Novy Ranches Short Ribs, $24 and up
Let your favorite carnivore taste the difference conservation-focused cattle ranching makes. Located in Siskiyou County, Novy Ranches nurture their herds under the shadow of majestic Mt. Shasta. Cows drink from the Shasta River alongside running salmon as golden eagles soar in the sky above.
Gowan’s 1876 Heirloom Applewine Cider, $12
Taste the fruits of six generations’ labor. The Gowan family planted its first apple tree in Anderson Valley nearly 150 years ago. Today, they remain as dedicated as ever to cultivating heirloom apples in Philo the slow-fashioned way. This applewine cider has won dozens of awards for its crisp effervescence punctuated with floral notes.
Séka Hills 2023 Olio Nuovo, $20
Sample what Sunset magazine calls “some of the best olive oil in the world.” Harvested from a sustainable farm managed by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, this oil is bottled immediately after milling. The result? A peppery oil meant for drizzling. Séka Hills is committed to honoring and preserving the legacy of the Tribe’s Capay Valley roots.
L'Apéro les Trois Green Walnut Apéritif, $40
The brainchild of three female founders—a James Beard Award–winning cookbook author, a slow food–focused winemaker, and a winery owner, all based in Winters—L’Apéro les Trois develops unique aperitifs in the French farmhouse style. Recognized as the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition’s Best in Class winner, the Green Walnut is something special. Its unusual mix of cloves, baked apples, and mulled wine drinks like a holiday get-together in a glass.
Mt. Shasta Opal from Crystal Keepers, $33 and up
Mt. Shasta's mystical aura and towering presence beckons spiritual seekers from around the globe. Gift a piece of the pinnacle’s nurturing energy with a Mt. Shasta Opal from Crystal Keepers in Siskiyou County. Known for its vibrant iridescence, this rare opal variety—found only at the base of Mt. Shasta—showcases a stunning range of hues.
Shared Cultures Chanterelle Mushroom Miso, $20
Let the epicurean in your life take their dishes up a notch with Shared Cultures miso. This fermented foodie favorite is used by San Francisco Bay Area chefs like Nisei’s David Yoshimura to imbue can’t-quite-put-your-finger-on-it umami. This particular blend marries foraged chanterelles with fermented California-grown koji rice.
The World in a Wineglass by Ray Isle, $50
For the oenophile friend forever on the hunt for the next great bottle, consider this release from Food & Wine’s Ray Isle. Comprehensive in its scope, the 706-page tome takes readers on a tour of the world’s best wine regions—including a deep dive into California—while lending practical tips for discovering artisanal, thoughtful, and exceptional wines.
Jake & Jones Zizia Botanicals Pet Balm, $18
Because pets deserve a little self-care, this all-natural, made-in-California moisturizer was designed for dry paws, noses, and coats. The blend of myrrh, comfrey, and safflower oil is safe for both cats and dogs. Jake & Jones serves up the Santa Barbara lifestyle with gifts for the whole family (furry friends included) through their curated boutiques.
Sierra Moon Star Disc Necklace, $45
What could be more appropriate than gold jewelry created in a town where prospectors once hit it rich? Family-owned out of Auburn, Sierra Moon creates chic designs out of precious metals. This sweet 18-karat, gold-filled necklace sparkles with a star-studded nighttime sky.
Spirit Mountain Roasting Co. Spirit Blend, $15
Centered in the community of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Spirit Mountain Roasting uses 100 percent Arabica coffee beans for all of its blends. Founder Tudor Montague uses his background in home-brewing beer to craft the perfect beans. Every bag is emblazoned with a Yuman warrior and features the Avi Kwa Ame mountain range.
PPBody Prickly Pear Face and Body Scrub, $25
The Prickly Pear, a succulent-centered plant shop in Sacramento, grew out of owner Mona Bahraini’s love of all things cacti. Her skincare brand, PPBody, is centered on the same passion. All products incorporate prickly pear, a cactus native to California with antioxidant properties. This scrub includes poppyseed to smooth and prickly pear seed oil to soften.
