East West Bookshop

I can’t believe some of the low star ratings that were given for East West! This is the most amazing place; the vibe is so peaceful with a little fountain in the back, and they have anything and everything spiritual you could possibly be looking for. My only complaint is that there isn’t one closer to me in San Mateo! That, and the fact that Castro Street is loaded with restaurants so the traffic sucks and the parking available is non-​existent, but at least they are within walking distance from the train station.
The assortment of books is excellent, ranging from manifesting your goals to improving your brain activity, from psychiatry/​self-​help, to angels and channeling. They also sell crystals, tarot and angel cards, yoga accessories, and aromatherapy products. There’s a large section of music, chanting, gong/​chime, and meditation music cd’s.
If you are looking to expand your consciousness in any of the many avenues of spirituality, this the place to go. Or if you just want to cop a squat and sit by a peaceful water fountain and read a good book or magazine, go check it out!

Cool store with all sorts of nooks and crannies for different spiritual missions, and friendly smiling clerks. Some self help books and comfortable women’s clothing. Interesting rocks and minerals. Yoga mats and ways to learn to expand your mind to the next dimension. A heavily influenced Indian religious theme. Reach out and touch someone, if you’re into that psychic stuff and connecting with your spiritual side. I do believe these themes help us to reach our potential, however some stuff bordered on the occult with witchy visuals, and at that point my spiritual advisor tapped me on the shoulder asked me to leave.

I can speak only for their collection of gemstones and other odds and ends of this nature — that’s all I’m interested in among their offerings. We’ve been coming here for years to look at gems and jewelry, mostly manufactured in India, Thailand, etc. Because of this, their selection of natural gems is extensive and interesting to browse through.
East West store isn’t an obvious choice for just anyone, especially considering the category it’s listed in — bookstores — as this isn’t your regular book-​selling store. I wouldn’t necessarily call it that: books are specific to religious and/​or spiritual. There are two real book stores on Castro (Books Inc and BookBuyers, although later is moving out elsewhere because of the high rent).
I don’t know who is coming here for a good read, but they do hold some book events and spiritual seminars periodically. It looks like a bit of a weird crowd to me, but what do I know. Some of the stuff is similar to what you’d find at those aromatherapy places. Book displays are mixed up with crystals and candles, spiritual gifts, oils and bath salts. All the things out of my scope of expertise, to put it mildly.
People behind the counter are usually busy with things I don’t understand. They seem to be better engaged with customers buying religious books and wind chimes. They often tend to those who have just participated in a reading and buying event-​related books and accompanied items/​gifts. In quieter times though they might strike a friendly conversation. It could be a bit intimidating though, my guess is that regular folks might avoid this place because of it. I would encourage you to come by and check it out for yourself — there are gifts to be had here.

This is my go-​to spot for all things spiritual. This place is heaven. There is no other way to describe it. I feel so thankful that east west is less then a mile away from my house. I’m here every week. I just went into the shop to find some Meteorite and Christopher went above and Beyond to help me! — Great customer service! Thanks so much.

Less of a bookstore, more of a spiritual new-​age gift shop. Selection of books is extremely specific and grouped in displays throughout the store, surrounded by crystals, candles, aromatherapy oils and lamps, decorative statues, wall hangings, framed pictures, dried herbs, wind chimes, bath salts and oils, tarot cards and everything else you might buy your weird aunt or an old friend from college. But not all that much in the way of books to read.
Browsing around for several minutes was entertaining, and there are legitimately a lot of great gifts to be found here. But as others have said, the service is nonexistent with a hint of pretentious. Great store to have around, wouldn’t necessarily come here over other options.

This is definitely my favorite store. I have a passion for spiritual books, and this is where I go to get them. The store also carries beautiful clothes, jewelry, meditation supplies, candles, CD’s and a wide variety of gift items. The atmosphere is very relaxing with the beautiful fountain in the store. I attend the classes once in a while, and have received numerology readings there as well. What would Castro Street be without East West Bookshop?

Great spot with even better vibes! Got some candles and incense. Their book collection is vast, a very nice (expensive) glass cased crystal selection. I haven’t found anywhere like this south of SF. Great client service! Will def be back.

