11AM - 5PM
955 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill“My go to record store. Huge selection, friendly staff, great used barn finds and good prices. They also have a great, honest, rating system for used records. They’ll also order you pretty much anything you can’t find. Great selection of local artists too. Highly recommend.”
“This is a smaller Barnes and Noble but they still manage to have a decent selection. You most likely won't find books that aren't as mainstream or popular but they always have new releases and events. The staff is friendly, helpful, and the store is clean.”
“This place is awesome! You could find books at affordable prices, sometimes hard to find vinyl records, retro gaming systems, and games. The staff is friendly, helpful, and supportive.”
10AM - 5:30PM
636 1st St, Benicia“Having a local book store is so important to a community. This shop is wonderful. You will love walking into this sweet shop. The staff is fabulous in helping you find the right book and if needed, can order and it comes quickly. I also if I buy from www.libro.fm instead of big box stores, it helps support my local shop and not big corporations. The shop has great book clubs. So find a club to meet new people, go to the shop and meet the wonderful staff, call, to order and always use www.libro.fm if buying online. The prices are the same as big box and it supports local.”
10AM - 5PM
3645 Mount Diablo Blvd Suite C, Lafayette“A really fantastic local bookstore offering a selection of new and used books. It's not huge, but the range is impressive and eclectic. The owner is thoughtful and friendly. An excellent Lafayette resource.”
“Outstanding fine & rare bookseller. Books are meticulously and accurately described and Laurelle Swan's inventory is notable for the fine condition of her books. Books are, for the most part, fairly priced in the middle of the typical range from comparable booksellers. Customer service is exceptional - Laurelle will remember your requests, diligently hunt for difficult to find private press books and promptly notify you if she can successfully acquire a copy. Swan's Fine Books is a valuable resource for serious collectors.”
“Wonderful local bookstore. Highly recommend visiting and enjoying all the books and the owner is so great. It is so important to support local businesses and this is a great one.”
9:30AM - 5PM
3 Railroad Ave, Danville“This magical local book store hosted a meet and greet with Andy Griffiths last night. I decided to bring my boys to the event and I'm so glad that I did. They were thoroughly entertained and left inspired to read more. We left the bookstore and by the time we got into the car, they were asking me to bring them to the next children's event.”
“I absolutely love this place. I'm confused by the reviews saying the prices are high, and this is by far the cheapest used bookstore around. The selection may not be as extensive as some of the bigger stores, but I always manage to find something interesting when I'm there. The staff is incredibly sweet as well.”
10AM - 5:30PM
276 Village Square, Orinda“What a great bookstore! And it's a really great place for last minute kids birthday gifts, they do a great job with the complimentary gift wrap. The people who work here are the best. ❤️”
“Barnes & Noble at The Veranda in Concord is a cozy haven for book lovers! The exterior has a charming, inviting look, and the store itself is thoughtfully organized with clear signage and a variety of genres displayed prominently. Their holiday decorations, like the quirky mini tree with burger and strawberry ornaments, add a festive touch to the book-browsing experience.
Inside, the atmosphere is warm and vibrant, with ample seating areas and plenty of space to wander between shelves. The nonfiction section is especially well-curated, featuring popular titles and intriguing monthly picks to inspire readers. There’s also a dedicated display for cookbooks and lifestyle reads, perfect for finding a new recipe or getting holiday gift ideas.
And for the Swifties out there—this Barnes & Noble knows how to cater to the fandom! The Taylor Swift display is a true highlight, showcasing everything from iconic albums like 1989 and Midnights to exclusive fan packs, magazines, and biographies. It feels like a mini shrine to Taylor, capturing her impact as both a music and cultural icon. Swifties will feel right at home here, and it’s hard not to be drawn to this thoughtful display.
Overall, a delightful spot to lose yourself in a book, dive into some Taylor Swift nostalgia, and get a head start on holiday shopping! ?✨”
“They have an eclectic collection of books, movies and music DVDs. Apparently, these are donations that didn't make it to the library shelves. Prices are very reasonable and the staff is friendly. I actually like this place better than the Pleasant Hill library which has tried to become too many things. If you are a nerdy bibliophile that likes older reading material, try this bookstore.”