The Last Bookstore
4.7(13K)google
4.5(2.7K)yelp
LiteratureQuirkyIndoorLocal Life
Overview
Housed inside a grand historic bank building, this sprawling independent bookstore is celebrated for its whimsical book sculptures and massive vaults. Bibliophiles can wander through an upper-floor book tunnel constructed entirely from damaged novels and browse endless records in a creatively repurposed space.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 1-1.5 hours
Best TimeWeekday mornings right at the 11:00 AM opening are best. The store is peaceful and free of heavy foot traffic, allowing you to browse the vintage vinyl records, admire the structural pillars, and take uncrowded photos inside the famous second-floor Book Tunnel.
Getting ThereSituated at the corner of 5th St and Spring St in Downtown LA. Ride the Metro B or D Line to Pershing Square Station, take the 5th St exit, and walk east for two blocks (about 3 minutes). Drivers must rely on neighborhood paid public parking lots.
Travel Tips
- The famous second-floor 'book tunnel' and floating book sculptures are major photo hotspots; weekend afternoon crowds generate 30+ minute queues to photograph them. Arrive right at the 11:00 AM weekday opening to beat the crowd, and keep camera flashes off out of respect for readers.
- A strict anti-theft bag policy is enforced: any backpack, tote, or laptop bag larger than 11x14 inches must be checked at the front counter. Unsealed drinks, open coffee cups, and food items like ice cream are completely barred from entry at the security checkpoint.
- Located on Spring St, a sector prone to car break-ins; metered spaces are expensive, and leaving visible items inside vehicles invites theft. Utilizing rideshares or mass transit is highly recommended, and tourists should strictly avoid wandering down dark adjacent alleys after sunset.
Reviews
Positive
- The largest independent bookstore in California; its second-floor 'book tunnel' and floating book installations provide massive visual impact for photos.
- Beyond new and used books, it integrates vinyl records, local artist studios, and quirky craft shops, turning the venue into a whimsical cultural labyrinth.
- Completely free to enter; books are neatly categorized, offering a genuinely calm, artsy refuge and a quiet haven inside a frantic downtown core.
- The staff is incredibly friendly, and witty signs dot the store. It frequently hosts local author readings, offering a warm sense of community spirit.
- The second-floor book tunnel built from old books and various flying book installations pack a massive visual punch; it easily lives up to being America's coolest indie bookstore.
- Beyond massive loads of used books, it integrates local indie artist stalls, vinyl records, and vintage crafts, making the browsing experience incredibly fun.
- Free entry to explore without a ticket; the complex, labyrinthine layout on the second floor feels like an adventure, offering a visual and cultural feast.
- The store features clear book classification labels; despite the massive space and endless stock, staff politely guide you to your desired sections quickly.
Heads up
- Due to social media fame, the tourist density is overwhelming; many influencers clog narrow book aisles just to pose for pictures, ruining the quiet reading ambiance.
- To prevent theft, large bags and backpacks must be checked at the counter; during peak hours, checking and retrieving bags requires long, inefficient lines.
- Located in an older section of DTLA, homeless encampments sit just steps from the entrance, and the gritty streets emit bad odors, causing safety concerns.
- Surrounding traffic is heavily gridlocked with zero dedicated free parking; visitors must rely on metered spaces or expensive private lots, making driving tough.
- Having become a mega social media hotspot, weekends are packed with photo-snapping tourists, heavily diluting the authentic reading vibe into a noisy, commercial scene.
- For safety and loss prevention, all larger backpacks and bags must be checked at the entrance, and the process of queuing to drop off and collect bags can be tedious.
- A common issue in DTLA: there are many transients nearby, streets smell of urine, and visitors without cars can feel unsafe walking away at dusk.
- The used book section lacks digital indexing, and some top shelves are dimly lit and messy, making it unfriendly for serious buyers hunting for specific rare books.