Antiques & Flea Markets
Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire (2100 Ferry
Point, Alameda, 510-522-7500, AntiquesByBay.com, first Sunday of the
month) is the place to find Tiffany lamps, old paintings, and ancient
furniture, and the best place to find unique and weird antiques in the
Bay Area.
Ashby Flea Market (1937 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, 510-644-0744,
weekends, 7-7) offers incense, beads, foods, and other
hippie-influenced items.
East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse (4695 Telegraph Ave.,
Oakland, 510-547-6470) offers a combination of salvaged goods and
crafting supplies.
Laney College Swap Meet (7th St. at Fallon St., Oakland,
Sunday mornings) is hands-down the best flea market in the Bay Area, at
which you must dig for buried treasures.
Oakland Coliseum Flea Market (5401 Coliseum Way, Oakland,
510-534-0325, daily) offers daily flea-market fare, with a mild
emphasis on small, shop-like groups that can sell you tires, illegal
birds, and porn.
Solano Swap Meet (1611 Solano Way, Concord, 925-825-1951) has
regular booths offering cheap wares that aren’t always the cleanest,
newest, or most legally obtained.
Urban Ore (900 Murray St., Berkeley, 510-841-7283) is a
massive lot and warehouse that holds all manner of salvaged goods, but
specializes in housing fixtures like stoves, doors, windows, and
toilets.
White Elephant Sale (333 Lancaster St., Oakland, first
quarter of the year), sponsored by the Oakland Museum of California, is
a huge sale where you can find clothes, furniture, instruments, books,
toys, and bric-a-brac, all at prices that often dip below $1.
Books/Newsstands
A Great Good Place for Books (6120 La Salle Ave., Oakland,
510-339-8210) is the hills’ hub for author events, and dozens of local
book clubs call it home.
ASUC Bookstore (Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union
Building, UC Berkeley, 510-642-1968) is the most convenient spot to
stock up on a whole semester’s worth of studying, plus a few extra
books just for pleasure.
Berkeley Art Museum bookstore (2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley,
510-642-1475) includes sections on art history, art theory, technique,
film, architecture, and design, plus everything you’ll ever want to
know about Botero, Boltanski, and the Fauves.
Book Zoo (6395 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 510-654-2655) is an
eclectic, eccentric, and egalitarian treasure box of
secondhandiana.
Books Inc. (1344 Park St, Alameda, 510-522-2226) has all the
books you need, plus readings by high-profile authors, including many
beloved children’s authors.
Borders (5903 Shellmound St., Emeryville, 510-654-1633) is a
bookstore with its own cafe and virtually every type of new book you
can think of.
Builders Booksource (1817 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-845-6874)
features volumes on architecture, design, and construction.
Clayton Books (5433D Clayton Rd., Clayton, 925-673-3325) is a
friendly — and family-friendly — literary haven east of the
Caldecott Tunnel.
Dark Carnival (3086 Claremont Ave., Berkeley, 510-654-7323)
specializes in fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery fiction.
Diesel, A Bookstore (5433 College Ave., Oakland,
510-653-9965) is an independent bookstore where you can find a classic
or something unconventional.
Eastwind Books (2066 University Ave., Berkeley, 510-548-2350)
offers a literary trip to Asia and Asian America.
Half Price Books (2036 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, 510-526-6080)
is a vast football-fieldish emporium of secondhand and remaindered
books at markdown prices, plus CDs and DVDs also in stock.
Issues (20 Glen Ave., Oakland, 510-652-5700) stocks enough
magazines and newspapers to make you almost forget the Internet
exists.
Marcus Books (3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland,
510-652-2344) is an independently owned bookstore specializing in
African-American topics.
Moe’s Books (2476 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, 510-849-2087) has
secondhand books in every imaginable category, plus a lively calendar
of readings by visiting authors, especially poets.
Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary and Garden Arts (2904 College Ave.,
Berkeley, 510-704-8222) features a full schedule of readings,
demonstrations, workshops, and other events that attract enthusiastic
crowds.
Ned’s (2476 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, 510-204-0900) sells both
new and used versions of textbooks for current UC Berkeley courses.
The Other Change of Hobbit (2020 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-848-0413) is a long-lived and well-loved sci-fi/fantasy specialty
shop.
