Absolutely amazing selection. You can literally spend hours exploring their volumes of books and other cool stuff! Highly recommended.

Where do I start? This is one of my favorite bookstores (and not just because it is the one closest to where I live.) Amazing staff, amazing selection of books, gifts, trinkets, stationery (I love writing cards and come here for birthday, anniversary, Valentine's Day, and Christmas cards--also just-because cards!), and also board games. It feels like home. It's cozy, warm, intimate, and what a small indie bookstore should be. They update their selection pretty often and are just wonderful people. read more

This bookstore is one of the best in the city. It boasts a great selection of books in most genres, as well as a generous gift selection. It's become my go-to place to buy cards for weddings, new babies, promotions, etc. They have a robust section of LGBTQ+ wedding cards, which is hard to find - and great to see here! They also have really cute custom canvas totes, as you might expect, highlighting our fantastic city. read more

It's refreshing to step into an Independent Bookstore in San Francisco which has quality books. The Russian Hill Bookstore has lots of aisles of great book titles. They also have novelties such as cards and games. This is a good place to enjoy browsing so many variety of books. A fun place go if you are in the area. Go read a book and start a discussion On top of the hill in San Francisco called Russian read more

See all

Fifty years independent bookstore..new to me ..I like it quite a bit ..browsed two times..got antique postcards ..antique zines and a book with a directory of antiquarian booksellers ..it's independent ..similar to browser books on fillmore ..more interesting picks and a new section ..happy with my visit and purchase ..Polk St read more

See all

I call them and order ALL my books here if they don't have it in stock. I'm happy to support them as they run a great bookstore. It's amazing to also see the old and special edition books for sale. read more

Love coming here to check out the book and postcard/card selections. Friendly staff. Clean and organized interior. Wish parking was much easier but that's true for the whole area, not just for this store. read more

First and foremost: I find Russian Hill Bookstore's card assortment to be one of the fullest I have ever had the pleasure of perusing. It's a cornucopia of cards, baby! The books--both new and used, cards, children's section, fun totes, games and San Francisciana are all housed in a really charming building with lovely high ceilings. The space feels peaceful, but also welcoming, if that makes sense. This stretch of Polk St. is vibrant with really a lot of opportunity to window shop and people watch. If you're looking for a neighborhood in which to spend an afternoon, then I'd recommend visiting the bookshop and its environs. Bus lines: 49 Van Ness; 19 Polk read more

See all

Not a good place to go if you intend to sell used books. First time getting none of the books taken from any bookstore despite having made a prior call. read more

Darling book store with a great selection! The staff was so helpful in recos and finding the book I was looking for! They also offered to but the sequels on hold when they got to the store. They offer a large selection of greeting cards, candles, calendars, pens etc and have toys for kids too. Great spot. read more

I love how close I live to Russian Hill Bookstore! The convenience factor aside, this really is a great neighborhood institution and worth checking out! The first thing you'll see when you walk in is a bargain book collection. It's constantly being added to, so I make a point of browsing what's available every time I stop by. If you keep walking, there is a great selection of San Francisco-centric books, which I think make perfect gifts or souvenirs for anyone visiting. There's a big selection of other fun gift items, like socks, candles, calendars, tote bags, greeting cards, notepads, etc., and in the back there is a large area filled with kids books and toys (lots of Jellycat plushes!). And of course, there are fiction and non-fiction books throughout the store. read more

Very disappointing. Bought some children's chapter books, not in the best of condition and the child had one of them already. I tried to exchange it and they said I had to wait for the owner's approval when she was done lunch ( I had to come back) then she refused! They said it had a very slight bend in a corner which was there when I bought it (many of their books look previously read, which I'm ok with). For $6.99 she has lost my entire family of readers. all due to being unwilling to exchange a 6-year-olds book! read more

Super cute book store! Russian Hill Bookstore is a second hand book-shop, though besides books, they also sell greeting cards, mugs, tote bags, stationary, and more that are all brand new. It is located on a street surrounded by restaurants, a grocery store, and Walgreens so there is a lot of foot traffic. As for parking, there is meter parking in the immediate area and a small parking lot beside Walgreens. Other than that, there is 2 hour parking in front of the residences and unlimited parking if you go past White Street, if you don't mind a few minutes walk. When you first enter the shop, there are glass cases to your right which display old fashion cameras, second hand or new tarot card decks, and plush toys. Inside the store there are different sections for Young Adult books, Children's books, Literature, DIY, History, and the list goes on. I love the aesthetic of the shop and the staff are welcoming as well. The bookstore has a second level, though that is for employees only. As for pricing, the books aren't marked down too much, though you would still be paying less than what it retails originally. The other items like mugs and totes are reasonably priced around $14-$25. read more

