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Bookshop History

Bookshop Santa Cruz is a large, general independent bookstore located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, California since 1966.  Owned by the Coonerty family since 1973, Bookshop Santa Cruz is a multi-generational family business currently under the care of Casey Coonerty Protti who grew up in her parent’s business.  We take immense pride in being an independent bookstore, with the ability and desire to reflect the interests of local readers.  We also holds strong ties to the community with original owner, Neal Coonerty, currently serving as a Santa Cruz County Supervisor and son, Ryan Coonerty, serving as a Santa Cruz City Councilmember and former Mayor. 

Bookshop Santa Cruz fills over 20,000 square feet with a wide selection of new, used and sale books along with extensive magazine, card and gift sections.  Bookshop is known for its comprehensive children’s and new release sections as well as strong sections in travel, politics, cooking, science and fiction.  With over 14,000 members in its Frequent Buyer Program, the Readers Club, Bookshop has garnered loyal customers for over four decades.  Bookshop Santa Cruz has been voted “Best Bookstore” in Santa Cruz County for more than 15 consecutive years. 

Bookshop Santa Cruz is a year-round host to locals, tourists and students alike.  Surrounded by mountains, the Pacific Ocean and Silicon Valley, Bookshop Santa Cruz is located only 90 minutes from San Francisco, and 30 minutes from both San Jose and Monterey.  Home to the University of California, Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz boasts a strong intellectual community dedicated to the written word.  Bookshop Santa Cruz nurtures this environment with a comprehensive author event series featuring appearances by both national and local authors in our beautiful event space, the skylight room, or in our more intimate fiction room.  Bookshop Santa Cruz also hosts special events such as Bookshop Santa Cruz Outdoor Events.  

We hope you have a chance to share our love of reading by visiting us soon!   

 

 

 

 

Bookshop Walks in the 2009 Pride Parade

in downtown Santa Cruz:

 

Learn more about our history on the following pages: