BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture California Independent Bookstores

I profiled some of the indie bookstores in Los Angeles. Are there any wonderful ones I've missed? Are there other indie bookstores in California that are worth visiting?

City Lights in San Francisco. One of the best.

And in Berkeley, Moe's. Love that place. In my student days, Moe himself presided, but he's been dead for 18 years now. A sad loss.

I love City Lights, and have met Lawrence Ferlinghetti (whom I believe is still the owner.) I don't remember Moe's (was it there in 1979-83, when I was a student at Mills College in Oakland?), but I loved Cody's bookstore, which I think is also gone.

My favorite bookstore is called "Lady of the Lake." There is one location in Idyllwild, Temecula, and then one somewhere else (I'm not sure where).

They feature books on the occult, and metaphysics. And I like that they have a selection of older stuff (not just new, fluffy, stuff).

They also sell other things besides books; jewelry, crystals, candles, aromatherapy, incense, even swords!

Korie, I'm surprised you didn't remember Moe's. It was there on Telegraph when you were a student. But you'd notice it now, because it's practically the only bookstore left in Berkeley. It was certainly sad when I made my first visit to Berkeley after Cody's closed. It was awful seeing it empty.

I used to love The Earthling bookstore in downtown Santa Barbara - too bad it folded ...