The best gift shops in Los Angeles

This cheerful Echo Park boutique stocks a carefully curated collection of cards, stationery products, and home and fashion items, selected with an emphasis on local and California-based designers. Owner Tamara Houghten literally created the shop to help people find “special, unique and affordable” gifts for friends and family. Come in to pick up a card, and you'll probably end up grabbing a cute notebook, clever coffee table book and trendy enamel pin to go with it. 

For your literary or L.A.–loving friends, look no further for the perfect gift. Head to the historic Los Angeles Central Library and explore this shop where an assortment of cards, pens, notebooks and other stationery supplies can be found in bright colors and emblazoned with fun designs with a bookish bent. Proceeds from purchases here go toward the Library Foundation, so you’re also helping support enrichment programs to keep the written word alive.

Synonymous with midcentury design, Heath Ceramics is a California institution for home décor. Established by Edith Heath—whose works are coveted pieces of museums’ collections including LACMA and MoMA—the L.A. branch offers iconic pieces for every room in the house, perfect for your minimalist friend with exquisite taste.

It may look unassuming from the outside, but Lundeen’s in downtown Culver City is a hidden gem. It’s been beloved by locals since Kathryn Lundeen opened the shop in 2008 after noticing a need for a local gift shop. You’ll find jewelry, kids’ toys, L.A.-centric trinkets, glassware, paper goods from Rifle Paper Co., wall decor, greeting cards, candles, diffusers and books. I’ve personally bought a first-birthday present here, a congratulatory gift for a new job, and a patterned kettle that brightens up my kitchen. And it’s a store where I’d be thrilled to receive literally anything inside as a gift myself. For the holidays, they have quirky ornaments for your tree, cute wrapping paper and bags—but they’ll also gift-wrap your finds, so that’s one more thing you can tick off your list.

Part cookbook store, part lifestyle shop, Now Serving is one serious destination for boutique kitchenware, international food magazines and cookbooks representing more than 20 countries. Curated and owned by a former chef for Wolfgang Puck, this shop within Far East Plaza draws upon more than a decade of kitchen experience to curate some truly special wares.

This isn't your average gift shop. Fine-art tomes, stationery and home decor pieces like frames, candles and notebooks share the shelves with decorative embroidered pillows, leather totes, Indigo-dyed pouches and more. The Abbot Kinney boutique, owned by California native Erinn Berkson, emodies the essence of California-cool with a nod to its eclectic, boho surrounds. Drop in to find the perfect gift for a friend or a little one—there’s also a selection of cute options for kids and babies, from wooden teether rings to a California-map onesie.

If the Last Bookstore Downtown were really our last bookstore, we'd be in good shape. Currently housed in what used to be an old bank building (complete with marble columns and giant doors), the store first began in a loft apartment and has since expanded to include a record shop, coffee bar and “Labyrinth” mezzanine level solely dedicated to $1 books. It's now the largest independent bookstore in Southern California. Not up for a trek Downtown? You’re in luck: The owners recently opened the Last Bookstore Studio City, a Zen option filled with 500,000 books for Valley dwellers to browse.

If you think it’s hard to pass up keepsakes and decor with Frida or Basquiat in a typical museum shop, wait until you walk into one with Totoro on everything. You’re bound to find something in the store that the movie buffs in your life will love, whether it tugs at childhood nostalgia or their inner cinephile (Pedro Almodóvar socks, anyone?). You’ll find entire sections of the store dedicated to current exhibitions—check out the Brain Dead Studios x The Matrix collection inspired by “Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures”—plus some merch inspired by the museum itself and the Oscars. 

P.F. Candle Co.—first founded by Kristen Pumphrey as an Etsy shop in 2008—specializes in rustic-chic soy-wax candles (they’re also vegan, cruelty-free, and phthalate-free) whose signature amber glass jars you’ve definitely seen at any cool friend’s place. Bestselling scents include teakwood and tobacco, Golden Coast, bergamot shiso and Los Angeles—which smells like redwood, lime, jasmine and yarrow. But they’re constantly expanding their offerings, with seasonal scents like smoky cinnamon special or vanilla and ghost pepper, as well as collaborations like P.F. Candle Co. x Peanuts, with cute labels starring Snoopy. But all of the independently owned brand’s products are still developed, produced, tested and packed right here in L.A. Their products can be found in stores all across the city, but we suggest going straight to the source and visiting the Echo Park flagship for the best selection.

