The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Local scent maker elizabethW supplies the tantalizing aromas of changing seasons without the sweaty brows or frozen toes. 'Te' smells like a Georgia porch…
Must-see shopping in California
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Only in San Francisco would you find an S&M superstore, with such musts as suspension stirrups, latex hoods and, for that special someone, a chrome-plated…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
You've learned to eat, talk and appreciate art like a Venetian; now get around like one. The ultimate Venice bike shop assembles sturdy, steel-frame bikes…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
At a time when most SF dispensaries still feel like clinics and give off a buzz-killing, prescription-only vibe, this place feels decidedly recreational…
San Francisco
For vacation reading that matches the Castro scenery, head into Dog Eared for a wide selection of San Francisco literature, LGBTQ+ memoirs and novels…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
A block from the Abbot Kinney strip, this shop sells coastal-cool clothing and accessories, from sage-green Converse sneakers to surfboards, sunglasses…
Los Angeles
Nearly 30 years in business and still going strong in an Amazon world, this store focuses on African-American literature, fiction and nonfiction…
Coastal Orange County
This place has been making surfboards since 1959, but it's also about the surf-and-skate lifestyle, man. Eavesdrop on local surfers talking about their…
San Francisco
If your morning jog leaves your feet or shins hurting, get your gait checked here before you hit Ocean Beach or Golden Gate Park trails. The pros will…
Oakland
Stranded is the kind of cool record store you wished you had worked at when you were younger (or maybe now). It only carries vinyl, and offers a…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Part bookstore, part community center, with books in the front, and local art shows and art books in the back. Alley Cat is not a hush-hush place but an…
San Francisco
Stagger out of this literary opium den while you still can, laden with remaindered art books, used cookbooks and just-released novels signed by local…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
This tidy Bernal Heights dispensary is tops for its 'farm-to-feeling' edibles, which include things like animal cookies, Black Ice and Pineapple Love…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
The Union St outpost of this four-store SF-based chain showcases midrange designers, with a good mix of trendy and classic cuts in jeans, dresses, shirts,…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Bring home gifts for the kids that you won't find anywhere else. The shop at the Exploratorium – the city's famous art and science museum – carries unique…
Orange County
The brother shop of Elsewhere Vintage, Joy Ride has a similar vibe, only with men's clothing: 1950s bowling shirts to immaculately maintained wool blazers…
Long Beach & San Pedro
This large storefront is laid out like a museum gift shop with the works of some 150 artisans who make or source their wares locally: apparel, soaps, even…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
The city's finest art-supply store carries a dizzying array of ink, paints, pigment, brushes, frames, pens, pencils, markers and glues, plus paper in…
Laguna Beach
Hobart ‘Hobie’ Alter started his internationally known surf line in his parents’ Laguna Beach garage in 1950. Today, this is one of only a handful of logo…
Disneyland Resort
From distressed T-shirts with edgy Cinderella prints to black tank tops patterned with white skulls, the hipster inventory is discombobulating and really…
San Francisco
Renew, recycle and rediscover your creativity with postindustrial arts and crafts materials from SCRAP. Take a workshop for inspiration and make your own…
Santa Monica
Those searching galaxy-wide for the caped Lando Calrissian action figure, look no more. Puzzle Zoo stocks every imaginable Star Wars or anime figurine…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
All the half-off bargains and none of the clawing dangers of a sample sale. Stocks constantly change but have included cloud-like Catherine Malandrino…
Huntington Beach
This local maker does delicious coastal casual wear for men and women: Santa Fe–patterned fleece-lined Sherpa jackets, black corduroys, tanks, tops and…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Located in the Arts District, this is Poketo's flagship store. Shop the shelves for a thoughtful mix of mainly US-designed lifestyle products, from hand…
North Coast & Redwoods
This welcoming and holistic-minded place only sells pesticide-free cannabis products and is one of the oldest dispensaries in the United States. It even…
North Coast & Redwoods
From wrought-iron art to sculpture and jewelry, this is the largest collection of contemporary blacksmithing in the US. Note that there are two venues…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
Waraku is a compact, Japanese-owned shop for shoe-lovers. It blends Far East couture with mainstream street brands such as Puma and Converse. Some 60% of…
Santa Barbara
If you forgot your tent or rock-climbing carabiners at home, the West Coast's most popular independent co-op outdoor retailer is the place to pick up…
Disneyland Resort
If there was ever any doubt about the popularity of Frozen, look no further. This giant shop sells apparel and souvenirs, sure, and by reservation the…
Joshua Tree National Park
Expertly curated store with brand-name gear for numerous outdoor adventures, especially rock climbing and hiking. Staff is expert when it comes to local…
San Francisco
City-run Alemany is California's first farmers market, offering bargain-priced local and organic produce every Saturday year-round since 1943. There are…
Orange County
A hipster's love affair, this ladies' vintage store hangs sundresses next to hats, leather handbags and fabulous costume jewelry, all with a special…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
A bibliophile’s indie gem, sprawling and packed with entertainment, travel, feminist and queer studies, eclectic and LA-based fiction, with appearances by…
Oakland
This excellent independent bookstore is a community fixture with a well curated selection of literature and nonfiction that reflects Oakland's lefty…
Huntington Beach
A local icon since 1959, Katin Surf Shop is known for its handmade canvas board shorts, but nowadays it sells all kinds of surfwear, swimsuits and beach…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
This faux Italian palazzo is one of LA’s most popular shopping destinations, with 40 name-brand stores, a fountain and a trolley rolling down the middle.
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
For carnivores this is the highest-quality outlet in the Bay Area. Look no further for humanely raised, all-natural, dry-aged, grass-fed organic beef.
North Coast & Redwoods
This lovely plaza is the site of a weekly farmers market as well as being just a great place to grab a chair on the square and watch the world go by.
West Hollywood & Mid-City
There's nothing quite like this street corner occupied with a pack rat's extravagance, not to mention more than a few Instagram photo ops.
