If you are hunting for a rare find in San Diego, Verbatim Books in North Park is the place to start. With over 50,000 secondhand and antiquarian titles, this spot goes way beyond your average bookstore. The shelves are packed with hidden gems, the atmosphere pulls you in, and every corner feels like it holds a new discovery. From vintage classics to out of print treasures, Verbatim delivers an experience book lovers will not forget.
Is Verbatim Bookstore worth visiting?
Yes, if you have an interest in books, you will love them here. Even if you’re not hugely interested in reading it’s still a really fascinating place to explore and we highly recommend stopping by.
Founded by Justine in 2015 after working in another bookstore, Verbatim started as a 1,500-square-foot space before expanding to 5,000 square feet, making it the largest bookstore in San Diego.
This secondhand bookstore is known for its eclectic selection of gently-loved and rare books, zines, and new titles from over 200 local authors.
Verbatim Books also organizes fun community events, like the North Park Book Fair and the San Diego Book Crawl. It’s worth visiting their events page to find out what’s happening.
The other great thing is that leashed dogs are welcome in the store.
Verbatim Books is open every day, from 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 10 am to 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 12 pm to 6 pm on Tuesdays.
Why visit Verbatim Bookstore?
Verbatim Bookstore stands out with its warm, inviting interior of old carpets, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and eclectic furniture that invites you to sit and read.
One thing that makes this place unique is that you can sell or trade books here. This happens on Mondays and Fridays – you can bring in up to 50 books without an appointment – if you have a larger collection of books to sell, they also offer appointments for larger collections.
This bookstore also stands out for other reasons:
- Gift cards: Available for in-store use only and shipped for free to you or a gift recipient.
- Events: They host literary events like the North Park Book Fair, featuring authors, poets, and artists.
- Event rentals: Their bookstore is available for private rentals, perfect for intimate gatherings or book launches.
- Photography: Bookstore photography requires scheduling outside business hours and permission from the owner.
Verbatim Bookstore‘s reviews
“Super cool independent bookstore with great art inside and out, a fantastic aesthetic appeal, a nice selection of books (and some gifts), really friendly and helpful staff, and an all-around good place to browse and hang out. Buying books there was a win-win!” JDZatSF (source)
“This second hand bookseller has done a wonderful job transforming an empty space into a book lovers haven. Great selection of used books in every category. Spaces to peruse before you purchase, friendly staff, eclectic decor.” Bluemoon (source)
“Independent local book store that sells a wide selection of pre-owned and rare books. Inside is very IG worthy. The selection of books reminds me of my childhood and has recent new additions like Bridgerton. They sell and trade books on certain days and have guidelines on what they accept. Check out their page for local book fair days.” My82Pink (source)
Final Thoughts
Verbatim Bookstore should be on every book lover’s list. We spent an hour here, going through all the unusual books and checking out some great new reads and we’ll definitely be going back the next time we’re here.
If you’re visiting North Park, don’t miss this gem. To get more tips for your trip, check out our other articles and start planning your stay today!
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