Point Loma Books

I love that this is in my neighborhood and would like to support it. However, in the two years I’ve lived here; I don’t think that I’ve witnessed it actually being open. Surely, I’ve missed a lot of times that it has been open, but just never when I’ve actively looked.

One word: gem. It’s a challenge in itself just to get in as the store’s operational hours are a mystery. I got here at 11:45 on a saturday just as the owner was about to close shop and he let me browse around for 20 minutes.
It’s a small book store but the owner spares no expense filling it up. Beyond just the shelves being well organized and at the brim with reading material, there’s also boxes and stacks of books on the floor you can go through and a table in the front with books you may be interested in. Imagine Olivander’s from the Harry Potter movies. It’s great. I may try to come again early at like 10 AM.
I picked up a few books and took them over to the living room café next door to read a bit and met a guy who was jealous i got into the bookstore because i guess he had been trying for weeks but it was always closed.
A good point he made, if it’s that hard for people to get into then there must be some good reads in there.

One of my favorite spots in San Diego to shop. Great collection of current and out of out of print books. I recommend calling before heading over, as the owner runs the shop alone. Constant circulating collection. Owner is super nice guy. Highly recommended.

Awesome selection of Black Sparrow Books! Really nice and welcoming gentlemen that works there. I get the feeling, based on his hours of operation, this isn’t his primary job, or his primary care in the world. Oh well, when the doors are open I am there, especially for his broad selection and good pricing. New and used books abounds.
Protip: Call ahead first. When you call, be sure it’s on the weekend.

Hey! If this shit is ever open, shoot me a message! I don’t believe any of you guys actually went inside after my bad luck :(
The shop looks so cool and I love all the photos posted here on Unilocal!I’ve been here a week, staying with my dad on Spring Break who lives right up the road– every day I’ve stopped in to see if the place was open. No such luck. Would’ve really liked to check it out but I’m leaving today :(
Bless

Wow! Am I glad I stumbled upon this bookworm’s paradise! Great selection of books of all kinds with outstanding prices on used books (most of which are in practically new condition!) The gent working there was very kind and helpful, and I will be sure to make this bookstore from heaven a regular stop on my trips to San Diego.

A magical place where the book you need to read shows up and you didn’t even know you needed to read this book that transforms your experience of life, forever…

Wonderful privately owned book stores still exist. Not a big box store here but chocked full of treasures. If you think of a book you’re looking for the owner is quite polite. There are no set hours which adds to interest. Parking is on the street which can be tricky. If you find a read there are several places near by to crack your new find open and indulge. Slow down and turn off the MacBook. Listen to the birds.

Simply the best used books in San Diego. Phenomenal, intelligent selection. Absolutely no dross. Happily devoid of best-​seller paperback space junk. Smartly organized. Cramped in a good way. Excellent prices. Kind owner. What more do you want?

Love, love, love! It’s one of the best used book stores I’ve been to. So many selections and many of them are in great shape. You will probably need the owner’s help to find something at some point though. The reason I couldn’t give this place 5 stars was how many of the books were in disarray. There are many books just stacked and in boxes. I’m ok with that since I usually come in to browse without a specific book in mind, but many people would find it not so great. The owner seemed to know where his books are though.
The hours are a little unusual. He said he’ll have hours posted for the holiday season, but the store is generally opened in the afternoons Wednesday-​Saturday. Good luck!

I just had to come here, after reading the reviews and walking by the closed shop many times. We moved to the neighborhood over 6 months ago and had never seen this store actually open. Then, one miraculous day, as we were driving by with visiting friends and pointing out the legendary bookstore, lo and behold, it was open! We immediately pulled over and went in to meet the mysterious store owner and see what this place was all about. The store owner was very nice and almost a little shy. The store was full of a wide variety of books in every book and cranny. The owner had an «aww shucks» quality about him and could easily take you to any book you are looking for — the store is not easily navigated by first time visitors such as us.
In the end the four of us each left with a book, happy with our very reasonably priced purchases.
For an avid reader like me, I love the smell of old books and appreciate the charm and character of this store and its book-​loving proprietor. Hopefully I’ll get to catch the store open again soon.
PS I’m not sure if he buys used books or only sells them.

A treasure trove! From cookbooks to music books, it is hard to leave this place without purchasing something. They have old, new, gently used, and the man who runs it is very nice and knows exactly where everything is even though it is cluttered with books from floor to ceiling. It is very clear he has a passion for books and knows his inventory. As someone said, it is a very charming store. The prices are very good and I’m just glad in this day and age of kindle, there is a store like this where you will always find something. My latest coupe was Classic Russian Cooking and the Italian Baker. Previously got some jazz piano instruction books. Love this place!