This one is pea soup thick with atmosphere. It's the type of bookstore that doesn't have room for luxuries like chairs for casual browsers. Both new and used books were stacked on the floor since they've obviously run out of shelf space, and the browsers happily sit on the floor to peruse books like it was a library. It's actually the very last of over a dozen bookstores that used to line Polk Street, and it was narrowly saved over a year ago by two longtime employees who bought the place from their boss. They've done a model job of preserving a sense of community with board game nights and book events. There's quite a selection of books focused on San Francisco, and the note card section is second to none in the city. Here's to this store surviving the next post-Amazon revolution. RELATED - Looking for a good book? Here's a collection of stores I've checked out and reviewed: bit.ly/2KXQ0D6 read more

See all

When I was younger, I used to love hanging out at bookstores. I could spend hours just browsing all the books and reading excerpts. Luckily, my friends and I were out and about in Russian Hill and decided to check this place out. We walked in on Thursday, July 19th around 7pm. I'm glad places like Russian Hill Bookstore still exist. Sometimes I just want to browse a book in hand before decided to buying it. And there's the novelty of actually flipping through a book while you read it. They had a fair selection of books, some records, etc. I was especially drawn to a couple books about old San Francisco - Misfits, Merchants, and Mayhem: Tales from San Francisco's Historic Waterfront, 1849-1934 by Lee Bruno & San Francisco Then and Now by Dennis Evanosky and Eric J. Kos. I love seeing how SF used to look compared to now. With all the online giants selling books, it's great to see an actual bookstore from time to time. read more

Russian Hill Bookstore - Metaphysics / Occult Section - Cards & Stationery Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Bargain books at the entrance... used books, new books, and first editions. All under one roof... with Jelly Cats, with games, cards, notebooks... something for everyone. Must come and support this institution! Then walk down a few blocks and have coffee or a matcha latte and a yummy cookie at Saint Francis Cafe! read more

Sometimes we don't value things that are in your life until they're gone. I love bookstores and have spent many hours reading, browsing and buying books. Thank goodness we have Russian Hill Bookstore in the neighborhood. One of the few indie stores still in San Francisco. The co-owners Jesse & Benjamin are trying to keep their store afloat. I love their beautiful stationary department. I get fabulous greeting cards there; often cards designed by local artisans or other Bay Area greeting card companies. There's nothing like the delight you feel when receiving a real-live card in the mail! That's why during RHB's fundraising campaign I bought a box of "Thank You" cards to use for expressing my appreciation to those who have been so helpful and stalwart during the CoVid19 pandemic. Go to RHB's website and read their story. If you can afford to make a purchase, email them and they will help you. The helped me choose a box of Thank You cards and one of their staff personally swung by my building to drop it off! Amazing personal service. read more

Russian Hill Bookstore - My box of "Thank You" cards I personally selected with Benjamin's (co-owner's) help. - Cards & Stationery Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love this book and gift store. Feels magical when you walk in. Got beautiful gifts for all ages (fun kids section), wrapping and holiday cards at good prices and enjoyed looking at the first additions and items like a signed copy of Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire which she penned living in the Bay Area. Cool selection of tarot cards as well. Great book store if you have something in mind and fun to just cruise around as well. Very nice helpful staff that knew customers by name. read more

Cute bookstore. I ended up buying a bunch of greeting cards here. I like the assortment of kids books and toys here. Great place to grab a gift for someone. The cashier was nice and gave off friendly vibes. Unfortunately the Google pay option wasn't working when I tried it, hopefully it's fixed now. I'll have to revisit when I have more time to get a better idea of their book selection. read more

If you need anything to wrap your gifts for the holidays, go here. They have a ton of supplies and lots of unique cards. They obviously have books as well and I thought it was such a cute store! read more

Russian Hill Bookstore - Such a great display - Cards & Stationery Near Me - San Francisco, California

As I walked down this section of Polk Street, my mind wandered back to the time 25 years (or so), ago when I lived near the nearby corner of Union and Van Ness. This and Union Street were my Downtown. There was no Russian Hill Bookstore here back then, and I don't quite remember what was here. The space takes up 2 storefronts and offers an impressive selection of mostly used books, along with proven profit sources like gift cards and notebooks. Everything is crammed in, so watch your book shelf and people clearances. read more

