1. Planet Books

0

Signal Hill, CA

Cancel

Open app

Search

Planet Books

4.4 (106 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Planet Books Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Planet Books

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Monica R.

Are you a collector of books, vinils and pictures? This place is a Disneyland for you! You can pass hours to find a treasure. Really cool places to spend time. The value depends on the object, cheap or expensive. The service is friendly.

Outside warehouse
Alyeska G.

What a gem! Big used bookstore with lots of older books. They're super nice inside and have a lot of knowledge on all the books. Tons of little nooks for you go read and relax. Can't wait to come again! There isn't any directory of books so you just have to peruse around and hopefully find something you want -- but that's all the fun. Things are organized by category but a bit of a mess. Found a used book that came out recently for only $5! Good prices. Plenty of street parking. Located next to the Antique Mall. They accept debit/credit as well.

New location, Same great store, if not, possibly, better maybe even. Though some of the charming packed warehouse vibe of the old location has been traded for more ordered separate rooms with more thematically unified displays, the abundance of great books and oddities persists. Well worth a visit whenever you're in Long Beach. What a gem of a place!

9 books for $15!!!
Jaeden Y.

This has got to be one of the best thrift books shops I've been too! Located in the middle of an industrial area, it's definitely easy to miss so keep on the lookout. Lots of street parking and some parking available right in front. It's legit a warehouse packed with so many books and vintage posters, pins, records, vhs, and dvds! I caught them at a time where they were reorganizing so I was maneuvering through piles of books and things weren't the most organized. Books were pretty dusty. But it was still really fun to look through! They've got such a great selection of older paperbacks. So many covers with cool artwork that you don't see nowadays. I found an old edition of Anthem by Ayn Rand that had such a cool cover that I just had to get it even though I already own a newer version of it. They do have some newer titles too but not very much. Fiction ranges from westerns, sci-fi, fantasy, mysteries, thrillers. They've got a lot of nonfiction too but I didn't really look there lol. Workers were very helpful and friendly, if not kind of difficult to find behind all the books. Pricing was great! I got 4 small paperbacks for $1 each, one hardcover for $5, and a boxed set of paperbacks that was supposed to be $10 BUT the guy at the register ended up giving me everything for $15 and a tote for free! Shoutout to him, I was really not expecting that bit of kindness! Also, everything I got was in great condition, most of the books didn't really seem like they'd been read before just very old with age. Overall, I had such a great experience here! This really is the best thrift book shop you're going to find with the best deals aside from public library sales! They've got such a great and large selection with some very friendly staff. If you're looking to find some vintage books and spend hours browsing, check this place out!

A Foodie F.

Went to Planet Books back when they were a tiny space on Anaheim. Now they are in a huge space next to the antique mall off PCH. If you want a place to wander for a while, this is the spot. You could know what you're looking for and may or may not find it...be willing to dig and squeeze through tight spaces if you want it bad enough. I found what I was looking for right away- another original copy of Suetonius Lives of the Caesars from 1957. While wandering, I found a cool picture book from Woodstock and an old Triumph Motorcycle Catalog. You can find some cool books here if you're patient. And the prices are reasonable. Different owners own different sections of the space I think, much like how antique malls are set up.

Anna S.

This place is HUGE. Found some great finds and had a fun time searching through everything. The gentlemen working were very friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend!!

Max S.

This has got to be the strangest bookstore I've ever been in. There are all kinds of unlikely books to be found here. There are mostly a load of paperback novels, and yes, high school yearbooks of all things. Lots and lots of books. There are also some interesting knick knacks for sale. The gentleman who works here is helpful and knowledgeable. Not quite sure where he gets his books, but he's busy pricing them to go out on the floor to be sold.

Out front
Chad K.

One of the best kept secrets in Long Beach. It is a hidden warehouse just north of PCH near Obispo on a street called Freeman. This is the best bookstore that I have ever been to. The selection is INSANE. You can find anything that you want, not only books, but oversized books, rare books, foreign books, vintage books, toys, vinyl records, rare art. It is just a crate-digger's dream. To top it all off, the prices are affordable and the staff are the nicest, most knowledgable and friendly people you will ever meet. Do yourself a favor and go to Planet Books at least once.

Scott S.

