My friends and I bought several books and some small chotchkie items from City Lights and had the best time hunting for obscure titles. I think the guy behind the desk got a kick out of us having so much fun! Highly recommend as this shop is for great times, soul searching and pleasant atmosphere!

This was at the top of our places to visit while we were in town. It wasn't the best experience. After the way the staff treated us, I'd never give them my money. It's a neat store, so it's unforunate that they have zero customer service. I took down the ISBNs of the books we planned to buy and ordered them from halfdotcom from the hotel. Olivia had to go to the bathroom and there was no "public" restroom, meaning I had to bolt out the door with Olivia trying to find a restaurant employee with a kind heart. It was surrounded by strip clubs, construction, hole-in-the wall places with signs that read "restrooms are for customers only." Obviously this place had a restroom (for employees). They were completely unapologetic even going so far as to argue with us later, "When you asked, did you say, 'My kid needs to [obscenity deleted]?'" Dude, I don't talk like that. The one guy asked, "Do YOU have a business?" Um, yeah, and I treat my customers with respect, like they are exceptional people and I feel privileged to have their patronage. He wanted to make the point that I didn't realize how complicated running a business could be. He actually doesn't have a business. He works at one.

This place is a legend unto itself. Known best for its days as The Beats hangout -- writers like Jack Kerouac held court here. City Lights is located in North Beach. And although most tourists just take a picture of the front, those who care about history should take a look inside. The store is filled with books you can't find anywhere else. Can you dig?

This is one of those places where I could go in and browse for hours...days, if they didn't ever close. If you're interested in poetry or just love to try some new piece of fiction, this is the Mecca. Come and visit the "home" of the Beat Generation. Don't expect this to be a new and trendy bookstore with lots of "elbow room" to sit and chat. Here, you'll find every nook and cranny stuffed with books and more books. If you're a lover of the written word...make a pilgrimage to City Lights and just take it all in.

You can find lots of hard to find books. They also have many unique and rare books. This is yet another popular books store in San Francisco. The staff is nice and helpful and are ready to assist your needs. This is also a well-known and popular book store to many people who do not even live in San Francisco.