East West bookshop is such a little gem in downtown Mountain View! It’s not your ordinary bookstore. In addition to their large book selection, they offer many classes and bring in mediums, numerologist, life coaches, and many other people to offer free workshops. They also have a rotation of people each day of the week come to offer their services for a fee (handwriting readings, psychic readings, yoga classes, etc.). I also love their large water fountain in the back of the store that has a prayer box. You can write whatever you need prayer for on the paper and the staff will pray for you. Just sitting near the fountain is relaxing within itself.
I can spend hours in this store! After looking at past reviews it makes me sad to hear that others have had poor experiences due to customer service. For my own personal experience, I’ve had nothing but positive encounters with the staff (in person and over the phone). They’re always willing to help me find a particular item or just chat with me about what I’m buying — never do I feel rushed. And I come in here often, now that I work so close, to browse around their new items, take classes, or get a gift for a friend.

Best bookshop ever. This is where you go when you want to make yourself a better person. There are books for every belief system, books for no belief system and books for all belief systems.
A great collection of calming music, plus tons of lovely knock knacks and gifts.
The ambiance is lovely, pretty, calming and soothing. A perfect shop to visit after a crazy day at work.
I also love the lecturers that they feature, there is a small lecture room in the back that’s nice for cozy lectures on fascinating subjects.

I love this store and the items they have, it’s always so peaceful and calming. Items are marked up but I like supporting a local business. We have been coming here for years and I’ve found everything — yoga items, feng shui books, smudge sticks, gemstones — you name it!
I would give the store 5 stars but their customer service flat out sucks. It has rarely impressed me over the years. I had a lovely interaction with one young woman today who clearly believes in cultivating her own spirituality. Unfortunately she is not the norm. We’ve often had encounters with staff who are rude, no personality, and give long unnecessary lectures rather than quick requests such as, «Please don’t touch that» or «Do you mind moving over so people can pass by?» I brought some friends here today for the first time and they loved the place but said they won’t come back because of the staff.

If your a spiritual person you will love it in here. :) They have all kinds of neat treasures: lamps, music, books, tarot, incense, cards, magnets, jewelry and keepsakes. I used a few of the readers there and it was an enlightening experience to say the least. Margaret Foster was very intuitive; however I don’t think she is there anymore. She was right on the dot with some issues that I wanted some clarity on, still waiting for one of her predictions though. :) I always felt at home in here. It’s so inviting, calm and relaxing especially with the indoor prayer pond. They offer all kinds of spiritual classes as well and although I never attended it’s good to know they have them. Check the place out if your out and about on Castro Street! The staff is also very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful! I do miss the place and hope to find something comparable in San Diego.

I love this store, the selection of books they have on topics from spirituality, yoga, astrology and more is very wide. It’s very well organized and the employees are knowledgable and helpful. They even have a little section in the back for kids. Absolutely recommend coming here, they always have something.
Great store if you’re looking for gifts for your friends too, they have a good range of spiritually based things to choose from.

I would give 5 stars here, and taking off one due to one saleswoman who works here and always seems to be profiling me as a shoplifter. She is not very subtle with her watching of clientele. I get it they have a Karma Cam and you can see the cams behind the register. I see their karma cam sign. There’s tons of little things here that people can pocket I’m sure. That being said, I have shopped here for over 20 years and love many of the other staff and love their products. Great prices on stones.
I am saddened by her presence and feel that she casts a pall on this place. It’s supposed to be spiritual and open. I understand that business needs to run as any business but I am getting tired of this profiler that works here.
One day I had her open the crystal case and she looked nervous and hovered I said OOOO BE CAREFUL someone might STEAL!!! really bugged me.
Rudy is great. His knowledge of the stones is wonderful. The stone prices are great and their quality is as well. I have found some interesting pieces here!
Someone talk to the saleswoman she’s bringing a bad vibe to the place. maybe adjust her chakras or something.
Maybe she’s profiling racially I don’t know i see on this site she does the same thing to a woman that looks sort of like me! (latinesque) hmmm. thanks older white woman.
Yay for diversity in the bay.
aFter reading her review, I lowered the stars from 4 — 2.
That’s ALL because of employee behavior. Management take note and talk to her please.

