To Do San Francisco
Things to do in San Francisco, California
To Do San Francisco
City Lights, Fabulosa Books, Kinokuniya Bookstore! RIF January 20, 2026
Mentioned in this episode:
- Get Outta My Way by Kylie Minogue music video
- Padam Padam by Kylie Minogue music video
- City Lights Bookstore - 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco
- Fabulosa Books - 489 Castro Street, San Francisco
- Kinokuniya Bookstore - Japan Center, 1581 Webster Street, San Francisco
©2026 Sublime Experiences LLC. ℗2026 Sublime Experiences LLC. All rights reserved.
Happy Tuesday. This is Jamie, and you're listening to the To Do San Francisco podcast for January 20, 2026. Please do me a favor and share this podcast on your socials where other San Franciscans will see it. Share the web address ToDoSF.buzzsprout.com. Thank you. Today feels like a Kylie Minogue groove day to me. How about the song Get Outta My Way or Padam, Padam to start you up? I link to the music videos for those songs on YouTube in the show notes. Today's act of kindness? Use headphones for audio on public transit or in shared spaces. Wait to exit that bus or train to take or make a phone call. No one wants to be held hostage on a bus to your phone conversation. Be aware of others' space and needs in 2026. Lately, I've been feeling a pull back toward books you can hold in your hands, the kind that ask you to slow down, turn pages, and stay with the thought a little longer instead of skimming it on a screen. There's something grounding about reading without notifications, without tabs open, without the quiet hum of distraction. A book lets you sink in, linger, and really be present with words. And here in San Francisco, we're lucky to have bookstores that make that experience feel special. City Lights Bookstore in North Beach is an institution, not just a store, but a landmark of literary history, known for its focus on poetry, social justice, political thought, and independent voices. City Lights is the kind of place where you wander, discover something unexpected, and leave feeling intellectually energized. Over in the Castro, Fabulosa Books offers a different but equally powerful experience. This neighborhood bookstore centers LGBTQ+ authors and stories with shelves full of fiction, memoirs, history, and children's books that reflect queer lives and voices. It's intimate, welcoming, and deeply connected to the community it serves. And then there's Kinokuniya bookstore in Japantown, a dream for anyone who loves beautiful books and thoughtful design. Kinokuniya is known for its Japanese and Asian literature, manga, art books, stationery, and magazines, a place where even browsing feels intentional. You might come for a book and leave with a notebook or pen that makes you want to write too. In a city that moves fast and lives online, these bookstores remind us that reading can still be tactile, immersive, and human. Sometimes choosing a book over a screen isn't about nostalgia. It's about choosing focus, depth, and a quieter kind of joy. Take a Bay Bridge breathing break. Inhale for four, exhale for six - three times. Wherever today takes you, trust that you're exactly where you need to be. Keep showing up with curiosity, kindness, and confidence. Enjoy today's journey.