Planet Books is one of those truly unique bookstores where you can find a plethora of all kinds of titles. The one thing I noticed about this bookstore the moment I walked in is that they have a very large selection of vintage yearbooks. This is something that you'll find at very few bookstores. So, if you're looking for that old high school yearbook that you threw away many years ago, you may very well find it here. But, more than that they have a truly large selection of books on all subjects. They also have a very nice collection of signed and rare first editions. More than just a bookstore, this business also sells a lot of truly unique collectibles. They have signed photographs, they have football helmets, they also have nice selection of vintage toys. In other words, you can find all kinds of great stuff in this store. The shop is very easy to find as it is right off of Pacific Coast Highway. Once inside, you'll find a very large, airy, and well organized shop. Overall, great place to find that rare book you were looking for or a truly unique items such as a vintage toy.

vintage toys

See all

Photo of Jax L.
316
710
3613

3 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Angie M.
150
1500
7984

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Wendy M.
0
202
93

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of K S.
0
6
1

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of A Foodie F.
106
106
112

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Anna S.
0
80
67

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jean F.
301
345
678

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 0
Love this 7
Oh no 0
Photo of Chad K.
339
462
2368

4 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 8
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Li E.
0
16
8

2 years ago

Easily one of my favorite used bookstores (unfortunately a dying breed). You could always find a hidden gem in here

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Robert G.
384
10
0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Such a cute place. I went there for the first time and I fell in love. Will definitely come back.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Hart ..
0
97
196

9 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 3

Ask the Community - Planet Books

Review Highlights - Planet Books

“It's everything one hopes for in a used book store and more - including the helpful, knowledgeable, and slightly eccentric bookseller James.”

Mentioned in 7 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Once Read Books

Once Read Books

4.3(87 reviews)
3.3 mi
•$

This store made my head spin a bit but used bookstores can be an adventure. It is bigger than it…read morelooks from the outside so be prepared to spend some time here. There is definitely the appearance of organization here. Biography is labeled in this section, military is over here, mystery over there, and so on. But while you probably will find some Agatha Christie in the mystery section, which makes sense, you will probably also find some Christie over in fiction. It is the same with other authors. I don't know if this is the store's doing or whether customers are shifting books around intentionally or otherwise but it is a little maddening at times. Most serious book hunters, especially those found rummaging through dusty used bookstores like yours truly, don't mind spending extra time looking for books. The hunt is part of the fun. They have some real gold nuggets here, if you spend the time. Also, speaking of gold nuggets, although Western is probably not the most popular genre these days, the Western section here is one of the larger ones I have ever seen. This store is well worth a visit. I found nearly all the prices to be extremely reasonable. Free and easy street parking all around. The counter fellow, who may have been the owner for all I know, was a real character and very pleasant.

Revisit? Maybe, once a year or so…read more I would love to be allowed to refresh this place and let my inner Marie Kondo loose. Ah! I love the iconic, inviting Once Read Books in huge blue letters on the building. I enjoy the layout of the shop and how it feels like you can hide and get lost. There's a pleasant muffled bookstore hush. The man behind the counter is nice. Pricing seems fair. All good elements, I just think the book selection, decor, and tidiness could be improved. Ideas: Expand the kids section and add more board books Include more recent titles in the fiction and cooking sections Try to keep popular authors in stock (couldn't find any Stephen King) Cute new chairs, especially in the kids section (love a bookstore with chairs) New rug in the kids section Clean up the random boxes of books near the counter Update the genre and author signs Anyway, even with all that, it's still fun to browse here. If you're looking for older titles, magazines, etc., this is definitely a place you should hit up.

Photos
Once Read Books - The store is bigger than it looks.  You will need to spend some time here digging for the nuggets.

The store is bigger than it looks. You will need to spend some time here digging for the nuggets.

Once Read Books - A lovely welcome!

A lovely welcome!

Once Read Books - Storefront

See all

Storefront

Bel Canto Books

Bel Canto Books

5.0(13 reviews)
1.5 mi

We came to Retro Row on the 4th Friday event. So while walking throughout the street, I stumbled…read moreupon the bookstore, which has been on my bucket list for a while. First off, I love the diversity of books, cool merch, and welcoming store. I love how it is Filipino-owned, and they feature books that highlight our society's differences. Plus, you can actually meet the owner, which is a plus. She is amazing and super friendly. Most book stores can be a bit expensive, but not here. Prices are great. The store itself is a bit small, so on busy days/nights, it can get pretty crowded. It is worth the visit. Lastly, this is another bookstore that I can check off my list. Really cute with a great selection of books with cute decor. Make sure to pick up one of the cute bookmarks or tote bags she sells because they are pretty cool.

I was walking down the street on 4th Street on a Saturday afternoon when I just happened to pass by…read morethis quaint and lovely little bookstore! As I walked in the store I was greeted with a warm smile and a welcome! I was kindly informed if I had any questions to feel free to ask them! I was grateful for their help. I walked in one of the rooms and it was a treasure trove of books! They were well organized and labeled by groups. I was just browsing around until suddenly one of the books caught my eye! It's called The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi. The description intrigued me so I decided to buy it! As I walked towards the cash register, I noticed the cutest little finds I didn't know I needed. So I got a cool looking sticker too! My whole experience felt warm, welcoming and personable. I'll most definitely will be coming back! This place is a delight!

Photos
Bel Canto Books
Bel Canto Books
Bel Canto Books

See all

Fingerprints Music - Meet and greet with Tinashe!

Fingerprints Music

4.2(501 reviews)
3.2 mi
•$$

If you've lived in Long Beach for any length of time, you undoubtedly know of Fingerprints. After…read more30+ years, it is undoubtedly the largest music store in Long Beach, and one of the largest in SoCal. We were there for Record Store Day. Loved the special deals they offered that day and having the chance to listen to a few bands over the course of the day (and get some merch signed!). I think their old store was better for listening, since there was a clear area for the audience--in the current store, we were tucked between shelves of merchandise--but it still worked and we had no problem seeing or hearing the bands. I particularly enjoyed seeing Violet Grohl and her band that day. Dave Grohl was there, but as a member of the audience. It was fun rocking out with him to his daughter's tunes (even if he was a couple of rows away). Love the staff. Rand, one of the owners, in particular, is incredibly knowledgeable. He also does a great job of lining up events and bands. We had such a great day at Fingerprints!

I've been a Fingerprints customer since moving to Long Beach in 2023 and have loved the 4th Street…read morelocation. I've attended countless signings and performances, and I buy a vinyl there almost every month to keep growing my collection. As an LA native, I grew up going to the original Amoeba in Hollywood and continued shopping there after they moved to their current Hollywood Blvd location. I've always appreciated the events they host, and when I moved to LB, Fingerprints felt like LB's version of Amoeba because of its incredible lineup of signings and performances. Since moving to their new Bixby Knolls location, the event experience has taken a step backward. The new space isn't designed to accommodate the crowds these events attract. They proudly increase the vinyl prices for these events to pay for staffing these events while admission continues to be oversold. The result is an experience that feels more focused on maximizing attendance than ensuring fans can actually enjoy the event. I attended the Charli XCX Q&A yesterday, and the stage was so low that I couldn't see anything. Within two minutes of the event starting, I requested a refund because the room was clearly over capacity. Unless you were around 5'6" or taller, the only way to see Charli was through other people's phone screens. When I asked for a refund, the employee handing out vinyl records told me, "Well, it's a Q&A. The whole point is to listen." I respectfully disagreed. Seeing the artist is part of the experience, especially at an in-person event, but my refund request was denied. Even if the focus was solely on listening, the experience still fell short. Employee phone notifications were constantly going off and the front door opened every few minutes as employees loudly turned away customers because it was a private event, and outside street noise frequently overpowered the conversation. At times, I could hear phone notifications and traffic more clearly than Charli herself. I think Fingerprints hosts some of the best artist events and I want to see them succeed in their new location. The event setup needs to improve- a raised stage, better crowd management, clearer policies on phone usage, and limiting attendance to what the space can comfortably accommodate would go a long way toward creating an experience that matches the quality of the artists they bring in.

Photos
Fingerprints Music - Me with Tinashe!

Me with Tinashe!

Fingerprints Music - POPSTAR release!

POPSTAR release!

Fingerprints Music - Front of store doesn't really say what it is.

See all

Front of store doesn't really say what it is.

Barnes & Noble - Sweetest bookend display for lovers of Jane Austen

Barnes & Noble

3.9(171 reviews)
3.0 mi
•$$

Great bookstore, but it's a lot more cramped because they gave up downstairs space. I love their…read moredisplays, collection of books, games, toys and esthetics. The staff is nice and helpful. I have one major problem, they NEED TO CHANGE THE AIR FILTER IN THE restroom (esp the woman's). It has never been changed because it so filthy. Please, CHANGE your air filter because it's a health (allergy) inducing problem.

