430 Best Places to Shop in California, USA

Elaina Garcia is Catalina's celebrity mermaid. After rescuing a drowning diver near Catalina's coast, she soon appeared on Inside Edition, People Magazine and The Drew Barrymore Show. As a certified PADI diver, she took the next step to become a PADI-certified mermaid. Her store in Avalon has a photo studio for guests to don a colorful mermaid tail and shell bra for a keepsake photoshoot. Mermaids can also have photos taken at scenic rocky seascapes, or on a sandy beach. Elaina also offers professional mermaid instructor courses and professional mermaid swim classes for ages six and up. Her mission emphasizes water safety and drowning prevention. Her gift shop sells jewelry and other mermaid-related items.

The partylike Saturday edition of the city's most upscale and expensive farmers' market places baked goods, gourmet cheeses, smoked fish, and fancy pots of jam alongside organic basil, specialty mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, and juicy-ripe locally grown fruit. Smaller markets also take place on Tuesday and Thursday year-round, rain or shine—and the many passionate San Francisco home cooks who frequent them will come even in a rainstorm.

Hollywood vintage hunters and collectors love this hip open-air market. You're likely to find recycled rock T-shirts or some vinyl to complete your collection, in addition to antique furniture and quirky arts and crafts. This popular market is open from 9 am to 5 pm every Sunday—rain or shine—at Fairfax High School's parking lot and admission is $6 at entrance.

The spirit of Moe Moskowitz—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 is an excellent stop for unique art-related and San Francisco–themed souvenirs. Posters, calendars, books, artist monographs, jewelry and children's art sets are just some of the notable categories on sale.

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 pastries (note that the coffee bar is cash only). 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).

This eight-level shopping center is home to luxury retailers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Salvatore Ferragamo but also offers plenty of outposts for more affordable brands including Aldo, Coach, and Steve Madden. Don't miss the bevy of great dining options like Eggslut and Yardbird Table & Bar. 

Visit one of the last independent bookstores with a Hollywood pedigree to discover books about film, music, art, and photography.

This huge selection of Western-style boots is great for urban cowboys and cowgirls. You can find materials ranging from calfskin to alligator, and most boots are handmade in Mexico and Texas. Custom sizing is available for a guaranteed perfect fit.

This flagship streetwear store on Fairfax Avenue for avant-garde clothing and accessories is by American rapper, songwriter, and record producer, Tyler, the Creator. Whether you're shopping for hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts, socks, or even custom skateboard decks, this store has exclusive collections.

Fans of the NYC-based modern interior designer enjoy visiting this West Coast flagship store. Mid-century and country-club styles get retooled in playful pottery, cheeky pillows, graphic textiles, and whimsical accessories.

This wineshop has an ardent cult following around town. The friendly staffers are always helpful, many of the wines are directly purchased by the company itself (which often means better wines and better prices) and weekly events (Thursday through Saturday) allow customers to taste some of the wines before purchasing. A wide range of regions and varietals are represented here, so it's hard to say that there is a particular specialty other than simply great wines. Whether shoppers are looking for a prestigious Bordeaux or an under $20 Chardonnay, it's pretty much guaranteed they'll be excited by their purchase.

Since 1955, this bookstore has been the heart of Menlo Park. The store has many mainstream books, yet also maintains the independent, intellectual side that made it popular with the Beat Generation and activists (even the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia would play his guitar here). Author talks are a big draw at what continues to be one of the Bay Area’s definitive local bookstores.

Credited with taking American appreciation of old-world wines to a higher level when it opened in 1972, 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. This is the rare wineshop in the United States that also imports its own wines.

Avalon's favorite candy store (since 1941) still has the iconic salt water taffy–pulling machine in the front window. Besides selling Lloyd's Famous Salt Water Taffy, they sell fresh bakery items, gourmet candy apples, fudge, coffee, frozen drinks, and ice cream.

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.

Crowds of fans seeking the freshest urban gear wait in line for new merchandise drops that include shoes, shirts, outerwear, hats, and backpacks. 

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.

With well over a million new and used CDs, DVDs, and records at bargain prices, this warehouse-like offshoot of the Berkeley original carries titles you won't find on Amazon. No niche is ignored—from electronica and hip-hop to jazz and classical—and the stock changes frequently. In-store performances attract large crowds.

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.

San Francisco is one of the culinary centers of the world, and this universally adored grocery store is its beating heart. It's a farmers' market every day inside and well worth browsing around to see the bounty of Northern California, from peak summer tomatoes to local king salmon, plus all kinds of goodies from small producers. Bi-Rite also partners with craft brewers to create one-of-a-kind editions of favorite bubbles and brews. Buy a local peach or blood orange to snack on before strolling across the street for a scoop of salted caramel ice cream from Bi-Rite's equally beloved creamery.

This exceptional bookstore offers well-curated local-interest materials, best sellers, and an excellent children's section. Puzzle enthusiasts will appreciate the unique jigsaw selection, guaranteed to keep you challenged. Don't miss the back room with its selection of local clothing and gifts.

Walls of Italian wool in deep, rich colors, yards of faille-striped silk, and neat stacks of fresh cotton prints await your creative touch. A San Francisco institution for more than 70 years, the two-story Britex also sells an endless variety of buttons as well as thread and trim. If sewing is your thing, this will be a visit to paradise.

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.

A local beacon of publishing produces inventively designed fiction, cookbooks, art books, and other titles, as well as postcards, planners, and address books—all of which you can purchase at its home near Oracle Park.

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.

If you happen by this farm stand in the summer, don't pass up the chance to sample the tree-ripened white and yellow peaches, some of which may have been harvested moments before you arrived. You can buy peaches in small quantities, as well as organic peach jam.

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