239 Best Shopping in California, USA

The Arts & Crafts Cooperative, Inc., a collective of Berkeley artists and artisans, has been a stalwart gallery and store showcasing ceramics, textiles, paintings, photography, jewelry, and various media since 1957. Explore the amazing range of local talent in a well-lit historic space, and find truly one-of-a-kind gems to take home. The gallery also hosts special events featuring artists explaining their works.

Heaven for audiophiles and movie collectors, this legendary shop is the place for new and used CDs, vinyl, cassettes, VHS tapes, Blu-ray discs, and DVDs. The massive and ever-changing stock includes thousands of titles for all music tastes.

Touted as the "World's Largest Independent Record Store," Amoeba is a playground for music lovers, with a knowledgeable staff and a focus on local artists. Catch free in-store appearances and signings by artists and bands that play sold-out shows at venues down the road. There's a massive and eclectic collection of vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes, not to mention VHS tapes, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs. It’s a paradise for both music and movie lovers.

Ceramicist Richard Carter fires up his minimalist line of dinnerware at his 85-acre Pope Valley ranch, where he also creates sculptures and other works on display at his downtown store. Thoughtfully curated kitchenware, home-design items, and hand-crafted clothing by other artisans are also for sale.

About 20 miles west of Palm Springs lies one of California's largest outlet malls, which hawks everything from bikinis and bags to sunglasses and stilettos. The complex's 180 stores include Jimmy Choo, Samsonite, Levi's, Saint Laurent, J. Crew, Armani, Gucci, lululemon, and Prada.

Wine-tasting rooms, shops, art galleries, and studios share the courtyard and gardens of this historic arcade.

A collaboration between a local artist and jewelry maker and a Danish-born curator, this gallery presents changing exhibits of jewelry, sculpture, and objets d'art.

At the gift shops within the peninsula's main historic attraction, you can purchase sportswear, designer handbags, jewelry, and antiques. Spreckels Sweets & Treats offers old-time candies, freshly made fudge, and decadent truffles. Monroe has designer fashions and accessories, inspired by its Hollywood namesake, while Brady's for Men, with its shirts and sport coats, caters to well-dressed men. S.R.F. is the spot to hit up for outdoor and action sports accessories. En Route is a haven for travelers, offering a selection of top-quality luggage and leather goods.

Find coffee-table books, greeting cards, home decor with cheeky and naughty sayings, candles, wearable souvenirs, and other eclectic items at this fun gift shop that celebrates the area's retro-modern lifestyle and desert dolce vita.

This vibrant shop sells Mexican art, jewelry, and gifts. Look for the pithy Keepin' It Paisa line of T-shirts, hoodies, and ball caps in the adjacent Placita MX space, where several vendors sell furniture, clothing, and other items.

The spirit of Moe—the creative, cantankerous late proprietor—lives on in this world-famous house full of new and used books. Since it first opened in 1959, students and professors have flocked here to browse the large selection of literary and cultural criticism, art titles, and literature in foreign languages.

This 10,000-square-foot marketplace filled with boho bits and baubles, prints and other art, clothing, foodstuffs, dried bouquets, candles, and toiletries—created mostly by artisans and makers from Joshua Tree, the Coachella Valley, and elsewhere in California—feels like a brick-and-mortar Etsy. 

This store has been making its own salami, sausages, and cold cuts since 1896. Other homemade specialties include meat and cheese ravioli, tomato sauces, and fresh pastas. Do like the locals: grab a made-to-order sandwich for lunch and eat it at one of the sidewalk tables or over at Washington Square Park.

The ultimate place for Oakland swag started in 2000 as a public art project of local pride and has become a celebrated brand around the bay, with clothing and accessories for men, women, and kids. A portion of the proceeds from hip T-shirts and accessories supports grassroots nonprofits committed to bettering the local community. It's good-looking stuff for a good cause.

Sweet Pearl carries the latest in women's fashions in a space that makes dramatic use of the section of the historic stone building the shop occupies. Celebs find bags, shoes, jewelry, and outfits here—and you might, too.

It's easy to lose track of time in this female-owned, fabulously curated apparel, gift, and curios shop housed in the former Coachella Valley Repertory Theater, where wall murals feature positive messages, and staffers are sociable. Every table, shelf, nook, and cranny is filled with jewelry, art, graphic tees, stuffed animals, books, crystals, hats, candles, bags, toiletries, glasses, and toys. Although the store carries some national brands, it also works hard to promote local makers and artists, often through limited-edition collaborations. A second smaller location at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert carries RR logo products and best-selling items.

A huge selection of new music for every taste has been drawing crowds to this independent brand since 1971. Only in a town that also contained Amoeba Music could Rasputin's stock of used CDs, DVDs, collectibles, and vinyl be surpassed.

This massively popular flea market, which happens the second Sunday of each month (rain or shine), deservedly draws crowds that come for deals on goods including mid-century furniture, vintage clothing, pop culture collectibles, books, and music. Food and drink options are on hand to keep shoppers satiated, and general admission is just $9, but VIP/early-bird options are available for a little extra dough. Bring cash to avoid an inevitable line at the ATM, and feel free to try your hand at haggling.

Customize your correspondence with products from Seaside Papery, including high-end wedding invitations, greeting cards, luxury personal stationery, and wrapping papers.

Between Cabrillo Boulevard and Sola Street, State Street is a shopper's paradise. Chic malls, quirky storefronts, antiques emporia, elegant boutiques, and funky thrift shops abound. Numerous community activities take place at Paseo Nuevo, an open-air mall in the 700 block. Shops, restaurants, galleries, and fountains line the tiled walkways of La Arcada, a small complex of landscaped courtyards in the 1100 block designed by architect Myron Hunt in 1926.

A cross between a design gallery and a museum gift shop, the Passdoor stocks high-quality artworks; glassware and ceramics; jewelry; and creative home-decor items.

Find pop-star paraphernalia, graphic T-shirts, magazines, trinkets, snacks, and Mexican blankets in this wild shop set up in a converted 1949 Richfield gas station. Between the giant man statue, retro cars, and back patio, there's enough eye candy to warrant a stop even if you're not in the market for souvenirs.

The heart of the community since 1942, the barn has a bounty of local gifts and produce, plus an art gallery, yoga studio, and Toby's Coffee Bar for espresso drinks and sell-out pastries. See and hear what's happening locally, catch a live band or literary event, and explore the garden. The internationally renowned all-local, all-organic Point Reyes Farmers' Market is held here on Saturdays during the growing season (even King Charles and Queen Camilla visited it in 2005).

Celebrity designer Trina Turk's candy-color empire takes up a city block in the Uptown Design District. Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the light and bright adjoining showrooms create the perfect platform to display the splashy patterns, vibrant colors, and sophisticated poolside cocktail party aesthetic Trina Turk is famous for—in her resortwear as well as her accessories, pets, and home lines. It's the place to go if you forgot to pack a floppy hat, caftan, or a two-piece floral cabana set.

This iconic retreat has long been a favorite with Los Angeles yogis for its peaceful, palm-shaded grounds and hot springs pools. Big changes occurred in 2014, with new rooms added and a fresh look for the existing ones. Guests can still purchase a day pass to soak in the grotto, attend yoga classes, lounge on the grounds, and enjoy a spa treatment or two. This is an adults-only, whispers-only destination.