1. The Book Tree

    1. The Book Tree

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    San Diego, CA

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    The Book Tree

    4.9 (20 reviews)
    InexpensiveBookstores
    Closed 12:00 pm - 5:00 PM

    The Book Tree Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - The Book Tree

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    Shel M.

    This is a mystical place indeed. Before I looked up their hours, I was convinced it was out of business because it always seemed closed whenever I walked by. Magically, it was open today (or rather it happened to be a Wednesday) and I popped in. I've never seen so many sections at a used bookstore that I actually cared about! I saw sections on spirituality, vegetarian cookbooks, multiple shelves dedicated to the Goddess, and many other metaphysical-related reads. Good prices too, they have a whole outdoor section for $1 reads. I went with this book on the Gaia theory for $6. Person working was very friendly, too. Looking forward to my next trip here.

    Ava M.

    Just visited for the first time and can't wait to go back. It's like stepping back in time and into the future all at once. They carry books you'd never find in a chain bookstore, you could spend hours browsing the shelves.

    I found this book for $1 at The Book Tree.
    Mason W.

    This is a special place. Paul is a special person. I was looking for an Engineering textbook, it was around $250 at the local Universities and $230 on amazon. While at the Adams Ave., Street fair I found a copy of the book just sitting outside in a bin at Book Tree. I quickly grabbed the book ran inside to purchase with my debit card. Paul told me it was just $1. When he saw the excitement on my face, I'm sure he wanted to charge me $50. I only had a debit card and asked if I could pay with it. Paul said there is a five dollar minimum, which I would gladly pay. Paul noticing my excitement told me that he's giving me the "Street fair discount," and told me to take the book for free. When do you EVER see that? I thanked him, and ran out of the store to find a dollar to bring back and I was successful. Paul gained a dollar and a lifelong customer. When I get people gifts in the future, it will be a gift card to The Book Tree. Paul is a special person. These are the kinds of people that need to be looked out for in life. Oh yeah, forgot to mention the fantastic selection of books. Brilliant classic and contemporary works. Not to mention the Engineering text book I found just sitting in a bin.

    Yeah, I'm in the Self-Help Section

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    2 years ago

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    11 months ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    A treasure filled store with untold knowledge in the owner who really knows his books! Don't walk on by next time go in!

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    9 years ago

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    Ask the Community - The Book Tree

    Do you have Atheist Books, like in the (Philosophy Section)?

    We have a section for Religious Criticism, which does include some atheist related books. We try to carry all subjects.

    Do you carry Christian books? Sarah Young?

    Yes, we have a really good Christian section which most people don't know about unless they happen to come in. Have sections on Jesus, Church History, Bibles & General Christianity. Also carry books from all religions and belief systems.

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Book Tree

    My husband and I love walking around and browsing Paul's eclectic collection and we always walk away with something amazing!

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Bluestocking Books

    Bluestocking Books

    4.6
    (150 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $

    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!

    Photos
    Cozy and wint'ry bookshop
    Cozy and wint'ry bookshop
    The stairway to Heaven. Oh and great books on tippy top shelves
    The stairway to Heaven. Oh and great books on tippy top shelves
    Bluestocking Books

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    Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore

    Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore

    4.8
    (136 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    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

    Photos
    Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
    Next to a Smash Burger place I wish I went to.  Very clean and tidy.
    Next to a Smash Burger place I wish I went to. Very clean and tidy.
    Reading by author Jeffrey Ford.

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    Reading by author Jeffrey Ford.
    Bookstar / Barnes & Noble

    Bookstar / Barnes & Noble

    3.8
    (108 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Cool old movie sign
    Cool old movie sign
    Bookstar / Barnes & Noble
    Bookstar / Barnes & Noble

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    Libélula Books & Co

    Libélula Books & Co

    4.9
    (44 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    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!

    I found out that this library is a Latinx, QUEER owned business and wanted to support, so I came…read moreall the way from North County. It did not disappoint! The library is located inside a fun looking building which adds to the experience! The place is covered in books, trinkets, art, and cats! The book genres go from art, history, poetry, fiction, they even have a section for kids and in Spanish! AND a section for upcoming artist and writers to show their work, which was super inspiring. One of the owners was super nice, she answered all my questions, gave me recommendations, and introduced us to her cat. The library has a very community centered feel, which I appreciate. They host different events and book club if you're interested! Prices are good and they even have some "used" books for super cheap! I got a poetry book that I wanted for 5 bucks! I will definitely come back when I'm around ;)

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Libélula Books & Co
    Libélula Books & Co

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    The Book Tree - bookstores - Updated July 2026

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