Must-see shopping in California

  • Agent Provocateur

    West Hollywood & Mid-City

    As sexy as it is expensive (read: very, very), you’ll love the sweet and naughty burlesque sheers, lace and silks that will work quite well with the thigh…

  • Curve

    West Hollywood & Mid-City

    A funky fashion boutique that isn't as stiff as some of the other players on Robertson. It offers Acne denim, Rona Pfeiffer jewelry and a range of funky…

  • Bar Keeper

    Silver Lake & Echo Park

    A dream habitat for Eastside mixologists, with all manner of stemware, shakers, vessels, swivel sticks, ice-cube trays and cocktail guides to pour a…

  • Aviator Nation

    Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey

    Coastal-chic hoodies, tees and blankets, even guitar picks come emblazoned with the signature stripes of yellow, orange and red. Behind the store is an…

  • Salt

    Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey

    Art, gifts and gifts that are art are the jam here. Artist-designed, one-of-a-kind trophies, snow globes with the F-word inside, handmade boxes that look…

  • Supreme

    West Hollywood & Mid-City

    Fans are fanatical about the skate and street wear from this New York–based fashion house: colorful, patterned, padded, faux fur, patches and more. Cool…

  • Uniqlo

    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…

  • Benefit

    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…

  • Kayo

    West Hollywood & Mid-City

    This hip-hop skater retailer on Fairfax is set in a converted bank building and it has the vault to prove it. It deals in labels such as Organika and has…

  • Aggregate Supply

    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…

  • Chucks Vintage

    West Hollywood & Mid-City

    Easily the coolest – not cheapest – vintage shop on Melrose. The hand-picked selection here is less about quantity and all about quality, from soft cotton…

  • Great Labels

    Santa Monica

    Sensational secondhand couture and designer hand-me-downs from celebrity consigners. There’s Oscar and Golden Globe gowns, elegant handbags, shoes and…

  • Country Store

    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…

  • James Perse

    Malibu & Pacific Palisades

    One of LA's signature designers, James Perse does 'low maintenance high fashion' for men and women. Sure, a baseball shirt might run upwards of $150 and…

  • Asian Garden Mall

    Orange County

    One of the first large Vietnamese businesses, it's a behemoth packed with so many food shops, boutiques, herbalists, gold and silver jewelers and colorful…

  • Freda Salvador

    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…

  • El Paseo Shopping District

    Greater Palm Springs

    Elegant and flower-festooned El Paseo shopping strip in Palm Desert has been dubbed the ‘Rodeo Drive of the Desert.' Although it does a handful of blue…

  • Hillbilly Hip

    Malibu & Pacific Palisades

    A chill vibe permeates this eclectic, fun and funky emporium for everything from seriously rockin' western wear to vintage wear, vinyl and locally…

  • Paso Robles General Store

    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…

  • Fingerprints

    Long Beach & San Pedro

    An anchor of the East Village Arts District, this beloved record store sells vintage to modern vinyl and CDs and has live in-store performances – book…

  • Arbor Collective

    Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey

    This local maker started out with snowboards and has since branched out to skateboards, the outfits that go with them (using materials such as bamboo and…

  • Pasadena City College Flea Market

    Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley

    A Pasadena rummage blooms on the first Sunday of every month, on this decidedly stylish and spare art deco campus. There are about 450 vendors here, with…

  • Umami Mart

    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…

  • Temescal Alleys

    Oakland

    These two pedestrian-friendly alleyways run by buildings located inside former horse stalls dating from the early 20th century, when horse-drawn trolleys…

  • Diani

    Santa Barbara

    Carries high-fashion, Euro-inspired designs, with a touch of funky California soul thrown in for good measure. Think Humanoid dresses, Rag & Bone skinny…

  • Ridemakerz

    Disneyland Resort

    Why should clothes hounds have all the fun? This shop lets you custom-build your own toy race car (duuuuude!). Select a chassis, body, tires (monster…

  • Fahey/Klein Gallery

    West Hollywood & Mid-City

    The best in vintage and contemporary fine-art photography by icons such as Annie Leibovitz, Bruce Weber and the late, great rock 'n' roll shutterbug, Jim…

  • Yosemite Mountain Shop

    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…

  • Mendocino Chocolate Company

    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…

  • Sip Mendocino

    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…

  • Pacific Gallery

    Laguna Beach

    Here you’ll find works by 85 artists – some from here in Laguna – sometimes whimsical and sometimes irresistible, though no bargains. All of the pieces…

  • Chanel

    West Hollywood & Mid-City

    Upscale bags and bathing suits, sun hats and wallets, pearls and leather gloves, suit jackets and dresses, all of which would make Audrey Hepburn blush…

  • Orange Circle Antique Mall

    Orange County

    Among the many antique malls in Old Towne Orange, this one stands out for its 125 vendors over two floors, selling everything from estate jewelry and fine…

  • Fifth Season Sports

    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…

  • OK

    West Hollywood & Mid-City

    A concrete-floor emporium of quirky cool, OK has art and cookbooks, bar kits and paper lanterns, glass radiometers (measures light), pens and notebooks –…

  • Slow

    West Hollywood & Mid-City

    This wide-ranging shop is worth a stop for vintage shoppers. There’s specs and hats, sun dresses from the ‘60s, some groovy tweeds and ragged old army…

  • Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate

    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…

  • REI

    Santa Monica

    This ‘cathedral to outdoor gear’ makes it easy to stock up on everything from wool socks to speed-dry underwear, rolling backpacks to Everest-capable…

  • Borrego Desert Nature Center

    The Deserts

    This nicely curated store run by the nonprofit Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association specializes in desert-related books, publications and gift…

  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

    Disneyland Resort

    Behind Sleeping Beauty Castle, kids can get a full makeover as princesses, knights and more, though (fair warning) the full treatment – including…