San Diego’s robust literary scene includes excellent bookstores, bookish events, and bestselling local authors
San Diego is known for many things: regular sunshine, excellent surfing, tourism and much more. But beyond the sand and waves, there is something just as vibrant: San Diego’s literary scene.
San Diego and its surrounding region are home to a large community of active writers and readers working in genre fiction (crime, thriller, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, romance), and literary fiction and nonfiction. Many local authors are bestsellers and well-respected in their genres.
For the early-career writer to the bestselling author, San Diego offers numerous trainings, festivals, events and conferences to hone your craft, sell your books and meet new readers. And for the readers, there is no shortage of opportunities to meet your next favorite author. Check out below for a mega-list of author/reader events, conferences, bookstores, organizations and other resources.
Classes and Workshops
The Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop: This highly competitive and prestigious program is the oldest workshop of its kind.
Website: https://clarion.ucsd.edu
Writers Ink: This organization offers a range of in-person writing courses in the Liberty Station area.
Website: https://writeyourstorynow.org.
University of California, San Diego Extended Studies: These online courses offer a creative writing and children’s writing program, as well as single courses (including my course on speculative fiction!).
Website: https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/courses/writing-speculative-fiction-exploring-fantasy-fear-and-the-future-wcwp-40344
San Diego College of Continuing Education: Offers a regular writing workshop.
Website: https://sdcce.edu/coursenet/course/writers-workshop
The San Diego Area Writing Project: Focuses on student writing.
Website: https://sdawp.ucsd.edu/index.html
Be sure to check other local colleges and universities and library programs as well. Also, several of the events and organizations listed below offer online workshops or presentations that nonmembers can join (for a fee).
Writing Organizations in San Diego
The Horror Writers Association (HWA) San Diego chapter: A writers’ group focused on horror and dark fantasy – https://hwasandiego.wixsite.com/sdhwa
The Writers Coffeehouse: Led by Jonathan Maberry, this is an open group that meets every month at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore and also has an online community at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheWritersCoffeehouse/.
Temecula Valley Writers and Illustrators: An active group in the Temecula area with online offerings: https://www.temeculavalleywi.com/groups/monthly-middlers
The San Diego Writers and Editors Guild (SDWEG): A hub for writers and editors of all genres: https://sdweg.org/About
Sisters in Crime San Diego Chapter: A writers’ group focused on crime – https://sistersincrimesd.org
So Say We All: A literary and performing arts community – https://www.sosayweallonline.com
For writers and readers alike, the following events and bookstores offer welcoming spaces to find your community and grow within San Diego’s bustling literary landscape.
Select Annual Literary Events in The San Diego Area:
January
The Local Author Showcase: a chance to network and see local authors’ new books at the Central Library. Free: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/hold-concert-series-duo-performance-461528
February
Southern California Writers’ Conference: This annual conference features workshops and networking for authors of fiction and nonfiction.
Ticketed: https://writersconference.com/sd/san-diego-schedule-at-a-glance/
Love Lit Con: This romance readers’ event offers books, panels, merch and more. Ticketed: https://lovelit.com
Annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea: Professor Dean Nelson and Warwick’s bookstore host an annual three-day authors festival in February in Point Loma. Ticketed: pointloma.edu/2026writers
March
The San Diego Writers Festival – This one-day event features panel discussions, book releases and writing workshops led by local and national authors at the Coronado Public Library. Free: sandiegowritersfestival.com
Wondercon (Anaheim): This fan con often hosts panels of genre authors and book signings. Ticketed: https://www.comic-con.org/wc/
April
The San Diego Book Crawl: Readers are encouraged to visit neighborhood bookstores on Independent Bookstore Day. Free: libraryfoundationsd.org/events/san-diego-book-crawl
LAT Festival of Books (University of Southern California): Hailed as America’s largest literary festival, this event hosts many exhibitors, authors, talks, panels and activities. Free with some ticketed events: https://www.latimes.com/events/festival-of-books.
