If you're ever in Ojai, make sure to stop by Bart's Books, it's one of the town's many charming spots and absolutely worth a visit. This unique bookstore is set in a former family home that's been thoughtfully converted into a literary haven. Each room has its own character: the kitchen is dedicated to cookbooks, while the formal dining room displays collectible titles that can only be viewed from outside. The living room features an inviting mix of bookshelves filled with a wide variety of reads. Outside, you'll find rows and rows of books lining shelves beneath awnings, creating an open-air browsing experience that's both unusual and delightful. I was curious how they manage the setup during rainy weather, and was told that because of the valley's conditions, rain tends to fall straight down and doesn't impact the books under the awnings. There are so many hidden gems here and you could easily spend hours exploring. They offer a combination of new and used books ranging from a dollar on up. Parking is convenient, with several public lots nearby as well as street parking available read more

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Bart's Books is such a beautiful and unique stop, the world's largest outdoor bookstore, serving the area since 1964. The open-air setting feels peaceful and inspiring, with so many cozy corners to sit and read while surrounded by plants and shelves filled with both new and used books. A truly beautiful bookstore! The prices were great, and the staff, true book lovers, were incredibly helpful with recommendations. With a huge collection of over 130,000 books, it's easy to spend hours wandering and discovering. It's overwhelming for some. I immediately asked for help and was happily guided to two different areas with books I expressed interest in reading. Definitely worth a stop if you're in town, a serene, special place that feels timeless. They buy or trade books Mon-Fri (10-6), usually up to four boxes a week. You can get a same-day offer or next-day evaluation, and large/rare collections may need an appointment. A great way to pass books on for others to enjoy. read more

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The perfect place for book lovers. A visit to Ojai isn't complete without dropping in here. It was our last stop on a rainy Saturday. I've always been a fan of the vibes here. You feel like you're in a magical place the moment you enter. I love that even when it happens to be raining, their goodies stay dry. There's so much to see and discover. As many times as I've been here, I still discover random corners. If you're in the mood to chill and do some reading, they do have some benches and some chairs so you can peruse before purchasing. read more

Bart's Books - Bookstores Near Me - Ojai, California

This is a really cool bookstore in Ojai. It's just books, books, and more books. Some books look old, and some are very, very new. It is a great place for book lovers to gather and look for a book to buy and read. read more

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This is a wonderland full of books! A really nice open, airy atmosphere with tables, chairs and benches to sit back, relax, kick up your feet and immerse yourself into another world. There are a lot of off shoots with labeled areas of specialties. Very helpful employees. Street parking as it's tucked on the corner in a residential area. Good pricing too. It was enjoyable to sit and enjoy. read more

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You could get lost in a house full of BOOKS, this place will be your entry in!! One of the must visit if you're in Ojai galavanting. New and vintage selections are found here and there is a corner book you can hide in to immerse yourself for a bit. And if you're a pottery lover, the have a fix for your crave here as well. Books are cheap and At price value all found here. So you could be frugal or go all out. Good value here indeed. Don't forget to stop by to find this gem for all bookworms out there. Ojai is calling you. read more

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Okay so I was slightly underwhelmed by Bart's but I do think that's the fault of listening to people online rave about this place. Bart's is a used book store that's unique for its decor and exterior arrangement. I don't think the prices are especially good or competitive and I think people come here mainly for tourism as opposed to actual book purchasing. I did buy 2 books here (nonfiction historical and science fiction). They sell branded bookmarks if you're really into collecting such an item from what feels more like a tourist spot than a bookstore. Employees kept to themselves at the register and don't circulate so you need to read the slightly out of the way signage detailing what genre section you're in. Overall, cute to see once on vacation, but not something that I would return for. read more

Bart's Books - Bookstores Near Me - Ojai, California

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I bought "Songs My Mother Taught Me" by Marlon Brando with Robert Linsey Hardcover from the outside racks for a dollar! Great bookstore!