Pegasus Books Downtown (2349 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-649-1320) offers new and used books with lots of page-flipping
elbow room.
Rakestraw Books (409 Railroad Ave., Danville, 925-837-7337),
another cozy independent, has events ranging from intimate readings to
deluxe dinners with award-winning authors.
Rebecca’s Books (3268 Adeline St., Berkeley, 510-852-4768)
specializes in ethnic-studies books and poetry.
Revolution Books (2425 Channing Way, Berkeley, 510-848-1196)
is where fiery chat about the Revolutionary Communist Party and its
fellow travelers is always on tap.
University Press Books (2430 Bancroft Way, Berkeley,
510-548-0585) carries the output of university presses from around the
world.
Walden Pond (3316 Grand Ave., Oakland, 510-832-4438) has a
politics section that could take a whole afternoon to browse; the
labor-studies and art sections would stretch well into the evening.
Your Local Library (OaklandLibrary.org. CCCLibrary.org, BerkeleyPublicLibrary.org, and
ACLibrary.org) has books, author
events, children’s events, workshops, secondhand book sales, and much
more.
Cameras, Computers, &
Electronics
Al Lasher’s Electronics (1734 University Ave., Berkeley,
510-843-5915) is a Berkeley institution that holds all the pieces you
need to fix a radio, stereo, or death ray.
Alameda County Computer Resource Center (1501 Eastshore Hwy.,
Berkeley, 510-528-4052) is a nonprofit computer recycler that fixes old
machines, installs Linux on them, and then gives them away to the
needy.
Apple Store (5656 Bay St., Emeryville, 510-350-2400) is the
best place to find iPhone needs, and a great spot to get advice on how
to fix a broken Mac.
Best Buy (3700 Mandela Parkway, Oakland, 510-420-0323) is
always a great place to find anything that plugs in and makes
noise.
Fry’s (1695 Willow Pass Rd., Concord, 925-852-0300; 43800
Osgood Rd., Fremont, 510-252-5300) is basically a Wal-Mart-size Radio
Shack.
Looking Glass Photo and Camera (2848 Telegraph Ave.,
Berkeley, 510-548-6888) is where the best equipment can be had at
decent prices.
Sarber’s Cameras (1749 Solano Ave., Berkeley, 510-526-0775)
is the most reliable place to get your best photos printed out, though
it can be pricey.
Skillz DJ Workshop (2566A Telegraph Ave., Berkeley,
510-704-9876) is the only place on Telegraph to find needles with your
stacks of wax.
Sound Well (1718 University Ave., Berkeley, 510-549-2126) is
a shop that still fixes stereo equipment and components.
Stereo Unlimited (1545 Locust St., Walnut Creek,
925-932-5835) is a great place to find all the high-end audio equipment
you’ll need to ruin your eardrums and shake your booty.
Used Computer Store (2277 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-548-8686) is the best place to find old equipment cheap for those
who make their music, photos, and mixes in digital form.
Walter Bennett Cameras (3268 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland,
510-893-6960) is another great place to find camera equipment, and to
ask questions about taking better shots.
Clothing — New
A la Folie (1816 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-845-1616, VisitAlaFolie.com) features exquisitely
sexy lingerie.
American Apparel (2315 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley,
510-981-1641, AmericanApparel.com) carries a
rainbow of body-skimming cotton tees, tanks, sweats, and undies for
guys and gals — all sweatshop-free and made in the USA.
Anthropologie (740 Hearst Ave., Berkeley, 510-486-0705,
Anthropologie.com), a
beautifully laid-out fashion emporium, is aimed at the stylish
thirties-and-up woman with an equal eye for whimsy, sophistication, and
professionalism.
Atomic Garden (5453 College Ave., Oakland, 510-923-0543,
AtomicGardenOakland.com)
is a truly unique boutique stocked with a small but exquisite selection
of casual clothing and accessories made from organic, recycled, or
sustainable materials.
August (5410 College Ave., Oakland, 510-652-2711) houses
denim from established power players as well as up-and-coming labels,
plus an assortment of beautifully tailored separates in a charming
boutique.
Bancroft Clothing Co. (2530 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, 510-
841-0762) has fun, flirty dresses, jeans, and other staples for far
less dough.
Dapper (5332 College Ave., Oakland, 510-594-1940, DapperMen.blogspot.com) is the
East Bay’s destination for picking up smooth duds for yourself or your
dude.
Duchess Boutique (3587 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette,
925-962-0208, ShopDuchess.com) is
a super-stylish spot where you can find trendy designer threads,
jewelry, shoes, and sunglasses.
Elements (2937 College Ave., Berkeley, 510-548-6876) offers
an equal array of smart basics for work and play.
Erica Tanov (1827 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-849-3331,
EricaTanov.com) has intricately
embroidered skirts and tops, light-as-air dresses, and perfectly
tailored trousers by a local designer.
EVarize (2634 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510-845-0376,
EVarize.com) specializes in
customizing designs to fit each shopper’s taste and body.
Golden Gate Western Wear (12153 San Pablo Ave., Richmond,
510-232-3644, GoldenGateWesternWear.com) is
one East Bay store where shoppers can peruse Stetson hats, Wrangler
jeans, and leather holsters, as well as faux-pearl-buttoned plaids,
embroidered long-sleeve shirts, and, of course, cowboy boots.
H&M (5626 Bay Street, Emeryville, HM.com) has cheap clothes good for a half-dozen
public displays before looking beat.
Habit (5659 Bay St., Emeryville, 510-652-2247, HabitOnline.com) is a mini designer
outlet where you’ll find denim by the likes of True Religion and Ernest
Sewn, along with feminine tops, skirts, and frocks by other top brands
— at up to 70 percent less than retail.
Halmar Work Clothes Center (1111 University Ave., Berkeley,
510-845-4771) is an authentic working-stiff haven where you’ll find
Dickies, Carhartt, and Ben Davis stuff for a steal.
Hot Topic (2332 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, 510-841-3128) is
where skulls and Hello Kitty happily co-exist under one roof.
Jeremy’s (2967 College Ave., Berkeley, 510-849-0701, Jeremys.com) offers some of the best bargains
around for men and women on fancy brand-name clothing, from Barneys to
J. Crew.
Magnet (2508 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510-848-1966, MagnetBoutique.com) stocks
sought-after national labels such as Corey Lynn Calter and Paige
Premium Denim, and features up-and-coming local designers, too.
McMullen Boutique (4395 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, 510-
420-6906, ShopMcMullen.com) is a
never-fail source for sophisticated, contemporary clothes by a slew of
well-known and fresh designers.
Momoca (2447 Dwight Way, Berkeley, 510-486-8295, Momoca.com) is a tiny boutique that carries
only handcrafted clothes and accessories made by local designers.
My Roommate’s Closet (1366 N. Main St., Walnut Creek,
925-280-8400, MyRoommatesCloset.com) features a
mouthwatering assortment of brand-new garments from designers like
Mint, Theory, and Catherine Maladrino — all at least 50 percent
off.
Players Outlet (1420 Macdonald Ave., Richmond, 510-965-0502)
specializes in puffy down jackets, Fubu-wear, Platinum shirts, sports
jerseys, Raiders stuff, baggy pants, hoodies, jogging outfits, and caps
with pot-leaf logos.
Slash (2840 College Ave., Berkeley, 510-665-5994, SlashBerkeley.com), an Elmwood mainstay
whose genius salespeople have been matching men and women with
perfect-fitting denim since 1979, carries new and vintage Levi’s and
other midpriced brands.
Urban Outfitters (2590 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, 510-486-1300,
UrbanOutfitters.com) is for
fashion-forward students seeking new duds for class and beyond.
Clothing — Used &
Vintage
Buffalo Exchange (2585 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA,
510-644-9202, BuffaloExchange.com)
carries some vintage items, weird stuff from overseas, and, yes, barely
worn H&M and Forever 21.
Community Thrift Store (625 Valencia St., 415-861-4910,
CommunityThriftSF.org)
Crossroads Trading Co. (2338 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-843-7600; 5636 College Ave., Oakland, 510-420-1952, CrossroadsTrading.com) is where you
can net some serious big-label scores on jeans and tops.
Down at Lulu’s (6603 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 510-601-0964,
DownatLulus.com) is a kitschy,
party-cool store where you can get rock ‘n’ roll boots and 1980s neon;
it’s also a hair salon.
