Shop local. Since we want to keep money flowing through our local economy, it is our pleasure to share our favorite East Bay sources for gifts. Sponsored by Oakland Puzzle Company, this list offers some sweet ideas for sharing homegrown goodies with your friends and family this holiday season.
Local Toy Shops | Bookstores | Apparel & Stuff For Your Home | Foodie Gifts
East Bay Toys & Crafts
Oakland Puzzle Company (Oakland)
Sibling partners Dave and DeAnna Tibbs make their puzzles in a small factory in the Eastlake neighborhood of Oakland to promote and raise money for local artists and organizations. Using an ethical supply chain, they work with other small local businesses when possible.
Shop online for Oakland Puzzle Company products >
Five Little Monkeys (multiple locations)
Five Little Monkeys is a community-based toy store with unique, high-quality toys and books in seven Bay Area locations.
FLAX Art & Design (Oakland)
FLAX Art & Design has a wonderful collection of face paint, craft supplies, clay, easels, and Oakland Puzzle company products!
Surprise (Oakland)
This gift shop on Piedmont Ave is full of stocking stuffers, stuffed animals, and other small toys and games.
Visit >
Toy Go Round (Albany)
New and gently used toys and ride-on items on Solano Avenue in Albany.
Visit >
Toy Safari (Alameda)
Always up on the trends (like fidgets) and ready with the classics (even vintage!), this shop on Park Street is the happy place of many little Alameda residents.
Visit >
Games of Berkeley
Telegraph’s giant game store is fully stocked with chess sets, trading cards, strategy games, stuffies, and lots more. They’ve been super nice to me back-and-forth strategizing about my children’s wishlists. Shop Games of Berkeley >
Mischief, Oakland
Oakland’s Mischief is known for local crafts, workshops, and gathering with friends. They also have fun crafts for kids (and the parents who really need to unwind at the end of the day!) plus Oakland Puzzle Company puzzles! Shop Mischief online.
Mr. Mopps Toy Shop & Book Shop, Berkeley
Expansive selection of toys and books for infants up through teens. Visit Mr. Mopps >
A Verb for Keeping Warm, Oakland
North Oakland’s A Verb for Keeping Warm is wonderful for gorgeous handmade craft items. Knit, embroider, dye, and sew. Visit A Verb for Keeping Warm online >
Local Booksellers
Whenever possible, buy your books from your neighborhood bookstore. Most of these great places can offer helpful advice, too. Just ask!
- Books on B is Hayward’s hometown bookstore. Visit Books on B >
- Books, Inc. is one of the oldest independent booksellers and has East Bay shops in Alameda, San Leandro, and Berkeley. Visit Books, Inc >
- A Great Good Place for Books! is Montclair’s beloved bookstore. Visit A Great Good Place for Books >
- East Bay Booksellers, Oakland shares staff picks on their website. Visit East Bay Booksellers on College Ave. >
- Mrs. Dalloway’s curates wonderful gifts in addition to books. Visit Mrs. Dalloway’s in Elmwood >
- Pegasus Books in Berkeley & Oakland’s offers used and new books. Visit Pegasus Bookstore >
- Walden Pond Books is the spot to browse if you find yourself on Grand Avenue in Oakland. Visit Walden Pond >
Gifts of Food: Snacks and Drinks
- Oaktown Spice Shop continues to level up their offerings with spices, teas, and creative gift collections.
- Umami Mart in Oakland celebrates food, drinks, and Japanese culture with some incredible combination packages.
- Beautiful and tasty chocolates are just waiting to impress you at The Xocolate Bar. I found some fancy hot cocoa bombs at this Latina-owned business, and hope our tastebuds are worthy.
- Berkeley winery, Donkey & Goat offers a just-for-locals wine club.
- Vintage Berkeley and Solano Cellars, local wine shops, would love to help you assemble a gift pack based on your preferences and budget.
- Fieldwork Brewing on Gilman offers free delivery within a 5-mile radius.
All the rest: Art, clothing, jewelry, greenery, items for your home!
Brother and Sisters Flower Shop, Oakland
Grand Lake’s plant shop offers whimsical and unique items. I fell in love with the Uncle Pedro planter while browsing. Shop Brother and Sisters Flowers >
Fern’s Garden, Berkeley. Fern’s Garden on Solano offers gifty items (nightlights, wind chimes, jewelry) individually and in gift boxes. I found adorable surprises for my tween and teen nieces here. Shop Fern’s Garden >
GoldenBug Kids  The most adorable place in Rockridge for shoes, clothing, and gifts for children. Shop online with new items added every day at goldenbugkids.com
Lesley Evers, Oakland. We love Oakland-based Lesley Evers’ beautiful print dresses and totes for the special mom or grandma on your list. Lesley recently introduced note cards, too. Shop online with Lesley Evers >
Morningtide Shop, Albany. Morningtide includes thoughtfully curated apparel, ceramics, jewelry, and other unique gifts. Shop small at Morningtide >
Oaklandish, Oakland. Nearly every piece of artistic merchandise is a love letter to the Oakland area. Spend your money and your love keeping it Oakland. Find special collaborations with local artists and teams. Buy gifts from Oaklandish >
Paraiso Plant Studio, Berkeley. This WOC-owned business stocks rare plants alongside adorable air plant holders with a wide selection available for California delivery or pickup. Shop Paraiso Plant Studio on Fourth Street >
Philippa Roberts Jewelry, Oakland. Shop for lovely jewelry, accessories, and home items online or in many California locations. Shop Philippa Roberts >
Rocket Reuse, Alameda Alameda’s Rocket Reuse is selling used books, DVDs, CDs, and even clothes with strict safety measures within Alameda. Browse via Rocket Reuse virtual shelves on Facebook >
Thank you to the Oakland Puzzle Company for helping us produce this list! Their most popular puzzle is the Long Lost Oakland map created in partnership with the podcast East Bay Yesterday. The map features historic features of Oakland that no longer exist!
