Important Reminder:The City Guide app will be sunsetting on December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more or to download our Swarm app.
Planning a trip to San Francisco?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Mechanics' Institute
Library and Bookstore
Downtown San Francisco-Union Square, San Francisco
"Check out the beautiful spiral stairway."(2 Tips)
"Take the free tour on Wednesday's at noon! Cool old building and looks like..."(2 Tips)
"150-year-old boutique library and the longest running chess club."(2 Tips)
"Absolutely amazing architecture"(2 Tips)
15 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- beautiful spiral
- tours
- chess club
- architecture
- library
- (2 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Ali DagliApril 10, 2017How can one go wrong with 150-year-old boutique library and the longest running chess club. Probably my most meaningful membership in the city.
Great place to read, work and think. A true SF gem. Open 7 days a week, closes at 9 pm Mon - Thurs.
- Take the free tour on Wednesday's at noon! Cool old building and looks like a real library. Cozy leather chairs and polished brass. Very nice staff too. Read more
Jess LMarch 15, 2016Great public (and free) tour every Wednesday that is an interesting look at SF history.
Parker HApril 29, 2012The oldest library on the West Coast and the oldest chess club in the US. Take the free tour on Wednesdays at noon.
The architecture is beautiful but this place is kinda depressing. Old people that are still racist that move away when you sit. Homeless folks who hang out not even to read. It just feels sad.
Incredible all you can eat pasta on Tuesdays. Don't miss it.
The Bold ItalicMay 31, 2011This library has comfy chairs, movie screenings, lectures with bigwigs, chess and wine tasting events. Read more
164 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Mechanics' Institute
57 Post St (Btw Kearny St. & Lick Pl.)
San Francisco, CA 94104
United States
San Francisco, CA 94104
United States
Closed until 9:00 AM tomorrow (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Fri
- 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Sat
- 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sun
- 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
(415) 393-0101
See More
Places inside Mechanics' Institute
You might also like
- 8.4
"Zines from the 90s Mission, history of shopping malls, space design magazines, the Whole Earth catalogs. No "check out" so bring a digital camera or find the books on the Internet Archive. Viva SF!"
Lindsay Eyink - 8.6
"Gorgeous library! Lots of room to study- with the bet views of the city!"
Heidi Glynn-Finnegan - 7.7
"Good study spot in the area and a place to dig through the books for some interesting titles!"
Bennett W Wong
Places people like to go after Mechanics' Institute
Appears on 67 lists
Must-Visit Libraries Around the World
Created by Foursquare City Guide
56 items • 440 followers
Atlas Obscura SF Exploration Spots, OD 2012
Created by Parker H
21 items • 38 followers
Todo list for San Fran / Palo Alto trip:
Created by ⓋJaredⓋ
73 items • 9 followers