15 Best Places to Shop in The Monterey Bay Area, California

Run by the family of the late Edward Weston, this is hands down the best photography gallery around, with contemporary color photography and classic black-and-whites.

An eclectic independent shop in downtown Santa Cruz, Bad Animal has shelves packed with rare and used books, mostly representing the humanities: literature, philosophy, and theology, among them the favorite picks of the owner, a friend of famed poet Lawrence Ferlenghetti who earned a PhD in the History of Consciousness from UC Santa Cruz.

In 2021, the town's best and most beloved independent bookstore celebrated its 55th anniversary of selling new, used, and remaindered titles. The children's section is especially comprehensive, and the shop's special events calendar is packed with readings, social mixers, book signings, and discussions.

Come here to browse a carefully curated collection of goods, many from local craftspeople, including items for the home, jewelry, personal care, and plants—all that you need to inspire soulful living.

Bargain hunters can sometimes find little treasures at the mall, which houses more than 100 local vendors under one roof.

Carmel's oldest gallery, established in 1927, exhibits original paintings and sculptures by local artists.

Tiffany & Co. and Anthropologie are among the name brands doing business at this mall on Carmel's east side, but what makes it worth a stop are homegrown enterprises such as Carmel Honey Company for local honey; Monterey Design Center for home decor; and J. Lawrence Khaki's for debonair menswear. Flying Fish Grill, Alvarado Street Brewery, and several other restaurants are here, along with Wrath, Hahn, and Blair Estate wine tasting rooms. The Carmel Visitor Center (open daily) is on the second floor.

This store sells 1800s-theme items such as toys, as well as books related to Monterey and California heritage.

The gallery showcases the oil paintings (mostly large-format seascapes and landscapes) of local artists Cyndra Bradford and Jeff Daniel Smith.

Fine art photography of the Big Sur Coast and the Monterey Peninsula, including scenic shots and golf images, is the focus here.

This shop monograms and embroiders fine linens (including bathrobes) while you wait.

Local surfers get their wetties (wet suits) and other gear at this O'Neill store or the one in Capitola ( 1115 41st Ave.). There's also a satellite shop on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Santa Cruz is famous for its long tradition of organic growing and sustainable living, and its downtown market (one of five countywide) reflects the incredible diversity and quality of local agriculture and the synergistic daily life of community-minded residents. The busy market, which always has live music, happens every Wednesday from 1 to 6, rain or shine. The stalls cover much of an entire city block near Pacific Avenue and include fresh produce plus everything from oysters, beer, bread, and charcuterie to arts and crafts to prepared foods made from ingredients sourced from on-site vendors.