Birthplace of the Beats-City Lights Bookstore

The front of City Lights Bookstore

City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco has been a North Beach staple since 1953. It was founded by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter Martin (Martin left in 1955) it has been a place to find books on world literature, the arts and progressive politics. It is also a publishing house. City Lights publishing was the group that published  Allen Ginsburg famous book "Howl and Other Poems". Even though the years have passed, City Lights remains at the forefront of the counterculture and is now a San Francisco historic landmark:

People looking for a book at City Lights

The third floor Poetry Room

Three floors of books

Every time I am at City Lights I feel the need to sit on this bench and browse a book

Some of the featured titles-I bought the Amistad book

Even though I am not a poet I still sit in this chair while browsing a book

Some of the more unique titles at City Lights

One of the many great signs at City Lights

City Lights is one of those places that you can feel history.