The Best Record Stores in Berkeley, CA

Berkeley's record stores cover just about every genre, including jazz, punk, indie, soul, and everything in between, making the city a great place to hunt for rare vinyls, track down new printings, or celebrate Record Store Day. And vinyl isn't the only format these shops carry. Many of these shops also carry solid selections of CDs, cassettes, and other physical media, making them worth a visit even if vinyl isn't your main focus.

Berkeley has four dedicated record stores, and they’re close enough together that you can visit all of them in one afternoon without much driving! Grab a coffee nearby, and make a day out of visiting the shops below and spending an afternoon digging through crates for the next addition to your collection.

Amoeba Music

Address: 2455 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA
Hours: Open Daily, 11 AM - 7 PM
Best For: Vinyl collectors, underground music fans, and local traders

Operating since 1990, Amoeba’s stock is constantly changing, meaning no two visits are ever quite the same. What started as a single Telegraph Avenue District storefront has grown into one of the most iconic independent record stores in the country and is a must-visit for music lovers. Try to plan your visit around one of their live in-store performances, so you can shop while a musician plays just a few feet away.

Rasputin Music

Address: 2401 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA
Hours: Mon-Tues: Closed | Wed-Sat: 11 AM - 6:30 PM | Sun: 12 - 6:30 PM
Best For: Deep cuts, CD’s, tapes, and DVDs

Founded in Berkeley in 1971, Rasputin Music has grown into the largest independent chain of record stores in the Bay Area. The selection is massive, and even a quick visit usually turns up a record worth adding to your collection.

Hercules Records

Address: 1734 Alcatraz Ave, Berkeley, CA
Hours: Open Daily, 12 PM - 7 PM
Best For: Great condition used vinyl and a small selection of new releases from independent vinyl and tape labels.

Don't let the size of this record shop fool you. Hercules Records fits a large, well curated collection into a small footprint. The store will buy and trade vinyl, and they have a turntable station available so you can test records before you buy.

Dave’s Record Shop

Address: 1404 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA
Hours: Mon-Tues: Closed | Wed & Fri: 12 - 6 PM | Thurs: 11 AM - 6 PM | Sat: 11 AM - 6 PM | Sun: 12 - 5 PM
Best For: Vintage records across genres

If you're hunting for 45s and LPs, Dave's Record Shop is a solid stop. The store is known for friendly service and genuinely good deals, especially if you're looking to sell or trade from your own collection.

Plan to visit Berkeley’s thrift shops for even more chances to find records, or keep an eye on our event calendar for upcoming markets where vendors occasionally sell vinyls.

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