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…
Must-see shopping in California
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…
Berkeley
Across the street from campus, this academic and scholarly bookstore stocks works by UC Berkeley professors and other academic and museum publishers, with…
Los Feliz & Griffith Park
An artful boutique stocking everything from handwoven silk and linen scarves to hippy-chic earrings, ceramics, novelty items, even place mats and coasters…
Santa Monica
It sells the art, folk art and crafts from a cooperative of 21 (it used to be 10) female artists. Always changing, but look for works in ceramic, wood,…
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…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Yes, it's an actual alley, open every day and packed with solid bargains spanning everything from on-trend threads and kitschy gowns, to kicks, bling,…
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,…
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…
Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market
Long Beach & San Pedro
Bargains abound at this sprawling market with more than 800 stalls hawking everything from vintage postcards to pottery, and fur to furniture near the…
Santa Monica
A boutique stocked with designer, ecofriendly hemp goods made in Downtown LA. It has fitted tees, chinos, hoodies and more, perfectly suited to the…
Anaheim
It may be a thrift store, but the vintage and gently used clothing and home goods are laid out so stylishly you'd think they cost many times more. Enter…
Disneyland Resort
Just around the bend from the Disneyland Main Gate is this one-stop shop for a mind-boggling variety of souvenirs, clothing and Disneyana, from T-shirts…
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…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
If you dig Japanese anime and steampunk action figures, art, T-shirts and stuffed toys, you'll go gaga at this Technicolor droplet of noise and peace…
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…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
A venue for Fashion District sample sales. Check the website for upcoming sales and bring your own bags and plenty of cash (most vendors don't accept…
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.
The Deserts
Browse for bargains at around 60 outlets by such covetable retailers as Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Guess, Levi's, Banana Republic and Tommy Hilfiger.
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Your one-stop shop for new and used limited-edition, imported and old-school sneakers. T-shirts and hats are available in its annex two doors down.
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.)
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.
Eastern Sierra
Indie bookstore with attached cafe in the back and wi-fi. Often has talks, signings and reading events.
Orange County
Whimsical Dragonfly Shops & Gardens sells native California plants, garden-minded gifts and beaded jewelry inside a white-picketed cottage.
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 Orange County
Thoughtfully chosen, fun and educational toys line the shelves here, from name brands to quirky one-off products like wind-up space robots.
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.
San Diego
This is an honest-to-goodness, old-style bookshop, selling mainly used books, including rare and first editions in plastic sleeves.
