April 12, 2024

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 Californians, 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. Mini California Shaped Puzzle

9. California 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 Ornaments

From California inspired tabletop to incredible snacks, scroll down for eighteen 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 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

This signature California candle has become our bestseller! Inspired by citrus orchards, succulent gardens, coastal breeze, fresh botanicals and warm weather, its a perfect balance between masculine and feminine, and makes a fantastic travel-friendly gift.

Our candles are hand-poured with clean-burning fragrance, essential oils and plant-based soy wax. Bonus: the top features an illustration of California poppies and all the labels are made with 100 percent post-consumer fiber. These bestselling travel candles are also eligible for the special blog only 15 percent savings with code SBCOblog. Shop the feel-good California Candle.

California candle in gold tin on sand oceanside

California Dreamin' Candle

Lush florals and green leaves balanced by sophisticated woodsy notes of sandalwood and cedar. With notes of coconut and agave, this exceptional fragrance perfectly captures California surf culture and gorgeous sandy beaches. Infused with natural essential oils, including orange, lemon, clove leaf, and eucalyptus and patchouli. Each candle is made with USA grown plant-based soy wax, recycled glass and features a 100 percent PCR recycled paper label. Light it and float away in sustainable seaside bliss. Shop the California Dreamin' Candle.

California dreamin candle with bamboo lid

3. California Poppy Seed Grow Kit

The California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica, creates a sun-drenched meadow throughout California and the Southwest with its orange, saucer-shaped flowers.

Nothing gets more classic than the California poppies, so why not gift someone seeds to plant their own?! This seed grow kit allows you to grow these classic California Poppies, giving a splash of color to virtually any open, sunny area - they are as fun to grow as they are lovely! Shop the California Poppy Seed Kit.

4. Good Night California Board Book

We've heard over and over that this series is a family favorite! This sweet board book has imagery that's great for babies along with fun scenes for older kids. From the Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars to a visit at Yosemite National Park and Hollywood. Order the Good Night California Book here.

And check out our full selection of items for babies & kids.

If you are shopping for adults, you might consider the California the Beautiful Book. At 7.5" square, it's a travel friendly hardcover but features coffee table book worthy imagery.

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.

Blue California Print Dopp Kit | Gifts for Him

6. California Kitchen Towels

California Sketches Flour Sack Towel

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 flour sack towel features charming illustrated California scenes. Each towel features illustrations of Highway 1, California Historic Missions, Yosemite, Hollywood, Desert, Beaches, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Disneyland and beautiful California Wine Country. Shop the California Sketches Flour Sack Kitchen Towel. Or hop over to this collection to shop all California towels.

California Sketches Towel with illustrations of California scenes

California Birds Kitchen Towel

Gift the bird-lover in your life a California Birds kitchen tea towel with featuring the mourning dove, house finch, great egret, scrub jay, and California quail imagery. This signature design was made by local artist Valerie Martin! Shop California Birds Kitchen Towel.

California bird sketches on flour sack kitchen towel tied with bow

7. California Crafted Almonds

Did you know that most of the worlds 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 great 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.

California almonds, Santa Barbara pistachios and Jessica Foster Confections caramelized almonds

For more snack ideas, pop over to our curated collection of the best California Snacks!

8. Mini California Shaped Puzzle

This little puzzle is easy to pack and display. With a quail, poppies, monarch and the unforgettable shape of California, this is a quintessentially California puzzle! Shop the California state puzzle.

California shaped mini puzzle

9. California Playing Cards

Each pack of cards comes in a gift-worthy rigid box and features high quality cardstock with the cutest California bear hugging California. Great for families or your favorite card players!

Shop the California Dreaming Bear Playing Cards.

10. Golden State California Citrus 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 Citrus Gift Tote.

Golden State Citrus Gift Tote featuring gummy bears, popcorn and a candle.

If you'd like more treats and no candle, you can also check out Pomelo's 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 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 Dried Organic Mango or fresh off the orchard Apple slices!

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.

California Insulated Mug - Back with Quail and Poppy

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, lets 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. And if you're feeling a little bubbly, choose the the Sparkling Rosé California Gummy Bears.

14. California Images Note Cards

The gift that keeps giving! This boxed note card set is printed with beautiful paintings of California scenes by one 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.

Local artist watercolor California images note card set box

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 Note Cards

15. California Illustrated Map Tote

Cheerful and perfectly California! This sturdy cotton tote bag is made with 100% recycled cotton and features a map of California in cheerful poppy orange. Shop the California Map Tote.

California Map Tote

16. California Crafted Mediterranean Herb Dipping Oil

With fresh flavors of basil, oregano, and rosemary, our California Crafted Mediterranean Herb dipping oil is a crowd favorite! Pair this alongside crusty bread or drizzled over vegetables to make the perfect savory combination.

Shop our California Crafted Mediterranean Herb Dipping Oil.

Mediterranean herb dipping oil with crusty bread

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, its fruit is balanced with some mouth-watering acidity.

Shop our California Wine Collection (+ see which states we can ship wine to!)

Margerum M5 white & riviera rose wines next to springtime flowers \

18. California Ornaments

Spread the cheer with our classic California wooden ornaments! This keepsake is made from maple veneered wood in a solar powered workshop in Santa Cruz, California. Shop the California Bear Ornament!