The Book Den is an awesome indie bookstore located on State Street. To get here, there is a nearby parking structure or street parking all around the area. The shop is on the smaller side but definitely very cozy and packed with tons of good finds. The owner of the shop is friendly and helpful. There is a good selection of different book genres and books in both new and used condition. The books are also definitely reasonably priced. Come stop by and support a local business and pick up a good read! read more

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I always make a stop by a local bookshop while visiting a new city, and this one didn't disappoint. The employees were very nice and knowledgeable about their products, and their selection was very unique. They didn't have everything that's difficult to find that I looked for but they definitely had some gems. And we appreciated the AC on such a hot day! I'm not sure why this is listed at $$ instead of $ for pricing, because I bought two used books and one was $8.50 (and difficult to find- a European edition) and $5 (another difficult cover to find). I've seen them going online for more, so I would definitely say that this shop had them priced reasonably. I loved this little shop and will come back if visiting SB. read more

Great to see a bookstore that's been around since 1902 and still surviving. With so many independent bookstores going out of business these days, I can't give anything less than five stars to a place like this. You are not going to get the vast selection like you do at Amazon or Barnes & Noble, but this place has lots of character and charm. You may even find some really rare used books here. This is definitely a bookstore for true book lovers. There's a public parking structure right next to this place, and it's free for first 75 minutes. read more

Great bookstore! Incredible selection and a staff that are true bibliophiles. A Santa Barbara classic. read more

Super cute bookstore with personable staff. Highly recommend a visit! In a nice part of town as well.

Well appointed new and used book store. They had 3 out of the 4 books I was looking for. Nice store and great service. I'll be back read more

The Book Den - Used books - Bookstores Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The Book Den is my favorite little bookstore in Santa Barbara. It's near the art museum, the courthouse, and a good parking structure I've used often. This tiny jewel of a bookseller has incredibly friendly staff. It's always nice seeing their recommendations. They've got a great selection of books. I usually peruse the art books and fiction and have scored some good finds. Books are reasonably priced and so much better than buying a chain or online. Book stores are making a comeback if you haven't heard, and places like The Book Den are leading the charge offering local friendliness and a great place to just hang out and get lost on a weekend afternoon surrounded by like-minded bibliophiles. read more

The Book Den is a great little bookstore near city hall (down the street from it) with street parking available (please be aware of the time limits noted on the signs). This bookstore sells both new and used books and is dog friendly. I visited this bookstore with my husband and our little girl dog on a Sunday afternoon. We were greeted by an employee behind the register when we came in. For the most part, I noticed that most of the paperback used books seemed to be priced around $7- $8.50 and hardback books were significantly more. After browsing through the store, i ended up purchasing 2 books that looked like it was part of a series. I read the back of the first book and the second and thought it was intriguing enough to purchase (thankfully I enjoyed reading both and purchased 2 other books from the series online since I do not live near this bookstore). The employee ringing me up was nice and my transaction was pretty quick and easy. With so many great books, I will definitely make another visit to The Book Den the next time I am in Santa Barbara. read more

Found a book online Emailed them about it They had it in stock replied promptly Went there to buy as a gift they wrapped it too, clean and good customer service read more

Nice selection for a neighborhood bookstore in Santa Barbara. Staff was helpful and knowledgeable. Parking was available just adjacent to the building, which we missed the first time. This comes in handy if you plan to spend more than a few minutes inside. This is a lovely place and I look forward to many returns. read more

The Book Den - Bookstore entrance - Bookstores Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Stopped by on a short trip in Santa Barbara. Selection was good and the man at the front was very welcoming and helpful - he looked up a few different books for customers right away and offered to put in orders when they didn't have it. My boyfriend and I left with 6 books! read more

A nice find on my quick visit to Santa Barbara. I like that they have new and used books available. A wide variety of genres on display! Whenever I make it back to the area, I'll be sure to support this independent bookstore! read more

I liked it here. There is a unique selection of books. There are also chairs to relax and read. It felt very much like a library. I did take my time to browse through several books. When it came time to check out, I stood at the cash register while the two men that worked there just chatted in the back. I felt like I was standing there for a while without being acknowledged so I put the book down and left. There is nothing like the feeling of being completely ignored. read more