Russian Hill Bookstore - Cards & Stationery Near Me - San Francisco, California

Have I ever tell you that there are a hand full of things I adore on this planet? Books are definitely on my top list. It's easy to find. No judgement in what I picked(except porn..lol) to read. And definitely easier to have than a relationship with ppl. Books always open up a huge imagination in my head. If not because of books. I think I will die from boredom of ppl and their freakin focus on themselves. To talk to ppl that actually love more than their selfies and selfishness. It's like finding a needle in a haystack. So to talk about book stores. Many book stores comes and go but this one is definitely my number 1 place to go to. They have so many sections and many old books that I can pick from. Many classic books and first edition autograph books. I got my Anne Rice autograph book from here. Amazing displays and their employees are like so nice. I browse here at least twice a week. Parking is a bit of a challenge so be warned. Especially on weekends. I find it annoying with all the j walkers and idiots on their phone crossing without looking. Three times I almost hit these idiots. And that is in one day. Park a few blocks away and walk will be less headache. read more

Super clean store, creative layout, small but good selection of books. My favorite section had a variety of beautifully bound and covered books. The worker I spoke to was friendly and helpful. read more

See all

- I walked in. No one bothered to greet me. - I finally found the section I was looking for. No one came by to see if I needed help. - I selected some books and went up to the front desk. Two people were there, a man and a woman. The man asked if I found what I was looking for. I said that I had - it was obvious since I'd set three books on the counter - and pointed out that no one greeted me. The young woman smiled and said something to the effect that at least I'd found what I was looking for. I acknowledged that I had and pointed out that I'd been honest enough to bring them to the counter rather than just walk out without paying for them. - The man rang up the sale. He did not ask for the money. He just waited for me to look at the register. - He asked if I needed a bag. I said no. - I realized that I'd forgotten to bring the store credit that I'd come in specifically to use, explained that I'd done so and made to leave. - The gracious thing would have been to offer to hold the books I'd selected at the front desk so they'd be ready for me when I went back. Nope. Reasons to go to a local bookstore: customer service; support a local business; getting a book faster than Amazon can deliver it; use a credit. I went to use the credit and decide if I wanted to start using this store again. I'll go back and use my credit. I'll then be done with this bookstore. read more

I absolutely love this bookstore! Lots great titles. Awesome staff. Don't pass by this one.

I'm sad that I was such a party hungry booze hound when I used to live in this area in my 20's because I had no idea this book store even existed until about 3 weeks ago. But now I've been back a couple of times to peruse the stacks and breathe in that lovely used (and new) book smell. I still haven't even made it all the way through because there's so much to stop, read, and muse over. I even love the cute random tchotchkes they sell. Apparently I'm a sucker for borderline useless nicknacks. Anyway, this is truly a little diamond in the rough of Polk St. I highly recommend it if you love reading in paper form or if you're in a last minute gift crunch. So many goodies in here! read more

Russian Hill Bookstore - From entryway - Cards & Stationery Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love this place!! I always end up getting more than I think I will. The atmosphere is calming and relaxed like a book store should be, and they have a wide and unique selection of books (particularly the graphic novel section). They also have kids toys, candles, cute tote bags and various other Knick knacks. Do not sleep on this bookstore read more

This is a fantastic bookstore!! Great books AND beautiful cards and stationery. The owner is very kind and knowledgeable. The store itself has a lot of light in all ways! Highly recommended for browsing, purchasing, and to simply discover. read more

Best bookstore in the city-best cards! Seriously unmatched one of my favorite stores in sf a true gem

This is my local bookstore and it's one of my favorites I've been to in the city. There's a great selection of children's, literary fiction, rare editions, horror, sci fi, and fantasy books. They sell new books and some used intermingled on the shelves or in a stack on the floor. They also have nice gifts and tote bags. They also will buy your used books if they're in good condition! read more

Let's be real, it's a Bookstore, so you might also want to check out my feed on Dinosaur Veterinarians. Other than that, 5-Star!!! I loved the old location. I REALLY dig the new spot. This place has always been good because it is in an amazing neighborhood on the best street to walk down in America. Maybe I'm partial. I always loved the old spot and it's vibe. The new location is terrific. I didn't add photos but I really dig the high ceilings. They arranged it well. I always love this spot, and the old way transferred and was improved. Kudos. It's hard to evolve. read more

Russian Hill Bookstore - Paperbacks at the New Location - Cards & Stationery Near Me - San Francisco, California

Russian Hill Bookstore cheated me blind. It was a 400 USD book that they lied about shipping and put me through Hell , until, under duress they finally shipped it. How bad is their service ? Even after a "refund" of 100 USD I feel ripped off. After lying and committing fraud THEY COMPLAINED TO ABE.BOOKS ABOUT ME AND AGAINST ALL EVIDENCE, ABE.BOOKS TOOK THEIR SIDE . Run, do not walk from this bookstore. read more

I love this place! Every time I walk down Polk, I can't help but check it out. There is an awesome bargain section with a VARIETY of books for $3, $2 and even just $1! I loved their old location, but the new one's able to house even more books. Love the "cute" little finds they offer- socks, greeting cards, post cards, trinkets, book bags. They have new and used books: a large children's section, cookbooks, guidebooks, etc. Also, LOVE that it's open late. The entire staff is nice and helpful! I just wish they offered an educator discount... read more

See all

There are plenty of books that one would not necessarily find at their local major chain bookstore. Prices are comparable to chain stores, so don't look for much of a bargain. I enjoyed perusing the isles. Worth a visit if you're in the area. read more

When the bathroom is 1) Through a hidden door behind comic books 2) Half taken up by stacks of comic books You know this place is legit af. Cool how this "bookstore" also has tons of boardgames, comics, and very nerdy stuff. It's also a great place surrounded by quick eats to meet up w friends and *not* play dungeons & dragons. read more

(See pics) Wonder what great popular books to read and even amazon has too many to browse. You know you can count on used bookstores. Instead of having 15 copies you have 1 of everything. This bookshop has a pretty great selection from classics to music sheets to children books, mythical, philosophy, religion and a whole corner of cooking. They also constantly have "new" arrivals. I love the oxymoron. Classics for literature and biographies of those great artists and composers are right next to the children literature. How cute!! Books that will take you more than a month to finish or you simply don't want to rush finishing and returning them to the library, or you are like me, possessive of owning the books that you will only have to pay a fraction of the retailed price, books that are classic and don't need to be newest in the last 1 month. Books that are of first editions, yes you will find them here too if you are lucky. The scent of history excites me. As I turned to page 27 an old bookmark of a long gone bookshop appeared. How appropriate I thought, an old book with a memory bookmark, is what it should be. And they have a quarter of the bookshop that carries notebooks, cards, and some really neat bookmarks like murder mystery ones. Happily consuming some beautiful literature on a rainy day snuggling up by a fireplace with a cup of Joe / apple cider, on a sunny day by the outdoor coffee shop, or on a chilly day at the park. Have I now convinced you to read a book in paper format rather than a Kindle/iPad and to spend more time in the library/bookshop? read more

See all

I loved my adventure through the stacks at the Russian Hill Bookstore. There were SO many great used books. In this one trip I found a few fabulous gifts. First, a beautiful and charming children's book that I bought for myself and my nieces called Rechenka's Eggs. My family is Russian and I've been to some of the places in the book, plus it takes place around Easter so I will be bringing it to our family celebration to read to everyone. Second, I found a few great books for my 2nd grade niece. One of which is a "reading counts" book where the students take an online comprehension quiz online about the book for points, so that was cool, plus an incredible book about the planet Pluto. Lastly, I got a book on California Flora for my botanist Mother in Law's birthday. The hand selection of gifts, used books and new items to explore is just incredible. You won't regret a peek in, a walk through the stacks or an hour or two to explore all the books of books at Russian Hill Bookstore. read more

I've been to bookstores all over the city and this is one of my favorites. A very peaceful place with a nice mix of new/used books (including some cool collectors editions), tons of great greeting cards, candles, and other gifts. Will definitely go back. Perfectly place to swing in during a relaxing stroll on Polk. read more

Friendly and knowledgeable owner, tidy store, good prices, and extras like stuffed animals so you can pick up that present for the baby shower you forgot you had to go to this afternoon. read more

I absolutely love this bookstore, it's up there at the top with Green Apple on my list of fav bookstores in SF. It has a great selection, extremely friendly and quirky managers, and is unapologetic about juxtaposing fun readings/ stationaries/ toys with serious readings. read more

See all