City Lights Bookstore City Lights Book Store-the birthplace of the beat generation, the "City Lights Book Store" in city lights bookstore, San Francisco, USA, is located in the North Beach of San Francisco, USA, and was opened by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (lawrence ferlinghetti) in 1953. The "City Lights Bookstore" was once the "home" of Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, the base camp of the "Beat Generation" and the landmark of "Rebel Culture". Even under the impact of today's multiculturalism and information, it still stands proudly.