Bell's Books

About Bell's Books

Bell's Books is a family-owned bookstore at 536 Emerson Street, between University and Hamilton Avenues in downtown Palo Alto. It sells new, used and rare books and describes itself as the oldest and only bookstore located in the downtown area. The storefront is about a century old. The shelves run across two floors.

The store's own history page tells a long story. In 1935 Herbert Bell, then 24, drove north from Los Angeles with a station wagon full of books. With Los Angeles dealer David Lawyer he opened The College Book Company at 104 University Avenue. Bell bought out his partner in 1936. The shop then moved several times: to 536 Emerson in 1938, to 408 University during World War II and to 229 Hamilton, in the Cardinal Hotel building, in 1948. In 1950 the Bells bought the Emerson Street building, which dates from 1924. The city listed it as a Category 2 historic resource in 1988.

The name changed along the way too, from the College Book Shop to Bell's College Book Shop and then Bell's Book Store. Today it is simply Bell's Books. Three generations of the family have worked in the shop. Faith Bell is the owner. A great-grandson of Herbert Bell is on the staff. Long-time employees are part of the story as well: the history page credits Barbara Worl, a Stanford history graduate, with 55 years at the store, including the late-night move of 1950.

What you will find on the shelves

Bell's puts its stock at about 350,000 titles in roughly 500 subject categories. The mix is what makes it unusual for a small city:

• New books. Hardcover and quality paperback titles, with new shipments arriving daily, according to the store.
• Used reading copies. Second-hand copies of classics at affordable prices.
• Rare and collectible books. Fine bindings, 19th-century books and signed first editions.

The store names several areas of special strength. They include large-format art books, children's picture books, technical books, philosophy, poetry, literature, architecture, religion and natural history. There is a history room with a growing Medieval section. Ornamental horticulture is another specialty. In late October 2026 the home page was suggesting spooky reads for Halloween, including an illustrated 1933 edition of Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination.

Services

• Buying books. Bell's purchases fine books and private collections. Call first to talk through what you have.
• Gift help. Staff will help you choose a gift by phone or in person. Gift wrapping is free.
• Window displays. The store's themed windows are posted on Instagram at @windowsofbells, which is a good way to see what is new before you visit.

Who Bell's suits

Bell's is a browsing store. It suits readers who enjoy finding a book they did not come in for, collectors hunting a particular edition and anyone looking for an older or out-of-print title. Parents will find picture books. The store says it has long served the Stanford University and Silicon Valley communities, which shows in its technical and scholarly shelves. There is no cafe, so plan coffee elsewhere. If you want a specific new release, call ahead to check that it is on the shelf. Our Palo Alto bookstores guide compares Bell's with Books Inc., the Stanford Bookstore and Kepler's.

Tips for visiting

• Friday evenings. The store stays open until 8 p.m. on Fridays, so a late browse fits before or after dinner downtown.
• Getting there. The store says it is three blocks from the Palo Alto bus and train station. Our downtown guide covers the surrounding blocks.
• Parking. The location page points to street parking across Emerson Street and to a public lot and garage behind the store on High Street, reached through a pedestrian alley. Read posted signs for current time limits.
• Pair it with a walk. Bell's sits a block from University Avenue. Our University Avenue shopping guide covers other shops nearby. The store itself suggests making a day of it with Palo Alto's coffee houses and restaurants.

Location and getting there

Bell's Books is at 536 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.

The Palo Alto Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.

What is nearby

• Kitchen Nail Bar, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
• Bare Bowls, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• Thaiphoon, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Palo Alto Creamery, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Mendocino Farms, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi
• University Avenue, under 0.1 mi
• Pacific Art League, 0.1 mi

Other books, gifts, art and specialty shops nearby: Mac's Smoke Shop (under 0.1 mi); Qualia Contemporary Art (under 0.1 mi); Verizon University Avenue (under 0.1 mi); T-Mobile University Avenue (under 0.1 mi). Browse the full books, gifts, art and specialty shops list.

Before you go

• Hours for small shops can change with the seasons and holidays. Check before making a special trip.
• Many independent shops will order items they do not have in stock. Just ask at the counter.
• Gift wrapping is often available, especially around the holidays.

About this listing

Checked October 29, 2026 against Bell's Books official website; Bell's history page; Bell's location page. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions