Libraries in San Francisco

Discover 7 unusual libraries in San Francisco.

Exterior of the California Historical Society headquarters.

San Francisco, California

California Historical Society Headquarters

A former hardware store near Yerba Buena is the official home of California's history.

A sampling of the material shown to visitors on a regular basis.

San Francisco, California

Letterform Archive

A library and museum dedicated to typography.

Mid Eastern-themed billiards room

San Francisco, California

Fairmont San Francisco Penthouse Suite

San Francisco's most expensive hotel suite includes a secret passageway rumored to have been used by JFK.

Book Club of California

San Francisco, California

Book Club of California

In this century-old literary safehouse, print is alive and well.

Prelinger Library

San Francisco, California

Prelinger Library

Appropriation-friendly collection of books, periodicals, and more.

San Francisco, California

Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture

California's most comprehensive horticultural library.

San Francisco, California

Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room

A library built during San Francisco's pioneer times is a student's retreat, bibliophile's sanctuary, and chess player's delight.

Are we missing something unusual in San Francisco?