BookShop West Portal

176 reviews

80 W Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127

bookshopwestportal.com

+14155648080

About

BookShop West Portal is a Book store located at 80 W Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127. It has received 176 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday10AM-7PM
Tuesday10AM-7PM
Wednesday10AM-7PM
Thursday11AM-5PM
Friday10AM-7PM
Saturday10AM-7PM
Sunday10AM-7PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of BookShop West Portal: 80 W Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127

  • BookShop West Portal has 4.7 stars from 176 reviews

  • Book store

  • "Despite it being during a pandemic, I was very appreciative of how the store is dealing with the Social Distancing situation"

    "Loved this place! I hadn't been here in years"

    "What a great bookshop!Something for everyone,books,magazines,little cute gift type things,a nice kids section and a good craft section with all kinds of kits,for kids&adults"

    "There's just something different when picking up a real book and flipping through it's pages that you don't get when you're using an electronic reader"

    "I only buy books at independent bookstores and when I'm home in San Francisco I buy books at my favorite bookstore, Book Shop West Portal"

Reviews

  • Ian “IanL” Lamson

Despite it being during a pandemic, I was very appreciative of how the store is dealing with the Social Distancing situation. I found every staff member who I interacted with, very warm and happy to help. I chose to not offer my earnings to the monopolistic giant, and instead to help a local store, albeit minimally. Even though they didn't have the 2 books that I was looking for in-stock, they were able to accommodate me within 2 days. That's about equal to what the "said giant" would offer. Except, better, because it's a much more human experience. My only regret was not being able to spend time inside the store, in order to peruse and chat longer with a particular worker. Overall, a very pleasant experience. I'm grateful to have come across this gem.

  • Angela L

Loved this place! I hadn't been here in years. Sadly, a "certain online site" has distracted me from coming here. However, I needed a book for a birthday present within an hour and they had it. I was reminded of how much I enjoyed bookstores, from the stationery, greeting cards to the lovely mugs. I was able to buy my birthday card here, too! One other thing happened while I was at this store. A child was picking out a prize for reading a certain number of books. She was so excited about picking a prize. I loved seeing this joy. That was one more reason to return to this great neighborhood bookstore.

  • pinky xland

What a great bookshop!Something for everyone,books,magazines,little cute gift type things,a nice kids section and a good craft section with all kinds of kits,for kids&adults.I went in looking for a special sticker book and they had it,more expensive than Amazon but its worth spending a few extra bucks to support a local small business.Definitely a place to spend some time in!Also the staff was just right-not hovering but there when you need them.

  • Tu Lam

There's just something different when picking up a real book and flipping through it's pages that you don't get when you're using an electronic reader. I love this store, it's has a good select for a small store. The people who work here are friendly and ready to help. And if you're a school, they'll do special shop days as a school fund raiser.

  • Ray Kuryla

I only buy books at independent bookstores and when I'm home in San Francisco I buy books at my favorite bookstore, Book Shop West Portal. The staff is so very friendly and helpful. If I want to order a book, they will gladly research it for me and place the order. It's a pleasure doing business with them.

  • Robert Dolores

Nice nitch store. Got some nice small publishing books selections. An OVA warm place..once you learn where the entry is ☺. Been there a few years maybe a decade plus. Only real non comic store outside the colleges text books stores in the general Neiborhood/ region i know of off hand.

  • Linda Shipley

This lovely independent bookstore is a gem. It has a great selection and knowledgeable, friendly staff. You can even order books on their website and pick up in the store if you want to support local bookstores! My orders usually arrive within a day or two so this is a great option.

  • Thomas San Francisco

Independent bookstore with great customer service and books not found in other stores. If you want a book that is not in stock someone will fulfill it with enthusiasm. There is a nice variety of games to bring to yourself! 60 next family gathering or party.

  • Adam van de Kraats

I love having a neighborhood book store! Susan runs a wonderful shop with great selection and excellent book recommendations all over the store. I could buy my books online but instead I come here for a great atmosphere and lovely staff

  • Chris Tokarski

Great local bookstore that includes an outstanding selection of books that includes a large variety that you will not see at other stores. The staff are Uber friendly and happy to accommodate requests to order books if not in stock.

  • Vicki Ross

Staff is super helpful and friendly and they really do know their stuff! If you need a recommendation, ask anyone and they can assist. The store is super clean and cute and has a great inventory. My favorite bookstore in west SF!

  • Les Plack

A classic indy book store. Wonderful and timely displays. Staff who universally are friendly and want to be helpful. Author programs. There's nothing corporate about this place. In a way it's like a trip into an earlier America.

  • Henry Cerritos

A very friendly place to browse and buy books. It's small little bookshop but the place is nice and subtle. The staff is also friendly, the woman that helped me at the register was very nice to me, I really appreciated that.

  • francis montgomery

I was very uncomfortable... i sat in a chair to find my book list on my cell phone which seemed to cause folks to be uncomfortable. Ultimately with assistance located my book however shopping here while Black no bueno.

  • Steve G

Surprisingly awesome selection of fine read, even for such picky readers like myself. Anything from professional books, travel guides and novels – they seem to have it all, in such small space. Great job guys!!!

  • Veronica L

I love this bookstore! It has the perfect balance of personality, charm and literary love. I have picked up a few gifts for people and they always land well. I always come back to see what's new.

  • Adam Wozney

Books were reasonably priced. The lady that rang me up mentioned that the Author of the book I was bought was rad. I told her that I knew that already and we high fived. Knowledge is power!

  • Darryl Sanford

Guest speaker night when I was there. Helpful staff. It was as if they enjoyed working there. I've been buying books here for years. Good selection and always a delight to browse.

  • Elizabeth Wagner-Cordova

We ordered a book from AbeBooks and it came from West Portal Books. Fantastic packaging and timely service. Definitely going to visit when we get a chance! Thank you Mr. Goodman!

  • Joseph McConnell

Mediocre selection. The staff are rather "pushy." Good luck coming in and browsing without being bombarded with questions. Why even have a shop if people can't look around.

  • Swetha Pottam

Great store for readers and for gift giving alike! Friendly staff! I enjoy talking to the booksellers and getting their opinions on books I am thinking of purchasing.

  • E Taylor

Great talk with Alka Joshi last night! Lots of great events this month...2 poetry readings week of the 10th and Independent Bookstore Day on the 29th...with llamas!

  • Dan Quine

Always a great pleasure. What a fantastic neighborhood bookstore, with a great selection and enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff. A true slice of bibliophile heaven.

  • Jacob Pemberton

Great local bookstore - they have a good selection, and if they don't have it in stock, they can order it and typically will have it for you in a couple days.

  • Kelly Lawson

Knowledgeable staff, welcoming store, and I got tips on books for myself from another patron and for my son from a staff member. Highly recommend!

  • Beth Silver

Keep independent bookstores alive! Lovely selection of books and gifts. They have many events featuring authors. Really nice, welcoming place.

  • Jacqueline Tona

The book shop at West Portal is a star of the neighborhood. I miss wondering their rowand of books, and they remain serving the community now.

  • Blair Gibb

One of my favorites! Always stop by when I’m in town! Friendly, very well curated collection, and I always find something interesting!

  • Aarti Raman

Really lovely local book store with new releases, staff picks and a rich young readers (kids, middle readers and young adult) section

  • Ga W

There is my secret place when I need to rest, and restart my inspiration, also you can find a lots of books and small gift.

  • P.

Great helpful nice staff. Good book selection & cards + games & such. Story hours. Nice to stroll in & out on the Avenue.

  • aki tanaka

They always have books for our son’s school reading & save our day all the time. Such a great neighborhood bookstore.

  • Pauline Jue

Great service at a local, customer centered store. Nothing like opening, with anticipation, a new book.

  • Anne-Marie De Martini

I always find what I'm looking for. They also have great gifts for kids including games and puzzles

  • Russell Eng

A wonderful small neighborhood bookstore, a rare find these days. Worth going to and supporting.

  • Monica Morse

Neighborhood gem. Thoughtfully curated selection of books. Check out the author speaker events.

  • andy santiago

They really don't have the books I like but I like the surrounding and the staff are excellent

  • Bill Shippen (Bill)

Loved the selection of books and the staff attention to COVID-19 protocols. Very enjoyable.

  • Yolande Fong

Good for browsing on a wet and cold day in the City. Good selection of books and Calendars!

  • Jane Hall

Fantastic local bookstore. Great, well informed and helpful staff. Highly recommended.

  • Jemina Amatoru

Adorable little bookstore. Not a very large select, but they do have unique features

  • Paul Lowrey

Great locally owned and operated book seller. Excellent children's section too.

