Fault Radio's Guide to Bay Area Record Stores
The Bay Area Record Store Guide
By Fault Radio
The Bay Area is known for many things, but it is almost criminally underrated when it comes to its record stores. The quantity of record stores to shop at is a reflection of the area’s deeply rooted vinyl culture that goes back to the beginnings of Disco and Soul music. Nowadays it feels like a new specialty store opens up every year, enriching the scene and bringing access to new genres. Simply put, there has never been a better time to be interested in vinyl.
To help out all you vinyl lovers we’ve compiled the first-ever definitive guide to the Bay Area’s best records stores just in time for Record Store Day! We’ve highlighted our favorite shops, in no particular order, to help you know where to start. Make sure to stay curious and try out new watering holes.
*JUNE 2021 UPDATE: Unfortunately, some of our record store favorites have been retired from our updated list, due to the severity of the pandemic on local businesses. But many of our favorites have survived, some new ones have set up shop, and they are ready for your business, online and in-person!
Record sales continue to be on the rise in 2021 and we are more than happy to report that vinyl is here to stay. We’ve refreshed our favorites to help you recalibrate your record radars this summer and beyond! Happy digging!
East Bay
1) Hercules Records
1734 Alcatraz Ave. Berkeley, CA 94703
Soul, funk, rock, and disco 45’s are the name of the game at this South Berkeley record store. 12-inch records are also in abundance and the Jazz section is often full of hidden gems. Those looking for electronic or dance genres will find a small, but often overlooked selection that can lead to scoring unexpected techno and house gems. South Berkeley's independent record store has a steady rotation of new and used records mostly of Soul, Funk, Classic Rock, and Disco 45’s. You can find all the most current releases from local label Smartbomb here and other releases from local artists.
2) Cone Shape Top
5200 Adeline St. #158, Oakland, CA 94608 (Entrance at corner of 53rd and Adeline)
Cone Shape Top is a small music+book shop / project space / podcast series run out of an apartment in Oakland. Open for walk ins on Saturdays (1-6pm) and appointment all other days. Every 3rd Monday 8:30 PM PST, they share a mix of stock selections through Oakland radio station, Lower Grand. All programming shared through their monthly newsletter is released every 28th of the month (subscribe on website). Apart from records they have a free zine library for the alternative literature heads.
3) Econo Jam Records
2443 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94612
Econo Jam is a fantastic spot with a great location in Uptown Oakland, which makes it many diggers’ local spot. The store’s racks are noted for stocking music by local musicians and artists who represent genres ranging from Hip-Hop to Punk Rock. The bargain bins are also always stoked with secret weapons that deserve a chance to shine if you take the time to find them. If you aren’t a bargain shopper then there’s always the rare section and plenty of new contemporary vinyl to stock up on as well. You’ll also find an extensive selection of Blues, Reggae, Jazz and experimental jams. Online shopping through Discogs is still available!
4) VAMP
1773 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
VAMP is a vintage clothing shop, record store, and artist hangout in Downtown Oakland. Its selection of records is definitely on the eclectic side, but lovers of African, Latin, and funk music will have tons of fun finding what has escaped notice from early diggers. A healthy spattering of Jazz and Soul records makes for a unique selection that has frequently been known to generate some stellar finds. Plus, the store has couches if you feel like staying a while to chat with the lovely owners. Since the pandemic, the owners have launched the Vamp Record Club, a personally curated record box based on customers’ budget and genre/era preferences!
Other East Bay Notables:
420 40th St. Oakland, CA 94609
1-2-3-4 Go! Records is a record label, record store and online mail order based in Oakland, CA. Focused on Punk, Indie, Garage, hardcore, and more. All US orders over 60 bucks get free shipping.
2455 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704
Nothing gets more classic than Amoeba. You are sure to find all the newest contemporary music and novelty items.
Photo courtesy of Amoeba Berkeley
644 40th St. Oakland, CA 94609
A tiny, but well-curated shop that stocks re-issues and rare oddities at value prices. If you can’t visit in-store, you can DM them on IG or shop their Discogs for purchase.
1404 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA 94702
An unassuming storefront on San Pablo with surprisingly good records. Ask the shopkeeper for a recommendation. Visit in-store or shop the Discogs page.
10341 San Pablo Ave. El Cerrito, CA 94530
This little shop specializes in acoustic music from all around the world!
10) Groove Yard
5555 Claremont Ave. Oakland, CA 94618
Definitely a goldmine for jazz and blues! But you’ll also find some very cool avant-garde 20th-century gems here (Stockhausen, Schönberg, Cage, etc.).
11) Mars Records
4125 Piedmont Ave. #7, Oakland, CA 94611
Specializing in jazz, soul, disco, and modern rock, you’ll find a highly curated selection of pre-loved records, maybe even some from Steve’s own personal record collection. Check out the official Fault review here!
12) Open Mind Music
5521 College Ave. Oakland, CA 94618
The go-to place for serious collectors of hard-to-find vinyl LPs. Well-stocked in rock and plenty of rare bins to pore over!
13) Rasputin Music
2401 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704
On a student budget? This could be a good spot.