Beautiful open air bookstore that is like a fun labyrinth -- there are more nooks and side rooms than first meets the eye! Lots of great used finds, but they also have a lot of the popular new titles. Staff is friendly and walks around offering help. There are seating options throughout and you can buy soda or water if you're thirsty. All-around laid back vibes. Will need to come back again! read more

If you're heading to Ojai, Bart's should definitely be on your list of must-visit spots. Bart's is a bookstore that is entirely outdoors. The sheer size and volume of the place is enough of an attraction on it's own and then the fact that it's built into the natural landscape makes it even more interesting. I could've spent hours in here perusing. Although the place seems to feature a mixture of used and new books, it's actually pretty well organized. Genres are marked throughout the store but staff is also available to help point you in the right direction. There's also spots to sit down and read which is such a welcome sight since some bookstores don't always offer this. They had a huge selection across a variety of genres so you could probably find a bit of everything in here. I would say the prices were also pretty reasonable too, especially since some books looked like they could probably be collectors items. I'd definitely return! read more

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I could spend hours exploring this bookstore! Bart's is one of the most unique bookstores I've ever visited. Both open air and indoors, you'll find a variety of books from travel to sci-fi, California, plants, romance, literature, poetry, kids books, and more. They sell mostly used but there are some new books as well. Free street parking. read more

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Bart's Books is a magical place. It was founded in 1964 in the spirit of one of those Little Free Library boxes you see in people's front yards. Just a guy named Richard Bartinsdale who had too many books and built some bookcases outside his house so people could browse as they walked by. Sixty years later, it's a vibrant operation, buying and selling used books as well as new releases, and hosting events in its lovely courtyard. I've been twice in the last two months, first just to browse and then to interview author John Freeman for the store's last author event of 2025. The space is incredible. It looks like something out of a dream, a house bursting with books. The interior is neat and inviting, with several attractive rooms. I particularly love the kitchen full of cookbooks and the rare book room, where I got to ogle several signed first editions and other treasures. If you want to buy a first edition of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" or "The Catcher in the Rye," go to Bart's and take lots of money. I also peeked into the poetry room, a hidden alcove where you can read quietly and meditate next to an antique typewriter. For the most part, though, Bart's is an outdoor bookstore, the largest in the world. The courtyard is beautiful, packed with bookcases and extraordinarily pleasant to browse. It's also a wonderful event space. I enjoyed my conversation with John Freeman, for his essay collection "California Rewritten: A Journey Through the Golden State's New Literature." It was fun and interesting, and we got a good turnout. I met several local readers, many of them Bart's regulars--I get the sense that people really gather here for these events. I also got to hang with Matt and Emma, who run the store. Great people with an obvious passion for books. It must be possible to leave Bart's without buying anything, but I have not managed to do so thus far. On my first visit, I picked up a first edition first printing of "Ecology of Fear" by Mike Davis for a mere $10, as well as a new book by my old schoolmate Lowry Pressly, called "The Right to Oblivion." He'd done an event at Bart's a couple months before mine. I got John's book at our event last week, as well as several of the books featured in his essays, helpfully displayed by the register: "A Place at the Nayarit" by Natalia Molina, "The Swimmers" by Julie Otsuka, and "Postcolonial Love Poem" by Natalie Diaz. Matt also told me to help myself to a mug, and while I tend to avoid anything in the free mug genre, I could not resist one of these. They were as cool as the store itself, handmade by ceramicist Mark Churchill and emblazoned with the Bart's Books logo. I hadn't been to Ojai since childhood until last month, but I'm starting to feel quite attached to the place. I may live 80 miles away, but I have to go back to hang out at Bart's Books. read more

