8 Best Shopping in Berkeley, The Bay Area

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.

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.

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.

Founded in Berkeley in 1970, this local chain uses premium-quality ingredients to create face, body, hair-care, and aromatherapy products. Essential oils and perfume oils can be combined to create personal fragrances. Tiare, gardenia, and China Rain are a few favorite scents.

Credited with taking American appreciation of old-world wines to a higher level, this small shop is a great place to peruse as you educate your palate. The friendly salespeople will happily direct you to the latest French and Italian vintages, varietals, blends, and bargains.

Take the stairs up from the Vine Street entrance to Walnut Square's top floor to find this cupcakery showcasing scrumptious made-from-scratch confections.

Daily free tastings of organic and small-production wines take place at this neighborhood wine shop, which specializes in both local and domestic vintages and is situated in a beautifully restored water pumping station.