18 Unique California Inspired Gift Ideas
Palm trees, vibrant orange California poppies, salty ocean air, and iconic bridges, California is one easy state to celebrate! As a Californian, it also makes this list a particular pleasure to write and curate. We love it so much, we even tucked in a special blog-only discount into a few of the offerings below. Read on for great ideas and big savings!
Whether you're looking to bring a taste of the Golden State to friends, family, or clients out of town or looking to put together gifts to welcome folks to town, here are 18 distinctive California gift ideas that capture the spirit and effortless cool of our Golden State!
If you're looking for a gift basket that's all ready to ship, we can help! Check out item #10 or pop over to the Top 10 California Gift Baskets article here!
1. California Coasters
2. California Candles
3. California Poppy Seed Kit
4. Good Night California (Kid's Book)
5. California Dopp Kit
6. California Kitchen Towels
7. California Crafted Almonds
8. California Poppy Jewelry Tray
9. California Poppy Leather Playing Cards
10. Golden State Citrus Gift Tote
11. Dardimans California Orange Crisps
12. California Mug
13. California Gummy Bears
14. California Note Cards
15. California Map Tote
16. California Crafted Mediterranean Herb Dipping Oil
17. California Wine
18. California Beaded Ornament
From California inspired tabletops to incredible snacks, scroll down for 18 ideas to bring a little West Coast sunshine your way. And bonus points, since we're members of 1% for the Planet and a women-owned, certified green business, you can feel good while you shop California style.
1. California Coasters
Coasters make for one of our favorite gifts. Useful and beautiful, these California map coasters are favorites! They are actually absorbent and will soak up the condensation from your glassware to prevent spills and messes. Each coaster has Los Angeles, Hollywood, Napa, and San Francisco spelled out, along with lots of fun little graphics celebrating the Golden State. We've even got a special deal for you! Save 15 percent on Sets of 4 with code: SBCOblog. Shop the California Coasters now.
2. California Candles
California Candle
California Travel Candle
Looking for something more compact but with the same signature California scent? This bestselling candle also comes in a 3oz, travel friendly version with 12-15 hours of burn time! We love the sophisticated and minimalistic design of the earthy colored label against the brass tin. Shop the California Travel Candle.
These bestselling travel candles are also eligible for the special blog only 15 percent savings with code: SBCOblog. Discover our whole range of Santa Barbara candles, from botanical scents to those reminiscent of scenic views and central coast destinations. With 3 collections to choose from, there's something for everyone to enjoy! Shop all SBCO candles.
3. California Poppy Seed Grow Kit
4. Good Night California Board Book
5. California Dopp Kit
Charming illustrations celebrating the best of California on a high quality cotton canvas pouch made in the USA. Perfect for toiletries or organizing other supplies, this is a perfectly useful item for your favorite jetsetter. It's a great California gift for guys, too. Shop the Blue Denim California Dopp Kit. If you are looking for something a bit smaller or more feminine, you might also like the Coral California Pouch, which is perfect as a makeup bag or this 8" smaller bag available in grey or red. 
6. California Kitchen Towels
When folks are traveling, we recommend kitchen towels as gifts more often than anything else! They are easy to pack and so useful to the recipient. This soft and natural kitchen tea towel features an illustrated map of California scenes. It includes native animals, plants, and landscapes - all of which call California home.
Whether you're a Californian yourself or just visiting the Golden State, it's a charming keepsake to add character to any kitchen. Shop the California Map Towel or hop over to this collection to shop all California towels.
7. California Crafted Almonds
Did you know that most of the world's almonds are grown in California? Our California Crafted almonds are sourced from small California farms. They are freshly roasted and flavored to perfection! They are a great way to greet out of towners and are one of our favorite additions to welcome gifts for guests. Shop California Almonds.
If you are looking for something sophisticated, you'll love these Chocolate Dusted Caramelized Almonds crafted in small batches by artisan chocolatier Jessica Foster Confections. Not too sweet, these are the most delicious gourmet nuts! Shop Jessica Foster Confections Chocolate Dusted Caramelized Almonds.
