City Lights Booksellers & Publishers: A Literary Landmark
Explore a literary landmark in North Beach: City Lights Booksellers, championing free speech, world literature, and progressive ideals since 1953.
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, a historic independent bookstore in San Francisco's North Beach, has been a literary haven since 1953. Founded by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin, it's renowned for its Beat Generation roots, progressive ideals, and vast collection of world literature.
A brief summary to City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
- 261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, Chinatown, California, 94133, US
- +1415-362-8193
- Visit website
- Monday 10 am-10 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-10 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-10 pm
- Thursday 10 am-10 pm
- Friday 10 am-10 pm
- Saturday 10 am-10 pm
- Sunday 10 am-10 pm
Local tips
- Check the City Lights website for upcoming author readings, book signings, and other literary events.
- Explore all three floors of the bookstore to discover a wide range of genres and unique titles.
- Take your time browsing; there are plenty of places to sit and read throughout the store.
- Consider taking public transportation or using a parking garage, as street parking can be limited.
Getting There
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Walking
City Lights is located in the North Beach neighborhood, easily accessible on foot from many nearby attractions. From the Ferry Building, walk north along the Embarcadero, then turn left onto Columbus Avenue. The walk is approximately 1 mile and should take about 20 minutes. No costs are associated with walking.
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Public Transport
Several public transportation options can get you to City Lights. From downtown San Francisco, take the 8X or 30 Stockton bus to Columbus Avenue and Broadway. A single ride on Muni costs $3.00, or $2.50 with a Clipper card or the MuniMobile app. A day pass, which includes unlimited rides on Muni buses, trains, and historic streetcars, is available for $5.70 via the MuniMobile app.
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Taxi/Ride-Share
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available throughout San Francisco. A taxi ride from Union Square to City Lights typically costs between $12 and $15, depending on traffic. Ride-sharing services may have variable pricing depending on demand. There is a taxi stand on Columbus Avenue at Broadway, near City Lights.
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Parking
Street parking near City Lights is limited and metered. Several parking garages are located nearby, including Portsmouth Square Garage (733 Kearny St) and North Beach Garage (735 Vallejo St). Parking rates vary, but expect to pay around $17-$43 for a few hours. Be aware of street cleaning schedules and parking restrictions.
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