Beloved local patisserie Valerie Confections’ headquarters can be found near the border of Glendale and Burbank. Find boxes of eponymous pastry chef Valerie Gordon’s gourmet chocolates, bars, barks, petit fours and more inside the 5,000-square-foot space; you can also preorder pies and cakes, or stop by for coffee and a pastry. This time of year, picking up some peppermint bark, eggnog petit fours or holiday truffles for a sweet gift is sure to score you points with anyone.

Traditional newsstands have all but disappeared—but luckily we still have the coolest one: the Daily Planet, located on the corner of Franklin Village. Well, it’s more of an independent bookstore, but it stocks international magazines, curated vinyl and thoughtful gift items in addition to unique books. The ultra-cool owners are incidentally the duo that make up the band Cold Cave and run Heartworm Press, which publishes poetry books by cult musicians and influential writers. Pick up some of their titles or a sleek Joan Didion volume while you’re there, pair with a Compartés chocolate bar, and you’ve got the perfect gift for the hippest person you know.

The charming Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market and Bistro has been a staple of the Original Farmers Market for 30 years. Recently, to answer increased demand for the market’s homewares, a stand-alone shop was opened just steps away, expanding the offerings and giving them a permanent home. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to meet any decor and entertaining needs: a curated collection of dishes, cocktail glasses, cutlery, table settings, cookbooks, wooden bowls, aprons and more—making it a cinch to find the perfect gift for the gourmand or perennial party host in your life. 

If you find yourself in Long Beach, Prism is a must-stop for the cool girl on your list. This independently owned womenswear boutique offers a playful array of apparel from brands like Free People, Lisa Says Gah, Faithfull the Brand, plus vintage jeans from Levi’s. The styles pair perfectly with a selection of unique handcrafted jewelry from around the world. The shop's interiors—complete with macramé wall hangings and planters and locally sourced driftwood—complete the hippie-chic shopping experience. While you’re in town, check out And Then LB, a short drive away in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood.

A-listers, stylists, and beauty experts flock to multiplatform brand Violet Grey’s Melrose Place boutique for a highly curated selection of luxury products (approved by the Violet Code, of course). After all, the part e-commerce site, part online publication (The Violet Files) and part brick-and-mortar has earned its title as “The Industry’s Beauty Edit,” thanks to its thorough vetting process a la Hollywood pros. Step inside this posh beauty haven and browse the high-end range of skin care and makeup products. 

Brick-and-mortar toy shops are growing fewer and farther between, making a gem like Leanna Lin’s Wonderland—which appeals to both the young and young at heart—all the more special. The Eagle Rock store, open since 2010, functions as both a gift shop and gallery that features independent artists and designers. Find a playful gift for any age—like Hello Kitty or Unicorno blind boxes for kids, and cute canned candles for grown-ups—inside the cheery space. Now through January 11, be sure to check out the Tiny Glimmers Art Show, a small showcase with giftable goods.

Whether you’re a veteran LACMA-goer or first-timer, this gift shop (currently anchored by an outpost in the Resnick Pavilion until the museum’s expansion debuts) thoroughly blurs the lines between want and need-right-now. Sure, the prices are a bit steep, but with selections like stationery, posters, books and other trinkets outfitted in prints from the latest exhibition, it’s like you’re taking a piece of the museum home with you (a tangible souvenir alongside your candid Urban Light lamp posts pic). Think a Frank Gehry poster, Barbara Kruger printed mug, Robert Mapplethorpe printed journal and more. You’re sure to find something perfect for your artsiest friend.

Peter Graham and Sophie Esteban bring their New York style to Silver Lake with a bungalow storefront selling home goods, gourmet kitchen items and cafe eats from pastries to sandwiches. Check their website for inspo before you head over—they have curated gift lists for the globetrotter, gourmand, homebody, insomniac, ex-New Yorker, chocolate lover and “the WELLNESS friend we all have.” Order a cup of joe, which is brewed to perfection while you browse. If you’re not on the Eastside, there’s an additional location at Platform in Culver City.