Ford and Elm Beach Brush, $29
Ford and Elm’s Temecula showroom is where you go to find beautifully designed eco-friendly goods. This clever beach brush features a shark-fin shape and stiff bristles to help you remove sand before you get back in the car. It’s a didn’t-know-you-needed-it gift for the sunbathers, mountain bikers, and new parents in your life.
The Jonsteen Company California Poppy Flower Seed Grow Kit, $11
A sunrise in a single bloom, California poppies open saucer-wide each morning and close tightly at night. This grow kit from a family-owned nursery in McKinleyville comes with 30,000 seeds, enough to pepper a garden or populate a whole field.
Covet Sun Rattle, $15
For the ray of sunshine in your life, this bright rattle is hand-stitched out of cotton to double as a snuggly toy. Founded by the Palm Springs–based designer Adrienne Wiley, Covet sells cute baby gifts, plus apparel and decor for dapper adults.
Darner Caramel Tulips Floral Mesh Socks, $44
Rather than cozy socks for the home, Darner crafts ethereal-feeling footwear better suited for cocktail parties and art galleries. Inspired by 19th-century hosiery, the cut-and-sew design (handcrafted in Los Angeles) features seams that lend an elegant elongation to the foot and leg.
Oscar the Grouch Hoodie from Sesame Place San Diego, $50
Greet the world as a lovable misanthrope in this statement-making sweatshirt from the San Diego park that is an all-ages crowd-pleaser (it’s also a Certified Autism Center). If Oscar is not your alter ego, choose from other hoodies that celebrate Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby.
California 89 VW Bus Onesie, $28
Make nap times filled with California dreaming thanks to this road trip–themed onesie. California 89 out of Truckee creates lifestyle items centered on the famous Sierra highway. This long-sleeve is made from organic cotton and comes in a neutral cedar or a blush rose.
Artelexia Brass Skull Bike Bell, $15
For the eccentric cyclist on your list, consider a Mexican folk art–inspired bike bell from a Latinx-owned shop in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood. The subtle skull design helps riders stay safe while flexing their bad-to-the-bone style.
Cuddl Buffalo Check Bone Pillow, $40 and up
Created by Forestville dog mom Samantha Pantaleo, Cuddl makes beds, blankets, and baskets to make night time a little cozier. This sturdy bone pillow is filled with a hypoallergenic stuffing made entirely from recycled water bottles. Personalize it by adding your pooch’s name.
City of Trees, City of Shadows by Rachel L. Ertassi, $38
In this thrilling page-turner from a debut novelist, a killer is on the loose in Sacramento, terrorizing the residents of Midtown. The mystery fan in your life will enjoy the twists and turns—a ride that’s especially fun for anyone with Sac-Town ties.
Many Hands Gallery Fish Flask, $39
Located in Old Town Eureka, Many Hands Gallery specializes in artisan-made goods that celebrate the North Coast. Think redwood wine bottle stoppers and brass telescopes. This stainless steel fish flask holds up to four ounces—a nod to the salmon, steelhead, and striped bass that run through Humboldt County’s waters and the locals who aren’t afraid of a good time on the go.
Full Throttle Nanocoaster Model from Six Flags Magic Mountain, $38
Celebrate this Santa Clarita park’s status of having the most thrill rides of any theme park on the planet (20). Get a better understanding of these engineering marvels while assembling this replica of the Full Throttle, the tallest and fastest looping coaster in the world (it reaches heights of 160 feet, and goes 70 mph). Or, get replica models of West Coast Racers, X2, or Twisted Colossus.
The High Sierra: A Love Story by Kim Stanley Robinson, $19
Kim Stanley Robinson, a Davis native dubbed a “Hero of the Environment” by Time, first explored the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1973. The experience left an awe-inspired mark, and he’s returned more than 100 times since. This love letter to the mountains is a nonfiction account of their history, weaving geological and historical events with personal stories.
