Used Bookstores in San Diego
45 locations in San Diego County
San Diego’s used bookstore scene is one of the city’s best kept secrets, with independent secondhand bookshops spread across neighborhoods that reward the readers and collectors willing to explore beyond the chain stores. Whether you’re searching for used bookstores in San Diego, hunting for a rare out-of-print title, or just looking to browse a well-curated shelf without a specific book in mind, San Diego’s secondhand book scene delivers the kind of quiet, unhurried experience that used bookstore lovers live for. From the volunteer-run community bookshops of Coronado and Del Mar to the dedicated independent used bookstores of Hillcrest, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla, the range across San Diego County is wider than most people realize. The best used bookstores in San Diego tend to be deeply rooted in their neighborhoods — staffed by people who actually read, stocked with inventory that reflects genuine curation rather than bulk donation, and priced in a way that makes building a personal library genuinely affordable. If you’re looking for where to buy used books in San Diego, this guide has you covered neighborhood by neighborhood — because in a city this spread out, knowing where to look makes all the difference.
Friends bookshop inside Bonita-Sunnyside Library branch. Uncurated used and donated books …
4375 Bonita Rd
Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm
More Info →In-branch Friends bookstore in Rancho San Diego. Uncurated used and donated books with pri…
11555 Via Rancho San Diego
Monday 10:00AM - 6:00PM Tuesday 12:00PM - 7:00PM Wednesday 10:00AM - 6:00PM Thursday 10:00AM - 6:00PM Friday 10:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 10:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday Closed
More Info →Encinitas rare, vintage, and signed first editions — owner-curated.
603 S Coast Hwy 101
Mon–Sat 10:30–5:30, Sun 10:30–3:30
More Info →Friends-run bookshop behind Coronado Library — open daily.
640 D Ave
Monday-Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sunday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
More Info →Friends bookstore since 1987 inside Fallbrook Library.
124 S Mission Rd
Mon-Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM Tues 1:00PM - 4:00PM
More Info →Cozy East Village indie — fine, fun, and weird new and used books.
921 E St
Sun-Thur 10-6, Fri-Sat 10-7
More Info →Cozy in-branch bookshop with used books for all ages. Uncurated used and donated books wit…
3001 School Ln
Monday 10:00AM - 6:00PM Tuesday 12:00PM - 7:00PM Wednesday 10:00AM - 6:00PM Thursday 10:00AM - 6:00PM Friday 10:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 10:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday Closed
More Info →Pacific Beach paperback specialist since 1982 — buy, sell, trade.
1331 Garnet Ave
Tue–Sat 10–5 (closed Sun–Mon)
More Info →Eclectic bookstore and antique shop in Barrio Logan, part of The Art Hub. Waiting for owne…
2151 Logan Ave
Sat 9am - 8pm
More Info →35,000+ used titles, San Diego's largest indie bookstore.
3793 30th St
Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs 10-6, Fri-Sat 10-7, Tues 12-6
More Info →Volunteer-run shop with used books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl. Uncurated used and donated books wit…
2 Civic Center Dr
Monday: 10:00 am – 04:00 pm Tuesday: 12:00 pm – 06:00 pm Wednesday: 12:00 pm – 06:00 pm Thursday: 10:00 am – 04:00 pm Friday: 10:00 am – 04:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am – 01:00 pm Sunday: Closed
More Info →Friends shop inside 4S Ranch branch library.
10433 Reserve Dr
Closed until May 4 Monday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00PM - 6:00PM Wednesday: 10:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday: 10:00AM - 5:00PM Friday: 10:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday: 10:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday:
More Info →Only used bookstore in Lakeside — opened 2023. Uncurated used and donated books with price…
12428 Woodside Ave
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s: 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuesdays 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday Closed
More Info →La Mesa used bookstore since 2003, scholarly specialty.
8285 La Mesa Blvd
Tue–Sat 11–4:45, Sun 12–3:45
More Info →Goodwill in Encinitas. Call for donation hours
1520 Encinitas Boulevard
Mon-Sun 9AM to 7PM
More Info →Friends bookstore in Carlsbad Village — used books and media. Uncurated used and donated b…
1250 Carlsbad Village Dr
Mondays – Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
More Info →In-branch Friends bookstore inside Ramona Library. Uncurated used and donated books with p…
1275 Main St
Monday: 10:30 - 3:30 Tuesday: 12 - 5 Wednesday: 10:30 - 3:30 Thursday: 10:30 - 3:30 Friday: 10:30 - 3:30 Saturday: 10:30 - 3:30 Sunday: closed
More Info →Bargain used books at La Mesa Library entrance — open daily. Uncurated used and donated bo…
8074 Allison Ave
Monday: 10 AM - 4 PM Tuesday: 1 PM - 4 PM Wednesday: 1 PM - 4 PM Thursday: 10 AM - 4 PM Friday: 1 PM - 4 PM Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM Sunday: 10 AM - 1 PM
More Info →Volunteer-run bookshop inside Alpine branch library. Uncurated used and donated books with…
1752 Alpine Blvd
Tuesday: 12PM - 6:30PM Wednesday - Saturday: 10AM - 4:30PM Sunday - Monday: Closed
More Info →Friends shop inside Vista branch library. Uncurated used and donated books with prices typ…
700 Eucalyptus Ave
Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
More Info →Used bookstore inside Poway branch library. Uncurated used and donated books with prices t…
13137 Poway Rd
Monday-Closed, Tuesday & Wednesday Noon to 6:30 PMThursday 10 AM to 5:30 PMFriday, Saturday & Sunday 10 AM to 4:30 PM
More Info →Goodwill in Eastlake. Call for donation hours
2220 Otay Lakes Road #501
Mon-Sun 9AM to 7PM
More Info →Friends of Oceanside Library storefront on Coast Highway.