The Book Den - Willow relaxing while his mommy reads. - Bookstores Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The Book Den is the bookstore I hoped I would find in Santa Barbara. It is mixed new/used. You can find classics, genre as well as literary; James Joyce, Charlotte Bronte as well as Agatha Christie mysteries or SF classics like Dune. The store also carries new releases and Oprah Winfrey Book Club choices and a diverse and healthy selection of nonfiction. The counter person the day I was there was knowledgeable and friendly. I came out with the first two books of a speculative fiction series I have never read and a Miss Marple mystery. Well laid out with easily visible categories, the store meets your needs whether you are looking for a specific item, a book club book or a "beach read" to round out your vacation. read more

I'm smitten with this book shop! I could have spent all afternoon in here. It is SO cool! It's just the right size with all the best picks, perfectly displayed. We spent lots of time in the children's section which has a nice selection of used books too. I hope to come back and visit soon. read more

The Book Den - Cute little display right by the register. - Bookstores Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The store make look small but its collection is well curated, with items you won't find elsewhere. What a gem!

So cute! Found this place right next to Paradise Found, and I had such a nice time looking around for a new book to buy. The owner/worker was super kind and answered all the questions I had! read more

The Book Den - Bookstores Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Great ambiance, I found exactly the book I was looking for, and then many more that I'd had on my list.

Such an array of books! Everything is in an intelligent, loving order! A definite pit stop for any bibliophile!

I recently went it to buy an autobiography I had been wanting to read. Found it super quickly. Everything is so well curated and organized. Everyone who works there clearly has a passion for books. I also ordered a gift card for Mothers Day this past week and it came in the mail within a few days. Such a fun and awesome little book store. I love The Book Den! read more

My partner comes here 4 times a year looking for California and Architecture books. Its generally a $300 hit every visit, they have some very interesting books. This is the oldest continuously in operation used bookstore in California. It was once owned by Gurtrude Stein. There is history ooozing from these walls and a very helpful staff who send notices when books you are looking for or on certain subjects arrive. This is the kind of local small business that is worth a 200 mile round trip to try to help save read more

Small and lovely little book shop with clerk that won't keep his eyes to himself. My girlfriend and I went in together, hoping to find something interesting and fun to read. However, throughout our walkthrough of the store I kept noticing that the clerk would not stop staring at either of us (we're both Latino), and doing so in a very obvious and rude way. My girlfriend and I put the books back where they were and headed off to a different bookstore. Will gladly never shop here again and I'll make sure every reader I know avoids this place in the future. read more

One of the store workers, who identified himself as Mike, called the police on me for being rude and talking back to him. I called him out for his caustic words and generally nasty demeanor and stated that it did not warrant him calling the police. He believed that as a white man he held power over me and could verbally intimidate me by calling the police and having them forcibly remove me from the property. I chastised his incivility and inhospitable behavior as uncharacteristic for Santa Barbara and that his behavior fell more in line with that of people from 1930 rather than 2020. Sadly, Mike's open racial antipathy and anti Black racism has become normalized in Santa Barbara. read more

Great book store! I have found many great used books here. I highly recommend checking it out. Keep real book stores alive!

When I travel, I love to visit any independent book store that I can find. This one is a gem! New books, used books, and also hard to Gina's and unusual books in a warm and welcoming, clean and comfortable bookstore. What's not to love? read more

This place had a book of Jeffers poems that I had spanned the globe in search of. On a whim and a caffeine high I strolled in here, looked around, and as a joke I asked about it. "Yep." And the nice guy went and got it. Just like that. Wonderful place. read more

The Book Den - Bookstores Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

There are few things I love better than a great used book store. I'm anal about keeping my books in good condition and will only buy used ones if they are close to new. As you can imagine, I am unimpressed by many used book stores. The Book Den offers an extensive selection that's easy to browse. The used books are in great shape, and I walked away with a pristine copy of "Mason and Dixon" for a whopping $8. I imagine there are many pristine copies of Pynchon novels making their rounds in used book stores, but I was happy with the find and will be sure to check in at the Book Den whenever I'm in the area. read more

Awesome little shop we found randomly on a short trip to Santa Barbara. All the guides recommended Chaucer's bookstore but that place WISHES it had the vibe Book Den does. Great prices great selection great vibes :) read more

I don't know why I missed this store for years in our trips to Santa Barbara even if it's right off State Street, so close to the Library and the Museum of Art. But this year I discovered it and I'm glad I did. I love their New Release section, everything is well organized, easy to spot to books to buy and read. They have a more interesting selection than the chains, I love browsing around, discovering books I didn't know they were published. They have new and used books, it's a little paradise for book worms like myself. Cozy, cute store. Support this nice, indie local bookstore. read more

