Bay Books Coronado

Strolling through Coronado while waiting for our breakfast reservation at The Henry, we stumbled upon Bay Books—and what a pleasant surprise it was. I ordered a coffee with maca and cinnamon, expecting something simple, but it turned out rich, comforting, and unexpectedly addictive. The cozy atmosphere, surrounded by shelves brimming with stories, made it impossible not to relax. For my daughter, who adores books, this was paradise—her curious eyes scanning titles while I savored each sip. There’s something special about enjoying good coffee in a place where time seems to slow down, where the scent of paper and espresso mingle perfectly. Bay Books isn’t just a stopover; it’s a quiet gem that invites you to linger, even if you came for just a few minutes.

Such a cute little bookstore! We went in right before closing after our Afternoon Tea outing and (per usual me) I wanted to hop over the bridge and see one of the Independent Bookstores I had heard about. This place did not disappoint. Plenty of selections from all genres, including popular books seen on bookstagrams & reels on IG and TikTok. Also, you will find staff recommendations which always come in handy when looking for your next read. Aisle can be tight but... I like that in a bookstore (yea, I know call me crazy) Service was kind and I must also mention that they have gift items here for any bibliophile. BTW they are also participating in the San Diego Book Crawl April 26th -28th, 2025 I'll be heading back down for that. Respectfully Reviewed.

Great book store and coffee shop next door! I was impressed with the variety of books and picked up some new reads for this month. The post card selection is awesome. I'm looking forward to visiting again soon! Much thanks to the manager and team who helped me, really means alot 😀 ❤️

Fun little independent book store with a coffee shop inside. They had a great selection of every kind of book you could want. We also bought some fun things like book bags and sun hats.

Bookshop and small cafe straight out of a storybook! My visit to the bookstore on Halloween eve was nothing short of pleasant. I wanted a specific book, but ended up buying a lot of books - thanks to personal reviews displayed with the books! It made browsing the books easier, and the recommendations list was superb! Very pleasant staff and oh, nice cup of coffee at the in-house cafe too! Must visit when in Coronado!

I visit bookstores whenever I travel. While this one really doesn’t have any used books, I was surprised by the selection that it did have. As I wandered through, I found books that I really wasn’t familiar with. Added a bunch of new ones to my TBR. They also have a section for local authors which I really appreciate when I visit an area!

Great bookstore. They have few gift ideas other than books too.

What a cute bookstore! It's a perfect mix of a bookstore, gift shop, and coffee shop! They had a great selection of curated picks! They had very unique gifts as well. My picky kids found some really cool and different fiction books. Very reasonable prices as well.

Such a cute little bookstore! We went in right before closing after our Afternoon Tea outing and (per usual me) I wanted to hop over the bridge and see one of the Independent Bookstores I had heard about. This place did not disappoint. Plenty of selections from all genres, including popular books seen on bookstagrams & reels on IG and TikTok. Also, you will find staff recommendations which always come in handy when looking for your next read. Aisle can be tight but... I like that in a bookstore (yea, I know call me crazy) Service was kind and I must also mention that they have gift items here for any bibliophile. BTW they are also participating in the San Diego Book Crawl April 26th -28th, 2025 I'll be heading back down for that. Respectfully Reviewed.

This bookstore is such a gem! It's my favorite stop when I come to Coronado. They have a huge selection that is updated regularly with new releases. You are sure to find something you love. The bookstore itself is great, but the real highlight of the experience is the staff. The staff here are SO lovely!! They are always smiling, welcoming you in, offering to help you find anything etc. They also let you browse in peace if you don't need assistance, which I really appreciate. On one occasion, I had my pup with me & was unsure if I would be able to come in with him. (He is very well-behaved, but I would never just expect a bookstore to allow dogs & I would completely understand if they said no). I very hesitantly peeked in & asked if it would be okay for us to come in. Not only did they say yes, the lovely woman at the counter came around to excitedly welcome us in, pet my pup and love on him, AND had a treat for him!! We both felt SO welcome & this experience is why I will always support this business. Please support local & visit this lovely shop, I promise you won't be disappointed!

I had not been in Coronado for a while and noticed this book store/coffee shop. Not sure if new but was totally new to me and I was looking for coffee break while talking to some friends from back in the Bay Area:) I loved perusing the books. There are tons of other gift type of items to buy and the transition to coffee shop is very smooth, very well blended. I like they have several tables to sit outside and people watch. I was not very happy with my coffee because it was a little bit burnt but the croissant was really good and I was not even expecting that. Overall, it's a very pleasant place to visit and have a coffee. I found parking nearby and was able to spend some time visiting some stores too. Great place to stop when you are in Coronado Island.

Stumbled across this cute little books store while in Coronado. They have a cute coffee shop they are connected to and it's a perfect place to buy your Summer Beach Reads! My daughter found a book she wanted and I picked up a cute shopper tote!

Came here sometime last year when I was visiting San Diego, and I loved this area in Coronado! Had to stop by Bay Books, and it's such a cute little bookshop! It is on the smaller side, but they have a good selection of all genres, and a huge YA/Children's section. I didn't have much interaction with the employees at the store, but I wasn't in any need of assistance so it wasn't a big deal. I ended up not buying anything this visit, but I found a few gems while I was browsing. I did, however, grab a drink from their adjoined coffee shop and really enjoyed sitting outside people watching. Parking is a bit limited since it's street parking, but it's easy to walk over if you've parked a bit farther. Overall, a great bookshop to stop by if you're in Coronado!

The most charming bookstore. Great selection. A little of everything! Picked up a book for myself and one for my daughter.

VEGAN PASTRIES!!!! Vegan pastries! Did I mention they have vegan pastries!?!? I was so excited to hear they have vegan pastries. I bought 4! The chocolate donut is amazing. No one would even know it's vegan. Excellent service.

Stopped in here for some coffee while walking around Coronado. Looked like a popular spot with a few people already in line and some sitting at the tables out front. The coffee shop is at the beginning of the library, so it'd be a great place to hang out and get work done. I tried their non-fat latte and it was really good! The staff was very friendly and even shared that the drinks may take some time to come out because there were a few orders already ahead of us. It looked like they have a great selection of pastries and even savory options of pizzas. Really cute spot and the coffee is tasty!

Gorgeous bookstore! First stop on my journey for the 2022 San Diego Book Crawl! Picked up a copy of Free Food for Millionaires by the incomparable MinJinLee. Fell in love with her writing with Pachinko. Lots of great gift items and more!

Great place for books, gift ideas, or a treat. Love the little area to sit outside. They also have a nice selection of jewelry.

Lovely lady the store owner is such a sweetheart amazing stuff and cute bunny stuff . Love their selection

the cashier on friday night on 11/8 was the sweetest lady! i got one book and will come back again!

Locked my keys in my car down the road and so I wandered into this store to buy a new read while I waited for roadside assistance. Staff was helpful and attentive since I apparently forgot how to find books. Cute and quaint spot.

I've been reading so many books due to covid and now my goal is to visit all the bookstores in San Diego. Especially small businesses like Bay books Coronado. I found out about this book store from a delivery my daughters got. A few books for them to read while heir dad was gone. Being in beautiful Coronado alone is amazing. I found parking right in front of the store which was nice! As you enter the store you are greeted by so many am amazing books. It was magical. So many to choose from and they also have a kids section in the back. They also sell mugs, smalls gifts and book marks. There's a little section with puzzles and toys as well. I also noticed there was a small coffee shop that sells coffee and pastries. Staff was nice and we walked out with lots of books and goodies. You can also order online and get your books delivered to your house!

We love this bookstore! There were so many cute things here, and we probably could have spent hours wandering the store. Definitely a great find when visiting Coronado! My son loves history so he went directly to this section of the bookstore. Right next to this area was a wonderful selection of cards, stationery, and gifts bags. While he looked at all books related to history, I shopped the beautiful stationery. What I liked about this bookstore were all the hand written reviews left by the books that they were written about. I thought this was such a great personal touch. I also loved all the fun gift items, such as cute book bags, scarfs, and even some jewelry, throughout the store. I thought the customer service was friendly here too! In the back of the store, there's a wonderful selection of books and toys for kids. There is also a good selection of magazines and plenty of chairs throughout the store to sit and relax. I think the was a game table with checkers so the kids can play while you shop. Whether it's a unique gift for a friend or family member or just a good read for yourself, there really is something here for everyone!

When the average person travels: seeks out the best restaurants, photogenic spots, and interesting leisure/tourist activities specific to the locale. When I travel: seeks out the local libraries and book stores. Insert the shrugging girl emoji, here. I don't apologize for this, guys. Books are literally part of my blood and life line (my father was a famous author and I am also a published-print writer). So, when I was visiting Coronado from Los Angeles and noticed Bay Books, I had to step inside. Sadly, I was not hugely impressed. Bay Books is a charming addition to the main shopping/eating quarter of Coronado Island and fits in with its independent bookseller status and quaint appearance. The square footage of Bay Books isn't overly large and is essentially one large square with book shelves and displays making the layout accessible and easy-to-maneuver. The color tones are somewhat darker (which is typical in book stores) but still inviting-enough. My initial disappointment was caused by customer service. The female staff member on duty was straightening/stocking some shelves when we walked in and there were no other customers in the shop. The associate never greeted us, smiled, nothing. Her hands may have been busy with the shelves; but a smile or 'Hello' takes two seconds and minimal effort only requiring the use of mouth muscles. For such a small, independent shop located in the shopping-tourist district of Coronado... one would expect better. Plus, she literally never spoke to us even as I walked through the store and would be standing next to her. Way to make me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. The shop itself is decently stocked with books with varying genres from classics to cookbooks, children's books to local military history, and psychology to entertainment memoirs. In fact, the children's section seemed to be the loftiest of all, so Bay Books is a great place for parents seeking book gifts for the little ones. Bay Books also featured small trinkets and gifts: journals, book marks, writing utensils, and the like. I didn't check the prices on these items so I can't vouch for the pricing policies at Bay Books. I'm sure you are all familiar with those staff book recommendation cards at book stores? Those index cards of book reviews placed on the shelves underneath books that are suggested reading from those who work in the store? Bay Books made use of this marketing method but the issue was A) there were too many of them: they were literally everywhere and created a clustered shopping experience. B) Many of the recommendations were outdated and books published long ago but Bay Books acted like it was 'new reading'. It felt like Bay Books is slightly behind the times in the book world. The website of Bay Books boasts that the store is the largest independent book store in the San Diego area. If this is true... then, that is quite sad and pitiful as this is a tiny store without a complex book selection. Granted, I may be a Los Angeles jaded-and-spoiled book store advocate where we have independent book stores that cover multiple levels. But, still sad. Overall, Bay Books was a 'cute' book store to venture into but it didn't make my book store heart skip a beat. It isn't terrible, in that I do recommend it for children's books and the store was clean and accessible. But the poor customer service that made me feel like a leper put a sour taste in my mouth and ruined the entire experience. When there are no other customers in the store and I am standing feet away from you: then greet me for god's sakes! Bay Books is suggested to check out if in the area and lightly browsing all the shops but isn't anything to go out of the way for.

Two weekends in a row we stopped for coffee at the Coffee Bar. The service was extremely slow and the barista unapologetic. First week he said coffee would take more than 15-minutes because his machine rebooted. What? Second weekend he said coffee would take a while because his cash register rebooted. Come on. Each time unapologetic and smug. We are not returning.

This book & coffee shop was a pleasant surprise to me & my wife while talking a walk through the area. It was one of those things where it just visually looked like a nice spot! So we stopped! Coffee was good. Wide range of book selection for a relatively small place. Nice people too.