Maribel (3251 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, 510-419-0677)
high-ticket designer items in a true consignment boutique setting.
Mars Mercantile (2398 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, 510-843-6711)
boasts two floors of vintage — guayaberas to Donna Reed
housedresses to ironic T-shirts to 1980s prom — with a $20 median
price and a stock that’s organized by era and/or style.
Nifty As Is (218 I St., Antioch, 925-778-7747) is where you
can find real old-fashioned thrift-store deals and standard
charity-shop gear for the unheard-of-in-the 21st-century prices of $1
or $2.
Painted Bird (1201A Guerrero St., 415-401-7027)
Pretty Penny (5488 College Ave., Oakland, 510-594-9219,
PrettyPennyClothing.com)
boasts local designers mixed with the, well, pretty side of the
20th century — rainbow prints, strappy sandals, and flowery
purses — and shares space with Saturn Records, so you can browse
music, too.
Retro-Fit Vintage (910 Valencia St., 415-550-1530)
Rockridge Rags (5711 College Ave, Oakland, 510-655-2289) is a
somewhat conservative consignment boutique.
Schauplatz (791 Valencia St., 415-864-5665)
Thrift Town (16160 E. 14th St., San Leandro, 510-278-1766;
3645 San Pablo Dam Rd., El Sobrante, 510-222-8696; 41200 Blacow Rd.
#E., Fremont, 510-661-9150) specializes in $10-and-under, neatly
organized, and clean wares, with designer labels represented and 1960s
and 1970s items totally findable.
Twisters Vintage (2445 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley,
510-548-9478) offers a wide selection of vintage menswear, glamorous
jewelry, and cocktail dresses at the midrange prices.
Food & Drink
99 Ranch (3288 Pierce St., Oakland, 510-558-210) is an
Asian-foods supermarket with (live) fish, tofu, and meat sections, and
specialties like bitter-melon and mochi ice cream.
AG Ferrari (2905 College Ave., Berkeley, 510-849-2701) is a
squeaky-clean establishment where you can stock up on salads,
sandwiches, and all the makings for a perfect picnic.
Alameda Natural Grocery (1650 Park St., Alameda,
510-865-1500) is an emporium of natural meats, bulk items, and organic
produce, and it has its own roomy parking lot.
Alameda Wine Co. (2315 Central Ave., Alameda,
510–523-9463) gets points for good prices and friendly
service.
Baron’s Meat & Poultry (3068 Claremont Ave., Berkeley,
510-654-1915) serves fresh and marinated meats, made-to-order
sandwiches, and hearty soups.
Berkeley Bowl (2020 Oregon St., Berkeley, 510-843-6929; 920
Heinz Ave., Berkeley, 510-898-9555, BerkeleyBowl.com) features the nation’s
most expansive produce section, with an in-house restaurant at the
opposite end.
Berkeley Farmers’ Markets (Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Center
St. at Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley; Tuesdays, 2 p.m-7 p.m.,
Derby St. at Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley; Thursdays, 3 p.m.-7
p.m., Shattuck Ave. at Rose St., Berkeley, EcologyCenter.org/bfm) features
super fresh seasonal produce, along with breads, oils, other organic
foods — and samples.
Bittersweet Chocolate Café (5427 College Ave.,
Oakland, 510-654-7159) proffers drinks, pastries, and bars from
chocolate dulce de leche pudding to chocolate Thai iced tea.
Blacksmith Cellars (218 Haight Ave., Alameda, 510-917-0537)
was named the area’s best winery by East Bay Express
readers.
Charles Chocolates (6529 Hollis St., Emeryville,
510-652-4412) carries elegant bars, truffles, and other treats all made
traditionally with no artificial ingredients, and many incorporate
exotic fruits, nuts, tea, and other surprises.
Cheese Board Collective (1504 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-549-3183) lets you choose from a world’s worth of cheese; it’s
picnic central, and the breads are often still warm from the oven.
Crixa Cakes (2748 Adeline St., Berkeley, 510-548-0421), like
an old-fashioned Eastern European bakery, has everything from
chocolate-cherry mousse cake to Fatima’s Thighs.
Du Vin Fine Wines (2526 A Santa Clara Ave., Alameda,
510-769-9463) also includes affordable selections spanning the globe,
from Argentina to New Zealand.
