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Bookshop Santa Cruz History

Bookshop Santa Cruz is a large 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 parents' business. We take immense pride in being an independent bookstore, with the ability and desire to reflect the interests of local readers. We also hold strong ties to the community with original owner, Neal Coonerty, formerly serving as a Santa Cruz County Supervisor and son, Ryan Coonerty, who also formerly served as a Santa Cruz County Supervisor. 

Bookshop Santa Cruz fills over 20,000 square feet with a wide selection of new, used, and sale books along with extensive magazine, cards, gifts, and toys 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 49,000 members in its Frequent Buyer Program, The Readers' Club, Bookshop has garnered loyal customers for over five decades and has been voted “Best Bookstore” in Santa Cruz County for more than 25 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 40 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, and at offsite venues.

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


 

Learn more about our history on the following pages: