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Obelisk
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
1029 University Ave(between 10th Ave & Cleveland Ave)
San Diego, CA 92103
Neighborhood: Hillcrest
(619) 297-4171
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 10 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am - 10 pm
Sun 11 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Obelisk
Review Highlights
22 reviews in English
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Review from James L.
8/1/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Who checks into a place when they are closed(temporarily)? Me!
Because this weekend I wore the swimsuit I got from Obelisk
last month, and I loved it! And since they WILL reopen, this post is appropriate!
Can't wait for their return! -
Review from Steven D.
2/8/2011
2.5 stars. No more, no less.
Here's the deal. I used to go here as an adolescent to buy lots of fun things that growing high-school age boys need. No further comment.
It was always a bit awkward and exhilarating... to be with all the "big boys" shopping... but it was an experience that i'll always remember fondly.
Fast forward 15 years (OMG I can't believe it's been that long already) and the shop now looks like less of a bookstore and more of a frickin BABETTE SCHWARTZ. Was here doing some gift shopping recently and thought I turned into the wrong shop!!
Look here new owner/general manager/whatever you are... Don't sell crap. Don't sell kitsch. Your front window display pushing gay clothing is not what a bookstore is supposed to be about!!!! I'm very disappointed, and hope that you folks don't become just another confused gay retailer trying to peddle novelty nonsense for a profit.Comment from Brett S. of Obelisk 3/16/2011
Hey Steven! Times change so we're changing too - and that's… More » -
Review from Shannon M.
San Diego, CA
1/24/2011
I have been a regular since the early 90's, and in 2010, they have made some terrific changes! The store is moving more toward a boutique-feel than just a bookstore. I love that they carry graphic novels and some toys, as well as a big variety of other specialty items.
They always will help me find anything I need, and they have a terrific video selection. Sometimes the music played in store drives me crazy, but it is what is current. (Please "Glee", less is more!!)
I am a lifelong customer and I would be horrified if they ever closed down.
Sadly, due to a fire in June 2011, they did close down! But are rebuilding. I miss them. I will be there for the grand re-opening -
Review from Ana B.
San Francisco, CA
10/30/2007
My goodness, Edenista M.! That's quite the heterosexual review there. I don't think I've ever heard a straight person use the word "homosexual" so definitively before. Yes, we get it! Obelisk is a GAY bookstore in GAY Hillcrest, with GAY employees and GAY customers buying their GAY books and renting their GAY DVDs, living down the street in their GAY condos and shopping at the GAY farmers market, eating their GAY sushi and walking their GAY dogs!
Enlighten your soul.Listed in: Pack up the Winnie! We're…, FUC Me Some More!
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Review from Steve R.
4/13/2007
Wow, what a clinical review there Edenista. I mean you are in Hillcrest and the straight folks haven't pushed *all* they gays out. Terms like "Homosexuals" and "Homosexually Relevant"? Anyway...
Since this is "the community"'s only gay bookstore I probably should give it a good review. The service is generally good from the staff, but I have not checked out any DVDs since I do not live local to that part of town (I'm way in the North end of the city).
Always has a good periodical section, both "adult" and mainstream as well as your usual selection of coffee table books and mainstream "NY Times Top Sellers" etc. You'll also find all the local free community rags here and some from Orange County, LA, Las Vegas, and Palm Springs as well as the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce directories.
Lots of novelty items inside including tourists shirts reading "Hillcrest 92103" etc, music on CDs, keychains, mugs, the usual tourist fare. It looks like the rainbow has exploded in some parts of the store. "Community appropriate" cards and calendars can also be found here.
There is also a modest selection of lubes should you so need some.
Now that the other "gay" store that used to be on 30th and Upas has closed this is about it other than "F" street which is decidedly more straight.
Be forewarned, parking is meter only here though you can circle the blocks behind the store and park for free in residential areas. Don't park across the street at Ralph's - they tow.
Patronize this bookstore every now and then even if only to keep it in operation. We need more independent bookstores and more "community" bookstores and there aren't that many local bricks and mortar places in San Diego that stock gay greeting cards.Listed in: Homo San Diego
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Review from Nadine N.
10/31/2007
I've come to the sad realization that there are hardly any places to loiter in Hillcrest anymore. Forget window shopping. The shops are few and far between unless you go west of 5th Ave. Otherwise, all that's left are some furniture stores, the Healthy Back store, Ace Hardware, several Starbucks and Obelisk. Obelisk is like a beacon of gay light and probably the best place to hang out while you wait for friends to show up for dinner at one of the many restaurants in Hillcrest. Go towards the back of the store (but before the DVDs) for the sale books. I have found some amazing deals there.
This is a very gay bookstore, as everyone has mentioned. Every gayborhood has one. If it's too shockingly gay for you, you should probably skip Hillcrest and head to the Gaslamp or PB instead. The gay bookstore is a cornerstone in every gay neighborhood. It's the place to find books on coming out, same-sex marriage, gay families, gay fiction, gay erotica and gay magazines. Where else are we gonna find all that? Think on it for a minute, straight people. I, for one, enjoy being in an environment where I am not invisible. Thanks for being there, Obelisk. I know that a lot of people really appreciate that you are around.Listed in: Yay, Gay! (San Diego)
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Review from Adam C.
San Diego, CA
4/6/2011
i dig it. it's gay. don't really care. i'm straight. i've never once found it to be "overly" gay. it's just friendly people running a friendly store. i like books. books are cool. they sell books. and lube! sometimes, my lady needs lube.
done and done. -
Review from Sean S.
Oakland, CA
3/8/2009
I can't believe this store is stuck with Edenista's Homosexuals Abound! post.
I have a less vivacious review than Paul S. but most join him in his conclusion. The staff were completely uninterested in helping me and seemed annoyed I needed them to get something from behind the counter.
Homosexual music played(-define that Edenista!) and the store met all the "community needs" but nothing about the store really made for a warm or memorable visit.Comment from Brett S. of Obelisk 3/16/2011
Hello Sean! Thanks for reviewing Obelisk Shoppe. It's been… More » -
Review from P. S.
San Diego, CA
11/4/2008
Ya know, just cuz you're a gay store doesn't mean you can offer no value or atmosphere. The workers are blase, the smallest rainbow flag cost $4.95, books are never marked down.
Gimme Bluestocking on 4th for books, and the news vendor at 6th and Univ for a better selection of magazines.
I'll sew my own fucking flags at that price. -
Review from Steve M.
San Diego, CA
3/11/2011
ObeliskShoppe has everything from watches, to T-Shirts, comics to paperbacks and photo books to DVDs (for sale and rent). This has been a favorite store of mine for years, but it has really changed over the past year with the new owner Brett. He has updated the store and brought in some really great stuff, like really cool little robot clocks to just overhauling and updating the entire store. It's a great place to pick up a quick gift, cologne or card for someone's birthday. I pass by the store, almost daily, and the staff is friendly and it's a great store in comparison to a Borders or huge book superstore, it has a home town feel and it's just a great shop in general.
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Review from Gabe H.
2/11/2010 7 Check-ins Here
Prices = Slightly too high
Service = Slightly stuck up
Convenience to get a gay valentines day card = Awesome
In general yes if you have time to wait for amazon or something like that then you would be better off, but Obelisk has what you want at your finger tips. I don't mind paying the few extra bucks to get what I want now and to support the community. -
Review from Charlie F.
Hercules, CA
1/3/2008
I love Obelisk! Besides having great gay-centric books, magazines, cards, and pornos, it boasts a wonderful video rental service. I used to rent videos there all the time when I lived in the neighborhood. They don't censor them like Blockbuster so you get to see all the full frontal you want! They have lots of great titles that you might not be able to find without Netflix, and you can rent porn, too.
Often, they sell tickets to local events.
Now that I'm in North Park, my favorite place to rent videos is the Von's machine! -
Review from rodney h.
San Diego, CA
4/13/2011
This local book and card store is amazing. They also carry a small selection of gifts. I noticed some adult dvds too (mmmm) as well as magazines. This store has something for everyone.
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Review from Ray V.
San Diego, CA
11/8/2009
My Favorite Bookstore in San Diego is Obelisk in Hillcrest. They have a Great Selection of Books from Current, hard to Find, Gay/Lesbian Themed titles and More.... They rent Movies too as well as sell some current Hits and they have a small selection of Music as well by Local Artists. They also are the place to go for Event tickets for several Film Festivals and Pride parties Etc.
The Staff is Friendly and the Store is very Organized. -
Review from Mucio V.
Laguna Beach, CA
3/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Super fond memories going here as a teenager. Its my go to place to check out new books that cater to the community. I love the coffee table books and they let you thumb through a store copy before you commit to buying unlike Barnes and noble. Its a nice touch.
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Review from Andrew J.
San Diego, CA
3/27/2011
I recently moved to San Diego, and was looking for a good bookstore in the Hillcrest area. The Obelisik is a great bookstore and has so much to offer than the average bookstore. I've been wanting to buy HRC stuff for some time now, but never lived close enough to a store and never liked buying clothing/jewelery online: I finally found a store that sell its products. Long story short; I'm a new fan of the Obelisik and have been there many times since. Manager is very helpful and friendly and staff seems to enjoy working there.
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Review from Steven J.
San Diego, CA
12/9/2008
Great community bookstore with a good mix of music, movies, magazines and books. I support them because they are gay owned, have always supported the community and continue to help define Hillcrest as the only gay owned and gay oriented bookstore. Not sure what Gerry O's rant is about but it lacks any real knowledge or history about Obelisk and their role in the community for the last 15 or so years.
Go, shop, support local bookstores that support our community. -
Review from Edenista M.
San Diego, CA
9/4/2006 1 photo
Obelisk bookstore did choose its name quite symbolically, indeed! The selection is mostly geared toward the homosexual crowd of Hillcrest and its surroundings. Homosexually relevant cards, same-sex themed literature, erotica DVDs, and the weekly pick of Lesbian favorite musical compilation are the constituents of the lot here. Don't discard it because you're not from the island of Lesbos, as you'll find other themes and topics besides those aforementioned.
Listed in: Books
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Review from Mark K.
Corvallis, OR
5/26/2010
My favorite bookstore on Earth. Under new ownership now as a Hillcrest Boutique, mostly the same set up. With most every gay periodical now no longer published, the area previously devoted to that has been set aside for new merchandise.
Listed in: San Diego, California Reviews
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Review from Lynette S.
Roslindale, MA
8/25/2008
Loved the madonna, kathy griffin and golden girls items as well as the books!
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Review from Hans F.
San Diego, CA
8/3/2008
Great little neighborhood bookstore! I love giving them my business. I want them to stay in business years to come so I will shop there and even pay a little bit more at times to shop there. I however recommend that if they do not have something in stock and you want it quickly, go home and order it online if you want it sooner and cheaper.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Robert B.
San Diego, CA
2/24/2010
I love little mom-and-pop stores and really love little independent book stores. Obelisk gets the details right and does a good job for what it sets out to do. The staff has been super friendly to me, the hours are good, the selection is awesome for the small space it occupies. They had the most amazing Christmas ornaments and cards this season. One of the shining stars in Hillcrest. Thank you for being there.
