We've got gift shops galore. Niche boutiques for the most obscure interests. Some of the biggest malls in America and impressive luxury flagships. Shopping in California is more than an activity; it’s an art form. You can browse handmade crafts from local makers on downtown promenades or hit the outlets to score the deal of a lifetime. Just follow your passion (and don’t forget your wallet) to find clothes, books, vintage vinyl, and one-of-a-kind artisan wares. Here’s your alphabetic guide to some of the best shopping streets and malls, designers, and local treasures, from as-seen-on-the-screen jewelry to zero-waste shops that reflect California’s eco-friendly ethos.
A is for Amoeba Records
A staggering amount—millions—of records, CDs, DVDs, and even cassettes fill the aisles at one of the world’s largest independently owned record stores. The Berkeley, San Francisco, and Hollywood shops feature all genres of music; the one in Hollywood even has a stage for in-store performances adorned with an original Shepard Fairey mural. Fun fact: Paul McCartney famously played a secret show at the old Hollywood location in 2007.
B is for The Barlow
Bring home your favorite flavors from this downtown Sebastopol culinary hub, like basil-infused 100 percent extra virgin olive oil from Il Fusti, using olives from the Sonoma family estate, or a bottle of natural wine from The Punchdown, a shop with a list of around 100 bottles from Sonoma County alone. Shop for spiraled glass napkin rings handblown by Michael Dickinson or super-soft cashmere scarfs from JG Switzer, both made in onsite workshops. Golden State Cider’s taproom is the perfect place to enjoy a pint; it’s also a retail outlet selling the popular Mighty Dry blend, specialty ciders, and merch featuring the oh-so-cute otter mascot.
C is for Cast Jewelry
Colorful jewelry from this Corte Madera boutique played a starring role on season two of HBO’s The White Lotus. Glam up your look with statement pieces like mixed metal signet rings and hand-painted enamel cuffs worn by Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), or shop for understated ceramic-edge earrings favored by Harper (Aubrey Plaza).
D is for Disco Ranch
Inside a rustic Boonville barn along Highway 128 is a selection of bottles that Wine Spectator recognized with its Award of Excellence. California varietals are the standouts in Wendy Lamer’s specialty shop: There’s a shelf perpetually stocked with local wines from Anderson Valley and Mendocino County small producers, many without tasting rooms of their own.
E is for El Paseo Shopping District
It’s not a mirage. Known as the Rodeo Drive of the Desert, this mile-long stretch in Palm Desert is known for luxe brands like Gucci and Ralph Lauren, which you’ll find at The Shops on El Paseo, along with independent high-end clothing boutiques. The Gardens on El Paseo, an open-air mall on the strip, hosts the West Coast’s largest consumer fashion show every spring.
F is for Flea Markets
Want to capture some of California’s effortlessly cool style? Shop for vintage clothing and one-of-a-kind treasures. The monthly Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena is the biggest on the West Coast; add other L.A.-area stops like Melrose Trading Post and Los Feliz Flea Market to your must-browse list as well. Further north, TreasureFest offers waterfront views of the San Francisco Bay while Berkeley Flea is known for its selection of art, jewelry, and accessories from international vendors.
G is for Golden Gate Mercantile
General stores showcase California's small-town charm with trinkets and local delicacies that make for the perfect souvenirs. Nestled on an idyllic street between Victorian buildings in Ferndale, Golden Gate Mercantile has it all: an old-fashioned candy counter, heirloom jewelry, handmade lotions and soaps, and period headwear. The two-story shop also features a small museum with displays of artifacts from the 1800s and a millinery showing how hats were once made.
H is for Hotel Pop-Up Shops
We’re not talking lobby gift shops—picture ultra-luxury boutique experiences like Dioriviera, a summer pop-up previously based at Rosewood Miramar Beach and Beverly Hills Hotel. At Stanly Ranch in Napa and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, you can browse like a VIP year-round at the Fifth Avenue Club pop-up. Personal stylists from Saks Fifth Avenue will bring a selection of designer clothing and accessories to the hotel and create a curated shopping display just for you.
