Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Stanford Bookstore

    3.2 (103 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Stanford Bookstore Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Stanford Bookstore

    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

    Ashlee A.

    Big, beautiful bookstore! I love how there's 3 different levels with big signs to help differentiate. It seems like employees are also on the floor working and switching things up. Downstairs wasn't complete, but there is the clearance section. Scored a long sleeve T-shirt regularly $45 for $16! Employees are kind. There's also a cafe upstairs. Saw a gnat enclosed where the pastries were but my veggie samosa was amazingggggggg. Seating outside and upstairs by the cafe, but there's also some comfy chairs by the children's section.

    Fred T.

    Look I love bookstores. There is something about them that appeals to me. Like hardware stores, stationary stores, Hallmark stores, there is an irresistible draw that pulls me inside and keeps me there milling about. The Stanford Bookstore is in many way just like any other book store you would find on a major University Campus. The ground floor has some books, and a giant Stanford logo shop with everything from Steins to underwear adorned with the University name or mascot. No doubt many a proud parent has dropped serious coin to garner a bit of swag to take home. The top floor has a small cafe, a book store, and the technology store. The tech store is noteworthy because if you work at the university or are a student they will give you academic pricing on Apple products. Its not a huge discount mind you but every bit helps. The book store is an old school type with tons of books organized by category and there is ample seating to browse a potential new acquisition. The lower levels contain volumes of textbooks and the like and I seldom venture down there as I am not a student here. The book store makes an excellent stop as part of any walking tour of the campus. It is close to many eateries, outdoor art installations, and a Starbucks so it makes a perfect resting stop.

    Joy U.

    Got me some affordable shirts here ... like $12.99. But this is after I went to the back of the store, it's tucked by the window. Now that that's out of the way... let us proceed. The place is impressive with a huge array of Stanford merchandise for the big and small. Second floor is all about books, textbooks and others where you can also stay for some reading. They also have knick knacks, books and snacks for students and visitors to buy. It's a treat to visit when you come here, buy your (pricey) souvenir and do a bit of people watching.

    Clara C.

    Nice place for window shopping at Stanford University. Everything is just overpriced even in the clearance section. The upper floor has a large area for kids and gifts, and I really like it. It's a nice place to take a break for visitors.

    Stanford cows 2008 & 2009
    Bradley N.

    Come for the cows! Each and every December, the folks here have been offering free stuffed Stanford cows, cute and cuddly, to those who plop down $100 in merchandise and marked-down books. It's a great marketing gimmick, to be sure, but it makes for something of a tradition around these parts. And whenever you can invent a tradition like this, you have a real winner. You don't need Eric Hobsbawm and Terence Ranger to tell you! The annual cow auction is SO much better than the idiotic and utterly cruel practice of impaling a hapless Oski on the Claw fountain nearby before the Stanford/Cal football game each fall. This year, the senseless student boosters even lynched some extra Oskis for good measure, a wantonly cruel (and historically offensive) act that led the pigskin gods to punish the Cardinal and bestow Berkeley with the gridiron victory. Stop killing stuffed animals, Stanford people! You are so not helping your karma. And the bloody Claw looks terrible, even after the "bearial" has faded into memory. Oski does not forget!

    Michelle T.

    The bookstore is overpriced, as are all bookstores on every single college campus. I was surprised at how big the bookstore was. Once I got onto the 2nd floor, I was surprised to see more and more aisles of books! There is a cafe on the 2nd floor that's great for studying and grabbing a quick bite. I'm not from NorCal, so I forgot that you get charged extra for bags. So when they asked if I wanted a bag or not during checkout, I got charged. Oh well, lesson learned.

    View from coffee shop on 2nd floor

    See all

    Photo of NB A.
    0
    179
    178

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Kim P.
    9
    29
    0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    It took a 3-4 extra weeks, but all ordered products made it to their destination and in good shape.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Lily T.
    1
    54
    117

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    What a great space! We visited with the intention to start the process to inquire about university options!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 37
    Thanks 0
    Love this 33
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joy U.
    193
    624
    5197

    8 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    I love this bookstore. It's a wholesome stores from books, electronics, accessories and etc. High quality materials products and items

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of PJ D.
    165
    1148
    275

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bradley N.
    1897
    1206
    3031

    16 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rayfe G.
    140
    55
    196

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ai M.
    100
    2210
    8959

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kaori M.
    269
    1738
    1482

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chou K.
    1
    110
    4

    6 years ago

    Not sure why they call this a bookstore. It is a gift shop, mainly for tourists. Very strange!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Chris C.
    314
    16
    10

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Blue B.
    3
    50
    56

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Stanford Bookstore

    Review Highlights - Stanford Bookstore

    There, you can buy Stanford gear, from tree paraphernalia to license plate frames to neckties.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Encore Books

    Encore Books

    4.7(26 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $

    This may be my favorite used bookstore yet!…read more The ladies working there were so welcoming and friendly. They let me and my boyfriend in a few minutes before opening so we could get out of the cold. So thoughtful. The selection was amazing. I snagged some older titles and then came across a table with some newer titles and all $6 and under. What a bargain. Will absolutely be back!

    At first I couldn't find this place because there was a mini golf set up in the courthouse square…read more I had to literally walk around the block and saw these signs that read "used books" "this way" haha. This place is really hole-in-the-wall basement ish warehouse type feel bookstore. The prices are amazing for the used books. It is incredibly reasonably priced. I found two children's books in very good quality for $1 each. What a steal! For the most part, don't expect finding hot new bestsellers in here. This place is like for book antiques or if you need a used copy of something that might be a few years back. It was good for what I needed since I'm looking for some older historical fiction books about the American revolution. I was surprised to find two books here that I needed and so maybe you'll get lucky too! The couple who owns this place are very friendly. They said hi right upon me walking in. Selection is pretty wide, the books genres are organized in a neat way but the books themselves are scattered. For example, the fiction and nonfiction adult books are alphabetical order by last name but the children's books are not. It made things harder for me to look but I didn't mind since I had time. If you're in a rush then maybe this place isn't the best or just ask the lady up front for help! Overall this place is a gem and the proceeds go to a good cause--San Mateo historical foundation!

    Photos
    Encore Books
    Encore Books
    Encore Books

    See all

    Stanford Bookstore - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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