DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA – It’s not that often that a global megastar makes an appearance here in the 925. But that’s exactly what happened recently in Danville–and in an unexpected place.
Zendaya, the Oakland-born actor, singer, and Bay Area favorite, recently visited Rakestraw Books in Danville, where she shopped, chatted with staff, and posed for a photo that quickly took off online.
The independent bookstore shared the photo on Instagram, showing Zendaya holding two very on-brand books: Frank Herbert’s “Dune Messiah” and Homer’s “The Odyssey.” Both titles line up neatly with her current Hollywood universe. Zendaya is expected to return as Chani in “Dune: Part Three,” and she is also part of the cast of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of “The Odyssey.”
For Rakestraw Books, it was the kind of surprise visit most small businesses can only dream about.
The shop said Zendaya stopped in to browse and talk books, and later thanked her for being warm, kind, and supportive of independent bookstores. According to SFGATE, the visit happened in mid-May while Zendaya was in the area visiting a family member.
The photo itself became the bigger story. As we write this, the photo has over 148,000 likes on Instagram, turning a low-key Danville bookstore stop into a viral Bay Area moment.
It also was not Zendaya’s only recent Bay Area bookstore visit. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that she had also stopped at Green Apple Books on Clement Street in San Francisco with a small group that included “Euphoria” co-star Hunter Schafer. That outing reportedly included stops at other Richmond District businesses as well.
Still, the Danville visit has special local charm. Rakestraw Books, located at 3 Railroad Ave., has been serving readers in the San Ramon Valley since 1973.
That may be why the story resonated so strongly. It was not a red carpet appearance, a premiere, or a carefully staged publicity moment. It was one of the most recognizable stars in the world doing something very normal: walking into a local bookstore, asking about books, buying a pile of them, and taking a fun photo with staff.