323 N Coast Hwy
Sun-Tues 11-3, Wed-Sat 10-5
More Info →Used books inside El Cajon's main library branch. Uncurated used and donated books with pr…
201 E Douglas Ave
Thurs-Mon 10-4, Tues-Wed 12-4
More Info →Friends bookstore inside Solana Beach Library — books and media.
157 Stevens Ave
Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed
More Info →Queer, BIPOC-owned Barrio Logan indie — bilingual, used, social-justice focus.
950 S 26th St
Daily 11-6
More Info →Hillcrest used bookshop since 1967, trade-in credit available.
3817 5th Ave
Mon–Tue, Thu 11–6, Fri–Sat 10–7, Sun 10–6, Closed Wed
More Info →Bookshop on green shelves inside of the University Heights Public Library. Uncurated used …
4193 Park Blvd.
Mon-Tue: 11:30am-8:00pm, Wed-Sat: 9:30am-6:00pm, Sunday Closed
More Info →Dedicated Friends bookstore with extended hours. Uncurated used and donated books with pri…
836 Kempton St
Mon-Fri 10-4
More Info →Bookstore next to library entrance — books, DVDs. Uncurated used and donated books with pr…
810 Imperial Beach Blvd
Monday 10 - 6 Tuesday 12 - 6 Wednesday 10 - 6 Thursday 10 - 6 Friday 10- 5 Saturday 10-5 Sunday CLOSED
More Info →Friends bookshop inside Rancho Santa Fe branch library.
17040 Avenida de Acacias
Sun 10am - 7pm
More Info →Cozy used bookstore inside Cardiff branch library.
2081 Newcastle Ave
Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
More Info →Point Loma's used and rare books, family-owned since 2016.
1026 Rosecrans St
Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4
More Info →In-branch Friends bookstore at Oceanside's main library. Uncurated used and donated books …
330 N Coast Hwy
Mon-Thurs 9-7, Fri-Sat 9-6, Sun closed
More Info →Bookstore inside of the San Diego Central Library. Uncurated used and donated books with p…
330 Park Boulevard
Monday 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sunday CLOSED
More Info →Friends bookstore inside Oceanside's Mission Branch Library. Uncurated used and donated bo…
3861-B Mission Ave
Mon-Thurs 9-7, Fri-Sat 9-6, Sun 1-5
More Info →La Jolla landmark — used, rare, philosophy, literature.
7461 Girard Ave
Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5
More Info →Used books, magazines, DVDs inside Carlsbad's Dove Library. Uncurated used and donated boo…
1775 Dove Ln
Mondays – Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
More Info →Hillcrest used bookshop, military history and rare comics.
1627 University Ave
Mon, Wed–Sat 10:30–6:30, Sun 11–5, Closed Tues
More Info →Friends shop inside Valley Center branch library. Uncurated used and donated books with pr…
29200 Cole Grade Rd
Monday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesday: 10:00 - 6:00 pm Thursday: 10:00 - 6:00 pm Friday: 10:00 - 5:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 - 5:00 pm Sunday: Closed
More Info →In-branch Friends bookstore inside Julian Library. Uncurated used and donated books with p…
1850 Hwy 78
Mon 10:00 am – 06:00 pm Tue 12:00 pm – 07:00 pm Wed 10:00 am – 06:00 pm Thu 10:00 am – 06:00 pm Fri 10:00 am – 05:00 pm Sat Closed Sun Closed
More Info →Friends bookstore in operation since 1995 in Santee.
9225 Carlton Hills Blvd
Monday thru Friday 12-4 Saturday 10 - 4 Closed Sunday
More Info →Bookstore at the Mission Hills/ Knox library in Mission Hills. Uncurated used and donated …
215 West Washington Street
Mon CLOSED, Tue 12-6, Wed 10-5:45, Thu 10-5, Fri 10-5:45, Sat 10-5:45, Sun CLOSED
More Info →Japanese chain — used books, manga, vinyl, video games.
4240 Kearny Mesa Rd
Daily 10–8
More Info →Used books, DVDs, CDs — ocean-view library, open daily. Uncurated used and donated books w…
540 Cornish Dr
Sunday 1PM to 4PM Monday 10AM to 4PM Tuesday 11AM to 4PM Wednesday 11AM to 4PM Thursday 10AM to 4PM Friday 10AM to 4PM Saturday 10AM to 4PM
More Info →