Bluestocking Books

200 reviews

3817 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

www.bluestockingbooks.com

+16192961424

About

Bluestocking Books is a Book store located at 3817 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. It has received 200 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday10AM-7PM
Tuesday10AM-6PM
Wednesday11AM-6PM
Thursday11AM-6PM
FridayClosed
Saturday11AM-6PM
Sunday10AM-7PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Bluestocking Books: 3817 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

  • Bluestocking Books has 4.6 stars from 200 reviews

  • Book store

  • "I am so lucky to live within walking distance of this bookstore"

    "Best used book shop in San Diego"

    "Great Mom & Pop shop surviving as one of the few enduring vestiges of nostalgia that I hope will persevere in this newfound age of screen-to-screen sociality we seem to now exist"

    "Never in my life have I felt so disrespected"

    "The place feels as though you're walking through a friend's personal library"

Reviews

  • Joy Boe

I am so lucky to live within walking distance of this bookstore. It has the genuine feel bookworms enjoy: wood floors, eclectic collections, and no-nonsense booksellers. I love browsing through their seasonal section which always hold unexpected delights, like R.L Stine Fear Street novels reminiscent of my childhood during October (for only $4.00!) They also carry bookplates, journals, posters and miscellaneous gift items. If you are hunting for something specific, and they don't have that title, they most likely can order it and/or recommend another equivalent read. In addition, they generously buy used books for store credit. Their system for organizing credit has recently been updated and I have found it much more reliable. You get a huge discount off of used titles so although you always have to pay a little, it is usually a great deal and a mutually beneficial transaction. Although I have never attended, I know they also have poetry readings and small events inside from time to time.

  • Jim Spenceri

Best used book shop in San Diego. A pleasant, relaxed atmosphere and a well stocked supply of good books very neatly arranged on the attractive shelves and display tables. This shop takes great care in the organization of their shop. And the two ladies who run the shop are friendly and helpful if you need assistance finding something. Good, affordable prices and you can always find something good here. They can also order items. If you love books you must stop here. Great location in the heart of Hillcrest.

  • Robby “GreatGiftGuru” Tatom

Great Mom & Pop shop surviving as one of the few enduring vestiges of nostalgia that I hope will persevere in this newfound age of screen-to-screen sociality we seem to now exist. Friendly & fun with super well-priced used books, 5 for $4 table and will research & order rare manuscripts for you as well as let you leave your bags while you strole the hood and/or shop more! Great music always playing, interesting inventory, memorabilia & art to peruse and an overall enjoyable atmosphere! A++++

  • Richard Magana

Never in my life have I felt so disrespected. I work with special needs children and young adults, and once a week my client gets to leave school and travel a few blocks to this bookstore. While he can't read, he loves looking at books and feeling a semblance of normalcy. The lovely woman who owns this store told us in no uncertain terms that this is a place of business only, that we are only welcome if we spend money(after I attempted to buy a book that they didn't have).

  • Luke Abel

The place feels as though you're walking through a friend's personal library. There are piles of books in a happy disarray that feels organic and homey. The prices are fair and it's a far cry from corporate. I very much enjoyed purchasing a monstrous stack of books from here and look forward to returning.

  • Kara Thrace

I love wandering through here. They do a good job displaying interesting books on the tables. In front there are some newer publications as well. The shelves are organized by genre which makes it easy to find what you're looking for. If you bring in books they'll credit you toward used books in-store!

  • Sherry Schuer

Every time I visit Hillcrest , I always take time to visit "Bluestocking Books , to add to my collection . The atmosphere is lovely & excellent Customer service , "so helpful & knowledgeable. I look forward to the next time , I can stop by and discover some "new interesting books to purchase …

  • Preeti Syal (瑞 娣)

This is the only used book store in the area of this magnitude that has managed to survive. Thank God for that ! I absolutely love their collection. They have organized the books very neatly into detailed sections and the owner is pretty helpful too ! If you're in the neighborhood, do stop by :)

  • Lance Wren

I have been going to Bluestocking Books since the 70's. Bought a lot of Art Books here. I have a first edition copy of Francoise Gilot's Life With Picasso purchased here. Today got 5 Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series books. All first editions. Great bookstore

  • Paul C

I like the old building that it's in with the hardwood floors it really has the feeling of a traditional mom-and-pop bookstore. I bought books here a number of times and then when I'm done with them I keep them in good shape and I trade them back in.

  • Kenn Hunter

I have been going there for years, to both buy and sell books. It feels like you are visiting the library of a good friend. Staff is all so friendly and accommodating. A great fixture in the Hillcrest area! I can't recommend this place enough!

  • Alyssa Holt

I love this book store so much. Great selection and the women who work there as so fantastic. I can't stress how much I enjoy going to Bluestocking but I can tell you the entirety of my book collection is from them. Great prices too.

  • Melissa Murphy

Pleasant bookshop with quite a selection of new and old books. If you are looking for something you can ask them to note it on your account and they will call if they get a copy in. Great atmosphere. Loved the music too!

  • Rod Mesa

Bluestocking has long been my personal favorite bookstore. They are my go to bookstore, since I can order any book and support a local business. It's a peaceful little literary oasis in the heart of Hillcrest.

  • J. Ford

Mary was super pleasant and very informative. Loved the unique array of books. Found some old issues of Lucky Peach magazine which was a gem since their magazine production is coming to an end in the fall.

  • jesimiel rivera

This is one of the San Diego's city gems we need to support to keep it running. They are the friendliest staff ever. Great selection. I've found some of my favorite books in this bookstore.

  • Jamesthatgymguy

Went here today to get some new books, a good variety of classics and more modern books. Very affordable too. The staff I met today are super nice and knowledgeable. Nice little spot.

  • Diane

Great bookstore! We've been shopping here for many years and the owners and employees are wonderful! They have a great selection of used and new books, both in store and online.

  • Gregory Borunda

No complaints. I went in looking for a book published in 1963. They didn't have one in stock but listened to what I was looking for and made a recommendation. Reasonable prices.

  • Jake Gilchrist Dudley

Knowledgeable and friendly staff who will order any book you cannot find in the shop. Good mix of genres and always something new to find. Great prices and sales as well.

  • Gayatri Sarkar

Books are a little pricey. Comfortable place. The good thing about this place is that you can order a book from them which is not in the store and put the book on hold.

  • Jeremy Brown

Went in to find a book for my friend’s mother and Mary was exceptionally kind and attentive! Had plenty of suggestions and took ample time to help us, would recommend!

  • James J. Griffin

Best used book store on 5th. I also like that you can get credits for selling books that are better than cash. So you get more bang for your buck. Or book as it were.

  • Corey Bisson

Quaint little book shop. Street parking is limited, but $3 parking is available on the same block. Reminiscent of an old library, with a selection of everything.

  • Holden Sarda

Friendly and helpful staff. Their selection is small, but it is easy to order books of any sort from here. Great place to stop by when walking around Hillcrest.

  • brad dyer

My favorite bookstore in San Diego. The staff is knowledgeable, pleasant, and helpful. Thanks for all the help over the years. Special shout out to Mary …

  • Matthew Bashaw

Told them I was looking for a cheap copy of Watership Downs and they took my number and called me when the got a copy in. I thought that that was really nice.

  • Glenn Yarwood

Excellent service, great staff! Mary and Chris really know their stuff, will help with book searches, and they offer generous trade-in credit! Glenn

  • Stanislav Dikiy

Very helpful friendly staff, good selection of books, very well organized. They were very accommodating in placing a special order for two books.

  • D K R

Very little published in the last thirty years. Lots of “basement books” in non-fiction, which are too out of date to be useful anymore. Too bad.

  • JL D

Bluestocking is THE "GO-TO" for books -- if they don't already have it, they will hunt it down for you. Best Small Business around for decades!

  • Donatella Soul

One of the oldest bookstores in San Diego. Eclectic selection. Monthly specials. Rewards program. Gives credit for trade-ins. LGBTQIA section.

  • ana Sa

Great place friendly. Good place to read your book. And if they don’t have what you are looking for . No problem they will order it for you.

  • Colin Tilley

Good selection, though some sections could be fleshed out better. Staff was friendly, and the atmosphere is great. Definitely worth a visit.

  • Jessie Ann Chesnut

Kind of unpleasant odor at this place. The shop girl was eating at the counter but the odor was more of an unsanitary nature. We left ASAP.

  • Sherry S.

Second hand books slightly overpriced but acceptable. The condition of used books are good! The variety is decent. Would come back again!

  • Roy Armenta Jr.

Rare, hard to find books are available. Great selection of non-fiction books. You feel treated as the most important person in the world

  • Liz O

Was just book browsing (swore I was done for the day) and found 3 books super easily/reasonably priced. Definitely a cute little spot.

  • Andres Duenas

A nice hole in the wall book shop with a broad variety of books, however they did not seem to have many quality leather bound books.

  • BJ Slater

Fun little book store with a nice selection of used books. Worth a stop in to peruse the shelves and pick up something fun to read

  • D Richard

Great little book story with friendly staff. Books seemed a little overpriced but that didn't stop me from picking up a bag full

  • Michael Schwartz

Beware, the images on Google Reviews for Bluestocking Books on 5th are not (all) of Bluestocking Books. So, rather misleading.

  • George Yoes

One of my all time favourite used bookstores. The staff is top notch.Rarely do I walk out empty handed. Plenty of rare finds.

  • Arlon Jay Staggs

Love this store. Y'all, DO NOT buy books from Amazon. Bluestocking can order any book you need that they don't have in stock.

