After buying a storage locker containing hundreds of books we called Cal's books to see if interested in buying them. The owner took the time to look at every book we brought him and we were very pleased at the compensation. If you searching out a specific book chances are Cal's books will have it. I highly recommend this book store. read more

I was excited to find this store on Yelp as we drove through Redding. I love funky bookstores of all kinds, and will go far out of my way to find them. I'm sure this place is great, but none of the reviews mention that it's located in the very back of a creepy storage-unit center, in a couple of combined storage units. Weird. Also, they are closed on Sunday. I like "Storage Wars" as much as the next person, just know what you're getting into. read more

I went to Cal's Books recently based on the Yelp reviews. I had no problem finding the place. I love bookstores that are room after room, floor to ceiling, multitudes of books and Cal's definitely fits that description. Books are well organized and I believe the owner was the one that helped me. Definitely friendly and knowledgeable. If your blood sugar is low and you are in a rush Cal's Books could be somewhat overwhelming. Set aside some time/energy to browse. You will not be disappointed! read more

The guy behind the counter is always pretty dismissive and out of it but they have some very cool and rare books in there.

I stop in every time we visit our grandchild in Redding. We live 2 hours south. Worth the stop every time. Be prepared to spend a lot of time looking and perhaps climbing a step stool now and again. The founder, "Cal", passed away some time ago, but the current proprietor knows the stock and can help (though he knows some subjects better than others). The original owner, Cal, apparently had a strong interest in the occult, so there's a huge number of metaphysical books (not my interest at all!). But almost all subjects have a substantial # of titles. Enjoy! read more

I just love this place. I could get lost for hours. I found exactly what I was looking for and then some. I will definitely be back.

Great selection and very organized. The owner is helpful in finding what it is you are looking for.

Made the mistake of selling/trading some books here. Unfair trade-in prices. The place is fairly large with lots of aisles of books but it is dirty, dusty and stuffy in there. Cal was not friendly nor helpful, more cocky and kind of rude. P.S. Like another reviewer said: "Unless it's a rare out-of-print book that's impossible to find, you would be better doing your shopping online". read more

When I travel somewhere new, one of my priorities is to check out the local used book stores. Cal's Books is one of the best I've ever visited. Books floor to ceiling yet clean and reasonably orderly. It's a bit tucked away and a little hard to find, but once there you can get lost in the aisles looking at thousands upon thousands of enjoyable titles. I was also impressed with the selection and display of records and comics. I plead with the locals to keep going to Cal's to keep this landmark thriving. read more

Cal's Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Redding, California

See all

This place is a book lovers paradise! I used to go there as a kid and I was so glad to see it's still open. Great prices, great service. Please check it out, but be prepared to spend some time there! Wall to wall books, it's like something you see in movies. They also sell dried sage smudge sticks at a very good price. read more

Great selection of books, comics, and records. Worth driving to and don't let the fact that it's not in a traditional retail establishment deter you from visiting. I will visit again whenever I'm in Redding. read more

One of my favorite places to spend a rainy day. It is like discovering a treasure trove. Its hard to find in a very unlikely place. But when I step through the front door, I feel like I am a character from one of the books on the wall discovering some awesome hidden shop full of secrets. My favorite part is that one can find very old hard copies of classic literature. Books are treasure, and a ceiling to floor multi-room hoard of jewels for every possible taste exists in an eclectic, almost mystical environment at Cal's. I hope Cal's stays forever. I almost don't want to share this review. I like to pretend it is my secret. Secret is out now! read more

Best used book store in Northern California. The staff are very friendly and the atmosphere is very mellow. I love it there.

By far the coolest and most inviting book store I've ever been to! You won't regret checking out Cal's! They close up shop pretty early, but it's never crowded, and Carl is always very helpful if I have any questions. The aroma is lovely, and the decorations are charming and interesting. Don't pass this place up! read more

In high school I'd come here with my boyfriend's older sister to check out old books and look at pin-up girl magazines from the 1960s. Then I'd flip through their records and try and look cool while she made her purchases from their herb shop. Sometimes she'd buy me a magazine or we'd stop on the way home for an iced coffee. Looking back, I think that may be as close as I've ever been to having an older sister figure (I'm the oldest of three girls). Those times feel very formative in my current way of being and I have Cal's to thank for providing the atmosphere. read more

We heard about this bookstore from a friend of ours and decided to check it out. I found from the map that it's located in a storage unit (actually, a group of them) behind an auto dealership, and I was prepared to be disappointed. NOPE! I was not disappointed. This is a fantastic place to browse and find books. We loved the jazz playing in the background, and the proprietor knows where the books are. I asked for something relatively obscure, and not only did he know where it was, he also knew about the binding choice for the books and why it could only be found in trade paperback form. I thought I might find a couple of books, but walked out with a $65 stack of treasures. We're definitely going back! read more

Sort of haphazard organization, with different editions in strange places, including behind others. Overall, great selection, especially considering the location: in an extended storage unit behind a car lot in the backwoods of Redding, itself backwoods. read more

Remember that scene from Neverending Story when Bastian is running from the bullies and hides in a bookstore? Look it up. That scene is how it feels to walk into Cal's. Floor to ceiling books, everything you could ever imagine. read more

Huge selection of books, but are really expensive. You can find much better prices from Amazon and Barnes and Nobles used book sellers. Even an Art book I wanted was less expensive new at Amazon than Cal's wanted used. Unless it's a rare out-of-print book that's impossible to find, you would be better doing your shopping online. read more

