Founded in 1976 by Elaine Petrocelli and her husband Bill Petrocelli, Book Passage began in Larkspur before relocating and expanding into an expansive multi-building literary complex on Tamal Vista Boulevard in Corte Madera. Renowned nationally for its ambitious author event series, writing conferences, and travel-writing workshops, the store has hosted figures ranging from local debut novelists to U.S. Presidents. In 2003, Book Passage expanded across the bay to open a branch inside the historic San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace. Book Passage remains one of Northern California's most influential independent booksellers and community literary hubs, continuing under the leadership of the Petrocelli family.