El Cerrito Plaza Farmers’ Market (Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9
a.m.-1 p.m. year round, ElCerritoPlaza.com/farmers_market.htm)
features super fresh seasonal produce, along with breads, oils, other
organic foods — and samples.
Farmer Joe’s (3501 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, 510-482-8178),
not to be confused with Trader Joe’s, is a natural grocery with
friendly staff and an ample selection of organic packaged goods, baked
goods, produce, and more.
Farmstead Cheeses & Wines (6218 La Salle Ave., Oakland,
510-864-9463) restores dignity to a perfect pairing with well over one
hundred types of cheese and a calendar of events for new
vinophiles.
Feel Good Bakery (1650 Park St., Alameda, 510-864-2733)
reminds you why bread is called the staff of life.
Genova (5095 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 510-652-7401) evokes
Italian-American delis of yore; folks line up for large sandwiches
stacked with cold cuts and more at this Oakland favorite.
Grand Lake Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.,
year-round, Splash Pad Park, Grand Ave. at Lake Park Ave., Oakland
MarinCountyFarmersMarkets.org)
features super-fresh seasonal produce, along with breads, oils, other
organic foods — and samples.
Grocery Outlet (2001 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-845-1771)
features name-brand staples and delicacies and lots of wine and beer
marked way, way down.
Hooper’s Chocolates (4632 Telegraph Ave., Oakland,
510-653-3703) has been handcrafting Belgian-style sweets since before
World War II.
Indus Food Center (1920 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley,
510-549-3663) is a thriving part of Berkeley’s Middle Eastern food
nexus with halvah by the tub, soft flat Afghan bread, and eye-poppingly
hot harissa sauce.
Ici (2948 College Ave., Berkeley, 510-665-6054) serves
house-made ice cream, from honey-lavender to gingersnap, along with the
classics for purists.
It’s All Good Bakery (5622 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
Oakland, 510-597-9700), run by a rapper turned baker, offers his
Southern grandmother’s specialties including peach cobbler,
sweet-potato pie, and 7-Up Pound Cake.
Kensington Farmers’ Market (Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oak View
Ave. at Colusa Circle, Kensington, AboutKensington.com/farmersmarket.html)
features super fresh seasonal produce, along with breads, oils, other
organic foods — and samples.
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant (1605 San Pablo, Berkeley,
510-524-1524) features French and Italian sippables spanning a wide
range of prices.
La Farine (6323 College Ave., Oakland, 510-654-0338) is a
French bakery offering rich galettes, brioches, and croissants —
the latter sold plain or laced with chocolate, fruits, and nuts.
Masse’s Pastries (1469 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-649-1004), run by Paul Masse, a former pastry chef at the
Ritz-Carlton, blends the breathtaking with the traditional.
MoreBeer! (975 Detroit Ave., Unit D, Concord, 925-671-4958)
sells beer-making machinery and all the related essentials.
Nabolom Bakery (2708 Russell St., Berkeley,
510–845-2253) is a worker-owned, vegan-friendly cafe serving
baked goods like the Infinite Twist, a brown-sugar-topped
carbo-rush.
Neldam’s Danish Bakery (3401 Telegraph Ave., Oakland,
510-658-1967), a neighborhood institution since 1929, has made the
birthdays and weddings of several generations of Oaklanders very happy
indeed.
Old Oakland Farmers’ Market (Fridays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. year
round, 9th St. between Broadway and Clay, Oakland, UrbanVillageOnline.com) features
super fresh seasonal produce, along with breads, oils, other organic
foods — and samples.
Rosenblum Cellars (2900 Main St., Ste. 1100, Alameda,
510-865-7007) gained an international reputation for their Zinfandel
and Rhône varietal wines.
Scharffen Berger Chocolate Factory (914 Heinz Ave., Berkeley,
510-981-4050) offers tours along with its drinkables and edibles.
Solano Cellars (1580 Solano Ave., Albany, 510-525-9463)
serves light meals to accompany its vino, with a tasting bar in the
back.
Sweet Adeline Bake Shop (3350 Adeline St.,
Berkeley,510-985-7381) features tea cakes, ginger sticks, peppermint
patties, and chocolate cream pie complement cheese quiches, challah,
and more.