For more snack ideas, pop over to our curated collection of the best California Snacks!
8. California Poppy Jewelry Tray
The California Poppy Jewelry Tray is a stunning piece crafted from sustainable mango wood. Featuring a beautifully carved design of the state flower, the California poppy, this tray adds a touch of nature-inspired elegance to any space. Perfect for holding jewelry, keys, or trinkets, it’s a thoughtful gift that celebrates both craftsmanship and the beauty of California. Shop California Poppy Jewelry Tray
9. California Poppy Leather Playing Cards
The California Poppy Leather Playing Cards Set includes a full deck of playing cards housed in a compact, embossed leather case featuring the California state flower. Made with genuine leather tanned using traditional methods, this travel-friendly item blends functionality with artisan detail. Shop the California Poppy Leather Playing Cards
10. Golden State Sunshine Gift Tote
If you're short on time and energy, don't worry! We've got you. This curated California gift tote is just the thing for you! Organic Gummy Bears made with real fruit, Organic Sea Salt & Olive Oil Popcorn and our California Travel Candle tucked into an organic made in the USA tote curated by Pomelo. These can be shipped to you, your recipient, or delivered directly to a hotel or resort. Shop the Golden State Sunshine Gift Tote.
If you'd like more treats and no candle, you can also check out our California Citrus Snack Tote.
11. Dardimans California Orange Crisps
Naturally sweet with a tangy kick, these California grown mandarin crisps are wonderful on their own as well as with salad, chocolate, dips, acai bowls, yogurt, whiskey, cognac or beer. These slices of sunshine also come as chocolate and creme dipped! Shop our selection of California Orange Crisps.
If you love the idea of gifting fruit but aren't sold on citrus, you can also consider our sweet packages of Organic Dried Mango.
12. Golden State California Camp Mug
This mug screams all things California! This insulated camp style mug features a laser engraved state Grizzly Bear, the California Quail, and the California Poppy. Bonus! Blog readers get a special discount to save 15% on this mug when you enter SBCOblog at checkout. Shop the California Insulated Camp Mug.
13. California Gummy Bears
These delicious and cheerful gummy bears are made in small batches with real California fruit. Kosher, Non-GMO, Fat Free and Gluten Free - these gummy bears make the perfect gift for adults and kids alike! Also, let's face it... who doesn't like gummy bears?! You can choose between organic and vegan gummy bears below or classic California Fruit Mix, which comes in a slightly smaller rectangular box.
14. California Images Note Cards
The gift that keeps on giving! This boxed note card set is printed with beautiful paintings of California scenes by one of our favorite local artists, Karin Shelton. Each box includes eight different blank cards and envelopes, each with a different image representative of California, including poppy fields, vineyards, beaches, rolling hills, Sierra mountains and gentle oaks. Shop the California Note Cards.
Or, go for a box of letterpress note cards featuring everyone's favorite California poppy. These beautiful cards are designed and printed locally on a 1953 Heidelberg Windmill platen press. Shop California Poppy Letterpress Greeting Cards.
15. California Illustrated Map Tote
16. California Crafted Mediterranean Herb Dipping Oil
17. California Wine
Nothing gets more classic than a California wine, and we have a generous selection of California grown wines to suit both the Pinot Noir and Sparkling Rosé connoisseurs in your life. One of our best sellers is the Margerum Santa Barbara County Riviera Rose, the perfect wine to accompany picnics, dinners, and BBQs. This Rosé is dry and crisp on the palate, and its fruit is balanced with some mouth-watering acidity.
Shop our California Wine Collection (+ see which states we can ship wine to!)
18. California Beaded Ornament
Bring some California sunshine into your home with our unique California State Beaded Ornament! Handcrafted with love, this vibrant ornament features an embroidered design of the state flower - the California poppy. Show off your love for the Golden State with this meaningful and eco-friendly keepsake. Perfect for the Christmas tree or year-round. Shop California Beaded Ornament
