Vinyl Solution

Maybe it's the proximity of this particular location to Japanese businesses or perhaps there's just…read moresomething about this part of OC, but I found this Bookoff to be a delight. Sure, the parking can be hectic sometimes. After all, there is a Tokyo Central right next to it, but that's what makes this location so good. You can spend hours perusing the aisles for some good finds but can take a break and get some Pocky or a bento or a Fanta nearby without ever breaking theme. What's even better is it feels like the employees enjoy working here. They greet you warmly when you walk in and that hospitality Japan is known for is reflected in this staff, even if they aren't Japanese and this isn't Japan; the spirit still carries. So does the nostalgia walking through the aisles. If you played video games throughout the 90s to now you'll see pieces of your childhood everywhere you look: a Super Famicom with Chrono Trigger for sale or a Vegeta action figure going Super Saiyan or the many mangas of Rumiko Takahashi such as Ranma 1/2 or Inuyasha. In encapsulates otaku culture through the ages well. Even looking for books of different genres and authors can be found, some new but most used. It doesn't mean they aren't good. It just means they're pre-loved. This means you can get a bargain for some books you might have been meaning to check out for a great price. They also have book sales all the time. If you feel a need to lighten your collection at home, whether it be action figure or games you no longer play, Bookoff buys them from you. It means your cash could go even further if you have things to sell. Though the size of Bookoffs in America does have me wishing they were larger like their Japanese counterparts they do pack quite a lot for the space they occupy. You can spend 15 minutes to multiple hours here, depending on what you're looking for. I say that means it's worth checking out. After all, the worst that can happen is if you don't find anything to tickle your fancy you can always go to Tokyo Central or IKEA right after.

I love this spot. It's one of the OGs, and I've been coming here for a long time. There are some…read moregenuinely great finds--plenty of $1 items, solid deals on DVDs, and every once in a while something really special slips through the cracks. That said, the pricing is all over the place. It's obvious they rely heavily on some kind of algorithm to assign value, and when it works in your favor, it really works. I've picked up items worth hundreds of dollars for a few bucks. But the flip side is rough--things priced at $100 that you could easily find for $10-15 elsewhere. That inconsistency is both the magic and the frustration. Selling to them is another story. They'll give you next to nothing unless it's something truly high-end, and even then, you're usually better off selling elsewhere. The margins are so far off at times that it really makes you wonder who's willing to take those deals. They do require ID and seem to follow the rules, but the reality is this kind of setup attracts people who either don't know what they have, don't care, are impatient, or are desperate. And yes, it also likely attracts people unloading stolen goods because they know the items are valuable, even if the payout is low. The store itself is very DIY. Nothing is cataloged, staff can't really help you with inventory, and what you see is what's available. Customer service is minimal--they're mostly focused on sorting and loss prevention. There's also an awkward dynamic between management and floor staff that you can feel when you're in there. At the end of the day, this place is a gamble. Sometimes you walk out feeling like you scored big. Other times you find something rare and exciting that's priced so high it might as well be untouchable. It almost screams desperation and lack of knowledge on the selling side--but ironically, that's exactly what brings in so much good stuff. If you know what you're doing and have patience, this place can be incredible. If not, it'll just feel chaotic.

Bargain books

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Manga aisle (my personal favorite!)

Dr. Freecloud's Record Store

4.5(160 reviews)

1.0 mi

Sometimes you just want to say "hi" to the special friends at Dr. Freecloud's Record Store. This…read moreis a good time to catch up with Mr Ron and Mrs Helen running the fantastic selections of every type and genre of vinyl recordings, bar none. It is always good to chat a while and you can't help to see the colorful walls and hear the easy beats coming from the far corner. I've got all the Linda Rhondstat LP's in my collection but it is always interesting to learn of new stuff... stuff like shirts and equipment and CD's and so much more. Looking for something special?? I know they are ready to guide and help. That friendliness is what keeps Dr. Freecloud's Record Store a pillar in the community.

Dr. Freecloud's is one of OC's OG record shops and has been in the game for 30+ years! This spot is…read morelocated in the same plaza as Savers where there is a good amount of parking spots. Inside, they have a pretty big store with tons of crates to dig through. Their selection is organized by different genres and artists. They also have a clearance section which has some great scores too. The records here are definitely priced fairly and all of the staff are friendly and welcoming. I browsed around for a good 25-30 minutes and was able to score on a Laufey and a Gunna vinyl (yes, my music taste is random but also immaculate). I will definitely be back for some more good finds!

The Man, The Myth, The Legend... and Ron D Core

Storefront

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Revelation Records

5.0(2 reviews)

2.4 mi

I have been buying records and merch from this company for the better part of 15 years. Great…read moreselection, quality shirts, and they have a really helpful staff. In a world full of downloads I am so stoked Rev still stocks and produces vinyl.

There is absolutely no better Hardcore, Punk or Metal distribution or record label than Revelation…read morerecords. Since 1987 Mr. Jordan Cooper has been running a label which puts the music first and it doesn't seem like that'll end anytime soon. Thanks you humbly for allowing small bands to grow under your direction and with your help and greater of all for influencing kids like me to fall in love with Hardcore and record collecting.

Factory Records

4.6(128 reviews)

6.0 mi

Really awesome selection of records with a team that not only loves music but also our community…read more I've been in a few times and have picked up some great jazz and indie records at great price. They occasionally will run deals that are hard to be anywhere else.

The greatest hole in the wall record shop around! Literally. If the shop is full it's worth it to…read morewait your turn or peruse what is outside the shop. Sorry there are no lighting lane options. If you haven't been I suggest you do. Dave is a kind guy and has a great selection of music fron all sorts of genres.

Rare OG Motörhead album 05/16/2025

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Blind Dog Hifi And Records

4.6(18 reviews)

4.2 mi

one of the most comfortable vinyl stores i've ever been two just picked up two pieces. and prices…read moreare pretty standard so it doesn't feel like you're getting scammed. Looks amazing , Feels very Spacious. the owner was super nice and fun to talk to. 15.7/10

The selection at this record store is really great. They carry new and used records, including "new…read moreold stock" records that are hard to find. I especially like that they have a wide variety of jazz records and especially audiophile pressings such as Tone Poet and Music Matters. The staff was knowledgeable and helpful.

One of the listening rooms

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Port Of Sound Record Shoppe

4.2(238 reviews)

4.0 mi

Port of Sound is a nice little record shop in the Costa Mesa area. This spot is located in a plaza…read morewith a decent amount of parking spots. They are open for limited hours Mon-Sat from 11am-2pm so keep that in mind and plan accordingly. Inside, they scaled down but still have a solid amount of crates to dig through. They have a wide range of genres and also have a frequently updated new releases section. The staff here are friendly and welcoming. The records here are definitely fair and market value for what they are worth. I definitely could have cashed out with all the awesome finds they had but I had to show some self-restraint. I ended up copping a Sade and a Khruangbin vinyls and called it a day. Come stop by if you are in the area and you most likely will not leave empty handed!

Great selection! Excellent service and prices. I have purchased quite a few albums there.read more

Outside

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Friends Bookstore

4.3(35 reviews)

8.7 mi

This bookstore is such a pleasant way to buy gently used books and make money for the library. It…read moreis all run by volunteers and generates funds from community donations.

Great way to buy quality books. Staff is helpful. Wish it was bigger and longer hours. But so happy…read moreit's available

From the Newport Beach City Website

How cute is this?!

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Cashiers are located outside for safety and distancing.

Bich Thu Van Music & Gifts

3.7(3 reviews)

3.9 mi

Variety Ao dai and music in Phước Loc Tho Plenty of choices…read moreand selection minimal service , no bargain price. If you believe any way support the local. Cash, Venmo or Zelle.

Good service, prices is affordable. Great selection to make your collection like CD and DVD. Highly…read morerecommend.

Ca si Ngoc Lan vinyl record

Bich Thu Van

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VHS

Deseret Book

4.4(20 reviews)

4.7 mi

Really lovely selection of all sorts of things from scriptures, missionary gifts, artwork, books…read moreand more! The service is unmatched, everyone is so friendly and it is so fun walking around to browse all the materials. Parking is easy as the lot is huge.

The middle age lady that works here is a fake Christian who only cares about making money…read more Today I visited the store. I wore some new shoes which I bought to help with my bum leg\foot, so my limp and gait were more pronounced than usual. As I walk around, this middle age lady comes out the back, greets me and starting talking to the other older woman employee. Before you know, it I start hearing the younger woman suddenly start talking about her uncle who is disabled with a bad leg. She goes on to say that he was in discomfort for a long time, particulary his foot, but that it's all suddenly better now. I thought that was weird but as I kept listening, I noticed that she would say certain buzzwords like "I mean..." and "I don't know..." and "you know..." and "this guy..." Strangely, she said "this guy is so small" a few times while talking about an inventory item. Later she started telling the other woman that she had a near photographic memory. (She asked the woman to quiz her on the price of an item, which she got wrong 2 times and finally guessed correctly on the 3rd try which I thought was funny). Anyway, I soon realized that she is trying to fake synchronicity to lure the customer into making a purchase. Her MO became clear as day. She studies and watches the customers coming in and then begins a conversation with the other employees regarding something she notices (makes a read on) about the customer or perhaps overhears the customers talking about to make the customer think that the "coincidence" is a spiritual sign. The shop is clean and tidy, but it's mostly cheap mass produced art work or knick knacks that is marked up 500%. The older lady is actually very sweet and I get the feeling she just gets taken advantage of by the younger woman. Stay away from this fake Christian place! Even if Jesus came back and walked through the doors, that lady wouldn't recognize him and try to make a sale to him.

Kids mix.

Deseret Book.

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Fruit Gems Jelly Belly.

1 Look Vintage

4.5(40 reviews)

2.2 mi

This place is a MUST visit in Huntington Beach. We came in very unsuspecting, but wanted a spot…read morewhere we could find some records. Uhm, SOME records is a severe under-exaggeration of what's offered at 1 Look. When we walked in, Davey immediately greeted us and asked what we were looking for so we pulled up a list of some records on a "hit list," then browsed around while he checked to see if he had any of them. Meanwhile, I hunted around - everything is in total organized chaos, with records everywhere, but clearly labeled by genre. The first record I pulled was Biggie's Ready to Die, which was an obvious must buy. We chatted music while searching and when I mentioned I was a Wu Tang fan, he put on one of GZA's first tracks that really kicked things off, that was unknown to me. Davey is someone who knows music and seems to really love what he does. The shop also features a ton of awesome vintage clothes, comic books, and different nostalgic items (plus VHS and DVDs too, which definitely made me feel old). We left with 4 records at great prices and will continue to come back anytime we're in Huntington! Such a unique space that you could spend HOURS in and not uncover all the magic in that place.

My friends and I spent almost two hours here because there were so many interesting items to look…read moreat! Some clothing, but lots of CDs, magazines, pins, trinkets/paperweights, and books as well. The person working the counter was very accommodating and was flexible with pricing since many items were unlabeled, and was very knowledgeable about the items they sold. The atmosphere is great, there are various boxes of cassettes and magazines underneath the clothing racks, dating back to the '50s. They offer everything from Japanese porcelain dogs to Stephen King novels or a boombox. Really enjoyed my experience here, would definitely go back