I LOVE this store. It’s a bit cluttered with books, but that is just part of the charm of this store. The store owner is incredibly helpful and pleasant. I have lost count of all of the great books and resources that I have found here.

I called ahead just to see the hours and the man who answered was very kind. Customer service means a lot to me and he was so helpful even over the phone. He made sure to ask if I was looking for anything specific. When I got there I was pleased. A great selection and wonderful service. I left with quite a few books. I haven’t been back because Point Loma is a bit of a drive, but I would definitely recommend coming here, it’s worth it!

Looking for a children’s book? I’m talking Babar, Dr. Seuss, Beatrix Potter, Syd Hoff, Curious George, The Dangerous Book for Boys… you get the picture. He’s got it! I go here with my son to get all types of titles and for such a reasonable price; how about a new copy of Fox In Socks for $ 4? Or the Complete Adventures of Curious George (hardback!) for $ 16? I found a new copy of Dinotopia (oh my goodness I LOVE that story!!!) up on a shelf for half the price on Amazon. I picked up The Joy of Cooking for myself and a book about making your own wedding flowers for a coworker. He’s got books and books and books-​so many that there are quite a few in boxes just waiting to be found! If I see one in a box I just ask him if he’s got a price on it. You have to go here! (Can you tell I really like this shop?) FYI: I usually pay in cash but I know he’s taken my debit card as well.

What an awesome little book store!
Although they didn’t have the book I was looking for, I did find an obscure book written in Portuguese that will make a great Xmas gift for my brother’s father-​in-​law (and yes he is Portuguese).
But as far as the selection of literature goes, it was pretty good. They have a great selection of Camus and Nabakov, which is a huge plus in «my book». Also, the prices seemed fair.
The guy who owns this place is extremely friendly, and helpful. I overheard him help several customers, and he was very knowledgeable and efficient. Also, the guy just has a nice way about him.
The only reason I didn’t give this shop 5 stars is because there are boxes of books that clutter an entire section, and it was a section I really wanted to get a close look at (the out-​of print and «rare» books). I couldn’t even get close enough to the shelves to read the titles, so it was a let-​down.
But apart from this barrier, everything about this shop was spot-​on, and I will be returning again.

Found this treasure trove during my lunch break. If you have the time, you can find some great steals and really get lost in the stacks.
Drawn in by the impressively varied outside book cart display (50 cents per book, 5 books for $ 2!) I gravitated towards the cookbook section, past the floor-​to-​ceiling bookshelves and stacks that give the place the ambience of a lovingly-​tended personal library.
(I don’t want to tell you what I found in that cookbook section because I want the books I couldn’t buy this time to be there when I come back ;).)
Call first if you can to make sure they’re open. The owner told me that he’s usually open in the afternoon Wednesday through Saturday.

Love it !
What a gem. Nice range of philosophy, theology and history. And I found the Arendt I came in for.
A warning, however. This is a sole proprietorship, so the place may be open or it may be closed.

This is the type of bookstore for the Mom and Pop loyal intellectual. You’re here because you’re smart enough to know you have a lot to learn and not because you want a blended iced vanilla mocha whip while you page through the latest Us Weekly. All he sells is books and locally made postcards and cards.
Ignore the columns of books, stacked Pisa-​style in all available orifices, ignore the limited business hours (showed up in July to discover a handwritten sign that he would be back in August) because the owner is seemingly also the only employee and has a life he invests in; instead focus on how the cornucopia of books offers an infinite Milky Way-​like trove of possibility and enrichment. You can hole up in here and lose track of time. The owner stocks titles in a wide array of subject matter and price points. Because of this variety, it is an ideal shop to find a one of a kind gift. I tend to come here and stock up for Christmas or birthdays.
Insider tip: If you’re driving by and the book cart is in front, the place is open.

Hooray! I have finally found the perfect book store in San Diego! The only problem? In the 2 years that I have been living here, yesterday was the first time I’ve ever seen it open. The owner is a nice and helpful guy but dude keeps some seriously weird business hours. Ah, no matter. Just drive by this place as often as you can, and get yourself inside whenever the open sign is in the window.
Point Loma Books is exactly the kind of place I want to go – it is narrow and crammed full of books which line the shelves from ceiling to floor, from the front window all the way to the back. There are books lining the window sills and on every available surface – tables, chairs, counters, and in tall random piles on the floor. It is completely magical.
The prices and selection are great. I had to get myself out of there after fifteen minutes or I would have spent all my money in the world. So I contented myself with a not-​so-​easy to find Raymond Chandler hardcover, priced much lower than I’ve seen it elsewhere. When I checked out the gentleman at the counter thanked me for doing my part to patronize his business. Sir, I plan to come back as often as possible. Whenever you decide to be open, that is.