Gorgeous, very photogenic location. I'm usually not into visiting places solely for the Instagram-able nature of them, but as a reviewer I'd say that's most of what this is. That's not to say they don't have a robust book collection. But I did find it a bit hard to find something I must buy as the store lacked much curation. The staff did seem friendly, though when I asked for a "favorite," the clerk said "I pretty much read broadly these days. A bit of everything." I wish he took the cue to sell me on something, as I'm a sucker for adding an extra few titles to my collection whenever I can. Go here, take some pictures, don't expect to find your next "must read." For the store: maybe start selling some stickers, post cards, bookmarks, or merch, or make it more inviting for folks to sit around and hang. We want you to succeed! read more

Bart's Books - "Interior" of the bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Ojai, California

Once upon a time, an incredible Yelp-worthy find! This is THE destination for book lovers and readers alike. This is a converted house with most of the book shelves outdoors and covered. There were wonderful book nooks throughout to get yourself cozy and lost in a book. The vibe here is lovely! Be prepared to spend some time. This is one of the best book stores I have ever haunted. The end. read more

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This place was recommended and didn't disappoint. Read its history on its website. It is like a maze and contained so many books at a discount. I ended up buying a classic yoga book (brand new) for a great price. Is it worth a visit when in Ojai- if you have the time this place is unique and obviously can only be found in Ojai so if you like unique experiences, history, and a bibliophile, can't miss this place when visiting Ojai, it is walking distance from the center of town so you can just park in one spot and walk everywhere. read more

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What a fun bookstore! The main house has the new books and the mostly covered yard has the (mostly) used books. I found a few books in the labyrinth of shelves, there is something for everyone! Since it is outdoors, I suggest going on a day that's not too hot, it can get a little stifling. The staff was nice and I appreciated when they asked a person with a dog to leave. (Signage at the entry says no pet dogs) . A fun experience that I would love to experience again! read more

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Saw this on a Must see bookstore list. It was a cute, very extensive book collection. Could easily spend a few hours there. It would be nice if they offered a bathroom read more

The largest outdoor bookstore in the world, Bart's Books, is an incredible and very authentic place. Huge open space filled with books, wood, and calm energy. It smells like old pages and fresh air. Easy to get lost here for hours just browsing and enjoying the vibe read more

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The Bart's Books is a popular tourist attraction, a must-see for visitors to Ojai, and the world's biggest outdoor bookstore. I like the massive collections and variety of books here, you can always find something fun and interesting, and their used books are in very reasonable prices. read more

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Such a fun and unique activity. There's tables to hang out and read. Or you can just walk through the outdoor books. On a beautiful California day, this place is a must visit in Ojai. read more

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Such a cool local outdoor bookstore. Located in the middle of town. It is worth the drive. I remember coming here in the early 80s with my family. You used to be able to pick a book and slide your money into a little box. Now the bookstore is bigger and better than ever with a huge selection of books. There is something about being outdide looking at books. If you have never been to Ojai. Now is the time. read more

A reader's paradise! If you love a good book and don't mind that someone has probably read it sitting on the toilet, then this place is for you. Not only do they have a huge selection of used books that span a multitude of genres, their location is impressive, as it's virtually outdoors! What a great way to spend an afternoon! Bart's Books: Probably the ONLY time books and a rainy day don't go together. read more

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Was in town for a family event and found this gem of a bookstore. We wandered for over an hour and picked up a couple selections to go. The store is set up in and around an older home and the shelves create a wonderful maze of books to peruse. There is a room on the inside that has some incredible collectible and impressive titles. The staff is polite and respectful and give you time to wander and shop without being intrusive. If your a bibliophile, this is a must stop and shop if you're in Ojai. read more

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My wife and I went up to Ojai over the long Labor Day weekend and decided to spend part of Monday walking around town. It was hot that day, over 100 degrees, but we still wanted to take in the main drag. We stopped for ice cream and while we were there noticed a big map on the wall. That's where we saw Bart's Books marked, and it caught our attention. I pulled it up on Yelp and saw it described as the world's largest outdoor bookstore, so we figured we had to check it out. When we got there, it really did feel like something special. There were books everywhere, covering every subject you could imagine. The place was busy, but not so crowded that we couldn't move around or browse comfortably. People working there were friendly, and the whole store was organized in a way that made sense. It didn't feel chaotic even with the sheer number of titles they have. The only drawback was the weather. Standing outside in triple-digit heat with no fans made it tough to stay as long as we wanted. They did have a small air-conditioned room with some of the rarer and more expensive books, and we ducked in there for a break, but we probably only lasted about twenty minutes overall before the heat pushed us along. What makes the place really charming is how it's set up for the community. They even have shelves right outside the store that are available 24 hours a day. You can pick up a book at any time, drop the money in a slot, and head on your way. That kind of honor system is rare now and it says a lot about the spirit of the place. Even though the heat cut our visit short, we were glad we stopped by. Bart's Books is exactly the kind of spot that gives Ojai its character, and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves books or just enjoys finding something out of the ordinary. read more

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Used books. There are no new books. It's clean and it's a unique fun environment. The staff is nice. Keep in mind that because it is outside and it is in OJAI... it IS hot and desert like sin shinning. Best time to visit is not in the middle of the day. They do have cold drinks for sale - I was so happy for it. Minimum credit card purchase is $5. There is plenty of street parking. I do recommend it. read more

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Once again my review my opinion. We were here this weekend for a Father's Day get away and on Monday decided to take a stroll in town. So many reviews on this location. It is really nice since I love books. The location is fabulous and all kinds of books. I love the fact that you can pick out any book and sit and read. The books are all well priced and so many to choose from. The service however was only outstanding by the only female there on Monday. The guy in the blue cap (yes you know who you are) was extremely rude. I'm not a local and you should be nicer to your visitors. I was only asking a question but you sure made me feel unwelcome. read more

Bart's Books - Entrance of location (another visitor wearing a blue cap doesn't work there) - Bookstores Near Me - Ojai, California

We checked this place out but didn't get anything. Love the concept of the place. Seems like a lot of people were checking it out becuase it's like a maze and open space to walk and discover second hand books. Cute little gem in Ojai. read more

If you love books this is the place to be! It's such a cool, creative outdoor/indoor bookstore. They have a huge selection. Even if you're not into books, it's a great stop if you're in the area. read more

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GETTING HERE: Bart's Books in Ojai, CA is located on Matilija Street, between the streets of Canada and Rincon. They don't have their own lot so street parking is your option. REVIEW: Holy cow. Not yet visiting/reviewing Bart's Books is such a disappointment. How have I survived this Yelp Life without driving out here to visit this legendary place! I say legendary because I love books and have missed out on many years of formative book learning and development. Bart's Books is huge! I spent upwards of an hour here and I still didn't visit all the rooms and nooks and crannies located here. I spent most of my time in the History room as I am fascinated with World War 1/2 histories. I could have bought out their entire inventory. Are you looking for a specific book? I would bet $10000 on black that Bart's will have your book. I wonder if they have a rough count of actually how many books they have on property? I was strong and only bought a few books. Picture will (hopefully) load and be attached. I had been looking for a few of these actually. Thanks Bart's! Service was OK. The price of the books were reasonable ^and supporting local and small business = priceless. Yes. 100000% recommend going by Bart's Books in Ojai. read more

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Great customer service. The staff are helpful and friendly. Amazing selection of books. Beautiful little bookstore. If in the area or just taking a trip, it is a definite a must to stop by the bookstore. There are many things to look at. I will be coming back. read more

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I'm not white and I was profiled at this store and another store in Oija during my visit on 12/28/25. At the bookstore, a tall man with a black hat, dark green button up shirt and black jeans asked me if I needed help. I said I was browsing. The tall man started following me. I went into the special collections area and walked around. There were two people in the area who came in before me. As I was heading out to the special collections area, I see the tall man entering the area. He didn't come in when the white couple was in the room. I was excited to come because of the reviews. I'm never coming back and will let others know of my experience. Disappointed. read more

Really cool Ojai stop, especially for book lovers! I enjoyed browsing through the different sections. Another great stop to add to your Ojai day trip. read more