Spice up your space with the freaky offerings at Wacko Soap Plant, known to locals simply as Wacko’s. A curiosity and book store (with a gallery, La Luz de Jesus, in the back), this sprawling retailer offers an exhaustive collection of everything colorful and cool, like a Ruth Bader Ginsburg bobblehead, tiki mugs, cute plushies and quirky prayer candles (sporting everyone from Dali to Tiny Tim). It’s worth spending an afternoon just amusing yourself with the extensive book collection on kitschy art. There’s also a house line of soaps, oils and lotions (hence the “Soap Plant” in the name).

This much-cherished, cozy neighborhood bookstore in Los Feliz strikes a neat balance between intellectual crowd-pleasers and more unusual fare, including a large selection of local zines. Open since the mid ’90s, it bucked book-industry trends by expanding into a larger space a decade ago. It now houses readings, signings and its own book club.

This store sells beautifully crafted wares: sleek wooden radios, artistic jewelry, glassware, tableware, jewelry, noguchi paper lamps and aesthetically pleasing toys for kids, as well as books on art, architecture and fashion. It’s small, but there’s a lot packed in, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable without being pushy. In addition to the Silver Lake shop, there are locations on West Third Street and in Santa Monica.

One of the most unique gift shops in L.A., and certainly one of the tiniest, Pygmy Hippo Shoppe is an adorable little boutique in the Fairfax District. Decorated with dusty pastel colors and ornate wallpaper, the little store specializes in a masterfully curated collection of handmade goods such as letterpress cards, novelties, edgy trinkets, soaps, jewelry and toys made by L.A. artisans, as well as books and unique vintage finds.

For the friend whose plants are their whole personality, head to Tansy. The colorful shop’s Zen-meets-maximalist vibes will bring a smile to your face. Shop a wide selection of indoor, outdoor and rare plants, as well as an eclectic collection of art and home décor. Already a neighborhood favorite in Burbank, the Black-woman-owned and -operated store-slash-nursery recently opened a second location in Seattle. Check the website for in-store workshops and events.

Owned by husband-and-wife duo Keiko and Taku Shinomoto, this hidden gem (formerly located on Abbot Kinney) offers a curated selection of home wares, furniture and accessories steeped in traditional, Japanese design with a modern twist; it’s minimalism at its finest and a favorite of L.A.’s design forces. Add some Eastern influence into your kitchen with a teapot by Hasami Porcelain or handcrafted brass cutlery by Japan-based company Lue.

For your friend who loves IKEA, help them level up with a gift from Huset. The shop has everything you need for the modern, Scandanavian look for your home—huset means “the house”—from furniture, houseware and kitchenware to women’s and men’s clothing and accessories and knickknacks for children. Each piece is curated by Swedish owner Holly Hallberg, who makes regular shopping trips to her native land for unique finds.

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift? Check out the mini surprise bags, candles, jewelry, pillows, dolls and home goods at this shop owned by Kristin Scott and her husband, tattoo artist Jason Schroder. Shop Spitfire Girl’s trademark thin wooden cards with fun sayings, as well as funky wood-made goods such as trays, journals, hang tags and flasks in this quirky store.

Run by and named after British expat Andy Griffith and L.A. style journalist Rose Apodaca, A+R is primarily a furniture store, but it also offers a super-fresh selection of desirable designer goodies: mostly homewares, alongside a few other gift ideas (books, artworks and other chic novelties). Goods are sourced from around the world, making it a good place to find something unusual. Shop the showroom at ROW DTLA, and while you’re there, you can stop by Scent Bar DTLA for perfume, Dublab & In Sheep's Clothing HiFi Sound & Vision for records, and Flask & Field for wine.

This museum gift shop specializes in all products (books, clothing, stationery and other goods) from the contemporary art world. Shoppers are exposed to new and exciting pieces from different designers and artists—many of which have works on display at the museum. (We recommend an Olafur Eliasson poster, inspired by our favorite exhibition of the year.) If you’re a museum member, you can flash your card to receive a 10% discount on most purchases. Proceeds help support MOCA.