  • Scott Hines

Some of the staff are a bit rough around the edges, but the store is wonderful!

  • Sarah Smith

I buy books and gifts here all the time. Great local shop. Clean and cheerful.

  • Florika Bozionelos

Excellent & friendly service, wide selection of books & gifts for all ages! ❤️

  • Silvanna Pacheco

Great place! Everything I needed for gifts and for myself I found it here.

  • Jose Sanchez

Love The West Portal book shop. They even wrapped my gift no extra charge.

  • Elizabeth Cortez

Friendly staff. I was able to find the book I was looking for right away.

  • Morgan Fenner

I love this book store. Great selection and knowledgeable and kind staff.

  • Michael Fleming

Bookshop West Portal has helped me retain my sanity during the pandemic.

  • Lawson Louie

Great neighborhood place. Nice, helpful staff. Good selection of books.

  • Ellen McCarthy

Just love this place. The staff are lovely and the range is wonderful!

  • S Lynnette Jones

Always a friendly staff! Wonderful selection of all genres of books!

  • Madeline C-F

Lovely selection of books. Friendly informative staff. Great area.

  • Katrina K

Very cute bookstore in West Portal. Fantastic for small children.

  • Corinna Nicolson

Great selection for children's books - delineated by type and age

  • Sandra Green

Books, of course, also a good variety of greeting & note cards.

  • Matthew McCord

Love this cozy bookstore. staff is always friendly and helpful

  • Tailor Tanner

The prices were close to amazon and had a great selection!

  • Eugene Ingerman

One of the few remaining good bookstores. Good selection.

  • Larah S-W

Great book selection, even games, and other odds and ends

  • Faylene Bandar

Cute bookstore. Quaint. Very friendly and helpful staff

  • Dion Damato

Very knowledgeable staff and collection to choose from

  • Marian Cashman

Good selection of books & helpful, friendly staff.

  • Gregory Vanderstraeten

Nice variety of books and friendly educated staff.

  • howard koenig

Very nice local bookstore. Closed Sunday however.

  • Daphne Apellanes-Ackerson

Always a fun place for the kids to pick out books

  • Drippy Art

Friendly staff suggested a book for Mother’s Day!

  • Bettina Jochum Duller

Very nice selection of books for kids and games!

  • Galina Borisova- Avroneva

Great choice of books,splendid customer service!

  • David Glenn H.

Fabulous selection of books. Neatly presented.

  • Krishan Gupta

Great place to sit with kids and explore books

  • Kim Randall

Lovely bookshop with authors and their books!

  • Katie Bernardo

Always helpful and great selection of books.

  • Wendy Brennan

Books, duh...also helpful, friendly staff.

  • Damian O'Farrill

Great local bookshop with amazing staff

  • Graham Charles

Great local bookshop with nice staff.

  • Holly Harris

Good book, card, and gift selection.

  • Margaret Elam

Great selection, knowledgable staff

  • Amaury Raphael Durieux

Great selection and lovely staff!

  • Garrett Hayashida

Good selection and helpful staff.

  • Bess-Catherine McCord

Excellent service and selection.

  • Irene Altany

Love this independent bookstore

  • Sf Bluejade

Cool to have a local bookstore.

  • Luisa Conroy

Great books and other gifts.

  • Blas Herrera

Awesomely staffed bookstore.

  • Tanya J

Kind of messy and overpriced

  • R S

Great service and selection

  • Theral Mackey

Great local book store

  • Aileen Cassin

Real scones and cream!

  • Matt

Great local book store

  • Natali Gulbahce

Inspiring book store

  • Salvador Altamirano

Waaay too expensive

  • Heidi Williams

Solid local place

  • Anna Majkowska

Good selection.

  • mohammed Ignatius

Lots of books

  • Izzy Delen

favorite fr

  • David Stark

Good shop

  • Lisa DeMattei
  • Hopie Lopie

Similar places

City Lights Booksellers & Publishers

3516 reviews

261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Green Apple Books

1735 reviews

506 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Kinokuniya San Francisco

1282 reviews

Japan Center- Kinokuniya Building, 1581 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Dog Eared Books

885 reviews

900 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Booksmith

556 reviews

1727 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Alexander Book Company

527 reviews

50 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Green Apple Books on the Park

523 reviews

1231 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

Borderlands Books

434 reviews

1740 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Russian Hill Bookstore

321 reviews

2162 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Fabulosa Books

285 reviews

489 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114