In a few words, a huge/diverse selection and amazing customer service. In many words, this bookstore almost feels like a portal back to the good old days with hidden nooks to plop down and zone out...the smell of old books fills the space and with no screens in sight...it feels like home. I hope they stick around forever. read more

Picked up "The Encyclopedia Britannica Great Books of the Western World Vol. 4 The Iliad / Odyssey", 1952 edition, for a great price! I found myself just standing here, amazed by the selection! Lots of mystical books, books on philosophy, religious books, SF; science. I admired the section that has a lot of different Hindu texts from various denominations. I also saw some Tarot, and some CDs. I plan on coming back. Service was good as I was asked if I could be helped and it did motivate me to buy something. I pretty much can't pass up old books on anything regarding Ancient Greece! Right now I have enough books, but once my own little reading library is weeded out, I'll return with some questions, for sure! We need more bookstores like this! Always passed this place by, it would either be closed or I never got the chance to go in. Nice to finally see how cool it is! read more

The Book Tree - One of the isles and a few of the shelves in Book Tree! Lots of philosophical, spiritual, mystical, and esoteric books! - Bookstores Near Me - San Diego, California

I cannot believe I am just now finding this hidden gem. This small used bookstore is jampacked with spiritual and Metaphysical books. I was in my glory. The owner was wonderful and made some recommendations for me. Regular use bookstores have a few shelves for me to look through, this was the whole store. If you're looking for spiritual related books... This is the place to go. read more

This place is a hidden treasure to San Diego and Is one of the few places I have to try to avoid staying out of because I can honestly spend all day in there if I let myself, the owner has invested so many year and hard work into this shop and is a very respectable and down to earth man. There are many books that he has taken the time to duplicate and make copies of himself to keep the stories alive that might not have had a chance to survive anymore. This store is known for its broad range of anything controversial, mystical, mysterious, paranormal, religious, spiritual, and the list goes on. I would most definitely encourage anyone, skeptic, to fill on believers of any kind to check this place out if you ever want to come across something new and exciting! 10/10 read more

This is a mystical place indeed. Before I looked up their hours, I was convinced it was out of business because it always seemed closed whenever I walked by. Magically, it was open today (or rather it happened to be a Wednesday) and I popped in. I've never seen so many sections at a used bookstore that I actually cared about! I saw sections on spirituality, vegetarian cookbooks, multiple shelves dedicated to the Goddess, and many other metaphysical-related reads. Good prices too, they have a whole outdoor section for $1 reads. I went with this book on the Gaia theory for $6. Person working was very friendly, too. Looking forward to my next trip here. read more

The Book Tree - Bookstores Near Me - San Diego, California

Just visited for the first time and can't wait to go back. It's like stepping back in time and into the future all at once. They carry books you'd never find in a chain bookstore, you could spend hours browsing the shelves. read more

The Book Tree - Bookstores Near Me - San Diego, California

A treasure filled store with untold knowledge in the owner who really knows his books! Don't walk on by next time go in!

This is a special place. Paul is a special person. I was looking for an Engineering textbook, it was around $250 at the local Universities and $230 on amazon. While at the Adams Ave., Street fair I found a copy of the book just sitting outside in a bin at Book Tree. I quickly grabbed the book ran inside to purchase with my debit card. Paul told me it was just $1. When he saw the excitement on my face, I'm sure he wanted to charge me $50. I only had a debit card and asked if I could pay with it. Paul said there is a five dollar minimum, which I would gladly pay. Paul noticing my excitement told me that he's giving me the "Street fair discount," and told me to take the book for free. When do you EVER see that? I thanked him, and ran out of the store to find a dollar to bring back and I was successful. Paul gained a dollar and a lifelong customer. When I get people gifts in the future, it will be a gift card to The Book Tree. Paul is a special person. These are the kinds of people that need to be looked out for in life. Oh yeah, forgot to mention the fantastic selection of books. Brilliant classic and contemporary works. Not to mention the Engineering text book I found just sitting in a bin. read more

The Book Tree - I found this book for $1 at The Book Tree. - Bookstores Near Me - San Diego, California

Finally made it to this wonderful book store . Huge and varied selection of books . I love the feel and smell of small independent bookstores . Lots of rare gems here . There is also a nice selection of books for only a dollar . They also have incense and candles . Love the decor and the owner was super polite and helpful . Also there is a tarot reader if you want a reading too how can you beat that :) . I could spend all day here just looking at all the books . I will be spending lots of time and pay checks here . Support local :) read more

This store was old and decrepit. And I still went inside. I found it to be filled with many treasures. A lot of dust, but plenty great vintage reading finds. Metaphysical, religious, arts, media, politics, self-help, gifts, cards and incenses. Bernie Sanders for President. Aw hush ya bumper sticker. But lemme tell ya, I like the two (2) rose quartz hearts. They were so big and pink. I really spent time looking around the bookstore, reading and babbling my mouth. I received an extra 10% discount for purchasing an expensive coffee-table book about the first 70 years of Academy Awards nominations and winners. How old are those tshirts for sale? Really, $7 for a little bling on a pint-size Krsna greeting card. Save here. Spend there. read more

