18 Unique California Inspired Gift Ideas
Palm trees, vibrant California poppies, salty ocean air, and iconic bridges, California is one easy state to celebrate. As a California-based business, curating this list is a particular pleasure. We've even tucked in a few blog-only discounts along the way. Read on for great ideas!
Whether you're bringing a taste of the Golden State to friends, family, or clients out of town — or putting together gifts to welcome visitors to California — here are 19 distinctive California gift ideas that capture the spirit and effortless character of our Golden State.
- California Beaded Ornament
- California Coasters
- California Candles
- California Poppy Seed Grow Kit
- California Books
- California Golden State Pouch
- California Kitchen Towels
- California Crafted Almonds
- California Poppy Jewelry Tray
- California Poppy Leather Playing Cards
- Golden State Sunshine Gift Tote
- Dardimans California Orange Crisps
- Golden State California Camp Mug
- California Gummy Bears
- California Watercolor Note Cards
- California Illustrated Map Tote
- California Crafted Mediterranean Herb Dipping Oil
- California Poppy Letterpress Greeting Card Boxed Set
- California Poppy Jewelry Tray
If you're looking for a gift basket that's ready to ship, check out item #10 or visit our Top 10 California Gift Baskets guide.
From California-inspired tabletop pieces to incredible snacks, scroll down for 19 ways to bring a little West Coast sunshine your way. As members of 1% for the Planet and a women-owned, California Certified Green Business, we make it easy to feel good about every gift you send.
1. California Beaded Ornament
Handcrafted and full of character, this California State Beaded Ornament features an embroidered design of the state flower, the California poppy. It's a vibrant, eco-friendly keepsake that works beautifully on a Christmas tree or as a year-round display. Meaningful, distinctive, and made with care. Shop the California Beaded Ornament.
2. California Coasters
Useful and beautiful — a combination we always appreciate. These California map coasters are genuinely absorbent, designed to protect surfaces from condensation without sacrificing style. Each coaster features Los Angeles, Hollywood, Napa, and San Francisco, complete with fun little graphics celebrating the Golden State. Blog readers save 15% on Sets of 4 with code: SBCOblog. Shop the California Coasters.
3. California Candles
Candles are one of our favorite gifts. Romantic, yet practical, they are the ultimate conversation starter and can evoke a distinctive sense of place whether your recipient is in a tiny apartment or a grand estate. Our smaller travel size is especially easy for you to pack away if you are traveling with your gifts.
California Candle (7 oz)
Our bestselling 7oz California candle is inspired by citrus orchards, succulent gardens, coastal breeze, and warm weather. It is a scent that strikes a perfect balance between fresh and grounded. Hand-poured with clean-burning fragrance, essential oils, and plant-based soy wax, it features an illustration of California poppies on a label made from 100% post-consumer fiber. Shop the California Candle.
California Travel Candle (3 oz)
The same signature California scent in a compact 3oz travel-friendly size with 12–15 hours of burn time. The earthy label against the brass tin makes for a quietly sophisticated presentation that travels well and gifts even better. Blog readers save 15% with code: SBCOblog. Shop the California Travel Candle.
Explore our full range of small-batch candles — from botanical scents to those inspired by Central Coast destinations. Three collections, something for everyone. Shop all SBCO candles.
4. California Poppy Seed Grow Kit
The California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica, carpets meadows across California and the Southwest each spring with its iconic orange blooms. This seed grow kit lets you bring that beauty home — easy to grow in virtually any open, sunny spot and a lovely gift for anyone with a garden, a windowsill, or a little patch of outdoor space. Shop the California Poppy Seed Grow Kit.
5. California Books
Good Night California Board Book
A family favorite for good reason. This sweet board book travels from the Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars to Yosemite National Park and Hollywood, with imagery that delights babies and older kids alike. Order the Good Night California board book, and don't miss our full selection of items for babies and kids, including the beloved California Baby Rattle.
Good Night California Board Book
Count on California
A charming counting book that introduces little ones to the wonders of the Golden State — from redwood trees to sea otters. A wonderful companion to the Good Night California series. Shop Count on California.
Coastal California: The Pacific Coast Highway and Beyond
For the adults on your list, this picturesque hardcover celebrates the stunning California coastline via the Pacific Coast Highway and beyond. A beautiful coffee table addition. Shop the Coastal California Book.
Tanya Holland's California Soul
From celebrated chef Tanya Holland, this cookbook is a love letter to California's rich culinary traditions and African American food culture. Thoughtful, delicious, and a joy to read as well as cook from. Shop Tanya Holland's California Soul.
6. California Golden State Pouch
A beautifully illustrated pouch celebrating the Golden State, this is the kind of versatile accessory people reach for every day — perfect as a travel bag, a makeup pouch, or a desk organizer. Made with quality materials and California charm. If you're looking for something roomier, the Blue Denim California Dopp Kit is a great option, particularly for a travel-minded gift recipient. Shop the California Golden State Pouch.
7. California Kitchen Towels
When someone is traveling, kitchen towels are one of our most-recommended gifts — easy to pack, endlessly useful, and a lovely keepsake. Here are two of our favorites:
Greetings from California Map Tea Towel
This soft, natural tea towel features a beautifully illustrated map of California scenes, complete with native animals, plants, and landscapes. A charming keepsake for a Californian or anyone who loves the Golden State. Shop the Greetings from California Map Tea Towel.
California Wine Tea Towel
A nod to one of California's most celebrated traditions, this illustrated wine-themed tea towel is a natural fit for anyone who appreciates great California wine country. A lovely pairing with a bottle of local wine or on its own. Shop the California Wine Tea Towel.
Browse our full collection of California kitchen towels for more options.
8. California Crafted Almonds
Most of the world's almonds are grown right here in California, and ours are sourced from small California farms — freshly roasted and flavored with care. They're one of our favorite additions to welcome gifts and client gift programs alike. Shop California Almonds.
For something a step more indulgent, try the Chocolate Dusted Caramelized Almonds from artisan chocolatier Jessica Foster Confections — small-batch, not too sweet, and genuinely exceptional. Shop Jessica Foster Confections Chocolate Dusted Caramelized Almonds.
For more snack ideas, explore our curated California Snacks collection.
9. California Poppy Jewelry Tray
Crafted from sustainable mango wood with a beautifully carved California poppy design, this tray brings a touch of nature-inspired elegance to any surface. Ideal for jewelry, keys, or everyday trinkets — it's a thoughtful gift that celebrates both craftsmanship and California's state flower. Shop the California Poppy Jewelry Tray.
10. California Poppy Leather Playing Cards
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 is a travel-friendly keepsake that blends everyday function with artisan detail. Shop the California Poppy Leather Playing Cards.
11. Golden State Sunshine Gift Tote
Short on time? This curated California gift tote is ready to go. Organic Gummy Bears made with real fruit, Organic Sea Salt and Olive Oil Popcorn, and our California Travel Candle — all tucked into an organic, USA-made tote by Pomelo. Ships directly to you, your recipient, or to a hotel or resort. Shop the Golden State Sunshine Gift Tote.
Prefer more treats and no candle? The California Citrus Snack Tote is a great alternative.
12. Dardimans California Orange Crisps
Naturally sweet with a bright, tangy edge, these California-grown mandarin crisps are wonderful on their own and surprisingly versatile — equally at home alongside a salad, a cheese board, a bowl of yogurt, or a pour of good whiskey. They also come chocolate and crème dipped. Shop California Orange Crisps.
If you love the idea of gifting fruit but want something different, our Organic Dried Mango is a lovely option as well.
13. Golden State California Camp Mug
This insulated camp-style mug is a quiet celebration of California's natural icons — the state Grizzly Bear, the California Quail, and the California Poppy, all laser engraved. Blog readers save 15% with code: SBCOblog. Shop the California Insulated Camp Mug.
14. California Gummy Bears
Made in small batches with real California fruit, these gummy bears are Kosher, Non-GMO, fat free, and gluten free — a cheerful, crowd-pleasing gift for adults and kids alike. Choose between organic and vegan Sour Strawberry Gummy Bears or the classic California Fruit Mix.
15. California Images Watercolor Note Cards
Painted by local artist Karin Shelton, this boxed set includes eight blank cards and envelopes, each featuring a different California scene — poppy fields, vineyards, beaches, rolling hills, Sierra mountains, and gentle oaks. A gift that keeps giving, long after the occasion. Shop the California Note Cards.
16. California Illustrated Map Tote
Sturdy, cheerful, and perfectly California. This cotton tote is made with 100% recycled cotton and features a map of California in poppy orange. A practical gift with a lot of personality. Shop the California Map Tote.
17. California Crafted Mediterranean Herb Dipping Oil
Fresh basil, oregano, and rosemary come together in this crowd-favorite dipping oil. Serve alongside crusty bread or drizzle over roasted vegetables for an effortless, savory addition to any table. Shop California Crafted Mediterranean Herb Dipping Oil.
18. California Poppy Letterpress Greeting Card Boxed Set
Designed and printed locally on a 1953 Heidelberg Windmill platen press, these letterpress note cards are a beautiful way to send a little California to someone you care about. Featuring the beloved California poppy, each card is a small work of art in its own right. A wonderful companion to any of the gifts on this list — or a meaningful gift on its own. Shop the California Poppy Letterpress Greeting Card Boxed Set.
And there you have it — 19 distinctive ways to celebrate California. Whether you're sending a taste of the Golden State to someone far from home, welcoming guests to town, or building out a client gift program, these are our tried-and-true favorites.
At Santa Barbara Company, every gift is curated with an eye to local craftsmanship, great flavor, and genuine sustainability. We're a women-owned, California Certified Green Business and proud members of 1% for the Planet — so every order you place supports something larger than the gift itself. Take advantage of those blog-only discounts and share a little California sunshine.