Hidden gem in redding, didn't find the book I was looking for but he had lots on the subject and a variety of topics too. Books are in the 4-7 dollar range which can be high for some books but not others. But worth checking out. read more

If you love books, you'll love this place. I could spend hours in this incredible bookstore. It's located in a sort of storage unit and when you walk in, it's like entering another world. A world where the only thing that exists are books. It's a true paradise for anyone who appreciates art in the form of words. Not only is this place a must see, it's priced better than fair! My husband went in looking for Winnie-the-Pooh, and was directed to The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh, a book I have been eagerly wanting for my two kids, for only $4.50. This book retails $30-$40 online and is in great shape! My husband and I have also been on the hunt for Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Alan Dean Foster, and was given one for only $2 in excellent condition. I couldn't find it for less than $5 used anywhere online. The great thing about buying books in person is there's no shipping charge! I was amazed! From now on, I will always be searching Cal's for books I want before searching the web. Thanks, Cal for having this wonderful place. You truly have warmed my heart with your love of books. read more

Cal's Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Redding, California

See all

Basically the coolest thing in Redding. Bar None. It stands up to my favorite bookstores in SF and Oakland too-- reminiscent of the Richmond's delicious Green Apple... They have such a huge selection, and as one of the other reviewers noted, you feel like you're walking into a different world when you walk through the door. Wondrous! read more

To tell the truth I am disappointed by how Cal's has turned out. I've been going to this bookstore for about 20 years now and it is slowly turning into all about profit. I'm not going to pay $4-8 on a used paperback book. *sighs* I used to take the kids there to pick something out, but no more. It's gotten too much about price and less about being unique and fun to browse and shop. Look around, there are cute little niches in Redding to find books. I used Cal's as a last resort, but now, even with shipping, it's cheaper to find something from half.com. read more

Man, I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars!! I found out about this fantastic place when I was in high school... a friend was explaining to me in art class how there were rooms and rooms of books. I had to check it out, and I have to say, I have been in love ever since. I introduced my parents and several friends and Cal's has become our exclusive book shop. The selection is amazing. I personally am a fan of fantasy, and I have yet to find a place that can rival their selection... there is something for everybody, I don't care who you are or what you like to read, there will be shelves to choose from, I guarantee it!! Since my initial visit, I have moved to Sacramento, but every time I head up for any reason, I make it a point to drop in. I have yet to find another book store that makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside and I often find myself daydreaming about making 3 hour trips just to go book shopping : ) read more

I LOVE THIS STORE!!! I have been shopping at Cal's for over 25 years. They have the best selection ever. The owner will go the extra mile to find something you are looking for. I usually go in with a list and spend hours pouring through the shelves finding what I need and want. It's just the best place to hang out, if you love books!! read more

Go to Cal's! This place is wonderful! Every since I discovered this place, I've refused to shop at Barnes & Nobles, or any other place. I only shop Amazon when I can't find a book at Cal's. First of all, I must point out that I detest the use of the word "used-books". They are loved books with a past. I've ALWAYS loved older books than stiff, new books. These are the reasons I love Cal's: The atmosphere: The place screams character. When you walk into Cal's, the first thing you notice is the amount of books in the place. The cashier stand is surrounded on three of its sides by towers of books. The place smells wonderful, just like what you imaged a bookstore to smell like. The place is a maze; you hhave to search for the section of books you want, but once you find that section, its easy to find the book you're looking for. If you can't find it, always check behind the books for hidden treasures in the back. The choice of music is divine. My favorite thing is the fact that there's a rolling ladder! I could write a book on the atmosphere of Cal's, but then nobody would read my review. The people: I always seem to come when the same man is there. I'm not sure what his name is, if he's Cal or not, but I don't really care. If there is a short-ish man with graying black hair and a smile on his face, you have just met the biggest book addict in your life. This man REALLY loves his job. Once I came in with a 1960's dictionary I saved from the trash. It's binding was practically nothing. I begged him to help me. He picked up this big, fat book with gentle fingers and, with the most serious face, began taking assessment of the condition. I honestly think he forgot I was there. Then he took out some strange glue and began working. He took my book into the backroom to a press and brought it out fixed. He did this all for free! I should write about what else I love about this place, but my sister is calling and it's snowing outside. For anyone who knows anything about Redding, we rarely get snow. It's like some holiday... GO TO CAL'S!!! read more

I've been going to Cal's books since it was actually owned by Cal and his wonderful parrot. It is quirky and comfortable, with books all the way up to the ceilings. You can find ANYTHING there and the current owner can help you navigate the clutter. read more

This place is more amazing than it was than it was almost nine years ago. Then I went with my mother in law, last weekend I took my three girls and the 14 year old fell in love with the store and demands to go back at every opportunity! She loves the old books, she went on a scavenger hunt for the oldest and found one from 1848!! We will be frequenting this store a lot more from now on! read more

Nice little place. Great prices, literally HALF THE PRICE of other book stores. Friendly staff. I will be back.

Cal's books is my absolute favorite place in Redding, other than being a little far from most everything it's perfect. Part of Cal's charm is that the store is hidden behind a used car lot. Once you step foot inside you're greeted with the scent of wonderful books, and the sound of jazz. It's wonderful. Cal's books is stacked from floor to ceiling with every kind of wonderful book, with narrow isles and huge shelves you are bound to find you're next beloved book. The best part is Cal himself who always knows if he has the book you're looking for and is very friendly. I can spend hours in this store, it is always a pleasure to visit whenever I have a few extra dollars in my pocket. read more