Best Local Music Stores in Sacramento

Sacramento may not be the birthplace of jazz, grunge or rap, but it is home to several local
music stores, where buyers can acquire nearly every genre of music in a variety of new and
gently used formats. Here are the picks for best local music stores in Sacramento.

The Beat
1700 J Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 446-4402
Hours: Mon to Thurs - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri to Sat - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Directory listing

Sure, you can go to The Beat for new CDs, but if you're looking for nearly new and rare CDs, this is definitely the place to go. Music is categorized by rock/pop and soul, dance, blues, reggae, jazz, soundtracks, rap, collections, classical, singles, albums and 12-inch singles. From ABBA to Zeppelin, The Beat has it all. Better yet, if they don't have it, they will try to get it for you via special order, and, for those who don't want to drive to the store, they will mail to your door for a nominal shipping and handling fee. The Beat both sells and buys CDs, cassettes, records, DVDs and videos.

Dimple Records
2500 16th Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 441-2500
Hours: Sun to Thursday - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri to Sat - 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
dimple.com

Dimple offers new and used CDs and records, as well as DVDs and games. From classical to country, and from hip-hop to heavy metal, Dimple's selection of new and used music has something for everyone. With additional locations on Arden Way, and in Roseville, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Davis, as well as a dedicated vinyl store (also on Arden Way), chances are if you can't find it at the store on Broadway, whatever you're looking for will be at one of their other locations (or available online).

Phono Select
2312 K Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 400-3164
Hours: Tues to Thurs - 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri to Sat - 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun - 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
phonoselect.com

This great little record shop, tucked away in midtown, features records and CDs, both used and new, in all musical genres, with a heavy emphasis on rock and reggae. Never fear, there's also plenty of country, blues, soundtracks, and hip-hop to go around. Be sure to check out the imports and small-label reissues of psychedelic, punk, jazz, reggae, world and more, as well as the new and used 7-inch singles. Phono Select will special order anything that's in print with no upfront cost, and they will also ship direct (in that case, you must pay up front). If you're looking to sell, they also buy records and CDs in great condition. For collectors of one-of-a-kind, music-related odds and ends, Phono Select is the place to shop.

Insider Tip: if you see something you can't live without, buy it when you see it, because chances are it won't be there next time you go!).

Rare Records
1618 Broadway
Sacramento, CA
(916) 446-3973
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday to Saturday until 10 p.m.
rare-records.net

Rare Records claims to be one of the largest record stores in northern California, and with their huge (close to 5,000-square-foot) store, we believe them! Moreover, what you see in the store is only a drop in the bucket, as they own an additional 5,000 feet of storage. Musical genres at Rare Records include rock, punk, soul, indie, jazz, reggae, rah/hip-hop, metal, blues, folk, country, house, techno, soundtracks, international, comedy, spoken word, religious and more. They also sell a small amount of new and used CDs, and buy and sell used LPs, 45s, CDs, DVDs, VHS and video games.

Esoteric Records
3413 El Camino Avenue
Sacramento, CA
(916) 488-8966
Hours: Mon to Sat - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Directory listing

Esoteric Records features a huge selection of used vinyl, CDs and cassettes, as well as DVDs and VHS—a lot to fit into a relatively small store space. To combat their limited floor capacity, the knowledgeable and helpful Esoteric staff is constantly rotating music from shelves to dollar bins, so be on the lookout for great deals. You may not find a lot of top 40 here, but what you will find is a bevy of imports, out-of-print LPs, and promotional copies, all at bargain prices.