Went on a Summer Stroll in the SOMA by the offices of Chronicle Books Headquarters on Second street in San Francisco . For a second you could barely notice a book store. Inside there is a space with different book titles with the new releases. There were different books with different voices and different POV's . A diverse amount of opinions and perspectives which is refreshing especially living in the USA ( my favorite country) with the right to the freedom of speech. I enjoy reading books from various subjects and narratives( I agree to disagree in some cases) and learning new things of about animals and flowers and also about 99 ways to open a beer bottle in case of a bottle opener emergency. It's a good place to start to new book journey. I will have to swing by again to check out the Grateful Dead by Jim Marshall photography book which releases this Tuesday August 5. Some books inside are "ironical "and some are "comical "and some are "ideological" and other are just "non-logical" there are books which are the genuine "article" and some ideas are far fetched and some books have page numbers that are "astronomical " My approach is "pedagogical" saw some books that were "gastronomical" some prices have no tariffs so the prices are "economical" a good selection of books by the publishers not the newspaper called "The Chronicle" read more

See all

I bought a journal published by this company. While a cute product, their stickers they put on the back pulled the backing off the cover leaving paper shredded and also a 3" x 5" stain on the cover. First of all, they didn't believe me and made me send pics. I wrote to them and they said they would send a new book. I made sure to ask if it would have the same problem with the sticker and they said it would not. Sure enough, they send the same book, same sticker, same problem. Now, they want me to send more pics. Guess what, not doing that. Hey Chronicle, pay attention to what people are asking. I don't want two crappy books stained with glue on the back. If I am paying $20 for a small journal, it should at least start out looking perfect. I will not buy from them again when they can't even seem to comprehend the smallest inquiry and solve it properly. read more

Chronicle Books - Bookstores Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

chronicle books has a lot of mid reading materials. the books they sell are overpriced on their website as well. read more

Chronicle Books - Bookstores Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's worthwhile popping into if you're in the area and are passing by during their clear out sale when one can pick up the odd one or two extremely random bargains at 80% off. That said, and in agreement with some of the previous reviewers, the staff is rather rude and do have quite the 'couldn't give a f**k!' attitude. read more

Rude staff, under rated. Books aren't that good. Rip off I won't be returning !! Go somewhere else read more

Publishers of trendy up-to-date books, gift books, and stationery products. I love my online password journal and business card book holder. This San Francisco, CA location is the corporate headquarter office. Chronicle Books' products are reasonably priced and have cute design patterns. I rate it four stars as, sadly, for the lack thereof any girly girl journals or notebooks lined or unlined with subtle covers as hearts or floral motiffs. read more

If you want to touch and feel your books, go here. Don't get too cozy though, these books sell fast during their warehouse sales. You can get 50%-75% off some amazing books. They have it all, coffee table books, graphic novels, cookbooks, self help, kids books, local authors, funny gift books, etc. There is a limited quantity though since it's a small space. To find out the dates of the sale, check the Chronicle Books Blog and Johnny Fun Cheap and you will be in the know. read more

I wish I had an unlimited amount of wealth so I could stock my house with Chronicle books. I love the crafty/ baking books that are filled with pictures (because if there are no pictures, how am I supposed to know how its supposed to turn out). And it's great to have all the Chronicle books in one place! I'll definitely be looking out for that 65% off sale that people have mentioned :) read more

Chronicle Books are slick, cool, and hip. They're definitely geared towards the younger generation of readers, and they obviously try to keep everything current and visually appealing to the younger set. One star off...because they're not appealing to me anymore. read more

Walking to the Degreed office for an alumni meeting, I walked by Chronicle Books and saw that they were having an 80% off sale. Who doesn't like 80% books?! I made a special trip back this morning to check out the sale. I walked out with 4 books that totaled about $20. If a book costs $50 and you get 80% off that, the price is $10. What a deal! I like this bookstore. There are other locations in SF. This location near ATT Ballpark is the only one that has warehouse sales, so look out for those. read more

I came to this location for an author event Upstairs. Downstairs, there are a variety books laid out in a very open fashion. It's almost like a little Warehouse. I found the help to be very courteous and friendly. Afterwards, the event upstairs was also excellent. read more

What a horrible experience shopping at chronicle books -store. The sales staff couldn't bother helping me. My god I could walked out of the store with 20 books under my jacket and the sales person wouldn't have said a thing-- too much of a bother to get up. The books are insipid and uninspired. the stationery is beautiful read more

This is the address of Chronicle Books' offices--not its retail location. For more info, check out the website: www.chroniclebooks.com. As an employer, Chronicle Books is one of the best in SF. It was named one of the Top 25 employers in 2004 and 2005. ***UPDATE*** Chronicle Books now operates a lobby store at its home office until 5:30 PM Monday-Friday. They sell Moleskine journals there, too! read more

A ton of Moleskines if you're into that kinda thing. A book for everyone with great typography, visuals and content. The store is spacious and open for curiosity. read more

This particular location is their corporate headquarters (they are publishers). The retail store is somewhat warehouse-like but you find wonderful deals when they have a sale and the rest of the time the books are fairly priced. The books are interesting and I buy many design books (architecture, interiors, landscape, etc.) there as gifts to designer friends. There are children's books and nature books and lots of other type of reading and coffee table books. I read the review about the sales staff there not being nice and I have NEVER found that to be true whether I buy anything or not. When there is a sale on, I can take a book to them and ask to have the "final out-the door price" before I buy and they are happy to do it. The only time you might think you are getting in trouble is if you try to go over into the corporate area showroom next door. My suggestion to Chronicle is to curtain it off or reposition the sales counter (it could be on wheels for instance) so that shoppers don't even try to go over there. read more

Moleskine, the heir to the legendary notebook of great artists and thinkers, has just launched its popular myDetour project in San Francisco. After being featured in New York, Paris, Berlin, Milan, and Istanbul (as well as a future stop in Tokyo in late 2009), myDetour brings a collection of 50 one-of-a-kind Moleskine notebooks filled with sketches, writings, and drawings made by creative people of all sorts to bookstores and art supply locations throughout San Francisco. The collection also includes books by the students of 826 Valencia, a nonprofit writing and tutoring center in San Francisco cofounded by Bay Area writer Dave Eggers. Throughout this period, Moleskine users are invited to drop off their own Moleskine creations in special drop boxes next to the installations in order to contribute to future installations of myDetour. myDetour San Francisco is now on view at: Blick Art Materials - 1414 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA 94305 Borders Bookstore - 400 Powell St. San Francisco, CA 94102 Chronicle Books - 680 Second St. San Francisco, CA 94107 Flax Art and Design - 1699 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94102 San Francisco State University Bookstore - 1650 Holloway Ave. San Francisco, CA 94132 Stanford University Bookstore - 519 Lausen Mall Stanford, CA 94132 Utrecht Art Supplies - 1930 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA 94102 After October 1, all submitted notebooks will be reviewed by a jury that includes Michael Carabetta, Creative Director of Chronicle Books, Marco Beghin, President of Moleskine America, Inc., Yves Behar, founder of fuseproject and the designer of One Laptop Per Child, and Leigh Lehman, cofounder and Executive Director of 826 Valencia. The top 10 notebooks will be selected for the international myDetour archive, traveling to future exhibitions around the world. In addition, the jury will choose one outstanding notebook to be featured, along with its author, at the next installation of myDetour in 2010. All notebooks will be donated to lettera27, a non profit organization dedicated to supporting literacy and education programs around the world. For more information, please visit www.moleskine.com/mydetour/sfo. read more

Yikes! For a fantastic press, I was really disappointed in one of their actual locations. I recently discovered Chronicle Books (who publishes fabulous cookbooks! [They produce kids' books and novels as well...]) has stores. I only knew this because I was near AT&T Park having dinner and noticed the storefront. From the outside, it looked grand. I walked in to find a vast warehouse-like space with enough books to fill a child's closet. What was going on there? The selection was miniscule. When I hurried to the cookbook section, the books were laying on a low surface - not even a bookshelf. I had to bend down to sift through them. That's not a very practical nor pleasant way to look through books. They sell other merchandise as well: journals, trinkets, etc. I read some other reviews before going in and I can confirm that yes, their service is... well, it isn't service. There were no customers inside the shop. There were two cashiers talking to each other, and not to mention being incredibly inappropriate. There must've been some workplace drama happening because they were talking about someone and there was some profanity used. Um, hello. This is a store where they sell children's books. Geez! In the meantime, one of the staff was also chummy-ing it up with a friend who walked in -- didn't even bother to ask how I was doing or if I needed assistance. I perused the bookshelves for a few more minutes... and alas, still no recognition and still nothing enticing to purchase. What a shame. I own at least a dozen cookbooks from Chronicle. Now... I've also been to the Chronicle on 4th Ave. It is (I believe) newer, small in size, BUT LARGER in selection. There is also a Chronicle in the Marina. I'll check that out and report back. In the meantime, avoid this location. read more

I went in looking for new books for my 2.5 year old. Cool looking layout, and a decent selection of fun books for kids. I was not greeted, nor spoken too until the total price was given. The front desk was more focused on whatever was on their computer screen rather than helping a customer. I still purchased two books, but am regretting the decision later. Poor service shouldn't be rewarded. I won't be going back, but maybe you all will have better luck. read more

I went in to this bookstore today after a visit to the Giants dugout dressed in Orange and Black. As a native San Franciscan I was appalled by the lack of customer service and courtesy by the young lady sitting at the front desk having a conversation with someone (another employee?). When I asked a question all I received was a rude response. I purchased a drawing book for my 3yr old son and paid for it,. Not even a thank you or come again. I surely won't. I can find other bookstores in my city and not have to deal with transplants. read more

If you love Chronicle Books you'll probably like this place better. As a luke warm admirer of Chronicle Books I'd say this place has a limited selection of Chronicle Books. I expected there to be more of a collection Chronicle Books but I guess they purge their books with clearances now and again. They carry mostly food books, art books, and journals. After skimming through several books I realized that the covers are the best part of their books. read more

Great source for all things Moleskine. I wouldn't really call it a bookstore though--mostly cookbooks and entertainment/coffee table stuff, the rest was stationery and journals. read more

A candy shop of a store where the beautiful books are showcased like cupcakes at a bakery. I wish the selection were larger and carried older titles, but I always stop here on my way to the Metreon looking for new treasures. read more

LOVE their books! The quality of their books is superb. They have a huge variety of books that are designed well. I often come just to browse their cook books and children's books. This location frequently has warehouse sales. This is the best time to stock up on notebooks and other novelty gift items. read more

This is a cute bookstore filled with nice novelty books. This is a good place to shop for the person that seems to have everything. All books and stationery are at retail price unless they're having one of their warehouse sales where everything is 70% off. Scored a Pixar book for only $15. read more

Pretentious salesperson. You would think they were selling rare books instead of just coffee table books and tourist knick knacks. Had moleskin notebooks but. No pens. Smugly confirmed no pens. Right next to a convention center. Seems people who actually write are not there target customers. read more