This is one of two Barnes & Noble locations in Long Beach; this store - newly remodeled as of…read moreNovember 2025 - is in the Marina Pacifica plaza along with AMC Theaters, Ralph's, and Nordstrom Rack. By far, it's one of the most beautiful bookstores I've been to! A giant floral arrangement greets you the moment you walk in. The space lets in plenty of soft, bright light and there are cognac-colored armchairs spread throughout where you can pick up a book and read awhile. Even the counter says "words are magic," and I tend to agree! Layout-wise, new releases and vinyls are found toward the front, then fiction on the right, fantasy, kids in the middle/back, games and puzzles left/back, and gifts and journals front left next to the registers. There is no cafe at this location (although there is at the B&N Towne Center). I had a pleasant experience, albeit brief, with the associate who helped ring me up. Of course, B&N is retail pricing so items aren't necessarily cheaper, but I'm newly signed up to their membership and sometimes the 10% discount that fetches you comes out to be a little less expensive (e.g. Blackwing pencils, Rifle Paper). Plus, they often run promotions for rewards members, both free and paid, such as journals earning extra stamps during the second half of January. So keep an eye out for those deals!

Photos
Barnes & Noble - Storefront

Storefront

Barnes & Noble - Cozy to with your next read

Cozy to with your next read

Barnes & Noble

See all

Barnes & Noble - Ella working by herself with a positive attitude.

Barnes & Noble

3.4(255 reviews)
4.8 mi
•$$

First - I am thankful to have a bookstore that I can hang out in and browse. This store is in a…read moregood location with ample parking. It also has a peaceful vibe and an area, set aside, that you can read at. There is a Starbucks, so you can sip and read. I've always had good service at this Carson location but today I had exceptional service from Nathalia. She was super helpful, patient and a delight to work with. It's employees like her that keep you coming back. And of course, Barnes & Noble pretty much has anything you are looking for as far as books, journals, etc. Today my purchase was a fountain pen along with an accessory. Their pricing was pretty good on both items. I'll be back again soon.

This Barnes & Noble is pleasant to look at from the outside, and upon entering the building, the…read morelayout is consistent with the standard Barnes & Noble franchise design. The store offers a large selection of books, with many titles covering the same genres but from varying perspectives, writing styles, and approaches. I visited with a specific purpose: to browse the spirituality, tarot, oracle, and divination section. While exploring the store, I also wandered through other departments to see if anything else caught my interest. Fortunately, I came across several items that I added to my mental list for a future purchase. However, the section I had originally come to see offered fewer choices than expected. This was both disappointing and surprising, as I have typically found a much wider variety of these subjects at other Barnes & Noble locations. Of course, I understand that each store's inventory varies. Unfortunately, my interactions with the staff significantly diminished the overall experience. During my visit, one employee repeatedly insisted that I take a shopping basket after I had already made it clear that I did not need one. She then entered my personal space, coming uncomfortably close to my face and behind my head while repeating herself several times. Her behavior came across as intrusive and demonstrated a disregard for personal boundaries, despite appearing to frame the interaction as customer service. I also used the restroom during my visit. It was a decent size, although it felt somewhat crowded. Given the volume of customers this location receives, I believe the restrooms could benefit from more frequent attention and maintenance. Finally, while checking out, I had another unpleasant interaction. The cashier made an unnecessary comment about the email address I provided, referring to it as "trash," or making a similarly negative remark. Regardless of the exact wording, the comment felt inappropriate, unprofessional, and entirely unrelated to completing my purchase. The overall price range is costly, the value is to be determined. Overall, the store itself is enjoyable to browse and offers a pleasant shopping environment. However, my experience with multiple employees left a lasting negative impression. If customer service and respectful interactions are important to you, this location may not meet your expectations. If you're simply interested in browsing the books and merchandise, your experience may depend largely on the staff you encounter that day.

Photos
Barnes & Noble - Great fantasy title mug$

Great fantasy title mug$

Barnes & Noble - Ella has made my experience here so much better.

Ella has made my experience here so much better.

Barnes & Noble - Very spacious for everyone

See all

Very spacious for everyone

Planet Books - bookstores - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...