SF near…read moreUnion Square. Well, ok, this place isnt close to Union Sq, about a mile away, but it was a perfect delicious end destination for a post dinner stroll! I like bookstores and I like eclectic, unique ones. I'll go to Barnes & Noble if I had no other choice, but my favorite bookstores are independent ones and ones where they carry very unique books you can't find elsewhere. This bookstore made my inner little nerdy self so happy. I immediately got lost up front looking at very recent publication by Ai Weiwei. I then wandered onto the main floor and found an entire section of Asian works, which you will not find at B&N. I also found books from Norwegian writers too which I had never seen before, which thrilled me. I then made my way up to their attic floor which is dedicated to poetry and seems I just missed Allen Ginsberg's Howl centennial celebration. Ugh! I then came back down and then proceeded to their basement section and again I was quite pleasantly surprised by the depth and breadth of Asian themed books they had. They had plenty of the Chinese classics in English and found so many different versions of Journey to the West, I was completely overwhelmed. And then, saw an entire section on Africa and I had to fight hard to not pick up a copy of a book titled Prison Letters, which is a collection of Mandela's letters while imprisoned. I ultimately settled on two books by Ai Weiwei as he has continued to inspire me to be proud, to not conform, to be brave, to speak up, to be authentically and unapologetically me, to honor my ancestry and to push boundaries and to fight for what matters. And it just so happens too that my Chinese give name is also Weiwei. I loved coming to this bookstore and it will definitely be on rotation for me when I am in SF again.

    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

    (544 reviews)

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    Lower Pacific Heights, Japantown

    Finding a bookstore in San Francisco can be a challenge depending which side of city you are and…read morewhat you are looking for as far as subject matter. There are various bookstores which face the street sidewalks of San Francisco and are easy to enter and exit. There is a bookstore in San Francisco which is hidden from the public side walk and accessible through a mall on the second floor. It's located inside the Japan Center in Japantown and it's called Kinokuyina. On a Spring stroll inside Japan Center I landed inside Kinokuyina. In the land of the rising sun Kinokuyina is a bookstore was founded in 1927 in Japan and turns 100 years next year. This San Francisco location is the first in the USA which opened since 1969. They have other locations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore,Hong Kong, Taiwan,and the Philippines. Inside you will find lots of books in Japanese Kanji and English Manga. They also sell lots of novelties and t-shirts. This a great international bookstore in San Francisco. It's almost Summer say bye to the month of "May" they have a location in San Francisco another down the road by San Tomas Expressway in "San Jose "they have lots books of "display" from manga to "anime" Come visit they have books for any age "group "you can find magazines with the latest "scoop"so you can stay in the "loop" and you can even find a book like some in SF about "poop"

    I've visited only two of Tokyo based Kinokuniya Bookstore's seventeen U.S. locations, San Francisco…read moreand Seattle, but because of my affection for Japanese food and culture, it left a strong impression, and I return from time to time. Did you know they have six stores in California and four in Texas alone? I'll gladly reconfigure my thoughts about Texans, that they that can support the existence of four Kinokuniya bookstores. Respectfully. I enjoy browsing the SF store, especially the travel section, cookbooks, and unique magazines. They have all the requisite kawaii stuff including Miffy, Moomin, Studio Ghibli, and Sonny Angels. Having Google Translate at the ready in camera mode, makes exploring some of the Japanese titles even more fun. A unique, immersive bookstore experience.

    Green Apple Books - Here It Is

    Green Apple Books

    (1.5k reviews)

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    Inner Richmond

    If your idea of a good time is an afternoon spent rambling around in a 5000-plus foot maze among…read morethe books, then Green Apple Books is for you. What I love here are the carefully curated staff selections that are found everywhere. There are always unexpected finds and books you'd never unearth online all housed in this labyrinth of a store. The tables of discounted and used books upstairs are worth a browse. The atmosphere is welcoming, dusty, and this old Victorian house is perfect for wandering. One of my favorite Sunday rituals: browsing until I find something unexpected, and then heading down Clement for dim sum, some thrifting, maybe a Kamei treasure, a strawberry crepe, and some Asian groceries. A Green Apple visit makes the outing complete. San Francisco still has a few good remaining bookstores, and the selection hidden in the winding nooks and crannies at Green Apple, keep it near the top of my list.

    I was walking by when I saw the bookstore. First time here. They had several carts with books on…read moresale. It was hard to go over the books as they were not organized. Once you go inside it is a tight place but cute. They have new and used books , two floors. What I liked were the flashcards in front of books giving a little description and thoughts on books. I felt some new books were overpriced. However their clearance and sale books were a great deal. I got an art book for $6. Service was not personable. I was not greeted even at register when I was ready to pay. The lady just charged me. She didn't offer any bag either. It was a little awkward. I love visiting bookstores. However, this one might be the one least friendly I encountered. Overall they have a good selection of books.

    Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe - matcha latte

    Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe

    (255 reviews)

    $$

    Outer Sunset

    Community-oriented cafe in the Outer Sunset district!…read more Blackbird is located across the street from Hook Fish, meaning that parking is packed and hard to find, so use public transit! I have gone to Blackbird a handful of times and have enjoyed the experience each time. Blackbird is primarily a bookstore, but they do have an outdoor window where you can order drinks ranging from matcha (Rocky's Matcha, if you're curious about which brand they use), lattes, and tea. They also carry a good amount of pastries (even mid-day, they have a lot of goodies), which I really appreciated. When you order your drink, you have to enter inside the bookstore to wait for your drink to be called, but you can take the time to stroll around and look at their book selection and trinkets. Heads up: the seating here is limited but very lovely. Inside, there are a couple of community tables, but their outdoor area is absolutely magical, with lush greenery and benches for you to enjoy your drinks. This time around, I got one of their seasonal drinks, a honey lavender vanilla latte, and I paired it with an Earl Grey olive oil loaf. The portion of the pastry was generous and moist, while the icing was not too sweet. Overall, a great pick for a cafe if you're in the area.

    I visited Black Bird for the first time because I was attending an author talk. Upon seeing their…read morecafe, I decided to order a few items. Matcha latte with whole milk : It's very savory which is great, unsweetened by default. I thought this was one of the better matchas I've had if you want to be able to taste the matcha strongly. Olive oil spelt cake: It reminds me of pound cake. Not that sweet except the frosting/icing. It was okay but as someone who's not as fond of that kind of cakey texture, I'd probably not get it again. They have a really lovely garden and patio in the back. There is also a bathroom. The acoustics and set up for events isn't great, though. It was hard for me to concentrate on the speaker for the book talk since you can hear the noises from the cafe behind and also the sounds of other store customers all around you. That was the only downside, but I think it's a very charming bookstore otherwise.

    Russian Hill Bookstore - stationery - Updated July 2026

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