The Book Tree - Yeah, I'm in the Self-Help Section - Bookstores Near Me - San Diego, California

Before there were Nooks and Kindles, there were bound leaflets called books. I do not Nook/Kindle; if anyone knows me personally, I am not technologically-savvy and am usually the last person to get the "latest" gadget (which by then would not be the "latest" gadget)...but anyway, I digress. Thankfully, there are still used bookstores for me to peruse and buy older books previous owners once read and possibly loved. The store is only open from Tuesdays through Saturdays, but once I finally got in, it did not fail to disappoint. This place has TONS of them in the metaphysical and spiritual department, and I've found rare, out of print copies that I haven't been able to find locally (only online). In fact, I'd venture to say that the used metaphysical/occult/new age book selection is one of the best I've seen. They're also priced very reasonably and I definitely did not leave empty-handed. New and in-print books are also available. The store owner is super nice and very helpful; if you don't find what you're looking for, it never hurts to ask him and he'll try to help. The store is organized in such a way that is somewhat easy to navigate. Amazingly, there are a couple candles (palm wax, my fave), essential oils, gemstones/crystal points, and tarot cards...not a HUGE selection, but I thought it was interesting that a used bookstore would have them. Overall, it's a great place to stop by if you want discounted occult/esoteric books. I wish I knew about this place sooner; it definitely deserves more publicity. read more

Nice neighborhood bookstore. They have a big metaphysical, health and Self-help section but also a little bit of everything. The owner was friendly and helpful. The prices were ok, just about all of the books were full price even if some appeared slightly used. For example I bought a book for full price and a few of the pages had creases, but it was otherwise in great condition. I understand it is hard for small businesses, so it's not that big of a deal but even a $1-2 discount would be nice since it was technically used, not brand new. In addition there is a used book section which is a bit more budget friendly, and they seem to have a lot of hard to find, vintage books so that's a plus. Overall a nice experience, and I will definitely be back. read more

I just moved to Normal Heights from City Heights and essentially swapped Vietnamese restaurants for an actual block of cool local retail stores and legit restaurants. This was one of the first places I stumbled upon and ended up getting lost in a veritable cornucopia of trippy books. If you're into the metaphysical, sacred geometry, or the pursuit of a greater level of understanding consciousness...this is the place for you! I'm only covers a small portion of what they offer but the people who work there are more than happy to give you recommendations or answer any and all question you may have regarding this unique collection of books. This place reminds me of some Berkeley book stores...If you occasionally get homesick for the Bay Area like I do...this place provides a small slice of home in a unique way. Check this place out if you dig the weirder vibes in life! read more

Full of wonderful books and other treasures. By far my favorite book store. Thank you for providing amazing information. This is definitely a gem in our Normal Heights neighborhood. read more

My husband and I first visited the book tree 3 years ago during the Adams avenue street fair. I bought a book about the Point Loma hauntings by a local author and it was just amazing. My husband and I love walking around and browsing Paul's eclectic collection and we always walk away with something amazing! The book tree is a great small local business that deserves the support read more

Sophia the dog makes it totally worth going here. Stopped in during the Adams Ave Street fair & liked it a lot. The owner (I think he was the owner) was friendly. He also has the cutest dog who hangs out there. There is a great selection of all kinds of books most of which were used. He also has an incense section & Palo santo. I would go back here if I wanted to browse a book store. Our gem from this store was "Familiar Quotations" by John Bartlett, which the owner told us is a classic! read more

I come with a list of books in mind and I always seem to find 3/4 here. Bought 6 books for the price of one barns and nobles book and all were only slightly used! The fellow whom may own this place is absolutely delightful, the serene atmosphere is almost if you step out of reality to browse this enchanting book garden and escape the crazy world we live in. I love this hidden gem!!!! read more

Paul is a wealth of knowledge and the bookstore is a gold mine for seekers. Support your Indy book store. Go through the stacks... there's something waiting for you on those shelves. Never fails. read more

This bookstore is a treasure- My home library has tens of books from here, new and used. In particular my the *gold*mine collection of alchemical texts and a classic greek and arabic magical text made available in store and on order (quick turn). The store is a must stop and see; you never know what you might find for a great price, and the owners are genuinely interested in what you're looking for. read more

This has got to be my favorite bookstore in San Diego. It's a strange little place that mostly carries metaphysical, religion, odd science, and conspiracy books. They carry both used and new books, including reprints of rare books they publish themselves. Some of the books you'll find there are highly unusual. Prices are reasonable. Hanging on the walls are pictures of entities allegedly channeled by deep trance medium Mark Probert in the '40s, '50s, and '60s -- they're original oil paintings made by Probert himself in the '40s. The fellow working the cash register is extremely nice (though I think he's a little shy). They're also very interested in the community; they allow people to leave pamphlets, notices, and announcements in their foyer. I do most of my book shopping online these days, but I do like to visit this place from time to time! read more