Page 38 - 2019 Travel Guide to California

SHOPPING
CHECKING THE PRODUCE at Los
Angeles’ Original Farmers Market, below;
Carmel Plaza shops, right.
Heading north? Check out the Outlets at
Tejon along Interstate 5 between Los Angeles
and Bakersfield, just south of the Highway 99
interchange at the base of the Grapevine. The
sprawling, 350,000-square-foot mall con-
tains the usual, Nike and Polo Ralph Lauren,
and some newcomers to the outlet scene,
H&M and Pottery Barn, among the shady
walkways and Mission Ranch architecture.
Northern California Elegance
San Francisco’s massive malls and quirky
boutiques showcase the city’s European
style. Join the Prada-clad parade encircling
one of the world’s great “urban rooms,”
downtown Union Square. Max out your plat-
inum card in international boutiques,
jewelry stores and high-end department
stores. Today, Neiman Marcus stands where
The City of Paris once stood, retaining the
opulent rotunda and ornate glass skylight.
Stroll down nearby Maiden Lane, once lined
with Barbary Coast brothels, for more luxury.
Nearby, the Westfield San Francisco
Centre is an architectural gem; under a
stunning 1908 dome stand restaurants and
food emporiums, such as Japan’s Beard
Papa Cream Puffs, and 142 stores, including
36 2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
an Amazon Pop-Up and the iconic British
perfume house Penhaligon’s.
Don’t miss San Francisco’s great shop-
ping neighborhoods. On Chinatown’s
Stockton Street you can pick up Asian
antiques, silk clothing bargains or rare tea.
Herbal pharmacies proffer Chinese medic-
inal remedies, ginseng, deer antlers or
herbs costing $100 per pound.
Near Pacific Heights, Sacramento Street
houses fancy consignment shops, luxury
goods retailers and haute couture children’s
boutiques. Hippie culture thrives on Haight
Street with the northern outpost of Amoeba
Music and shops selling incense, used
records and vintage San Francisco post-
cards, which make great gifts.
North Beach and Jackson Square cafés
still sound with Italian speakers. Here, visit
the legendary City Lights bookstore, home
of the City’s nascent Beat culture, and
quirky antique stores. Japantown offers
authentic Japanese goods, tansu chests,
bonsai and antique kimonos. Finally, Hayes
Valley, a hipster haven, has trendy stores
and nary a chain store in sight.
Two hours south, in Carmel-by-the-Sea’s
storybook village, shops display fine French
linen and European antiques. Big Sur’s rugged
coast inspires the art found in small art gal-
leries. On Ocean Avenue, explore designer
shops such as Bottega Veneta or Kate Spade in
Carmel Plaza shopping center amid
cafés, artful bronze sculptures and abundant
plants and flowers. Carmel Plaza completed a
major renovation in 2018.
North, the wine country has recovered
from a disastrous 2017 wildfire and is fully
welcoming visitors. Discover artisanal food
shops, olive oil producers and cheese
makers on Sonoma’s main plaza. Napa
Valley wineries offer fine vintages, and
foodies will love the seasonal abundance at
Petaluma’s organic Green String Farm and
ORIGINAL FARMERS MARKET; VISIT CARMEL