Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
One of our favorite shops on Abbot Kinney deals in quality aromatherapy candles, art books, a smattering of boho-chic attire for ladies, fair-trade beach…
Must-see shopping in California
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…
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood & Westwood
Black Market stocks an eclectic selection of cool, casual threads, from Pendleton knits, Obey sweat tops and Nudie jeans, to an especially kicking…
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood & Westwood
A long-running, barn-red complex filled with high-end boutiques such as skincare emporium Space NK, unisex LA fashion brand James Perse and independent…
Greater Palm Springs
Bargain hunters, make a beeline for dozens of outlet stores: Gap to Gucci, Polo to Prada, Off 5th to Barneys New York. Wear comfortable shoes – this mall…
Laguna Beach
Decorated in big, bold colors, this offbeat craft gallery is the place to fill your bags with California-inspired pieces like a miniature ‘woody’ wagon…
Hollywood
Woodblock stacks are packed high with used fiction, while crude plywood bins are stuffed with vinyl soul, classical and jazz. The real gems (the rare…
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…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
An essential shopping destination for LA women who move seamlessly from casual days to glitzy nights. It stocks denim from Current/Elliott and Rag and…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
This Fashion District showroom hosts sample sales on the last Friday of the month (every Friday in December). Sales are cash only and usually take place…
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…
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood & Westwood
Anime fans can browse and bag original artworks and prints from prolific and emerging artists at this gallery space. Expect work from the likes of LA…
Silver Lake & Echo Park
Free-spirited Clover stocks an eclectic mix of fashion, accessories and gifts. Head in for outstanding, locally designed jewelry, boho-chic threads,…
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…
San Diego
Organic, modern and homegrown gifts and home items, from obscure books like How to Stay Alive in the Woods and Cabin Porn to wooden water bottles, locally…
Los Angeles
Since the early '90s this store has been dealing in African textiles – kente, mudcloth, kuba, indigo and more – as well as posters, dolls, bowls and…
Santa Barbara
Are you ready to take home a handcrafted, Southern California–born surfboard? Down in the Funk Zone, this surf shack is the place for innovative pro…
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…
Greater Palm Springs
It's a trek from central Palm Springs (about 12 miles), but this two-story shop is oh so worth it for its bevy of antiques, vintage clothing, jewelry and…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
LA’s kingdom of kinkiness is filled with sexual hardware catering to every conceivable fantasy and fetish. Please, who doesn’t need a penis beaker and a…
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…
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…
San Diego
Like a miniworld unto themselves, the 70-plus merchants here offer a supremely eclectic selection of clothing, jewelry, wraps, handbags and semiprecious…
Huntington Beach
Thrift and vintage hounds check out the beautiful displays in this store: jeans to vintage Mexican surf hoodies, boots, rock T-shirts, earrings and loads…
Disneyland Resort
Pirates and princesses are hot at this minimetropolis of mouse-related merchandising. Don’t miss the special room dedicated to Disney’s villains – gotcha,…
Gold Country
Run by the couple that organizes Amador's annual Barbera extravaganza (http://barberafestival.com), this expansive shop reserves special billing to…
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…
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…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
Freaky, funky Vivienne Westwood is the UK designer credited with mainstreaming punk and new-wave fashion then building it into an empire. This is her LA…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
One of several venues used for the Fashion District's popular sample sales, held on the last Friday of the month (every Friday in December). Sales are…
Santa Monica
Get your kicks at this slammin’ sneaker store specializing in vintage and limited editions, hand selected from the manufacturer by the manager. When new…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Ynez Valley
Long-running, independent bookshop carrying antiquarian and Scandinavian titles and children's storybooks. The Hans Christian Andersen Museum is upstairs.
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…
