Arcana: Books on the Arts

I bought Sofia Coppola’s book here. The amazing staff treated me kindly, and the selection of books on art, music, and film is massive. The music playing in the store was also fantastic — when I visited, they were playing 90s rave tracks like Spiral Tribe. These people are the real deal when it comes to art. If you want to discover hidden treasures in Los Angeles, you must visit this place!

Great vibe and great design, food and travel books the kind Assouline and Taschen sell. Really great selection. You can sit and read there. Loved it, not your regular book store.

I’ve heard about this legendary bookstore for quite some time, but after finally moving here, to see Ryan McGinley/Petra Collins talk and even ask a question my first weekend?! Life-changing 😭🥹 Also met Jerry Hsu, another big inspiration. WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK. Support this institution!

I and my family members are long-time customers of Arcana Books. We have always been quite pleased with their selection of books, and also their associated artistic collectibles. The owners and employees are friendly, courteous, and also highly knowledgeable, on all of the items that they carry, covering each of the various fields on which they specialize. Their primary focus is on the fields of art, photography, architecture, and the other artistic persuits, and they have an extensive inventory of volumes, covering various aspects of those fields. Inside their store, which is quite large, they always also have many collectible and rare items on display and for sale, across the fields of the arts, including collectible art posters and original photography. As a long-time collector, from a family who's members have an extensively long history as private collectors, I and we continue to frequent and enjoy this establishment, and of course it's staff members and owners. They also carry a large selection of newly published and older Taschen and other limited edition and collectible books, some of which are unusually large (and heavy). We have always felt that their prices are quite fair. There are collectible and rare items, there, that are understandably much higher in price, however, generally speaking, their prices are affordable. We also like the large, wall-size glass windows, around the store, that seem to give the interior a pleasant and airy ambiance. Typically, it is rather tranquil and relaxed, inside, and as an extra attraction, the music that they often have chosen to have playing, inside, is also interesting and enjoyable. The store periodically hosts book signing events, featuring prominent artists and photographers, including some who are also famous entertainment celebrities, who have become acclaimed artists or photographers. The store is located in the vicinity of Culver City, California, off of Venice Boulevard, inside what used to be the Helm's (Olympic!) Bakery Headquarters and Factories, and which has since been converted into a classy shopping district, with large and fine quality furniture and interior design shops, and also restaurants. Luckily, the Arcana Bookstore has lots of parking spaces for cars, located just a few steps from the store, and we have never had any difficulty at all, gaining a parking space, there. The parking is also free, and because the spaces are so close to the bookstore, it makes it really easy and convenient to come and go, without taking up too much time. But they have so many great books and other items, that we often find ourselves happily extending our visits, there. We consider this bookstore to not only be an asset, but as also a cultural landmark! Happy reading/studying/learning.