City Lights Booksellers & Publishers: A Literary Jewel in San Francisco
Discover City Lights Booksellers & Publishers in San Francisco, a historic bookstore and publisher celebrating literature and the arts since 1953.
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers is a must-visit destination for book lovers and culture enthusiasts in San Francisco's vibrant Chinatown. Founded in 1953, this iconic store offers a rich selection of books, a warm atmosphere, and a celebrated history that has made it a focal point for writers and intellectuals alike.
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
- Visit during weekdays for a quieter experience, allowing more time to browse.
- Don't miss the chance to check out their curated selection of local authors and unique titles.
- Attend one of their many literary events for a chance to engage with authors and fellow book lovers.
- Bring a reusable bag; you'll likely leave with more books than you planned!
Getting There
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BART
From Walnut Creek BART station, take the Yellow Line train towards San Francisco/Daly City. Stay on the train for about 30 minutes and get off at Montgomery St. Station. Once you exit the station, walk towards the Market St. exit. After exiting, head northeast on Montgomery St. for about 0.3 miles until you reach Columbus Ave. Turn left onto Columbus Ave, and walk for about 0.2 miles. City Lights Booksellers & Publishers will be on your right at 261 Columbus Ave.
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Bus
Catch the County Connection Bus Route 4 from Walnut Creek. Board the bus at any of the stops along the route and ride it to the 'Walnut Creek BART' station. From there, transfer to the BART Yellow Line towards San Francisco/Daly City. Get off at Montgomery St. Station, then exit the station and walk northeast on Montgomery St. for 0.3 miles to Columbus Ave. Turn left and walk 0.2 miles to find City Lights Booksellers & Publishers at 261 Columbus Ave on your right.
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Walking
If you are already near downtown Walnut Creek, head towards Civic Dr. and walk to the Walnut Creek BART station. From there, follow the BART instructions above. If you’re in a nearby location, you can also walk to the BART station directly, which is about a 15-minute walk from downtown. After your BART trip, follow the instructions to reach City Lights Booksellers & Publishers.
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Rideshare
Use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Input '261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133' as your destination. The driver will take you directly to City Lights Booksellers & Publishers. This option is suitable if you prefer a more direct route and want to avoid public transportation.
Discover more about City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
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