Central Coast
Located on a pleasantly winding back road in Paso Robles wine country, Pasolivo's olive-oil tasting room features bold and earthy oils flavored with basil…
Must-see shopping in Northern California
The Haight & Hayes Valley
When Victorian attics overflow, San Francisco eccentrics sell their excess art-glass vases, pewter peace-sign necklaces and California-bear bookends at…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
The West Coast outpost of the high-end New York fashion landmark has similar signatures, including inspired window displays and up-to-70%-off sales. But…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Here's an unusual gift: bring back the bay to those who couldn't join you. SF Salt mines salt from San Francisco Bay to make bath salts, adding only…
Marin County
This rickety, unsigned shop around the corner from the Bolinas Museum sold surfboards for 25 years but now it's a den full of very reasonably priced ($10…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
The first boutique outside Japan of Japanese brand Itoya showcases ingenious gadgets for travel you never knew you needed, including reversible house…
North Beach & Chinatown
You'll have to bend over those earthquake-defying bins to let DJs and hard-core collectors pass (hey, wasn't that Tom Waits?!), but among the $5–25 discs…
North Beach & Chinatown
Be the star of Crissy Field and wow any kids in your life with a fierce 9ft-long flying dragon, a pirate-worthy wild parrot (SF's city bird), surreal…
North Beach & Chinatown
Costuming is a competitive sport in SF, and Rosalie's will help you find a head-to-toe ensemble that will have the whole city gagging on your glamour…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
The flagship store in Levi Strauss' hometown sells classic jeans that fit without fail, plus limited-edition Japanese selvage pairs and remakes of Levi's…
Marin County
Stop for free tastings at one of Marin County's most renowned cheesemaking shops. Crafted on a ranch started by a Swiss immigrant family, these wheels of…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
An installation artwork that doubles as a store, where bird baths overflow with hand-dyed shawls and ladders are laden with cocktail cookbooks and dessert…
Along Highway 101
Family-owned and operated, this central mercantile is a good reflection of Willits itself, balancing cowboy essentials – boots and grain, tools and denim …
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
The actual pool hall's across the street - here the green felt table is piled with an array of belts, PF Flyers high tops and retro bandannas, as though a…
Marin County
Take the bicycle-and-pedestrian bridge from the Larkspur ferry terminal across the road to this breezy shopping center with upscale boutiques, excellent…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
A pot dispensary with a great reputation for customer service and a wide range of products, from flowers to edibles, vapes to tropical rubs. The trippy…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
When Marina girls need an outfit that won't break the bank, they shop Y & I for their cute dresses, priced at $50 to $200, by brands including Everly and…
Berkeley
This store boasts one of the most voluminous collections of Jewish gifts, souvenirs and general tchotckes (trinkets) anywhere. Need something religious,…
Oakland
McMullen is a mainstay of the Oakland fashion scene, boasting labels like Hozen, Clyde, Staud and Ulla Johnson. The selection of shoes, bags, dresses,…
Martinelli's Company Store Tasting Room
Central Coast
Drop into Martinelli's for excellent apple juices and (non-alcoholic) ciders, and learn about the company's interesting local heritage. In cooler weather,…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Ever since Japanese retailer Uniqlo landed on the West Coast here, SF has been rocking pop-art tees, cashmere in rainbow colors and down jackets that…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Founded in San Francisco by twin sisters, Benefit offers memorably named makeup – Brow Zings, Ooh La Lift – that draws a cult following. They also offer…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Wild West modern is the look at Aggregate Supply, purveyors of California-cool fashion and home decor. Local designers and indie makers get pride of place…
Gold Country
In continuous use since 1852, this fantastically atmospheric and authentic old store has creaky floorboards, a long wooden counter and inbuilt stools, and…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
Smart shoes in every sense of the word. Designed by women, for women right across the Bay in Sausalito. Each sleek yet comfortable, distinctive yet…
Central Coast
Stock up on picnic provisions such as California-made pistachio butter, fresh local baguettes, fruit jams and more, plus home goods like lavender soap…
Oakland
We love stores with a niche, and Umami Mart has one very well covered: Japanese barware, kitchenware and related home decor. Look: if you're gonna serve…
Oakland
These two pedestrian-friendly alleyways run by buildings located inside former horse stalls dating from the early 20th century, when horse-drawn trolleys…
Yosemite National Park
Offers the valley’s best selection of camping, mountaineering and backpacking supplies and is the home of the Yosemite Mountaineering School. It’s also…
Coastal Highway 1
This company has been around for more than 30 years in Fort Bragg, so it know its cocoa beans. This newer second outlet adds a sweet touch to Mendocino's…
Along Highway 101
In central Hopland, this is a friendly place to get your bearings, pick up a map to the region and taste several wines without navigating all the back…
Mt Shasta Region
A favorite outdoor store in Shasta, this place sell camping, mountain-climbing, skiing and backpacking gear, and has staff familiar with the mountain. It…
North Coast & Redwoods
This bean to bar company specializes in single-origin craft chocolates, most of which only have two ingredients (cacao and sugar). Everything is made…
Placerville Antiques & Collectibles
Gold Country
Of Placerville’s many antique shops, the collective of dealers in this brightly lit space is a favorite. Reasonably priced mid-century dishware is a…
Coastal Highway 1
If you’re planning on camping or exploring the Lost Coast, this is the best outfitter in the region, stocking detailed maps of wilderness areas, fuel for…
North Coast & Redwoods
Excellent natural food grocery store that caters to every dietary persuasion, including vegan and gluten free. There is also a deli-cum-bakery and a large…
North Coast & Redwoods
An eclectic old-school general store you enter just to browse – but exit carting a bourbon-scented candle, lighthouse puzzle, bag of scones and toy you…
Berkeley
If you’re a music junkie, you might plan on spending a few hours at the original Berkeley branch of Amoeba Music, packed with massive quantities of new…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Jack's dresses Marina dudes in vintage, screen-printed T-shirts, emblazoned with the logos of Bay Area sports teams, present and past, from the A's to the…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
One of the city's best remaining independent bookstores, Books Inc carries new-release hardcovers, good fiction, extensive magazines and travel books…
