Gift ideas California

There are few truly interesting stores on Venice Boardwalk, the busy street that stretches along the beach. Nevertheless, this one sells authentic Native American handicrafts: dreamcatchers made by the Cherokees, turquoise and silver jewelry made by the Navajos, clothing, woven blankets, pottery, baskets... Each object is signed by its author. A very nice store with reasonable prices.

An ideal address for stocking up on kitsch souvenirs, but also a few refined pieces to bring back as gifts. From ocean-scented candles and California cookbooks to a calendar of old San Francisco photos and organic cotton shirts, Lola of North Beach is inspired by its immediate surroundings, as the store is very close to Fisherman's Wharf and the ocean. That's why we love this store, where you'll find lovely postcards, magnets, mugs and humorous books.

A visit to Old Town is inseparable from a visit to its market, ideal for buying travel souvenirs. There are over 40 stores selling a choice of Mexican textiles, leather accessories, blankets and ponchos woven in Peru, Ecuador and Guatemala, Amerindian dreamcatchers, silver and turquoise jewelry, sombreros, tea and coffee, dolls, Peruvian-made mirrors, objets d'art... Plus: every weekend, stalls from the Harney Street Market add to the mix.

Welcome to childhood! Here is a store dedicated only to kites, a great traditional specialty of China. After your visit here, you will be able to fly lions, dragons, dolphins, pumpkins, butterflies, bees or Santa Claus... A real Ali Baba's cave for young and old. Field of experimentation at the Presidio, at Baker beach or why not at Golden Gate Park! Something to make you happy at home, when you come back from your stay in San Francisco.

Opened in 1971, this family-run business has grown into a department store that passionately celebrates pop culture. You'll find everything from bacon-slice Christmas decorations and Mr. Potato figurines to Hawaiian shower curtains and pistol-shaped coffee sets. These more or less useful gadgets are called novelty gifts. Nevertheless, Soap Plant / Wacko also boasts a serious section of art books exploring pop culture in all its guises, from Marvel comics to zombies, design and fashion.

This charming store located a few blocks south of Golden Gate Park, offers a thousand and one treasures that it will be difficult not to want to bring back in its luggage. You can find a little bit of everything: kitchen utensils, decorative objects, jewelry, games for children and also clothes. The products have been made by talented local artisans and artists in a bobo/hipster style that almost reminds us of Paris, or the island of Ré but with a devilishly Californian touch! Prices not cheap, though.

This concept store has spawned several outlets in California, including two in San Francisco. The one in Mission is the most accessible and central. A superb store offering creative and affordable jewelry (the earrings are superb, golden and elegant without being flashy), baby clothes and comforters, some feel-good clothing, accessories (bandana scarves...), but above all gifts of all kinds that feel good: board games, and lots of cool goodies in the colors of California, hipster-style.