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This bookstore is shared a lot on social media because it has a cute vibe. As a result, we made the drive up this mountain to check it out. I don't know that I'd be willing to do the drive again, but I did happen to find a couple of books I had been looking for, so it was an overall win. read more

A fun journey that everyone that comes to Ojai should experience. Allow yourself to get lost...and find the books that call to you. Don't sleep. read more

Oh my gosh, what a treasure. We explored Bart's Books for several hours and I truly could have spent the entire day. An outdoor bookstore jam packed with used books, old books, unusual books on every topic and even new books. The staff was so very helpful, and kind. We started exploring all of the topics, found hidden rooms and corners that offered more treasures. Mr. B found several hard backed gently used John Grisham books that were on his list he hadn't read yet. Priced at just $6 each, he grabbed them instead of downloading to his kindle at twice the price. They looked new with no marks and no damage. What an awesome find. I spent over an hour in the kitchen of the old house where all the cookbooks are housed. I found books I didn't know existed and found some I just wanted to curl up with and read. When you visit you will find a book you didn't know about, but can't live without now that you know. I love this bookstore, and can't wait to go back the next time we are in the area. Parking can be difficult. It is located in a neighborhood with a few businesses, so all parking is on the street. We walked from town and it was an easy walk. read more

Bart's Books - Bart's Books - Bookstores Near Me - Ojai, California

What a wonderful and unique bookstore this is. And I will never understand how the books don't get wiped out when it rains. It looks small but it's really not. You'll probably get lost more than once but if you're a book nerd, that's a good thing. They've got both new and used books and the selection of both is high quality. There are lots of excellent authors represented here, including authors of classic books. I loved the service here. An employee walked around and repeatedly, but not annoyingly, asked if he could be of service. He also tracked down requested books and offered recommendations based on customers' favorite authors. Now THAT is service you don't find everywhere or pretty much anywhere. If you are in or near Ojai, you must stop and check this place out. It's terrific. I thought the prices were incredibly fair, too. read more

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I've seen this bookshop on Instagram more times than I can count so while we were up in the neck of the woods, we decided to take a peek. The place is amazing for a bookstore. Mainly it looks like a bunch of books. Nothing new however, books I've ever gone to has a particular author that I always look for this book. Shop didn't have it. We came, looked around, and left, no sale... I'm guessing this is a place for regulars to hang out and read. There are two people behind the counter. They were happy to point me in the direction but there really wasn't anybody to come hang out and check on us or even make sure we found what we're looking for. Also as we were leaving, nobody said goodbye. To Be honest nobody said hello I said hello. They were happy to answer any questions however when asked. As I said, this seem like a very specific kind of bookshop , with a locals only vibe. read more

Visiting from out of town and love bookstores. It is easy to find, plenty of street parking and has an enormous selection. This place definitely has charm and is worth seeing. We were traveling with our little dog and had heard Ojai was very dog friendly. Unfortunately the door had a sign posted no dogs and no restrooms. So- it made the visit very fast while one of waited outside. We were hoping to spend more time and enjoy the shelves and leave with some books. There is also quite a few pieces of pottery for sale too. read more

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Such a cute bookstore, you have to go see it for yourself!! I love the indoor/outdoor vibe of this place, it seriously seemed never ending for a while! There are aisles and aisles of books outside, with cute different books and crannies all over. I especially liked how the food and cookbooks were in an old school kitchen type of room. All of it was just so adorable and fun. Staff were very friendly and helpful as well, and there are books of all different types around, both new and used. You can easily find street parking to get here, and have a fabulous time perusing all the shelves and sections! read more

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The store had the books I was looking for to add to my collection. The staff, not so friendly, "like why are you here buying my books?" Not as bad as an episode of "Blacks Books" but it was not a friendly attitude for a purchase of more than $150. Also, look closely at the book paper for spots of mold damage before buying, it is an outdoor bookstore. I will not be returning. read more