Open Secret Book Music and World Art Gallery

Great chai, tons of selection of spiritual stuff. I bought a fabric Hanuman and a photo of Ramanamaharshi. If your into this scene you’ll love this place.

This is pretty cool spot. They have an abundance of books, a good sage and incense selection, and even some cool card decks. I went there specifically for sage that day, and I was impressed with the options in size and variation. I do think the safe specifically is a bit over priced, but other things are moderately priced. The space itself could definitely use a little dusting and vacuuming, but I know I found a lot of hidden gems underneath some clutter.
I noticed that they do serve food on the other side. I didn’t eat, but I am curious.
Aside from wishing it was more organized and clean, this place was pretty neat! If I have a lucky day and find easy, fast, parking, I’ll go back and give it a second go!

This place is gross. The white-​haired fella at the counter is unhelpful and rude. I entered clean and came out dusty. Seriously.

Prices are moderate. café is nice. performances are ecclectic. Great selection, most all staff are ok, cozy place, parking ok. new guy, late fifties, glasses, wears headband or pony tail, watches me a lot, makes sleazy comments intended to pick me up. I had to stop going there because of him. I miss the place. But, his comments were repulsive. A young woman said she experienced the same. I know it’s not just me. I miss the others there and the calm, serene café. I might return if I have a friend with me who might discourage his advances.

Love, love, love. Walking in there is like walking through a portal into a little haven of tranquility. The food, chai, music, books, art… all treasures. I bought a mandala from Kalimba, too, which I’m enamored with. Don’t miss this lil spot :)

Great people, Great food, Friendly environment
Kirtan was like no other, I think it is offered every
3^rd Saturday of the Month. Jai, Great amount of
interesting literature and a marvelous and unique
environment, Open Secret has to be one of my
favorite places in San Rafael

I really love Open Secret Bookstore ad Gallery! Not only do they have tons of books, they also offer free wifi and have an amazing meditation room in the back that I have used several times. It has many different dieties and you can choose where you feel most comfortable. The people there are always interesting and kind and you can hang out there any time, it’s a really chill atmosphere. The food is amazing, one of the only places that serves great vegan food in marin. I just wish it was open more often! Overall this is my favorite spot to spend time in San Rafael :) THANK YOU OSBMWAG!

Best Chai in the Bay Area, go to the cashier and ask for a Chai, you will be back

«Hi. I’d like to find a book on Hawaiian spirituality, the Big Island, Pele…»
«Oh, yeah. We don’t have anything here. You might try Book Passage on Tamal Vista. They have a GREAT travel selection».
«Yeah, no… I’m looking for a book on spirituality, not travel-​„
“Oh, we have a few maybe in our Shamanism section…“
We walk to the shamanism section
„But this is probably not what you’re looking for– we don’t have any books with pictures.“
„Pictures?“
“Yeah, these are all books with writing in them, not pictures.»
«Uh, thanks. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. A book with words».
Seriously. This is almost verbatim to my conversation I had with one of the employees at Open Secret this evening. I’m surprised that I even bought anything– maybe its my desire to support local book stores… but don’t be surprised if you’re overwhelmed with a condescending attitude as you walk through the doors. I heard someone asking for a psychology book over the phone and the same dude said «Yeah, we don’t really carry psychology books. We’re an esoteric bookstore. We don’t carry mainstream literature” — and they have a rather large psychology section. Sigh. People.

5 dollars for a chai, i feel like my aura is being penetrated when i walk in here, i’ve had some funny incidences outside the store but inside ehh it just feels like they want me to pay them to save my soul. but i do enjoy their food! really great daal/​hot hippy vegan food and i truely appreciate that its semi-​affordable 5 dollars for a plate of food, or at least a bowl is more manageable

Open Secret has some beautiful art and interesting events held at it’s facility but it is overpriced in regards to it’s books, cd’s, jewelry, incense etc. Plus you have to buy ten dollars worth of goods in order to use your debit/​credit card. They only accept cash otherwise. I personally find that annoying… especially when I was purchasing two cards that were just about ten dollars… didn’t quite make it so I put the cards back and bought other cards elsewhere. There are definitely some interesting spiritual seekers in this store… I have been entertained on several occasions. Aside from the prices and money policy though it’s a nice environment if you’re into the spiritual vibe thing. A café that offers vegan food and other goodies. I have had the chai and it was good. Out of the whole store though, I have to say the gompa or meditation room in the back with all the art is my favorite. Bottom line, the place is cool just not great… as far as a book store goes…

No longer a fan.
I walked in, looking for books in their Mythology section. Found one that could be interesting. The price was $ 6 and change. Went to the front counter. The short guy with long frizzy hair, maybe the owner, opened the cover, erased the price and wrote «$ 10-​» instead. This was at the moment I was about to buy it. I asked, «why did you do that?» He said, «it wasn’t my writing» referring to the first price.
What? Are you saying it was my writing?
I walked out. I did not buy the book. He seemed to be pleased with himself.
There are other used book stores to frequent. I suggest you do.

PROS:
HUGE selection of spiritual and metaphysical books
All religions — majority with an eastern religious lean
Owner is nice and polite and happy to be helpful
Café with plenty of seating
CONS:
Strong incense smell for those who are allergic
Many books don’t have prices — these «nearly new used books» are considered new and full price is charged
Prices are too high
Hard to find location
Parking is hard to find and metered

I used to go here quite a bit, but haven’t actually had the opportunity to come here recently until a little over a week ago. It’s still as good as I remember.
The place is a combination of bookstore, art gallery, coffee/​tea shop (complete with a calendar of live events), metaphysical store, and religious shrine. You can get TONS of metaphysical books on pretty much any subject you’re looking for, new and used. They also have incense, crystals, religious statues (with a strong Hindu tendency), music, and all sorts of other spiritual/​mystical/​occulty things packed into their surprisingly large space.
It’s got a really nice atmosphere in here, so its a cool place just to chill, hang out and look at all their stuff. Service is really friendly. You don’t find too many places like this anymore in the Bay Area, so it’s worth it to me to trek up from the Peninsula every once in a while to check Open Secret out.
Drop by here and see what I’m talking about. Step into the door, and all will be revealed to you.. .

I’ve been in here a time or two with friends, and it definitely has kind of a warm and comfy vibe going on, where you can just pull up a chair and browse a book or two whilst enjoying some coffe. Overall a decent place. One star off for their horrible chai tea though.

Wow. Holy sage burning hippies Batman. This place must be channeling in some kind of alien mind control, because as soon as I walked in I almost couldn’t overcome the urge to free my inner goddess by dousing myself in patchouli oil, filling my pockets with crystals and shooting my bra out of my shirt sleeve.

I really, really love this place. As soon as I walk in I instantly relax. This is one of those places that you have to explore though, you cannot take it all in in just five minutes. This is the place to explore all of your curiosity about different kinds of spirituality, art, meditation, healing, and other esoteric interests. There are all kinds of books that you are not likely to find anywhere else. Books on religion, health, the supernatural, holistic studies, alternative magazines, you name it. They also have amazing jewelry, stones, decorations, incense and accessories. Anddddd the big plus, is that they have the BEST chai I’ve ever had! They also offer tapes, dvd’s, and Cd’s on above mentioned subjects, as well and a huge assortment of taro cards. It’s a great place just to hang out, look at books and drink chai. But I can almost guarantee you’ll want buy something just to take a piece of Open Secrets tranquility home with you. Also, the staff is very helpful and knowledgeable, it’s not always easy to find what your looking for if you want something specific, but they can always help you. So next time you are in San Rafael, you must check out Open Secret!