City Lights Bookstore is the headquarters of the "Beat Generation" cultural movement, with all the literary works and independent attitudes of the "beat" faction. If interested, visitors can also visit the Beat Museum, just one street away, after browsing the bookstore.
Amoeba Music Record Store (San Francisco)
Amoeba Music claims to be the world's largest independent record store. Although their prices in their San Francisco store aren't necessarily cheaper than online prices, their enormous and diverse selection of music is sure to excite anyone who loves music. They also have stores in Los Angeles and Berkeley.
The Melrose Trading Post
This flea market is located inside Fairfax High School, with some signs around the school perimeter to make it easy to reach. It's as hot as California sunshine here, and there are a lot of people lining up at the entrance. Tickets are $5, and a stamp will be stamped on your hand for entry and exit. The scale here is huge. There are second-hand goods for sale, as well as local artisans selling furniture or painting works. There are also many old photos and tapes. Get ready with cash and go shopping, chatting with vendors about their stories. There is also an area where students from the school sell drinks and snacks.
The Last Bookstore
The Last Bookstore is located in Los Angeles and has been selected as one of the top ten independent bookstores in North America. The bookstore is renowned for its collection of various artworks and decorations, such as a woolly mammoth head specimen.
Left bank Bookstore
This bookstore is located in Seattle. Although it is a bookstore, it is not privately owned. The bookstore is registered as a social organization and has six full-time employees who jointly own and are responsible for it. Many books on topics related to marginalized communities and cultures can be found in this bookstore. Left Bank Book has been in business since 1973, adhering to anarchism in red and black for over 30 years. The entire store is compact yet warm, and upon entering, you can see a large "No Starbucks" sign, which shows the store's anti-mainstream attitude. There is a small room upstairs on the first floor, and on the second floor, there is a small bay window where you can easily pick up a book and sit on the cushion to watch the tourists and customers rushing outside at Pike Place Market. One thing I like about American bookstores is that there are chairs or sofas everywhere, and you can easily pick up a book to read. The bookshelves at the Left Bank Bookstore are neatly categorized, covering topics such as race, marginalized communities, and social movements. If you are not interested in the collection of books, it doesn't matter. The walls of the store are covered with posters, and if you find one you like, you can communicate with the staff and purchase it.
Golden Age Collectables
This store has everything from comics to various anime peripherals. The store's slogan is "refusing to grow up since 1971". You can find scripts, dolls, figurines, and paper cutouts of popular comics or anime.