I is for Independent Bookstores
Read all about it: There are more bookstores in California than any other state, including dozens of independently owned gems. We’ve got outdoor indie bookstores, including the country’s largest in Ojai, Bart’s Books, as well as niche shops for special interests. Shopping for an aspiring chef? Check out L.A.’s Now Serving or the Bay Area’s Omnivore Books on Food. There are even bookstores that moonlight as publishers—back in 1956, City Lights in San Francisco famously released Howl and Other Poems by Beat writer Allen Ginsberg. If you’re in the hunt for rare, out of print, or unusual books of every variety, check out one of San Diego’s top bookstores.
J is for Just One Eye
Explore this L.A. emporium where the art world meets fashion (and a little bit of history). Works by Murakami hang on the walls, while rare designer pieces—like a $55,000 backpack collab created by artist Damien Hirst and The Row—line the shelves. The central L.A. boutique offers its uber-luxe, elite shopping experience inside an art deco building that formerly housed Howard Hughes’ business operations.
K is for KJ Murphy’s
Calling all cowboys: This hat maker in the Santa Ynez Valley takes his measurements for bespoke headwear in a swanky Western-style atelier. You can customize every detail, down to the trimmings on the brim.
L is for Luxury
The directory at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa reads like a who’s who of high fashion. Looking for elite designers? There’s Hermès, Dior, Burberry, and dozens more alongside affordable luxury including Coach and Michael Kors. It’s one of the most expansive (and expensive!) malls in the country. The red carpet is rolled out for VIPs at the exclusive Access Lounge where big spenders can sip complimentary Champagne and savor small snacks. To visit the biggest Chanel boutique in the U.S., visit Rodeo Drive, where the fashion house recently joined other standouts on the Beverly Hills shopping street, such as a three-story Gucci flagship and the largest Harry Winston salon in the world. If you love a good deal as much as designer threads, find the largest concentration of luxury outlets in California—around 180 stores, including Armani, Breitling, Celine, Prada, and Saint Laurent—at Desert Hills Premium Outlets near Palm Springs.
M is for Museum Gift Shops
As beautifully curated as the exhibits they help support, these on-site stores are packed with take-home treasures. Reprints of masterpieces can be found at the SFMOMA Museum Store, along with jewelry, lamps, clocks, and other housewares. Let kids wander the gift shops at California Academy of Sciences and Exploratorium in San Francisco and MOXI in Santa Barbara—all three offer STEM toys inspired by popular exhibits. In L.A., pick up cinematic memorabilia at the Academy Museum Store, signed collectible vinyl at the GRAMMY Museum, or diecast model cars at Petersen Automotive Museum. Check out the diverse collection of museums in San Diego’s Balboa Park, where shop souvenirs range from lucky cats at the Japanese Friendship Garden to graphic novels at the Comic-Con Museum.
N is for NiK Kacy
The founder of Equality Fashion Week, NiK Kacy is also the pioneering creative behind the first gender-equal luxury footwear line. An Asian immigrant and former Google project manager turned designer, they run their eponymous brand out of a downtown L.A. HQ, creating high-top sneakers, combat boots, and other styles for genders and identities on all spectrums.
O is for Ontario Mills
To save big, you need to think big. How big? 1,422,000 square feet, to be exact. The Inland Empire is home to this sprawling complex of around 200 stores—which makes it not only California’s largest outlet, but also the biggest single-level mall on the West Coast. You can score deals at Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth, and Nike Factory Store, and browse outlet outposts at all budgets—from Kate Spade and Coach to Forever 21 and H&M.
P is for Promenades
Pack your walking shoes—California’s downtown city stretches are packed with local shops and ritzy designer boutiques. The best part? Spots like Santa Monica’s renowned Third Street Promenade are completely car-free, making it easy to shop, stroll, and dine at your leisure. If you’re visiting the Central Coast, Santa Barbara’s ten-block State Street Promenade is filled with art galleries, jewelry shops, and clothing boutiques like Brandy Melville, Vuori, and Lululemon. And in the heart of downtown San Diego, the new Gaslamp Promenade features eight paved plazas lined with street vendors and shops selling candy, swim gear, shoes, and custom-designed jewelry.
