The best book, hobby & craft shops in Windsor

“Real Guitars, San Francisco's oldest guitar shop, keeps a killer rotation of used and vintage guitars, amps, and pedals, plus on-site repair for setups, refrets, and pickups. When your Hayward rig needs mojo, check their inventory and pounce before the good stuff vanishes.”

From the Hayward newsletter, August 6, 2026

“Since 1922, Union Music Company has stocked an extensive lineup of new and used band and orchestra instruments for beginners and pros, plus a deep sheet music selection and private lesson studios with independent teachers.”

From the San Mateo newsletter, August 7, 2026

“Just For Fun & Scribbledoodles / Artsake dishes out a whimsical stash of playthings plus family friendly events like Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon play, and a Kids Art Club. Swing by when your routine needs sparkle, then let their rewards program quietly pay you back for being fun.”

From the Richmond newsletter, August 6, 2026

“Since 1974, Guitar Solo has been San Francisco’s rabbit hole for guitar obsessives, with a massive catalog of printed editions from classical and flamenco to gypsy jazz, surf and slack key. Grab fresh strings, picks, capos, cases and those niche studies you swear you’ll finally master this week.”

From the San Francisco newsletter, August 18, 2026

“Chain selling guitars and other musical instruments. Customers can try out the gear.”

“Mission Synths is the analog playground for modular heads, with drum machines, pedals, sequencers and an Intro to Eurorack monthly group session to get you patching fast this week. Need something specific? They do special orders from over 275 brands, plus lessons and consignment for your old gear.”

From the San Francisco newsletter, August 27, 2026

“Since 1948, Sunset Music has been the Sunset’s one-stop spot for record needles, sheet music, instrument rentals, and lessons, with friendly folks who actually know their stuff. Handy when your kid joins band, your turntable needs love, or you finally commit to those piano goals.”

“Whether you paint, sketch, draft, or build tiny foam cities for fun, Arch Art Supplies has the good stuff: watercolor and oil paints, sketchbooks and papers, pens and inks, brushes, boards and foamcore, modelmaking materials, screen printing gear, and more. Swing by and let a new tool spark a new idea.”

From the San Francisco newsletter, August 12, 2026

“Classic music shop stocking audio gear for the computer-based home & project studio, plus classes.”

“From a herd of faux fur and shiny vinyls to canvases, paints, glues, and kids art staples, Mendel's is the Haight favorite for turning wild ideas into real projects. Drop in when you need costume bits, yarn, or that one tube of gouache you didn't need…until now.”

From the San Francisco newsletter, August 15, 2026

“Long-running store offering a wide selection of fine art materials, stationery, and gifts.”

“Chasing that perfect chime or nylon warmth, Steve's Guitars of San Francisco buys, sells, and trades fine instruments from electrics and vintage acoustics to mandolins, banjos, ukuleles and lutes. With over 30 years in SF, they also offer lessons and bookable classical or jazz for your next backyard hang this week.”

From the San Rafael newsletter, August 14, 2026

“Trade doomscrolling for hands-on fun this week at Art and Craft Workshops.”

From the San Mateo newsletter, August 13, 2026

“Amoeba Music is your excuse to duck out this week and get lost in bins of new releases, hard-to-find vinyl, CDs, and movies, then stick around for Live at Amoeba in-store sets and staff-curated Music We Like picks that always spark a rabbit-hole listen.”

From the Daly City newsletter, August 19, 2026