Teacake Bake Shop (5615 Bay St., Emeryville, 510-655-0865)
makes the handsomest cupcakes and cookie sandwiches around out of
high-class ingredients like imported Belgian Chocolate and Madagascar
Bourbon Vanilla.
Ver Brugge (6321 College Ave., Oakland, 510-658-6854)
features meat, poultry, and fish sold by white-aproned butchers who
offer traditional skill and solid suggestions for how to prepare their
fare.
Wine Mine (5427 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 510-547-9463)
specializes in under-$15 bottles and offers $1 Saturday tastings.
Furniture & Home Furnishings
Art Deco Collection (3227 14th Ave., Oakland, 415-255-1902,
by appointment only), an SF retail outlet with an Oakland warehouse, is
full of furniture, art, and collectibles carefully selected by
consummate dealer Richard Fishman, who has a penchant for Euro finds,
particularly French and Belgian ceramic cloisonné pottery,
French lighting, and all things cocktail.
Bed Bath and Beyond (multiple locations) builds its brand on
selection, medium to high prices, and the “beyond” section of items you
never knew you couldn’t live without.
Berkeley Horticulture (1310 McGee Ave., Berkeley,
510-526-4704) is a family-owned top retail nursery with horticulture
advice, garden info, plants, and accessories.
Berkeley Lighting Company (1623 San Pablo Ave.,
510-524-1782, Berkeley) is where savvy shoppers expect to find those
just-right lighting options for in and outside the house.
Berkeley Mills (2830 Seventh St., Berkeley, 510-549-2854),
established in 1988 by woodworkers, is the one and only stop for
ultra-chic, high-end, quality-crafted custom furniture.
Clausen House Thrift Shop (4834 Telegraph Ave., Oakland,
510-653-6812) is literally packed with new and used electronics,
clothing, furniture, and household goods, all at very affordable
prices, and helps developmentally disabled adults in Oakland live
independently.
Cost Plus World Market (multiple locations), an import
junkie’s safe house, features furniture, bedding, housewares,
knickknacks, alcohol, and specialty food items.
Crate & Barrel Berkeley Outlet (1785 Fourth St.,
Berkeley, 510-528-5500) carries merch that might be from a season or
two ago; otherwise, it’s the same great stuff.
CVS/pharmacy (5100 Broadway, Oakland, 510-654-1556) has it
all, but the real treat is the well-stocked, outstanding garden center
from whence many a North Oaklander has started a garden.
Design Within Reach (1770 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-524-1994)
pulls together classic furniture, lights, flooring, and domestic
accessories made by the likes of Herman Miller, Artek, and Objekto
— the companies who hold the licenses for the original
designs.
East Bay Nursery (2332 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley,
510-845-6490) is a family-run gardener’s dream founded in 1926, where
the folks behind the watering cans, rakes, and hoes are helpful and
knowledgeable about the nursery’s fine Japanese maples, specimen trees,
perennials, natives, shrubs, roses, conifers, water plants, pottery,
and seasonal shop.
The Ecology Center Store (2530 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley,
510-548-3402) carries a wide range of nontoxic cleaning products,
paints, and household supplies.
Ecohome Improvement (2619 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley,
510-644-3500) offers eco-friendly supplies on every front, ranging from
flooring and paint to tiles and countertops, though these supplies
usually cost a bundle.
EQ3 (5603 Bay St., Emeryville, 510-601-0400), displayed in a
well-flowing Emeryville showroom, features fresh and spartan square-ish
sofas, love seats, sectionals, platform beds, cosmic coffee tables, and
perfunctory desks.
Fenton MacLaren Home Furnishings (5533 College Ave.,
Oakland, 510-658-1414; 1325 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510-526-5377)
today stocks restored furniture, but over the decades has added new
Mission- and Shaker-style lines and unfinished furniture to the mix,
maintaining a commitment to quality and fair prices.
The Futon Shop (5745 Christie Ave., Emeryville, 510-595-6797)
is a chainster with an SF factory where mattresses are hand made.
IKEA (4400 Shellmound St., Emeryville, 510-420-4532) is a
mazelike gargantuan store full of vivid color, innovative thinking,
good value, and cleverness.
Lola Home (2950 College Ave., Berkeley, 510-981-8345)
offers memorable items for home, especially in the realm of fabric arts
such as felt pillows.
