Berkeley
North of Berkeley, this world-class store for roots, blues, folk, country, jazz and world music is affiliated with the Arhoolie record label, which has…
Must-see shopping in Northern California
Gold Country
Run by the couple that organizes Amador's annual Barbera extravaganza (http://barberafestival.com), this expansive shop reserves special billing to…
Sonoma
Known for its jacks (made here since the 1930s), Vella specializes in dry-jack with a cocoa-powder-dusted rind. Also try Mezzo Secco, a cheese you can…
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…
Mono Lake Region
One of the most established outfitters in June Lake village, Ernie's rents fishing gear in the summer months and skiing gear in the winter months. It also…
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…
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…
North Coast & Redwoods
The quality of vintage goods here – genuinely distressed jeans and leather jackets, 1940s housedresses and hats – is complimented by handmade local…
Berkeley
Across the street from campus, this academic and scholarly bookstore stocks works by UC Berkeley professors and other academic and museum publishers, with…
Sierra Nevada Adventure Company
Gold Country
This flagship is stocked with maps and has equipment for rent and sale. There's also friendly advice from passionate guides with knowledge of ways to get…
West of I-5
Impossible to miss, this funky old barn welcomes you with rusty vintage gas pumps (no gas) and beckons you inside for a simply wondrous collections of…
Eastern Sierra
Like a thrift store for outdoor gear, this is the place to pick up cheap secondhand items such as climbing shoes, backpacks, hiking poles, sleeping bags…
North Coast & Redwoods
This cooperative runs a large gallery space selling prints, paintings, pottery, photography and greeting cards that showcase local artists from Humboldt…
Healdsburg
Household goods with a global outlook: alpaca shawls to Vietnamese trivets to cashmere shawls from Tibet, sourced from fair-trade collectives in 58…
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…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
In addition to its famous olive oils, this locally based marketplace inside the Ferry Building sells organic treats and all-natural body products.
Napa
Expert couturier Kim Northrup fits women with fabulous vintage cocktail dresses and custom-made designs, altering and shipping for no additional charge.
Eastern Sierra
Top-quality outdoor gear with a focus on lightweight packs and trail running. Also rents different-sized crash pads (from $10 per day) for bouldering.
Coastal Highway 1
Get a kite or browse the old-world selection of wooden toys and games that you won’t find in the chains – hardly anything requires batteries.
San Joaquin Valley
Handmade Nordic crafts and decor sold by town icon, June Olsson Hess. (See if you can spot her in a painted mural of the Olsson family in town.)
Eastern Sierra
Indie bookstore with attached cafe in the back and wi-fi. Often has talks, signings and reading events.
Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation Gallery
Monterey
Taking over a cozy sea-view house, more than 30 local artists sell plein-air paintings and sketches alongside contemporary works in all media.
Gold Country
The Placerville wine shop that specializes in local vintages – and beers too. It pairs wines with beer and chocolate for tasting sessions.
Coastal Highway 1
An excellent bad-weather hideout, the stacks here have over 10,000 used titles. The shop is in an old house at the far east end of Main St.
Gold Country
This creaky-floored bookshop has a wealth of excellent maps, and history and local-interest books on topics from gold to ghosts to hiking.
Napa
A boutique shoe store that feels more like high-heel museum, with designer pairs from Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik.
Napa
Sample 40 varieties of fine olive oil and vinegar at this downtown specialty-food boutique, which also carries fancy salts and local jam.
Napa Valley
Woodhouse looks more like Tiffany than a candy shop, with housemade chocolates similarly priced, but their quality is beyond reproach.
Coastal Highway 1
This is an above-average farmers market with an excellent array of fresh produce, plus breads, preserves and locally produced cheese.
Mono Lake Region
One-stop shop for everything fishers need. Plus camping supplies. Business hours are subject to change, particularly in winter.
San Francisco
Find local and organic produce and artisan foods at moderate prices, plus charmingly offbeat folk music March through December.
Santa Cruz
Vast selection of new books, a few used ones, popular and unusual magazines, and ‘Keep Santa Cruz Weird’ bumper stickers.
Monterey
Tall shelves of new, used and antiquarian books, including rare first editions, California titles and John Steinbeck's works.
Coastal Highway 1
Stocks a great selection of books on local topics, titles from California’s small presses and specialized outdoor guides.
South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
This store sells a wealth of organic produce, lifestyle products and grocery goods, as well as sandwiches and fresh pizzas.
Gold Country
A welcome sight for Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers and anyone else needing a laundromat, deli, groceries, ATM and wi-fi.
Coastal Highway 1
Sells a fabulous array of women's fashions in rich earth colors made with all-natural fabrics, including hemp and bamboo.
North Coast & Redwoods
Carries a wide range of Mexican folk art and crafts, plus Guatemalan jewelry, work by local artists and vintage threads.
Coastal Highway 1
The town’s biggest grocery store has legit organic credentials, an excellent cold-food bar and great cheese and meat.
Central Coast
Interesting jewelry, homeware and bowls from a well-regarded Californian glass company founded more than 30 years ago.
