Must-see shopping in California

  • Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

    Los Angeles

    This giant mall between Leimert Park and the Expo Line station looks ready to revitalize the neighborhood. It's anchored by Macy's department store, with…

  • Sage Roots

    Sequoia National Park

    Independent organic grocery store. Pick up healthy produce, from seasonal vegetables to eggs, steel cut oats, back beans, honey and golden flax (most from…

  • Funky & Darn Near New

    Joshua Tree National Park

    On Yucca Valley's vintage row around the Pioneertown turnoff, this cute boutique sells immaculate hand-picked preloved clothing from campy to classy along…

  • Price’s Peg House

    North Coast & Redwoods

    A handy stop which combines a general store selling everything from camping supplies to sweatshirts, plus a casual restaurant with a pretty garden and a…

  • Santa Barbara Farmers Market

    Santa Barbara

    Stock up on fresh fruits and veggies, cheese, nuts and honey at the Tuesday Santa Barbara Farmers Market, which also happens again on Saturday morning at…

  • Finesse, the Store

    Napa Valley

    Thomas Keller disciples and fanatics can finally take a piece of the action home. The culinary guru's new gift and souvenir shop features items such as…

  • Shipwreck

    North Coast & Redwoods

    The quality of vintage goods here – genuinely distressed jeans and leather jackets, 1940s housedresses and hats – is complimented by handmade local…

  • Seaport Village

    San Diego

    Neither seaport nor village, this 14-acre collection of novelty shops and restaurants has a faux New England theme. It’s touristy and twee but good for…

  • Strange Invisible

    Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey

    Organic, intoxicating perfumes crafted from wild and natural ingredients, with names such as Aquarian Rose and Fair Verona, although some are gender…

  • University Press Books

    Berkeley

    Across the street from campus, this academic and scholarly bookstore stocks works by UC Berkeley professors and other academic and museum publishers, with…

  • Ricochet Vintage Wears

    Joshua Tree National Park

    Great assortment of recycled clothing and accessories, including cowboy shirts and boots, along with some neat accessories (belts, sunglasses, hats) plus…

  • Alternative

    Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey

    Alternative built its name on organic cotton and recycled poly hoodies and tees, but has expanded its collection to include beachy, hip flannels,…

  • Ferndale Arts Gallery

    North Coast & Redwoods

    This cooperative runs a large gallery space selling prints, paintings, pottery, photography and greeting cards that showcase local artists from Humboldt…

  • Rick’s Sports Center

    Mammoth Lakes

    Rick's has been serving area fishers with advice and equipment for several decades now. It also does ski rental packages. It stays open longer in the…

  • Betty’s Girl

    Napa

    Expert couturier Kim Northrup fits women with fabulous vintage cocktail dresses and custom-made designs, altering and shipping for no additional charge.

  • Galactic

    San Diego

    Lose time perusing the shelves of this cubbyhole comic-book store. It also rents new DVDs and has a bunch of retro arcade games to play inside.

  • Dragonfly Shops & Gardens

    Orange County

    Whimsical Dragonfly Shops & Gardens sells native California plants, garden-minded gifts and beaded jewelry inside a white-picketed cottage.

  • Footcandy

    Napa

    A boutique shoe store that feels more like high-heel museum, with designer pairs from Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik.

  • Napa Valley Olive Oil Mfg Co

    Napa

    Sample 40 varieties of fine olive oil and vinegar at this downtown specialty-food boutique, which also carries fancy salts and local jam.

  • Woodhouse Chocolates

    Napa Valley

    Woodhouse looks more like Tiffany than a candy shop, with housemade chocolates similarly priced, but their quality is beyond reproach.

  • Farenheit 451

    San Diego

    This is an honest-to-goodness, old-style bookshop, selling mainly used books, including rare and first editions in plastic sleeves.

  • Castro Farmers Market

    San Francisco

    Find local and organic produce and artisan foods at moderate prices, plus charmingly offbeat folk music March through December.

  • Bookshop Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz

    Vast selection of new books, a few used ones, popular and unusual magazines, and ‘Keep Santa Cruz Weird’ bumper stickers.

  • Old Capitol Books

    Monterey

    Tall shelves of new, used and antiquarian books, including rare first editions, California titles and John Steinbeck's works.

  • Grass Roots Natural Foods

    South Lake Tahoe & Stateline

    This store sells a wealth of organic produce, lifestyle products and grocery goods, as well as sandwiches and fresh pizzas.

  • Here & There & Vintage

    North Coast & Redwoods

    Carries a wide range of Mexican folk art and crafts, plus Guatemalan jewelry, work by local artists and vintage threads.

  • Moe’s Books

    Berkeley

    A long-standing local favorite, Moe’s offers four floors of new, used and remaindered books for hours of browsing.

  • Shelter Cove General Store

    North Coast & Redwoods

    For those who are self-catering, Shelter Cove General Store is 2 miles before town. Get groceries and gasoline here.

  • Eureka Natural Foods

    North Coast & Redwoods

    A wonderful natural foods grocery store near the center of town which also has a combo fresh juice and coffee bar.

  • Mammoth Mountaineering Supply

    Mammoth Lakes

    Offers friendly advice, maps and sells all-season equipment from winter sports to camping gear. Rentals available.

  • Wave Rave

    Mammoth Lakes

    Snowboarders worship here. In summer it rents SUPs and electric bikes. Opening hours reduce in the low season.

  • South Coast Wahines

    San Diego

    At the foot of Garnet Ave at Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, this store carries spiffy surf apparel for women.

  • Henderson Center

    North Coast & Redwoods

    A lively farmers market that is held during the summer months in the Henderson Center shopping mall.

  • Cow

    San Diego

    A music store selling new and used LPs, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, 45s, VHS, 8-tracks and stickers.

  • Adventure’s Edge

    North Coast & Redwoods

    Rents, sells and services outdoor equipment and has a full service cycle shop.

  • Footloose

    Mammoth Lakes

    Full range of footwear and seasonal equipment; local biking info and rentals.

  • Sweetness & Light

    North Coast & Redwoods

    The house-made, gooey Moo bars are this antique candy shop’s flagship.

  • North Coast Knittery

    North Coast & Redwoods

    Sells wools and yarns in a rainbow of colors as well as knitting kits.

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