5 Best Places to Shop in Oakland, The Bay Area

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.

This Grand Lake stalwart deserves an enormous amount of credit for showcasing small-producer, low-intervention wines (what some like to call natural wines), and for making wine an approachable, hip subject. Whether you're enjoying a glass at the bar with some cheese or browsing the impressive selection of retail bottles, this is the local game-changer that made boutique wine as trendy as craft beer and cocktails.

Owned and operated by two artists, this gift shop showcases the delightful works of more than 120 local artisans and makers. Browse handcrafted paper and print art, collage art, chocolate, soy candles, jewelry, ceramics, and much more to bring home or to give as charming presents to a friend.

This store epitomizes the Rockridge neighborhood's funky-chic shopping scene. Look for high-end housewares and clothes along with impulse buys like adorable brooch pins, colorful champagne flutes, and porcelain animal cake toppers for celebrations.

Wandering bibliophiles collect armfuls of the latest fiction and nonfiction at this revered shop. The loftlike space, with its high ceilings and spare design, encourages contemplation, and on chilly days a fire burns in the hearth. Past participants in the excellent authors' events have included Ian Rankin, Annie Leibovitz, and Michael Moore.