TTTR (Too Tired To Read): - Owner was super friendly and very helpful picking a new book out! - Amazing prices and love supporting local businesses - Near plenty of shops so easy to grab a new read on the walk THE DEETS: SERVICE: - Having mostly read biography and marketing books, I was craving some mystery and suspense to mix things up. I expressed my frustrations to the owner and she was glad to help and walked me through all of her personal favorites and the favorites from her book club. With thousands of books she helped to narrow it down to a handful and I was excited with my choice. PRICE: - Great prices and always glad to support local business. The personalized shopping experience in itself was priceless. ATMOSPHERE: - Softly lit, it was the perfect place to put down the phone and or get out of the sun. LOCATION: - Near lots of shops. Plenty of parking. PRO TIP: - Simply ask for recommendations. You won't regret it. YELP SCORE: 4.7

I ordered an Açaí bowl (which is a smoothie base topped with fruit) and it was extremely sweet! Personally I'm not into overly sweetened things and couldn't finish it. But the area is beautiful.

I often come here for a coffee or tea, and went into the bookstore yesterday. I asked Emily for book recommendations and she was so helpful and sweet. I witnessed her helping other customers too, especially an elderly woman who was carrying a heavy package. Emily offered to hold it behind the counter so she could browse easier. She is a delight, and the reason I bought 4 books instead of 1 :)

This place is the highlight of my girlfriends trip. She gets the matcha latte with a lavender syrup every morning and they have a lovely little book store with a solid selection. I liked the iced americano

Everytime I come to Coronado I need to stop here and look for something to read. They always have interesting books on display - things I might miss at other stores. Again - found a book today that I am already reading hours later. Stop - don't go to jail, don't pass go, don't collect $200... just go here. It's like winning Monopoly.

A locals fav!! We love stopping by the new Bay Books store for a look around and to grab a coffee to start our island walk off right! Stop by and chat with Paulina the barista or Henry the owner. They're both terrific. Enjoy one of Coronado's gems and support local!

Nancy is a very nice and sweet lady. Thanks for the help! We'll be back, see you next time.

Charming and well organized indie bookstore. Highly recommended. Lots of excellent employee recommendations

Great small local bookstore, large selection of good books (including several signed by authors). I really appreciated how they had little reviews in front of many books written by those who've read them before !

Great lattes! Walked the street and tried a few places. This one rocked!................................

Great little bookshop on Coronado. It's pretty small but packs a lot into the space, along with some magazines, cards, and gifts. The focus is still on books, which I always appreciate. The selection is well curated - not necessarily to my personal tastes but it seemed to fit with the local area. There's a decent amount of literary and contemporary fiction, and there seemed to be a focus on historical fiction. There were also a lot of new releases on display near the front, fiction and non-fiction, hardback and paperback, including lots of current affairs hardbacks. The biography section was also pretty big. YA and children's seemed to be pretty well served, though I didn't browse in that area much. There was some empty space at the back of the store so it looks like they have recently downsized but they appear to have kept the integrity of their offering intact. Browsing the fiction stacks, there are a lot of cards with staff picks which include written-out recommendations. I know these tend to perform well and there were usually a few copies of the recommended title, but I found they disrupted the browsing experience. The cards were so large that they covered most of the spines of the books below. They also weren't super legible when I did try to read them - though again I got the sense they weren't necessarily to my taste. I found that I ended up skimming past those rows where there might have been titles I was interested in hidden behind the cards. Despite that, I did find a title I'd had on my wishlist near the front and decided to get it. The staff were very friendly to me and to the other customers being served.

Nice little bookstore with friendly staff. I like independent bookstores and this one is good

What a cute little bookstore in Coronado! I came in here on a whim and realized that beautiful it is inside! Of course there are a lot of books and little "gift" items everywhere. The shelves are neatly arranged from the bestsellers to their respective genres. I love that there is a lot of journals to choose from and blank cards! There's also some stationary, bags, and apparel (mainly ponchos and scarves from my visit). The pricing is comparable to Barnes and Nobles which makes it any different. Clearly, it is not as big as other bookstores but there are enough books to choose from. I'm happy with their contemporary to classic choices. They also have a decent amount of travel guides and phrasebooks, a history section, and magazines with titles that people commonly would subscribe to. I like that there are chairs and maybe two tables inside! I can spend hours here and maybe buy a book to read at the store itself. Unfortunately, I have a meter parking to worry about. I hope to find the next book that I will read here. I will come back to actually buy something :)

Love this cute book store on Coronado! I always end up finding something new to read when I take a second to stroll in. Love this store and shopping local!

Awesome book store for locals and travelers alike, they have everything. If you are visiting, there are some great books on the community, good gift to take home with you. On a side note, the mocha frap they have here is absolutely amazing, best one I've ever had.

Came in for coffee, there were three people behind the counter just talking and hanging out with one customer who didn't even want to order anything. No one acknowledged me or served me. Terrible customer service.

What a wonderful book store! My only warning about it is that they DO NOT accept American Express as a form of payment. I didn't have this problem personally, but you wouldn't know until going right up to the counter, so I'm mentioning it here. That's the ONLY reason, other than not finding one book I wanted out of three, that I give it four stars and not five. Their stock is actually pretty amazing. It's better than the Barnes & Noble I have back at home (which we all love but admit it's pretty sad sometimes). I asked for one book that they didn't have, but the other two I found with ease. It is very clean and very well-organized, something that other bookstores need to work on. They have slips of paper with recommendations on the shelves so that if you need another's opinion, you have it right there before your eyes while browsing. They have adorable clothes, bags, art supplies, bicycle bells, scarfs, and everything in between. It is also highly kid-friendly. I found lots of children sitting and reading or playing with each other politely. It brings a smile to your face to see things like that. Swing by when you get a chance! It's really worth exploring and you'll find some must-haves for sure.

This is an amazing book store if you don't have kids with you. If you do, beware. There is a sign on the front door that says no jogging strollers. I was told to leave mine at the front of the store. In the children's section, which is nice, there are signs everywhere warning that kids shouldn't touch, kids need to be monitored, damaged books must be purchased... Etc. While I understand and mostly agree, the excessive signs make you feel like an interloper, not wanted. Here's my favorite part though. My contained child is now free because of your stroller rule, but you don't want him to touch anything? Ridiculous. It's too bad. We buy a lot of books and we live on Coronado, but they won't be getting any more of my business, since it's pretty clear they don't want it. You'd think in the era of Amazon and Kindles, a bookstore would welcome repeat business! However, if you want a stuffy, well stocked book store that shuns children, you'll love it!

We were staying at the Hotel Del Coronado, and was looking for some good coffee and inexpensive grub for breakfast (they charge you an arm and a leg there for mediocre food and drink we quickly learned), and Yelp directed us to Cafe Madrid. We were happy to discover that Cafe Madrid is a coffee kiosk just outside one of my favorite places in the universe--a bookstore. Unless you live in a big city like SF or a university town like Berkeley or Palo Alto, it's really hard to find a brick and mortar bookstore these days! Bay Books is great. You walk in and you have cards and gift items on the left, magazines on the right, and shelves and shelves of books right in front of you. After browsing a bit and picking up the latest New Yorker magazine for purchase, I asked the bookseller if they had The Hot Zone, which is my book club's pick for the month, so she checked the store computer to see if they had it in stock. They did and she showed me where it was. It's nice when stores have a way of knowing how many books they have in stock and where a certain book is located. They have a fairly large Children's Books section in the back. The nicely curated tables of books are also worth checking out. Enjoy a cup of coffee and pastry outside and then go inside. Adventure awaits inside in the form of books!

I went in today, Jose helped me out. He suggested one of his favorite drinks to me and I tried it. It was the best coffee I've drank. Incomparable.

Once upon a time, every bookstore in America was like this one. With the inception of large, mega-chain book sellers, places like this are a dying breed. Remember the cute little book store The Shop Around the Corner that big, bad Fox Books put out of business? Oh wait, that was a movie... I wish every bookstore in my area was like this one. The decor is homey and inviting, with its dark wood walls and ceilings, and comforting green floor. The ladies that run it remind me of my favorite aunt - happy, helpful and always glad to see me. There's a coffee cart and tables out front, so once you purchase your reads, you can plop down, sip some joe and blaze into your book. My favorite part of this bookstore - bar none - are the many recommendation tags that dot the store. They're in every section, and provide handwritten reasons why so-and-so thought X was the best book she read all summer. Who needs goodreads.com with all these little helpful hints around! I purchased two books here, though I wish I could've done more (hubby has me on a budget). Next time...