Magic Gardens Landscaping (729 Heinz, Berkeley, 510-644-1992)
provides all the diversion a dreamer could want.
Maison d’Etre (5640 College Ave., Oakland, 510-658-2801), an
upscale home-decor emporium of intriguing plates, plus pillows, cute
candles, clever cards, luxurious linens, and then some, invites
lingering and seeks to celebrate the home and the people and pets that
live there.
Ohmega Salvage (2407 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510-204-0767),
a 31-year-old architectural salvage yard, features two huge lots full
of home accessories and a century’s worth of design.
Pillow Park Plaza (1419 Park, Alameda, 510-521-6227) sells
high-quality, comfortable products, and offers the kind of personal
service that every independent retailer should provide but which is
absent in your average gigantic superstore.
Rockridge Antiques (5601 College Ave., Oakland, 510-652-7115)
is full of antiques and reproductions for Craftsman bungalow owners who
insist on period furnishings for their vintage homes, or for adding the
finishing touch to any room.
Room with a Past (1557A Third Ave., Walnut Creek,
925-933-1903) opens on Thursday evenings, Fridays, Saturdays, and
Sundays with fresh vintage inventory and accessories, keeping true to
the thrill of estate sales that originally inspired the founders to
offer finds to the public.
Scandinavian Designs (2101Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-848-8250; 1701 Arnold Industrial Pl., Concord, 925-827-4466) offers
well-made furniture that’s worth holding on to, and this chain is well
stocked from bedroom to living room.
Target (various locations) is one big-box store that is
actually fun to visit.
Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles (3742 Grand Ave., Oakland,
510-763-3342), a nonprofit economic development project of the African
People’s Education and Defense Fund, is so full that furniture spills
forth onto the sidewalk.
Gifts
Africa Fashions Gifts & Craft Center (2229 San Pablo
Ave., Berkeley, 510-843-2821) is crammed full of treasures from all
over the African continent, from giant handwoven grain baskets from
Nigeria to wood serving pieces adorned with painted bone from Kenya to
handwoven mudcloth from Mali.
Bear Basics (2350 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, 510-883-9050)
features practically every piece of Cal clothing and paraphernalia ever
made — in other words, it’s the perfect hunting ground for gifts
for your family back home.
Corazón del Pueblo (4814 International Blvd., Oakland,
510-532-6733, CorazondelPueblo.com) is more than
just a cornucopia of imported Mexican posters, cards, clothing, crafts,
and folk art.
Ellington & French (2942 Domingo Ave., Berkeley,
510-548-8188, EllingtonandFrench.com) has
practically everything in sight — from dishes to hand soap,
linens to letterpress cards, necklaces to baby toys.
Heartware (6309 College Ave., Oakland, 510-655-9806) You’ll
delight in inexpensive crystal jewelry, little windup toys, stellar
books, and clothes for kids, colorful kitchen supplies, wrapping paper
and cards, and the famous “I hella [heart] Oakland” tees.
Ichiban Kan (10562 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, 510-528-5210)
has a mesmerizing variety of Japanese imports, including Hello Kitty
and friends knickknacks, beauty supplies, bento boxes and ceramic
bowls, and snacks like Pocky and the sports drink Pocari Sweat.
La Lavande (12 Broadway Lane, Walnut Creek, 925-930-6255) is
filled with heavenly French soap direct from Provence.
Philippa Roberts (4176 Piedmont Ave., Oakland,
510-655-0656, PhilippaRoberts.com) is best known
for boasting a jaw-dropping selection of beautiful (yet not
bank-account-emptying) brushed silver and semiprecious stone jewelry by
its namesake designer.
Rockridge Home (5418 College Ave., Oakland, 510-420-1928) is
a quirky store with a design arm, fun furniture, plush floor mats,
trendy housewares, novelty books, baby products, green gizmos, and
other relatively inexpensive items (bowls, glassware, plates, etc.)
that make swell hostess gifts.
Sagrada Sacred Arts (4926 Telegraph Ave., Oakland,
510-653-7196, Sagrada.com) offers
pilgrims across many faith traditions everything from books on
doctrinal esoterica and clerical vestments to prayer beads and rosaries
to music and books.