This bookshop has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can recall. The moment you walk into the store, you are greeted with a calming energy and soothing music. As you begin to browse, you will find a multitude of treasures from around the world, as well as incredible healing/​spiritual books. East and West always has the latest and greatest in all things peaceful, positive, healing, spiritual, holistic, healthy, etc. If you don’t get completely lost in another world while browsing the books, you will find that they also have great music from around the world. Further down into the store, there are waterfalls, and oils, lotions, massage tools, and tons of other goodies. You will also find Japanese art tools available, along with other neat art tools. They have crystals, imported jewelry, and crafts. I can go on, and on about this store and all of the great products they have to offer, but I’ll stop here!
The store exudes a peaceful, calming energy, and I always leave satisfied.

Love this place, staff is so friendly. Prices are great, and the aroa of the store is absolutely delightful

My favorite bookstore — keeps alive the magic found at the lost Gateways & Bodhi Tree bookstores. Great & leading edge spiritual books, beautiful gifts, crystals & cotton imported clothes to get your inner hippie in the groove! People who work there are peaceful, kind & helpful.

A great place for me to buy fun little goodies, ranging from mellow spa music to little crystal tchotchkes. You know, like the lapis lazuli skull that I bought because I simply «had to have it!» Why? I have no idea, but it almost jump started a skull collection that I don’t need. But it’s really cute … seriously. For some reason I always want to buy another one when I’m there.
I have purchased a few CDs for work, nice mellow spa music that doesn’t annoy me, so it’s nice to have the opportunity to listen to them ahead of time. I have been listening to one CD for over the past few years, since it’s so good and mellow I don’t «hear» it in the background. I don’t need some random noise like some whale singing … I don’t know about you, but sounds like whales and gulls gives me this weird facial tick — but I’m pretty sure they have those too, I just make sure I pass those by.

Great selection of books in the new age/​personal development/​religion genres. Also in the store are candles, oils, hand labyrinths, mediation cushions, singing bowls and bells, yoga mats and the like. Tons of speakers and events at the store, many of them free or at minimal cost. They have a frequent book buyer card – purchase 10 books, get 10% off the next book purchase.
I do find the customer service lacking. No one’s been friendly or encouraging even when I purchase something. A typical transaction goes, «You ready? It’s $XX.» :shoves receipt at me: When I’ve tried to say «Hi» or «How are you?» I’ve been stared at. It doesn’t take much to be polite, really.
I’ll keep coming to East West for the merchandise, I just don’t expect customer service.

Zero stars if I could for the customer service.
I love their products and community workshop offerings, and wish it was such a dreadful customer experience coming here.
There are a couple people working here who are absolutely helpful and friendly but I have to say, never have I been so offended by customer service as I was today. I have low expectations for the friendliness of the employees here from the several years I’ve been here, but my cashier today (Ventul is apparently his name) was absolutely obscenely rude. I never, ever get this upset about things but he was literally yelling with me arguing about the price of some holiday cards that are visibly marked half off AND I had already asked a separate employee on the floor to double check that the ones I had selected qualified. Despite the cashier next to him selling the EXACT SAME CARD to the precious customer for half off, he was no help at all either. Probably worried because this Ventul character is consistently difficult to work with. I wish the employees would read/​walk the talk of all the books about kindness and spirituality in this store, or at least set the hiring bar higher. I am so appalled will be warning as many people as I can to actively avoid this store or go in there only if you don’t plan on buying anything. Management, feel free to contact me for more detailed feedback if you’d like.

I come here a lot since there aren’t many metaphysical stores in the Bay Area. This store has great crystals and product but the staff is awful! Like I said I come here a lot and I’d say 80% of the employees are rude and seem bothered to help you. There’s a couple who are friendly but most of them are not! They roll their eyes at you when they don’t think you see them… Bad energy! This still surprises me with being a store with metaphysical and spiritual products, classes readings… So on. To have employees like this? I don’t get it? This is my updated review as well dropping one star.