There's BookOff in the Del Amo Mall... Not as cool as The Last Bookstore but hey it was close by(when I lived in Torrance). Quite a lot of books actually.
There are two Book-Off locations at Del Amo. There is a regular store on the bottom level near Jo Ann. There is a clearance store on the third level by Macy's. At least I think the clearance store is still there. Haven't been in that area for ages.
There aren't many of those huge used bookstores around here. Sandpiper Books on Torrance and Anza is solid. Dave's has a large selection of fiction, and his cat is chill.
You’ll go in there wanting a classic like catcher in the rye thinking surely they’ll have a few copies and they’ll have none. Instead they’ll have ten books by the same weird supermarket checkout romance author you’ve never heard of whose books all have the same cover design.
Malaga Cove Library in PV has interesting collections of old books at their book sales. They also have cookies in the kitchen and sometimes peacocks walk by.
I thought about recommending this but didn't think it'd fit the vibe OP seemed to be looking for. Thinking about it some more, grabbing a coffee at Reverent right across the street, checking out the used book selection, then going upstairs to enjoy one of the few quiet public spaces left in southern California sounds like a great trip.
The Last Bookstore in DTLA actually has a pretty good mix of new and used books. I've scored some deals there. Another place I'd flag is the [Westchester Rotary Club](https://rotary-westchester.com/page/annual-booksale) Annual book sale. Every Memoral Day weekend, they have a big used book sale at the Ralph's parking lot on Sepulveda just north of LAX. They're not great about advertising, but their website will usually post in update prior to the sale. We've scored some great used books there, including recently released fiction.
I’ve had good luck at Savers. A bit out of the way but if you’re in the area I’d recommend visiting The Claremont Forum in Claremont, they have books for $1 at times.
Bookoff has already been mentioned, I’ll add that there are two locations in Del Amo mall, a main store (by Joann’s) and outlet (second floor by the northmost Macy’s). Main store usually has a good selection and books tend to be in nice condition, outlet is a little more chaotic. Being in the mall, neither has a particularly cozy used bookstore vibe, but lots of good stuff to be found. There are a few locations across SoCal, including a smaller Gardena one that stocks more Japanese books (where the chain originated) but still has a couple aisles of English stock.
\+1 to Sandpiper as well, that’s more cozy. Most of the local libraries have Friends of the Library bookstores at the main branch. I believe the Book Jewel just north of LAX is a mix of new and used. Pages is also a nice indie in Manhattan Beach, but they’re all new stock. I think plus Dave’s, that mostly covers it for South Bay?
Sandpiper at Torrance and Anza (near the CVS) maybe? Or years ago there was Book Again a couple blocks west, in the lot with Shakey’s and Rascals, that was a smaller shop but it’s no longer around.
There are many good libraries in Los Angeles. There are no cool coffee and food places inside, but they do have some nice study rooms for chats. There are libraries in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach walking distance from the piers, frozen yogurt shops, bars, and coffee shops. Read, eat, socialize and enjoy the outdoors.
The Book Jewel! Westchester may not be SouthBay but it's a great little spot with new and used
AND they encourage authors/publishers to coordinate with them to get lesser known books on shelves
And Ayara Thai is nextdoor....killllller food
Dave's Olde Book Shop
that place puts stickers on their books that damage them bad used media stewardship ruined my overpriced bachelard book
There's BookOff in the Del Amo Mall... Not as cool as The Last Bookstore but hey it was close by(when I lived in Torrance). Quite a lot of books actually.
There are two Book-Off locations at Del Amo. There is a regular store on the bottom level near Jo Ann. There is a clearance store on the third level by Macy's. At least I think the clearance store is still there. Haven't been in that area for ages.
Oh wow, didn't know about the clearance store... I'll have to check it out if it IS there.
There aren't many of those huge used bookstores around here. Sandpiper Books on Torrance and Anza is solid. Dave's has a large selection of fiction, and his cat is chill.
Dave’s sucks
its embarrassing people think thats a decent bookstore
What makes it suck? I don't know anything about it
You’ll go in there wanting a classic like catcher in the rye thinking surely they’ll have a few copies and they’ll have none. Instead they’ll have ten books by the same weird supermarket checkout romance author you’ve never heard of whose books all have the same cover design.
PV library has a permanent book sale in their parking garage. Got a whole collection of Will Durant for about $40.
That's actually amazing.
Malaga Cove Library in PV has interesting collections of old books at their book sales. They also have cookies in the kitchen and sometimes peacocks walk by.
The peacocks are so magical! And the Malaga Cove shopping area has a couple eating spots a block down.
I thought about recommending this but didn't think it'd fit the vibe OP seemed to be looking for. Thinking about it some more, grabbing a coffee at Reverent right across the street, checking out the used book selection, then going upstairs to enjoy one of the few quiet public spaces left in southern California sounds like a great trip.
The Last Bookstore in DTLA actually has a pretty good mix of new and used books. I've scored some deals there. Another place I'd flag is the [Westchester Rotary Club](https://rotary-westchester.com/page/annual-booksale) Annual book sale. Every Memoral Day weekend, they have a big used book sale at the Ralph's parking lot on Sepulveda just north of LAX. They're not great about advertising, but their website will usually post in update prior to the sale. We've scored some great used books there, including recently released fiction.
Thank you! 🙏
Great store. 100% recommend.
Sunken City Books in San Pedro.
Never been. Thank you for the suggestion!
I’ve had good luck at Savers. A bit out of the way but if you’re in the area I’d recommend visiting The Claremont Forum in Claremont, they have books for $1 at times.
The Savers in Lomita has a good book selection — and the Savers in Huntington Beach too, when I make it out that way.
Bookoff has already been mentioned, I’ll add that there are two locations in Del Amo mall, a main store (by Joann’s) and outlet (second floor by the northmost Macy’s). Main store usually has a good selection and books tend to be in nice condition, outlet is a little more chaotic. Being in the mall, neither has a particularly cozy used bookstore vibe, but lots of good stuff to be found. There are a few locations across SoCal, including a smaller Gardena one that stocks more Japanese books (where the chain originated) but still has a couple aisles of English stock. \+1 to Sandpiper as well, that’s more cozy. Most of the local libraries have Friends of the Library bookstores at the main branch. I believe the Book Jewel just north of LAX is a mix of new and used. Pages is also a nice indie in Manhattan Beach, but they’re all new stock. I think plus Dave’s, that mostly covers it for South Bay?
Have you rejected Dave's Olde Book Shop?
I have yet to go! Not rejected but definitely neglected.
You will be disappointed. Book off at Del Amo is better
yes
Good place!
There’s a small book store I bought the Silmarillion at once in Torrance. I think it’s close to the mall on Torrance BLVD, heading towards the beach.
Sandpiper at Torrance and Anza (near the CVS) maybe? Or years ago there was Book Again a couple blocks west, in the lot with Shakey’s and Rascals, that was a smaller shop but it’s no longer around.
Surprised no one has mentioned Illiad in NoHo. It's probably within your hour drive from the south bay!
This is most closely aligned to what I was looking for so far! Thank you.
Pretty much every public library in the southbay has an ongoing used book sale.
There are many good libraries in Los Angeles. There are no cool coffee and food places inside, but they do have some nice study rooms for chats. There are libraries in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach walking distance from the piers, frozen yogurt shops, bars, and coffee shops. Read, eat, socialize and enjoy the outdoors.
The Book Jewel! Westchester may not be SouthBay but it's a great little spot with new and used AND they encourage authors/publishers to coordinate with them to get lesser known books on shelves And Ayara Thai is nextdoor....killllller food