This is my favorite bookstore, and I don't even live in the area, but it is a must visit every time…read moreI'm visiting. Gary has the best book recommendations! He has little notes around the bookstore to guide you in the right direction if you are unsure of what to read. The selection is so vast, but if need be, Gary is able to order you a book or at least let you know when the book will be back in stock. The kids section is also so cute. There is a little sectioned off area for the kids that has books at the eye level of children and there are so many options from fun kids books to fun, educational books. And so many pens, stickers, and doodles kids (and kids at heart) also love. There are both new and used books in this bookstore, which is amazing because there are so many recent books that you can get at a deal and the quality is still fantastic! This place is truly a gem and I love to visit, and I already look forward to visiting again.

What a wonderful little bookshop in Santa Cruz. This bookstore is absolutely adorable with a good…read moreselection of recent and backlist books. I love the name and the logo too.

We are from San Diego county. We go to the store whenever we go to visit relatives in Alameda and…read moreSacramento counties. This store is a treasure trove, and the staff are wonderfully kind and knowledgeable. If you bring your own tote, you'll make their lives easier!

The Friends of the Capitola Library Bookstore is located in the Capitola mall. This bookstore is a…read moregreat place to pickup pre-owned books, CDs, DVDs, and other media. There is a wide variety of offerings of mainstream as well as obscure subjects. Books are grouped by subject matter and interests and are well laid out. From classical art to crafts, from English literature to foreign language editions, from outdoor gardening to interior remodeling, the bookstore's offerings are plentiful and diverse. Most books and media looked in excellent condition. At the time of our visit, prices were $1 for most paperbacks, $2 for hardcover editions, $1 for CDs, and $2 for DVDs. This family-friendly bookstore has something for all ages. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. All proceeds benefit the Capitola Library.

A CAFE AND A BOOKSTORE, ALL IN ONE PLACE?!! I couldn't run fast enough! No, seriously... I was the…read moredorko running to the door. Haha. And then I tasted their banana cream latte (a special), and it was as dreamy as its name! Mm mm good! Walking around the bookstore while waiting for my order and then after my coffee break was a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Bookworks is a 'must visit' in Pacific Grove if you're in town. And if you live in the area, they have a large self seating area where you can easily stay to read, study or work.

Drinks are okay, not the worst but not the best I've had. My friends who are locals love this place…read moreto work from so that's a plus but the few times I've visited, service was hit or miss. Sometimes they've been lovely and bubbly, but for some reason this one blonde staff member never seems like she actually wants to help. I had some questions on summer specials since "refresher" doesn't tell me much and she kept telling me about other drinks instead and being super short. The whole interaction still only had to have taken 2 min with only one person (who had been there for a bit already and seems local/older) behind me. Yet the minute I paid, even though I apologized for the questions and tipped, she loudly and passive aggressively said "sorry for the wait" to the next person right in front of me and they both laughed right in front of my face. I read the other review of the person who said they'd been here a bunch and usually loved it and then had a bad interaction and are also not like the "usual" demo of PG - I am also a person of color who was made to feel the same way. Such a shame what one bad impression can leave. Multiple comments about this has to be more than a coincidence... I would come back only maybe if this person wasn't working but not going to go out of my way anymore

This place is so cute! It reminds me of Powells Books in Portland. Its open and full of little…read morenooks and has fun recommendations and stands. You can spend the whole day looking around and exploring. It also has tons of fun stationary, or kitchen decor things, like the fun stuff for your home or office, not necessarily the stuff you need, but the stuff thats going to make you smile (so, the things you need). I also loved that there were two doors. I know that is silly, but I liked that you can park in the back, walk in, go shopping, then walk out the front and you're now in downtown. It is a bit overwhelming, but, super cute and I would recommend any age stopping by for something you'd like.

This bookshop is one of the stores I *must* stop into when I'm downtown. It calls my name! It has…read morea huuuge variety of books -- the usual suspects, but also some interesting subjects that are very à la Santa Cruz, like LGBTQ themes, and then there are the huge number of gift items as well as a UCSC section, which is always fun to look through. The staff is lukewarm-friendly, but overall I find them talking amongst each other behind the register like they're at a Sunday backyard BBQ, so if I have a question, I am disrupting their conversation. They'll help me out but they aren't too happy about it. That's how it feels anyway. I wish there was a self-price scanner and a way to find books more easily, so it takes out the need for customer service. All in all, the Santa Cruz Bookstore is a place you can easily spend an hour or longer to kill time or to meander after dinner. It's really fun, and is a perfect place for the loner types who don't like people talking to them... because usually staff won't approach you here on their own. (See? This can be a positive!)