  • Frank Barnes

One of the great pleasures in life is browsing books. We lost one bookstore in hillcrest. I hope we do not lose this one.

  • Leo Ward

Excellent collection of new/used books and postcards. Friendly and helpful staff; make the trip and grab a couple reads!

  • Michael Borrello

Came into the shop as a visitor, but I loved the staff and their selections. If I lived in San Diego, I'd be a regular.

  • H P

My favorite lefty, feminist used book store. Everyone is really nice, and I never know just what I will find there.

  • Emily Bouvier

Lovely bookstore with a friendly staff and a good selection for browsing! Reasonably priced new and used books.

  • Francis Pearce

Great staff and helpful recommendations. Pretty excited on my book purchases with there recommendations.

  • adrain ware

Amazing customer service. The cashier lady was knowledgeable, and friendly. My new favorite book store!!

  • Ariana M

Fantastic customer service and a much larger selection than I expected. I will definitely be going back!

  • Jacob Kauppi

Nice place. Pretty good selection of fiction but an amazing non fiction section for a small bookstore.

  • Jim Shea

The last of the 5th Avenue used bookstores. Great selection relevant to the neighborhood and beyond.

  • Heidi Hilts

Really charming cute used book store. Unfortunately didn’t find the book I was looking for here!

  • tatiana hayes

Great place to find something new and interesting to read! They also have a great trade program!

  • Martie Lauer

Unique bookstore in Hillcrest area. Great books and lots of restaurants in the area to enjoy.

  • Danyelle Wolfe Read

Wonderful independent bookstore. I was blown away at the selection in just one section!

  • Jerome Dawson

A good used bookstore in the heart of Hillcrest. Wide selection, reasonable prices.

  • Zac Hughes

Excellent book store with good visual display. Much better than across the street.

  • Michael Nelson

A wonderful bookstore with a very helpful owner. We found some great deals there.

  • Kevin Moore

Great place to find books for the whole family. Nice ambiance and great service.

  • Vonnie Madigan

Awesome staff & selection. Lucky to have an independent bookstore in Hillcrest!

  • Gentry Spellman

Super cool book store with a great selection of book I simply adore this place.

  • Shelby Blackwood

Great selection, some rare finds, and the employees are very kind and helpful!

  • mike muller

Always enjoy my time here. Look forwards to finding the ones that got away

  • Steven Tindall

Nice little place with a hodgepodge of selections. Very friendly staff.

  • Sarah

Great little book store, friendly, helpful staff and good selection.

  • Rossana Snee

This was a wonderful book story. Very organized and clean. Loved it!

  • Ed Hong

A true neighborhood bookstore with friendly and knowledgeable staff.

  • Déborah Emilia Arévalo Reyes

Good books ... Good service and the sales woman is very kind …

  • Stephen Madden

Great selection, great prices, friendly staff. Good used books

  • Benjamin Weichman

Nice used book store with helpful staff and reasonable prices.

  • Mark Villaluz

Great collection, buys at good prices albeit they give credit.

  • Chris Enderson

Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Requires face mask/covering.

  • Dan Showlund (dms19831)

Wonderful used book store. Incredibly kindknowledgable staff

  • Aly Stauffer

Lovely staff and friendly environment. Reasonable prices.

  • Kim Gonzalez

I love this bookstore! I recommend it to all my friends.

  • Steve Mynott

Good friendly local used bookstore with excellent stock

  • RobinDenise Reynolds

Wonderful shop with pleanty of room for quiet browsing.

  • Jo Anne Mitchell

Good selection. Used as well as new books. Great staff

  • Berenice Weber

Lovely bookstore, please support our local bookstores!

  • Henry

A neighborhood bookstore..what more can you ask for?

  • Pamela Tao

So we'll curated! Knowledgeable and friendly staff!

  • Crystal Gayle

Cute bookstore and very helpful customer service

  • Rita Miller

Great selection. Decent priced. Well organized

  • Jennifer Malik

Great selection of used books! Worth a stop!!

  • Joel K

Nice place. Pretty big selection. Good vibes.

  • Raymond Hilliard

Cozy and inviting. Along with friendly staff

  • geoffrey dunlap

Great find. Check it out if you love books

  • Aly Gough

My absolute favorite San Diego book store!

  • Don

Great selection and collections of books!

  • Nick Mantzel

Wonderful staff. Always kind and helpful.

  • David MacCarthy

some of my best friends run this treasure

  • Paolo Gardinali

Friends staff, nice treasures to be found

  • Karin Eichelman

Cute store, so many books, great help!

  • Adam Nissenbaum

Great staff, selection and service!!!

  • Miles Irby

Great selection and prices are right.

  • Joel Castillo

Sistema de bici pública en San Diego.

  • Arlene Pincus

Friendly. Well priced. Knowledgeable

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