VerdictDestinations 🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade → The verdict
Who it's worth it for
Great for
- Travellers on a budget
- If you've only got a day
- Couples
- Solo travellers
- Photographers
Depends
- Families with kids
- History & culture buffs
- Local-life seekers
Worth it for travellers on a budget, if you've only got a day and couples.
Why we say this
Insider secrets & local vibes
Vaulted former-bank ceilings, a tunnel of books, and arches sculpted from spines make a photogenic labyrinth.
Not independently verified — estimatedCalifornia's largest used-and-new bookstore is free and charming to wander.
Not independently verified — estimatedIt's now a known Instagram stop, so expect people queuing for the same photos upstairs.
Not independently verified — estimatedWhat it feels like
Reading the room, traveller by traveller
Solo
A perfect hour for a book lover to get lost alone.
As a couple
A charming, photogenic browse for a date downtown.
With friends
Fun to explore the labyrinth together, photos and all.
Good to know
Before you go
- Best time
- Weekday or opening hours to beat the photo queues upstairs.
- Getting there
- Metro B/D Line to Pershing Square, a short walk away.
- Accessibility
- Ground floor is accessible; the upstairs labyrinth is reached by stairs.
Alternatives
If it's not your thing, try
Was this helpful?
Make the most of it
Book through our partner — we may earn a commission, and it never changes the verdict.
- Occupies a former bank building; known for its book tunnel and arch sculptures.
- One of the largest used and new bookstores in California.
🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →