San Diego Central Library

LOVE this library. I could spend hours here. It's massive and they have so many cool features. It's very easy to sign up for a library card and check out books. They have a huge kids collection here and a sensory space as well. The library has many floors that provide beautiful views of downtown San Diego. There are so many computers, comfortable chairs, desks and areas to work on each floor. You can tell from the other reviews talking about homeless people that they aren't locals. Yes, there are homeless people around, it is downtown San Diego. Even with homeless people around you do not feel unsafe here. There are security guards and people mind their own business. Another amazing perk is that they validate parking. They have multiple elevators and also offer escalators/stairs. I would highly recommend visiting this beautiful library.

This is the biggest library that downtown has to offer. It has beautiful architecture and the scenery on the top floor is gorgeous. There are various levels to take the elevator or stairs. There are two hours of free parking underground, or you can park on the street or take a trolley to arrive. I would recommend taking some sanitation wipes as libraries, our public places, and you may want a cleaner space. They also have study rooms that you can check out for a few hours. There is so much knowledge in this library, from genealogy to history to everything in between.

The building has great architecture. There are many different areas to read, study and learn. I like the 8th floor for studying. There are large tables and comfortable chairs, it’s quiet and the views of the bay and the Coronado Bridge is fantastic. There is heavy security throughout the building to keep it safe and there is 2 hour free parking in the underground.

This library is an excellent resource for the community. As a person who is living on the streets, the library is a necessity for mental health & a break from the day to day grind for all types of people. They have so many floors with endless genres & the staff is very friendly. Love to use their study rooms. & they even have a museum on the top floor! Always clean & a great place to spend time reading or on the puter’. Thank you San Diego Central library @ staff for all the effort you put in to keeping this place alive, your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed!!! Appreciate you ☺️

SD Central Library is great. The different floors obviously cover different content, but they're also Themed differently as well with equipment that compliments that field or topic. The rooftop study area is brilliant addition for enjoying the sunny San Diego water front to include the famous Coronado Bridge, Stadium, and Trains/Trolley !

went for negro league museum breaking barriers exhibit the exhibit was sensational kudos for all involved with the marvelous displays information and banners major props to all of the displays specifically the banner about San Diego Padre Johnny Ritchie the local san diegan that broke the color barrier in the pacific coast league as a catcher for the padres

Really cool and big library with lots of services. The kids section is particularly outstanding! I saw many small kids and babies hanging out with their caretakers or families and it was very sweet, my baby is a bit small still but she enjoyed watching everything happening around her.

As a fan of interesting architecture, I have to admit that this library is really nice to look at, and has some great views of the outdoors. As a functional library, however, it leaves a lot to be desired. 1). While I was there, there was only 1 of 3 elevators working, forcing escalators on the first 3 floors (no stair option), then stairs. 2). There seems to be no interest in maintaining usual library decorum, and this is more true of the staff than anyone. I came here to do some work while travelling. Whether it be the library staff having loud conversations from the main desk, or for some reason the security staff stopping right in front of me in a back nook on floor 5 to engage in a loud conversation, it was almost impossible to get 15-20 minutes straight to focus. Someone train your staff to be more observant, some of us are using the library as an actual library. 3). Coming back down on floor 2, it smelled like death.