Bank of Books

The Bank of Books is one of Southern California's great used bookstore experiences, a vast repository of over 100,000 volumes housed in a former bank building on Ventura's Main Street where the marble floors, high ceilings, and original vault create an atmosphere of literary grandeur. Since 1988, the store has been a destination for used-book devotees who understand that the thrill of discovery increases with the size of the collection. The Californiana section is particularly strong, with vintage titles on the state's history, culture, and landscapes that reward patient browsing. The surfing collection reflects Ventura's identity as a surf town with deep wave-riding roots, while the history section spans civilizations and eras with used-bookstore comprehensiveness. The vintage paperback section draws collectors hunting for mid-century cover art and pulp fiction gems. The rare books are kept in the original bank vault, a setting that adds drama to the act of examining a first edition. On clear days, the Channel Islands are visible through the front windows, a reminder that even in a bookstore this large, the natural world of coastal California is never far away.