Very friendly small business with a wide selection of books, some toys and games, and a few odds…read moreand ends that were interesting (tumbled rocks by the cash register, pens in the shape of wrenches, etc). I will be back. We need more businesses like this one in the Morgan Hill-Gilroy area.

I was in Morgan Hill to meet up with some friends recently.  I was early to the event, so I had…read moretime to check out BookSmart before they closed on a Saturday.  Nestled in a busy shopping center, there's plenty of parking in the lot (even though it was a busy weekend afternoon/evening).   While the store isn't the largest, there are plenty of books adorning the walls and lining the shelves in the middle aisles.  There are plenty of the normal best sellers available, but also plenty of treasured finds.  Though I only spent 20 minutes in browsing the stacks, I stumbled upon an independently published sports book as well as 2 childrens books I haven't found elsewhere, all of which will make great holiday gifts.   Coincidentally, the day I visited was also BookSmart's 30th anniversary party!  They had complimentary glasses of champaign as well as a photo booth for their regular customers (both of which I politely declined).  It's great to see an independent bookstore thriving in this community.  The next time I'm in the area, I will stop by and take more time to check out the inventory!

Delightful independently owned bookstore with a diverse set of options. Most seem to be used or…read moreolder books, and I was able to find one on my list with the help of the owner, whom I admire for his knowledge and commitment to downtown Salinas. Glad I made this a stop during my visit to Salinas!

Very clean well organized. Very large selection. Peaceful ambience. Helpful staff. Support this…read morebusiness so it stays around. We need spaces like this.

A bookstore so lovely, so perfect, the quintessence of what you imagine when you hear the words…read more"fine bookstore." Everything about it is so spot on, the architecture, the lighting, the soft music, and the eclectic selection of books on offer. The owner, Ernest, was present, friendly, and very informative on questions about books as well as the history of the store. The books are unusual and in several cases rare, the prices reflect the value and seemed reasonable. An unusual first edition will be priced higher but in line with its value to bibliophiles. For example I saw a first edition English translation of Pablo Neruda's "Confieso Que He Vivido" autobiography for $50, in beautiful condition. I said the place looks like it should be in a movie, and Ernest replied that it will be soon. I happened upon it by chance, found a parking place in front of it while going somewhere else. But after running that errand I had to check out this lovely oasis of calm and source of fine books. I ended up buying a paperback novel based on life in Tule Lake during the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII, because my father was imprisoned there. I can't imagine finding this tome anywhere else.

I forgot how I found this spot, but I knew I had to put it on my list during our trip to Monterey…read more I love a vintage book store and this shop checked all the boxes. It was carefully curated and has something for everyone. Nothing spoke to me during my visit, but I loved the vintage 1950's mystery paperbacks. Old books have so much character and it's obvious that the shop appreciates and honors the past.

My favorite Magic shop in Santa Cruz! (Well, they are in Soquel Village) Not too witchy, but…read moredefinitely witchy enough. Not too pagan, but definitely pagan. They have an amazing selection of goods from cultures around the world! Boomerangs! African sculptures, Asian goddesses, lots of Celtic stuff, drums, flags. It's a perfect place for a gift shop, books, local clothing vendors and unique items. It also is a spiritual shop, so they carry lots of tarot and oracle decks, have astrology and psychic readings, and do fairs the 2nd Sunday of the month. A good place for herbs, crystals, jewelry & candles. A super fun stop whether you're just visiting or local to Santa Cruz. Not to be missed!

We had Gwen and Avalon Visions do readings for our wedding and we couldn't be happier with their…read moreamazing skills!! They had a station set up for tarot and everyone was able to get a reading, they even stayed later then agreed upon which was so kind! Everyone made kind comments about their readings and time with Gwen. It was a huge hit! We are so grateful!

Kepler's Books is an institution!! Love stopping in here for books, gifts, or events.read more

Historically significant bookstore that touches upon the beatniks, musicians and bohemians…read more I love this long-lived bookstore. It opened originally across the street in 1955 by conscientious objector Roy Kepler. He had ties to and thought along the same lines as Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the founder of City Lights Books in San Francisco. Ken Kesey, Jerry Garcia and loads of other literary and musical bohemians have mentioned the impact this bookstore had on their lives. Support your local bookstore and come here.