This is a little great book store on Coronado Island. There is a great selection of books all around and the staff here is super friendly and ready to help in any way to find a book that you may need, One of the great things is just spending a good couple of hours here and just browsing their wide selection of books that they have here.

Adorable book store that is bigger than it seems From the outside. Staff are friendly and the selection is pretty good with reviews from staff. There was also a selection of Papyrus cards and novelty items so a perfect place to pick up a last minute gift. Tables and chairs outside made it feel inviting and a place you'd want to hang out for a while.

Beautiful store. I prefer to shop for deals on books and these are all brand new and full price. Small section of on sale books.

I LOVE THIS PLACE. First, the coffee is fantastic. It's hands down the best in all of San Diego county. Second, the bookstore is so wonderful- great selection of books, and I love their jewelry, gifts, scarves, and other little things you can get for yourself or for gifts. Third, the sales associates are awesome- they are SUPER friendly, helpful and always so pleasant that you really remember that this is a special place that really cares about the details of everything.. right down to the greeting cards and adorable stuffed animals they sell. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. Best book store (AND COFFEE SHOP!) in all of San Diego.

The workers at this cute little bookstore were so passionate and genuine. After three and a half years of trying for a baby, I had all but given up, but Clarissa, the sweet manager, revived my hope by helping me find a book on natural fertility improvement! And on top of that, I also snagged an "Art of Cake Baking for Beginners" off the clearance shelf for only $3 bucks! What a steal :)

Bay books always has everything I'm looking for, and in this case it's the third book of the Twilight series. This has been impossible to find since the movie came out. The pre-teen within me thanks you, Bay Books.

Like Warwick's in La Jolla, I am happy to see a locally owned bookstore surviving. The store is nicely laid out and organized and has a cared for appearance. The selection is quite good and there is quite a big variety. I don't require help at bookstores, but I have seen and heard the staff assisting shoppers and this has made a good impression on me that they are helpful and knowledgable. The downside here is that almost all books are sold at the publishers price. I can totally understand why they can not give 40% discounts on newly published books like amazon.com can, but I am not going to pay $50.00 for a book that I can get on line for $30.00. A conundrum that the publishing industry brought on by extending crazy discounts. Also the selection is not that extensive. How can it be in a store of maybe 3,000 sq. ft.? I do buy Country Life Magazine there from time to time when I am in Coronado as it is one of the few stores to carry it in the San Diego area. Bottom line is that it's a good place to browse, and sometimes deals can be found outside when they put used books for sale.

You gotta give any independent bookstore their props. I mean, sure, this is the only place to probably buy a real book this side of the Coronado Bridge, but it's pretty cool to have a place that isn't some massively ginormous Barnes & Noble or Borders. Hell, at least this place has a better selection than that sucky Barnes & Noble on Friars Road. You know what I'm talking about. I especially like their personal picks. Or at least liked, when there were more science-fiction/fantasy readers on their staff. They got me turned onto Richard Morgan and China Mieville. Their science section isn't half-bad either, and they sometimes stock books that I can't find at the Border's in Mission Valley. Now if only they had a bathroom. Make sure your bladders and bowels are empty before you visit!

Long live the small town book stores! This place is great.. very charming.. always stocked with all the new releases. They have a HGE magazine section.. can't beat that! and now expanded their product line into jewelry, lost of gift items and a TON of Greeting cards, papyrus.. etc. I was browsing around there the other day with my fresh coffee in hand from the coffee cart up front (isn't that just the best combo on a cozy Winter night?) and I came across a new section they put in.. a bunch of tech accessories.. I had been in need of some new headphones and a cover for my iPad.. I was pleasantly surprised to see them there.. done and done. 2 more items off of my todo list! Can't get better than that!

I was impressed by their selection. Not that many bookstores carry Bukowski or Haruki Murakami novels, but this place did. Not only that, they had a nearly complete Murakami bibliography! Bought a couple of new books to read poolside on the honeymoon. The decor is neat, well organized, and so clean and streamlined for a second I forgot that this is an independent store. More bookstores should be like this! Between the dark wood paneling and shelves, green carpets, and adorable little fish tank, I could have stayed for hours!