City Lights is a landmark general bookstore, internationally known for our expert selection of titles and our commitment to free intellectual inquiry.

Founded in 1953 as the nation’s first all-paperback bookstore, we now offer both hardcovers and paperbacks from all of the major publishing houses, along with an impressive range of titles from smaller, specialty publishers. Our shop features an extensive selection of poetry, fiction, translations, politics, history, philosophy, music, spirituality, and more, with a staff whose special interests in many fields contribute to the hand-picked quality of what you see on the shelves.

Events

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 6:00 pm PST

Lucy Sante in conversation with Cintra Wilson

Lucy Sante in conversation with Cintra Wilson - celebrating the publication of  I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition - Published by Penguin Press

Virtual
Event

Browse Our Shelves

All of the sections you’ll find in our bookstore are available here for browsing!

Merchandise & Gifts

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