14) Stranded
14 Glen Ave. Oakland, CA 94611
Stranded is the retail arm of archival label Superior Viaduct with locations in New York, San Francisco and Oakland.
1060 Solano Ave. Albany, CA 94706
Interesting shelves and plenty of bins to dig through if you are on the hunt for a specific record. Popular genres to peruse include Reggae and Soul.
965 B. Street, Hayward, CA 94541
A newly opened record store (as of June 2021) in Hayward that shows a lot of love to 45’s of all genres. From what we can tell this could potentially be the next hotspot for rare boogie, soul, jazz, and disco. You can also expect to find the latest indie releases and plenty of used 7 and 12 inch bins to help you stretch those dollars.
*Permanently or temporarily closed: Park Blvd, Paradise Records, Vallejo Vinyl, Mod Lang El Cerrito, & Bandcamp Oakland
San Francisco
1) Vinyl Dreams
593 Haight St. San Francisco, CA 94117
The definitive stop for House, Techno, Electronica, and Balearic. The space was opened by longtime local DJs and still caters to many in San Francisco’s local professional scene. On any given day it is not uncommon to see impromptu DJ sessions performed by regulars and friends of the shop. This is the place to find new and old releases of classic House, Detroit Techno, and new electronic genres, but also a place to find community and other people interested in DJ culture. Well-curated bins and helpful descriptive labels on every record makes digging here more fun than any shop we’ve visited so far. Be sure to check out their online store to keep up with purchasing exciting releases!
2) RS94109
closed, but records are available on their online store
The Tenderloin outpost opened in the summer of 2013 and has gone through a few floor plans since. This enigmatic record store located in the 94109 district of San Francisco is a one-stop shop for Techno, House, Experimental, but mostly Techno. It is also the unofficial hub for San Francisco’s stand-out record label Dark Entries. In addition to serving coffee, RS acts as an important cultural hub within the contemporary underground music community and hosts shows and events. Check out their Discogs page!
3) Groove Merchant Records
687 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94117
Located in the Lower Haight District of San Francisco, Groove Merchant has been around for 26 years and is one of the best record stores the City has to offer. Known for their incredible selection of Jazz, Funk, and Soul this shop stocks the kinds of things to surprise even the most experienced music aficionados. The reputation of the shop precedes itself and you absolutely cannot leave the city without checking out their shelves; quite frankly it’s a must-visit for those on their record store pilgrimage.
Other San Francisco Notables:
1855 Haight St. San Francisco, CA 94117
Just like the Berkeley location, you’ll have no trouble finding a record if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Photo courtesy of Amoeba San Francisco
5) Grooves
1797 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94103
20-year-old institution known for hard-to-find gems and a knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff. Whether it is 60's Rock or folk, 70's fusion, 50's Jazz, classical, movie soundtracks, children's music, or just the strangest slab of wax you ever heard, you will always exit Grooves with an unexpected score.
6) Noise
3427 Balboa St. San Francisco, CA 94121
Jazz, Soul, Rock - Great 12" singles
**Curbside pickup and local delivery only and IG shopping available 24/7.
701 Fillmore St. San Francisco, CA 94117
Small record store that in addition to carrying used vinyl, offers ultrasonic cleaning and de-warping services in the local San Francisco Bay Area. Specializes in Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul, Blues, Rock, and Folk. In-store and Discogs-shopping available.
419 Haight St. San Francisco, CA 94117
Hip vinyl shop boasting a variety of classic records & listening stations in a compact colorful venue. The Disco and Funk selection is also quite nice.
9) Stranded
1055 Valencia St. San Francisco, CA 94110
The retail arm of archival label Superior Viaduct with locations in New York, San Francisco, and Oakland.
3422 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94110
Volunteer-run store specializing in Punk vinyl, including albums put out on its own recording label.
11) Tunnel Records
3614A Taraval St. San Francisco, CA 94116
An awesome shop in San Francisco by the beach offering new and used vinyl, cassettes, and funky beachy goods.
12) Mission Synths
3026 24th St. San Francisco, CA 94110
Down 24th Street, in the heart of the Mission, you'll find taquerias, coffee shops, restaurants, dive bars, jewelry, bookshops, hair salons, delicatessens, and a Mexicatessen. Now you can find synthesizers and records of all kinds — standalone and modular — plus drum machines, sequencers, controllers, and dozens of other noise-making tools, too.
*Permanently or temporarily closed: 1-2-3-4 Go! Records SF, Pyramid Records, & Rasputin Music SF
South Bay
1) Needle To The Groove
424 E Santa Clara St. San Jose, CA 95113
This San Jose record shop offers dance music-oriented selections like Hip Hop, House, Techno, Soul, Indie, and other great 12" singles. In addition, the shop’s attention to detail and curation make for a very pleasant experience for shoppers. The store also operates its own record label and organizes live performances with local and visiting artists. You can also check out their Fremont location if you are in that area.
Other South Bay Notables:
980 S Bascom Ave. San Jose, CA 95128
Rock, Indie, Punk, Metal, World
530 E Campbell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008
Jazz, Soul, Rock