Great finds! I've got some classics for me and mom and I also bought a bunch of thin story books with glossy pages in the kids area, at affordable price. Enough room to roam around and find your solitude with the books. I love this classic place, it's a real treasure of the city. Mind you, I love talking to the owner, he is a real smart guy. You'll be inspired by his voc rich words. read more

I stopped in here a few weeks ago and had a pleasant experience. Independent bookstores are my favorite! I always find one and purchase a book to support them. Joe was very helpful in reviewing some popular fiction with him. I learned a lot from him. Great customer service!!!! read more

A charming little store just off State Street with a selection of new and used books. It's not a huge bookstore, and has a great selection for its size. The new releases are well curated for the space, with literary fiction and non-fiction options with a good dose of contemporary thrown in. The used sections include fiction, lots of classics and well-known titles reside here, travel, essays, and children's books. I found a couple of books I wanted used in nearly-new condition for $8 and $9 each - so the prices aren't at a huge discount but definitely worth it over brand new. The staff were helpful and greeted us on the way in and offered to help. The decor inside is a little tatty, and is probably about due an update, but apart from that it's well presented. Not bad at all - well worth a visit for you used book aficionados! read more

Holy Library Card, Batman! What kind of a new find do we have here?? But wait... its not a new find? Oh no..they've been here for over 80 years...whaaaaaaat?! What incredible find..and an incredible place! An honest to goodness local bookstore! Located next to another incredible shop, Paradise Found, The Book Den is like something you'd find out of a movie. Places like this rarely exist anymore! This is another in a series of places I call "Tardis Stores" - ones that are far bigger on the inside than they look on the out. The facade is small, but when you walk in..wOoooOooOoowie zoooOOooOwie! Its bigger and deeper. What's inside? A tidy, well-organized collection of books both new and used. 10s of thousands of them! And the prices? Well of course you'll find them cheaper online...but the selection, cool-factor, and personal attention from the workers here is so awesome! They even have those 3-story library ladders on rails you can use to climb up the stacks and explore! Seriously...the prices are fair, especially for the location. My late father would have adored this place and could have got lost for HOURS here. And I'm sure I will in my upcoming visits. read more

Always searching for the local charming book store and Santa Barbara has one. Book Den has a masculine aesthetic with old and new releases. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly in helping me select a new novel. Will definitely return on my next visit. read more

I could spend hours in here. It was spiritual. My favorite was that long ladder I imagined myself swinging along on. It was truly a stairway to heaven. Can't wait to go back Only con was no service on my phone as soon as I stepped inside. Which is not much of a con if you think about it. Who wants a screen among pages. read more

Stopped in this shop after eating across the street and wow, what a good decision! The Book Den sells both used and new books, it has an excellent selection of the current best sellers, along with a broad used/new back catalogue. Whoever stokes this store knows what they're doing, it's not a huge shop, but every single book seems chosen with care and thought. I particularly enjoyed looking through a large table of beautiful coffee table books, as well as a glass case of rare books. If you're in Santa Barbara and you're a book lover or even if you're just looking for something to read on your trip, stop in here! You won't be disappointed. read more

Love this place! Super-friendly and helpful staff, lots to choose from between new and used books. Fun place to peruse and find something new/get inspired! read more

With a name like "The Book Den," you'd expect some strategically placed wingbacks and some warm decor to make the shopping experience memorable; sadly, this place misses the mark. It would be more appropriate if it were named, "The Book Closet." This store is dull and I wouldn't be a fan if it wasn't for the decent selection of both used and new books. Aside from a few stools there isn't a decent place to delve into the books in comfort, so I suggest coming with a purpose-- this isn't one of those magical shops that you could spend hours getting lost in. read more

This is a great little bookstore. The shelves are free admixture of new and used books, and there are a good number of finds. Some of the used books are a bit on the high end of the price scale for what they're worth, but I suppose that's the market economy. The books are almost all in impeccable condition. There is also a nice, but small, children's section in the back. Service was very friendly. Highly recommended if you're in Santa Barbara! read more

w/ Amazon taking over, i always try and visit any independent bookstores and get my books there. This one is a cute little one with a great selection. You also get 10% if you have a KCRW membership. read more