Q is for Queen Bee Market
Twice a year in San Diego County, SoCal’s longest-running makers market offers a chance to browse jewelry, pottery, accessories, clothing, and vintage wares from more than 100 artisans. You can meet the makers in-person or take a pop-up workshop to learn skills like leatherworking and wreath-making.
R is for Roadside Stands
Pull over for the perfect pit stop. A California road trip can showcase the state’s vast agricultural bounty. Dig into sweet, salty, and savory specialty snacks, including oils and vinegars at the Olive Pit in Corning, fresh and pickled products at Garlic World in Gilroy, and dried apricots at Casa de Fruta in Hollister. Or stretch your legs at Bravo Farms, a Kettleman City stopover that features a play area for kids, old-fashioned ice cream and date shakes, and a wine-tasting counter.
S is for Surf Shops
Gear up for the official state sport at dozens of stores lining the coast, from Mollusk Surf Shop in San Francisco to Jack’s Surfboards in Huntington Beach (where Duke Kahanamoku is inducted in the Surfers’ Hall of Fame) to Hansen Surf Shop, San Diego County’s largest surf store founded by pro shaper Don Hansen. At O’Neill’s Capitola corporate office—founded by the man who trademarked the phrase “surf shop”—you can not only purchase a wetsuit, but also see one of the brand’s first designs.
T is for Thick as Thieves
A husband-and-wife team in Palm Springs runs a downtown boutique filled with odds and ends created by local makers, including apparel like Palm Springs T-shirts, handmade jewelry, and apothecary goods. A soy wax blend candle, hand-poured by Joshua Tree Candle Co., is a great way to revisit your desert getaway after you return home.
U is for Union Square
Heralded as the heart of San Francisco—and fittingly marked by heart-shaped sculptures at each corner—this shopping district is where you can find everything from luxury jewelry and handbags at Louis Vuitton and Dior to athletic wear at Nike. It’s surrounded by shopping streets like Maiden Lane, a pedestrian-friendly stretch with shops including Chanel, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Bottega Veneta. Stop by Neiman Marcus to get a view of the square from the four-story rotunda, enclosed by an opulent stained-glass dome that’s part of the original 1800s-era department store.
V is for Vans
This homegrown O.C. skate brand, born in Anaheim in 1966, has a Huntington Beach boutique attached to the official Vans Off the Wall Skatepark. Shop for your shoes and a new board—and maybe a pair of iconic checkerboard slip-ons for back home—and hit the free 35,000-square-foot action sports playground.
W is for Wilkes Bashford
The legacy of San Francisco’s legendary menswear clothier lives on in his eponymous department store. A curator of luxury styles, Bashford brought designers like Brunello Cucinelli to the city at a time where long hair and hippie tie-dye was de rigueur. Today, a high-end shopping experience awaits with made-to-measure style advisors, a custom jewelry studio, and a fully stocked bar with Scotch, coffee, and snacks.
X is for Xanadu Skate Boutique
Ready to roll? Santa Barbara’s colorful boutique is the only one of its kind along the Central Coast. Check out hard-to-find Moxi and Riedell brand roller skates, along with laces, helmets, and other accessories. Or build a personalized pair with custom wheels attached to high tops or Doc Martens.
Y is for Yasuko
Healdsburg designer Yasuko Bloom reimagines vintage Japanese textiles into one-of-a-kind fashions on display in her downtown boutique. Drawing inspiration from her upbringing as the daughter of a kimono dealer, she infuses artistry and culture into pieces like sashiko-stitched vests, handmade jewelry, and home goods.
Z is for Zero-Waste Shops
When in the Golden State…think green. You can embrace an eco-friendly ethos at sustainable shops known for zero-waste packaging such as Fill Good Co. in Berkeley, which is stocked with self-care goodies like eucalyptus muscle rubs, clay masks, and lip balms. If you’re headed to SoCal, the certified woman-owned small business Sustain LA has more giftables, from salves and scrubs to essential oils and exfoliants. And Eco Now is bringing a new wave of sustainability to O.C.—as the first green-certified business in Costa Mesa, with additional locations in Anaheim, Laguna Beach, and Riverside, the boutiques have treasures like small-batch perfumes and locally sourced, handmade body care products.
