A guide for Christmas shopping in every area of California.
The best local shops for meaningful Christmas gifts to give the California lover on your list.
**Disclaimer** Neither Savvy Cali Girl, nor any of its contributors was compensated for the products or opinions in this post.
A Christmas Shopping Story
Here’s what happened…
My job as a contributor for Savvy Cali Girl has me writing blog posts, but we’re a small group. So, we help out by engaging with the people, businesses, and organizations in our area of California on social media. When I was tasked with writing a blog post about the Christmas shopping season, this story immediately came to mind.
Farmhouse Corner Market in San Luis Obispo posted this on Instagram one day:
I, in my Savvy Cali Girl contributor capacity, commented on how much I liked the mugs in the post. They are adorable and cheerful, and the message is both relatable and personal for me.
The next week I celebrated a birthday. This is a picture of the gift I received from my hubby. I now own a set of four mugs (2 SLO Down, 2 Pink Tractor) that make me ridiculously happy as I sit down to work each morning.
The Moral of This Christmas Shopping Story
While the point of this story may seem as if it’s “everyone should have a partner who is this thoughtful and amazing” (super important message), the real message I want to talk about is where to find MEANINGFUL and UNIQUE Christmas gifts for the ones you love.
Up and down the state of California are small businesses that carry merchandise that really speaks to the flavor of California in that area. A Christmas gift that reminds someone of their favorite vacation spot, hometown, or meaningful life event shows them that you genuinely care.
Most small businesses are happy to go out of their way to help their customers. Don’t assume because your sister grew up in Santa Cruz but now lives in Phoenix that the store in Santa Cruz won’t ship your Christmas gift.
I don’t live in SLO, but Farmhouse Corner Market was happy to ship the coffee mugs for my hubby. One even arrived broken, but when my husband sent them a DM they shipped a replacement the next day!
The California Christmas Shopping Guide
So, get out your Christmas shopping list! Here are some of our favorite stores from North to South across the state. Whether you are in the north, south or anywhere in between, we have a unique local small business that would make that California gift vibe come to life.
Northern California Christmas Shopping
Sacramento
Display California
This store is a hub for products made in California or inspired by it. The owners rely on designers, creators, and artists to provide unique expressions of California. With products out of Sacramento, CA and beyond, they are all about California. They “live it, breathe it, and most of all… we support it.”
San Francisco
Local Take
Want to find Christmas gifts from San Francisco local artists and designers? With an ever changing collection of products, Local Take currently showcases over 130 Bay Area artists and designers. It’s a perfect California Christmas go-to!
Santa Cruz
Home/Work
Whether visiting online or in-person, this locally-owned boutique caters to the busy shopper with a unique selection of thoughtful and functional designer pieces that take fair labor, affordability, and sustainability into consideration. Owner Sonia McMoran selects each item that makes it into this modern bohemian shop, from timeless pieces found at auction houses to small batch goods handcrafted in the United States.
Central California Christmas Shopping
Monterey
Lilify
The artisan shop Lilify in Monterey, California, opened in 2012. With independent artists, makers and creatives, Lilify offers goods in small, quality batches. Whether it’s soaps, lotions, candles, handcrafted jewelry, clothing, or housewares you’ll find something memorable and very California.
San Luis Obispo
Farmhouse Corner Market
This locale is beyond just the experience of the restaurant and local market! There are gifts aplenty from Christmas ornaments to something unique for that foodie or decorator in your family.
Santa Barbara
Plum Goods
In the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, Plum Goods is dedicated to ethically made, innovative, and local goods. They expanded to also bring customers collections of sustainably made clothing, shoes, and accessories for both men and women.
Southern California Christmas Shopping
Palm Springs
Just Fabulous
During the holidays, Just Fabulous is a Palm Springs favorite for holiday gifts, décor, ornaments, stocking stuffers, cards, and colorful trees. They also offer specialty candles from renowned brands such as Nest Fragrances, Archipelago and Acquiesse.
Los Angeles
Olive & Thyme
For that special someone who has everything, why not put together a custom gift box or basket? Olive & Thyme boxes and baskets are as creative as they are beautiful. While you can certainly order online, it is well worth a stop for a meal in their restaurant if you’re in the area.
San Diego
Moniker General
On the hunt for unique home goods and gifts, locally handmade bags, or tailored fitted tees? Why not grab a cocktail or a coffee while holiday shopping? Moniker General streamlines their retail space to encompass Moniker Coffee and Moniker Cocktail Co. into the same experience!
Ideas & Inspiration for Gifts For Any Occasion & Christmas Shopping
We continually add new content so if you need more ideas and inspiration to figure what to do for a gift for that special person, skip on over to our post, Unique Ideas To Make Gifting Easier This Year. Whether it is a hostess gift for the holidays or a unique birthday gift, there are creative ways to show you care.