June
The Carlsbad City Library Author Fair: Readers can attend this event to meet authors and buy books. Free: https://library.carlsbadca.gov/programs/events-calendar
July
Comic Con: Many authors and writers give talks, do panels and sign books at Comic Con. There are also often fan meetups. Ticketed: https://www.comic-con.org
August
KPBS San Diego Book Festival presented by the University of San Diego: This one-day event features panel discussions with award-winning authors, activities, live entertainment and exhibitors. Free: https://www.kpbs.org/sdbookfestival
October
Scream Diego: This Halloween con features horror authors and panels. Free: https://screamdiego.com
Also check the San Diego Horror Writers Association (HWA) chapter, which organizes Halloween readings and panels throughout the month.
November
Fall into Book Fest (Orange County): A fun weekend for readers and authors focused on fantasy/romantasy and genre books, including exhibitors and panels. Ticketed: https://fallintobooksfest.carrd.co
Resources for ongoing literary events:
- Adventures by the Book https://adventuresbythebook.com/adventures/#events
- San Diego Library Foundation: https://libraryfoundationsd.org/news-events
- Art Power UCSD – https://artpower.ucsd.edu/events/
- So Say We All – https://www.sosayweallonline.com
And check out fellow author Jolie Tunnell’s thorough list of 2026 San Diego literary events here: https://jolietunnell.com/writers-events-in-san-diego
Now for the heart of the literary scene: brick-and mortar bookstores. Here are some favorite bookstores that host events and offer lovely spaces to browse curated books, meet authors, join bookclubs and/or connect with readers:
Bookstores In The San Diego Region
Mysterious Galaxy
A large, excellent genre bookstore that has fantastic offerings of mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, horror and more with a busy calendar of author events, including a regular “Local Author Meet-and-Greet” to showcase new local books.
Address: 3555 Rosecrans St Suite 107, San Diego, CA 92110
Website: https://mystgalaxy.com/upcoming-events
Artifact Books
An excellently curated collection of used and rare books, and an excellent spot to find horror book recommendations. Hosts regular outdoor author events.
Address: 603 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, California 92024
Website: https://artifactrarebooks.com/#c4cdc138-235b-48ae-8b21-a41a9df9f413
Warwick’s
The country’s oldest continuously family-owned and operated bookstore that regularly hosts author events. Focused on literary fiction and nonfiction. They have a “Weekends with Locals” event to showcase local authors’ books.
Address: 7812 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: https://www.warwicks.com/event
Verbatim Books
A unique bookstore with fascinating murals and displays; hosts regular book events and reader events. (with a cheap parking structure across the street!)
Website: https://verbatimbooks.com/events/
Address: 3793 30th Street San Diego, CA 92104
Bay Books
The store focuses on new books and younger readers.
Website: https://www.baybookscoronado.com/book-reviews
Address: 1007 Orange Ave, Coronado CA 92118
Meet Cute Romance Bookshop
A bookstore dedicated to the romance genre.
Website: https://meetcutebookshop.com/events/calendar
Address: 8235 La Mesa Blvd. La Mesa, CA
Libelula Books
A bookstore that focuses on Chicano and indigenous peoples in San Diego.
Website: https://www.libelulabooksandco.com
Address: 950 S 26th St, San Diego, CA 92113
The Book Catapult
A literary bookstore with regular events.
Website: https://thebookcatapult.com/events/calendar
Address: 3010-B Juniper St., San Diego, CA
Hey Books!
A relatively new, fun bookstore selling new and used books and other items.
Website: https://www.heybooksorelse.com
Address: 921 E Street, San Diego, CA
Bluestocking Books
Used and new books and fun gifts.
Website: https://www.bluestockingbooks.com
Address: 3817 5th Avenue San Diego, CA 92103
There are also numerous Barnes and Noble bookstores in La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Point Loma, Escondido, and more. If you head a bit further northeast into Joshua Tree, make sure to check out these two favorites as well:
Space Cowboy Bookstore
An excellently curated sci-fi and genre bookstore whose owner can help you find just the book you’ve been looking for.
Website: https://spacecowboybooks.com
Address: 61871 Twenty-nine Palms Hwy. Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Raven’s Book Shoppe
Described as an “oasis for book lovers for over 30 years” this is one of the most charming bookstores I’ve been to in recent times.
Website: http://ravensbookshoppe.com
Address: 69225 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms CA 92277.
Note San Diego is also home to many wonderful county and city libraries, many of which host events.
Anything to add? Let me know in the comments!
KC Grifant 