Red Hill Books
Category: Bookstores [Edit]
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights401 Cortland Avenue
(between Bennington St & Wool St)
San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 648-5331
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
26 reviews
Neighborhood: Russian Hill
"The moment I walked in, the guy behind the counter smiled and said hello, and I asked him for help finding something for my 3-year-old…" read more »
24 Reviews for Red Hill Books
The shriek heard one sunny, Friday afternoon, in Bernal Heights, was yours truly, finding, "Diccionario de Sinonimos y Antonimos" (That's a dictionary of synonyms and antonyms in Spanish, for you non-Spanish-speaking folk) for $6.50...$6.50!!! For this Americanized, Mexican, that will never stop learning and improving on his first language, I hit the jackpot, in charming Bernal Heights, no less. For that, I give Red Hill Books, a well deserved five stars.
Ahh, Bernal. How I love thee.
Red Hill is tiny, yet still manages to have what I'm looking for every time. I've never been to a reading but am constantly amazed by the sheer coolness of the authors that come through.
Also, used books, to me, are like crack: they help me feed my addiction, but cost less than the pure stuff, so I can buy more. And Red Hill tends to have used art books that are in great condition. Which means I can go home with two new books and not feel guilty.
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Red Hills Books is a nice little shop with a good selection of random and mainstream books, records, and old pulp and children's books. If you're ever on Cortland Street, do stop in. The staff is always helpful and some evenings they even have live music or author readings. It's a great "neighborhood" bookstore that captures the quant feel of Bernal Heights.
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I have a hard time not giving Red Hill five stars due to the fact that it is within walking distance of my house. A book store that I can walk to!!! I know it's no big deal to you jaded locals, but this isn't the case everywhere else in the world.
Red Hill is a neighborhood bookstore in Bernal Heights. Recently, they revamped the store and expanded their square footage thankfully. Where it once felt cramped and crowded it is now open and airy. Great selection and great staff! So why minus the one star??
No place to sit. I would be a happy lad if they threw some benches or chairs around. I understand that you don't want people to sit and read the books in the store and not buy them. That's good business sense, but I want a chair. With my name on it. That only I can sit in... maybe even a throne.
My other complaint: Most the books are used. I look at used books like I look at used shoes. You can't clean them between uses and that kinda grosses me out. You have no idea where the person was reading the book or what they were touching... What if they were reading on the toilet and wiped their bootie hole and then turned the page without washing their hands??!?!? This is what I think of when I see used books...
Two complaints. Not so bad and no where enough to keep me away, because I pop in here at least once a week to check out the new releases and magazines. Of which they have a great selection. Support your local booksellers people!!
p.s. There is a coffee shop located directly across the street.
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This book store caught my attention just when passing by. The Cortland downtown area is inviting in itself and this bookstore fits in perfectly. Small, non-chain bookstores with cheap used books are my favorite. There is even a bin of free books. You can sell you're books back to them when you are done or barter for a different one. They also have a lot of albums...my favorite things to buy (the covers alone win me over). I walked in here with 20 minutes left before closing, was not rushed out, and was pleasantly helped when I was too lazy to search for the book I knew I wanted.
No need for a sitting area because Progressive Grounds and Martha's coffee shops are right across/down the street!
This is a great little bookstore. Good prices and decent selection for such a small store. The best part is the cool neighborhood!
I like how bright and airy the place is. As I was walking through the store, I started thinking that this would be a great place to do story time for kids. Well, as I look around, I saw chairs for little kids strewn about the place. A positive sign and I always support businesses that encourage kids to read more.
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Yes, quite pleasant indeed. Quite.
Seriously though, this place was very cool. I like the new release stand right in the entry way; looked like they had some great picks to catch your attention as soon as you walk in.
I like book stores with ceiling to floor shelves. At least that's what it felt like. Books everywhere you look!
I went in to look around and came out with one small/cool find for a good price.
*I bought my copy of Harry Potter #7 here. (I'm still reading it. SHHHH! Don't tell me what happens!)
*Good selection of books(new and used), magazines, cards, journals
*Nice place to browse
*Never too crowded or noisy
*Bargin bin out front
*I like it. Nice neighborhood, non-chain bookstore.
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This place is great. Its close to my house and whenever I need a new book for that book club of mine or something to read at Progressive Grounds, I always come here. They have a great selection and the staff is always helpful and friendly. FYI: A Thousand Splendid Suns is a great book.
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Maybe it was just my timing, but walking into a book store as a jug band jam session is just starting up is an automatic five stars in my book.
It is impossible not to give Red Hill Books five stars in my opinion. They have a wonderful range of second hand and new books for the size of the place, and a great atmosphere. There is a sofa to use whilst you browse, regular weekly events such as book readings and live music, and the staff are very accommodating with requests for books to be ordered. I live nearby, and this place never fails to satisfy my book addiction.
I come to this store four-five times per week--
The staff is most of the reason I give this store five stars. On numerous occasions I have forgotten vital information on a book (umm... I think their last name starts with an "N") and every single staffer is quick to pull out their laptop and look it up. No eye rolling. Most of the time they offer additional information on book (he won the Booker prize for this, right?) and will search the store until they find the book. If they don't have it, they will order it for you.
For a good deal, bring your old books with you to see if you can get some cash or a trade voucher.
For a better deal, wait a day to read the Sunday New York Times--they have it on their free pile on Monday.
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I have to say I have found some rare used photography art books here that I havn't found any place else. Really if you have the time to browse and dig around it's really a nice out of the way place to spend an hour.
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Whenever I go visit my grandparents, I always stop by this little shop.. For years..
If you want a specific book and/or talk literature, the staff here are good at that..
And they have quite a selection of old-to-new books, for a good price..
For an even better price, the store has a 'Free' box outside, where any book in there can be yours to walk away with..
Other than their little-vast collection of books organized by cardboard-categories, there's also a tiny selection of hand-picked magazines..
One of the only places to get the awesome 'Found Magazine'..
I just love the store's little appeal (and i can remember when it was much-little-er..), as well as it's collection of books and magazines that sparks many interests, and other little charms, like the Free Box and staff, just all contributes to my Nymo's 100% Approval..
Nymo's Tip: The BEST place for a very quick, very cheap, very different gift to give..
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Books with brains and hearts. Vintage, used, new, soft, hard. Sunny spot, no b/s, laid back, smart selection. Expanded in recent years, hooray!
Yet in another sign of the changing neighborhood, Red Hill reportedly can barely sell its used children's books anymore. These used to be the staple item bought by many parents on tight budgets. Sources say that more parents in Bernal these days want only brand-new books. Say it isn't so!
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I am a gentle reader who is consistently sucked into repetitive author purchases spurned on by the comfort of the familiar. However, Red Hill Books offers an eclectic selection on the front table of discount novels. In moments of bravery, I have purchased three novels (spending a total of ten dollars) based solely on cover art once a month from this local shop for the past few months. I have enjoyed seven of them, truly loved four of them and did not finish two of them, which I think is quite impressive in a blind taste test. As for the other literary intentional purchases, they are always in stock and much less than amazon.
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Well laid-out with a great selection of kid's books. The space isn't huge, but they've managed to fit a lot of good choices in here.
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A gem of a bookshop. The selection is good, if a bit spotty, and the prices are awesome. Since the remodel, it's got a lot more light and feels more inviting and open. Love browsing or picking up a book there, then going across the street to Progressive Grounds to read it over a cup of coffee. Sister store to Phoenix Books in Noe.
Tiny and comfortable. This is not one of those spots where you walk in and they have everything. That's Border's and little, privately owned bookstores can't keep up with that. And they shouldn't. This place is fun to browse and you'll never feel rushed. And if you want something they don't have, they'll order it for you, you picky bastard. Red Hill has a good balance of new and used. One day I was walking by and I spotted a book in their window that I had to have: Todos Hacemos Caca. It's the book Everybody Poops in Spanish. FanTAStic.
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A wonderful little bookshop in the Bernal Heights district that also reflects the neighborhood. A bountiful selection of SF reading material and work from local artists adorn the walls, which makes you love the place even more. A friendly staff without an air of pretentiousness and open to helping you find what you need. I had my head in the art section for a solid hour.
Most importantly, most, if not all, the books are in pristine condition and CHEAP! As a matter of fact, I purchased 5 art books for $30 (approx. - give or take a couple bucks). NOTE: If you are unable to find what you need here, go to the owner's other stores Dog Eared books or Phoenix Books!
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I liked how they made it bigger because it used to be a really small space. It's a place where you can hide out and look for some good finds. My friend like their art section. I liked hanging out and just browsed at some good stuff! Check it out!
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If this neighborhood bookstore were a highschool archetype it would be a huge fat heartbreaker. Its charming surroundings and equally charming interior made me trip over the water fountain and I had to prink in the little girls room before I awkwardly entered.
In all seriousness, this bookstore kicks ass.
They are tiny, so they may not have what you are looking for. But if you look long enough you'll find something better.
Their staff of friendly literati will help you find what you need or just shoot the bull with you.
Also, they have a lot of local interest books and magazines. Its worth the trip out to Bernal Heights.
a great spot for browsing- a good selection and an easygoing atmosphere. not too cramped, but full. this bookstore is one of the reasons this neighborhood is so very, very charming.
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