4 Best Shopping in The Monterey Bay Area, California

In 2021, the town's best and most beloved independent bookstore celebrated its 55th anniversary of selling new, used, and remaindered titles. The children's section is especially comprehensive, and the shop's special events calendar is packed with readings, social mixers, book signings, and discussions.

Tiffany & Co. and Anthropologie are among the name brands doing business at this mall on Carmel's east side, but what makes it worth a stop are homegrown enterprises such as Carmel Honey Company for local honey; Monterey Design Center for home decor; and J. Lawrence Khaki's for debonair menswear. Flying Fish Grill, Alvarado Street Brewery, and several other restaurants are here, along with Wrath, Hahn, and Blair Estate wine tasting rooms. The Carmel Visitor Center (open daily) is on the second floor.

Local surfers get their wetties (wet suits) and other gear at this O'Neill store or the one in Capitola ( 1115 41st Ave.). There's also a satellite shop on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Santa Cruz is famous for its long tradition of organic growing and sustainable living, and its downtown market (one of five countywide) reflects the incredible diversity and quality of local agriculture and the synergistic daily life of community-minded residents. The busy market, which always has live music, happens every Wednesday from 1 to 6, rain or shine. The stalls cover much of an entire city block near Pacific Avenue and include fresh produce plus everything from oysters, beer, bread, and charcuterie to arts and crafts to prepared foods made from ingredients sourced from on-site vendors.