24 Best Places to Shop in 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.

Attention foodies: clear out your hotel minibars and make room for delectable treats from DeLaurenti. And, if you're planning any picnics, swing by here first. Imported meats and cheeses crowd the deli cases, and packaged delicacies pack the aisles. Stock up on hard-to-find items like truffle-infused olive oil or excellent Italian vintages from the wine shop upstairs. The shop also has a small selection of tasty bites to go, such as Macrina baguettes stuffed with cured meats, cheese, and fresh tomatoes. 

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.

Seattle's 6,000-square-foot flagship Filson store is a shrine to meticulously well-made outdoor wear for men and women. The hunting-lodge decor of the space, paired with interesting memorabilia and pricey, made-on-site clothing, makes the drive south of Pioneer Square worth it (we recommend catching a cab, not hoofing it). The attention to detail paid to the plaid vests, oil-treated rain slickers, and fishing outfits borders on the fetishistic.

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.

If you truly want to be well-heeled, pick up a pair of these luxury shoes, whose prices start at around $1,200. Founded in England over 150 years ago and owned by Hermès since 1976, John Lobb offers classic styles for men, such as oxfords, loafers, boots, and slippers. Bespoke shoes are also an option.

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.

Since 1994, this two-floor resale and consignment shop—the oldest such shop in America—has been selling items from top labels, such as Missoni, Etro, Prada, Chanel, Chloe, and Ferragamo, for a 50% to 90% discount off their original price. The items are high-fashion vintage and modern dresses, separates, jackets, and handbags, with some previously owned by socialites, celebrities, and models for everything from fashion magazine photo shoots to charity balls. A separate room displays shoes and boots, and there are seats for try-ons.

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.

Curvy girls celebrate their figures at this offshoot of Milanese fashion house Max Mara (which has a store next door at 813 Madison Avenue). Shoppers will find form-flattering knit dresses, wool trousers, and coats that are tasteful and luxurious, as well as sportswear and more.

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.

You should be able to find what you need for your kitchen at Rooster Brother, the "store for cooks and those who love them." On the first level of a towering Victorian building aside the Union River, specialty foods, deli meats and cheese, baked goods, wines (including a nice selection of sherry and port), and house-roasted coffee (bagged or brewed to go—try a sample) are on offer. Upstairs is well-stocked with top-quality cooking items and pretty much everything for your table.

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