This Small California Town Has the Largest Outdoor Bookstore in the World-and It's Just 3 Hours From L.A.

"Bart's Books opened in the town of Ojai in 1964 and has since earned the title of the world's largest outdoor bookstore, with over 130,000 used and new books available for sale. Separated from the beaches of Santa Barbara and Ventura by the densely forested Santa Ynez Mountains, Bart's-and Ojai at large-feels like a place out of time. That's fitting, considering the store's decades-long history."

"Richard Bartinsdale, who's the namesake of Bart's Books, served in the military in the Second World War, and when he was in Paris, he observed the bouquinistes, who have carts along the Seine and sell books in the open air," says Matt Henriksen, general manager at Bart's Books. "He wanted to do something similar. He initially was in Los Angeles out of a book stand, but he wanted something bigger, so he found this place in Ojai, where he thought he could attract like-minded artists."

"We have about 100,000 used books and about 10,000 brand-new books," says Henriksen. "If you want the chance of finding something you're looking for, or something special in a very unique environment, that's what we have to offer. And we're open almost every day of the year, rain or shine."

Bart's Books opened in Ojai in 1964 and operates as the world's largest outdoor bookstore with over 130,000 used and new books. The store sits at the southern end of California's Central Coast, separated from Santa Barbara and Ventura by the Santa Ynez Mountains, and retains a timeless, small-town atmosphere. Founder Richard Bartinsdale, inspired by Parisian bouquinistes after World War II, established the shop in a 1930s cottage and built outdoor stands. Bartinsdale died in 1983, but the shop continues to offer rare and vintage editions alongside new bestsellers and remains open nearly every day.

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