The best bookstores in Los Angeles in 2026 are The Last Bookstore in downtown's old bank building, Skylight Books in Los Feliz, Book Soup on the Sunset Strip, Chevalier's Books on Larchmont and Small World Books on the Venice boardwalk. Kinokuniya in Little Tokyo, Stories in Echo Park and Pages in Manhattan Beach round out the list.
LA's independent bookstores are thriving, with author events most weeks. Many are near other things to do, so a bookstore makes a good anchor for a neighborhood walk.
A huge new-and-used bookstore with a famous book tunnel.
The Last Bookstore fills a former bank on Spring Street with new and used books, records and art studios. The upstairs labyrinth includes a tunnel made of books.
It is one of downtown's most visited spots.
Good to know: Visit on a weekday morning to avoid crowds.
453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
A beloved indie with a tree in the middle of the store.
Skylight Books is a Los Feliz independent with a strong selection of fiction, LA history and art books, plus a busy events calendar. A tree grows in the middle of the shop.
Skylight Arts, next door, focuses on art and design.
Good to know: Check the calendar for evening readings.
1818 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
The Sunset Strip's bookshop, famous for author signings.
Book Soup is an independent bookstore on the Sunset Strip with packed shelves and a long history of celebrity author signings.
It is strong on art, film and music books.
Good to know: Check the events page for signings.
8818 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
LA's oldest independent bookstore, on Larchmont.
Chevalier's Books has been on Larchmont since 1940 and is LA's oldest independent bookstore. It is a cozy neighborhood shop with a strong kids' section.
It hosts author events and book clubs.
Good to know: Combine with the Sunday farmers market on Larchmont.
133 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
A bookstore right on the Venice boardwalk.
Small World Books has been on Ocean Front Walk since the 1970s, with fiction, poetry and mystery shelves steps from the sand.
It is a calm escape from the boardwalk crowds.
Good to know: Pick up a beach read and walk across to the sand.
1407 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Japanese books, manga and stationery in Little Tokyo.
Kinokuniya, the Japanese bookstore chain, has a branch in Little Tokyo's Weller Court with Japanese and English books, manga and stationery.
It is a good stop between meals in Little Tokyo.
Good to know: Browse the stationery section for gifts.
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Used and new books with a café and back patio.
Stories is a bookstore and café on Sunset with used and new books and a quiet patio. It hosts readings and music.
It is a good place to linger.
Good to know: Grab a coffee and sit on the back patio.
1716 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
A bright indie in downtown Manhattan Beach.
Pages is an independent bookstore in Manhattan Beach with curated fiction, nonfiction and kids' books, and an active author event program.
It is a few blocks from the pier.
Good to know: Combine with a walk on the pier.
904 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
The Last Bookstore in downtown LA, known for its book tunnel and art spaces in a former bank. Book Soup on the Sunset Strip is the classic for author events.
Book Soup, Skylight Books, Chevalier's and Pages all host readings and signings. Check their calendars.
Kinokuniya in Little Tokyo stocks Japanese books, manga and magazines.
Chevalier's Books on Larchmont is one of the oldest independent bookstores in Los Angeles.
Yes. It is free to browse, and the upstairs labyrinth and book tunnel are open to everyone. Photos are allowed, but be mindful of other shoppers.