Amoeba Music

Location: Berkeley, CA
Overview:Founded in Berkeley, California in 1990, Amoeba Music is one of the largest and most beloved independent record stores in the United States. With its vast collection of CDs, vinyl records, cassettes, videos, posters, and more, it’s not just a store―it’s a space where music culture lives and breathes. Especially during the analog revival of the '90s and early 2000s, and the rise of the indie scene, Amoeba became a symbol of redefining the value of physical media.

Rooted in the countercultural heart of Berkeley, it has since expanded to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Inside, unknown DJs and world-famous artists alike can be found digging through crates, immersed in the hunt. The store’s iconic logo tees have long served as unofficial uniforms for those who truly love sound.

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On a street bustling with UC Berkeley students, one storefront stood out with its bold, psychedelic facade.
We couldn’t help but be drawn in, stepping through the doors of Amoeba Music.

What greeted us was a tidal wave of vinyl.
Every inch of wall space was packed with classic albums―floor to ceiling, front to back.

At the time, we were strictly “no fragile purchases” travelers.
Our suitcases had been crammed to the brim―there wasn’t a sliver of space left.
Still, it was impossible not to smile and flip through the records. The energy of the place made it irresistible.

Instead of vinyl, we threw ourselves into digging through T-shirts and tote bags.
That’s when our eyes landed on a tote bag hanging quietly behind the register―green handles, and the unmistakable Green Day logo.

“Of course,” we thought. “This is Green Day’s hometown.”
We exchanged glances, shared a knowing grin, and didn’t need to say a word.

As we checked out, we turned to the cheerful guy at the counter and said,
“Can we get two of those Green Day bags as well?”