Bart's Books

Bart's Books is unlike any bookstore on Earth, an open-air wonderland in the Ojai Valley where hundreds of thousands of used books are displayed in shelves built into the walls of an outdoor courtyard, on tables under ancient oak trees, and on street-facing ledges where an honor-system coin box invites after-hours browsers to help themselves. Founded in 1964, the store has grown organically over the decades into a labyrinth of literary possibility that perfectly embodies Ojai's bohemian, nature-loving character. The art section is vast and eclectic, reflecting the town's long history as an artists' colony, while the spirituality shelves honor Ojai's association with Jiddu Krishnamurti and the contemplative traditions that have flourished in this valley. California history and nature writing are naturally strong, and the rare books room inside the small enclosed building at the courtyard's center holds genuine treasures. Browsing Bart's on a warm afternoon, with the Topa Topa Mountains glowing pink above and the scent of sage drifting in from the surrounding hills, is an experience that converts every visitor into a devoted evangelist.