San Quentin Prison Gift Shop (just inside the east gate of
the prison, 100 Main St., San Quentin, 415-454-1460) features
resident-made items like boxes, paperweights, and jewelry, as well as
souvenir T-shirts and mugs.
Space Happy (1354 Park St., Alameda), a much-needed new
addition to Alameda’s Park Street, offers an assortment of quirky,
unique gifts, cards, and home goods that will appeal to your inner
child.
The Treehouse Green Gifts (2935 College Ave., Berkeley,
510-204-9292, TreehouseGreenGifts.com) has
something for everyone, regardless of whether you’re shopping for a
recycling fiend or a pal who could care less about saving the planet:
stuffed animals sewn by rural women in Kenya; bags and wallets made
from old leather jackets and other materials; reclaimed wood
birdhouses; jewelry made from bark, buttons, typewriter keys,
aluminum.
Urban Indigo (3339 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, 510-419-0451), a
kitschy-cool shop, is crammed with unique treasures — jewelry,
toys, stationery, candles, wallets, bags, hand towels, cards, candles
— with surprisingly reasonable price tags.
Jewelry, Shoes, & Accessories
The 14 Karats (2910 College Ave. Berkeley, 510-644-1640,
14Karats.com), an Elmwood
institution for thirty years, is an independent, pretense-free shop
specializing in setting conflict-free diamonds and other precious
gemstones in unique gold, palladium, and platinum settings.
A Step Forward (4018 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, 510-339-0500)
sets the bar for independent shoe shops with a stellar selection
featuring brands including Aerosoles, Born, Diesel, Simple, Wanted, and
Dansko.
Adidas Originals Concept Store (2333 Telegraph Ave.,
Berkeley, 510-704-1934) offers limited-edition and vintage-comeback
shoes, sportswear, hats, watches, and other accessories.
Berkeley Hat Company (2510 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley,
510-549-2955, BerkeleyHat.com)
has fedoras, Panama hats, Stetsons, fancy felt church hats, Kangol
caps, hats especially for big heads, and more.
Bows & Arrows (2513 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley,
510-649-6683, BowsandArrowsBerkeley.com) is
akin to a MOMA gift shop filled with sneakers.
Deliciouz (1506 North Main St., Walnut Creek, 925-933-7489,
Deliciouz.com) has fabulous flats
and heels by European and domestic designers that you won’t find
anywhere else.
District (2332 Alameda Ave., Alameda, 510-865-1640, DistrictFootwear.com) is a specialty
sneaker boutique housed in a gorgeous old building next to the Alameda
Museum.
Dr. Harlan Wong’s (1928 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-843-4030) will give you a thorough exam and help you pick the ideal
frames for your look as well as your pocketbook — styles start at
$42 and stop at, well, Moschino.
Elmwood Village Shoes (2915 College Ave., Berkeley,
510-845-4054) has a small yet refined selection of stylish comfortable
shoes — and incredibly attentive customer service to boot.
Footcandy (1365 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, 925-937-3668,
FootcandyShoes.com) is a
sumptuous shoe and handbag boutique that specializes in high-end labels
like Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Valentino, and Alexander
McQueen.
Forever 21 (426 Sun Valley Mall, Concord,
925-691-6011) is an alterna-cheap chain that makes tweens, teens, and
unabashed twentysomethings drool in their sleep the night before a
shopping excursion.
Gold Teeth Master (1940 Broadway, Oakland, 510-763-7670),
also known as JC Jewelers, is the Goldie of grills.
Hat Guys (1764 Broadway, Oakland, 510-834-6868,
HatGuys.com) is another superstore
where you can pick from hundreds of styles, including a particularly
vast array of dress hats.
Labels Luxury Consignment (1367 N. Main St., Walnut Creek,
925-952-4566) is one of the few spots around that can guarantee an
always-fabulous selection of gently used Louis Vuitton bags and Jimmy
Choos for those of us without a trust fund.
Lunettes du Monde (1799E Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-559-8181)
combs the globe for distinctive, flattering frames made from the
lightest, thinnest, most flexible materials.
M. Lowe & Co. (1519 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley.
510-486-0613) carries a vast array of beautiful beads and baubles that
range from not-so-pricey Indian silver to diamond necklaces that cost
as much as a nice new car.
Moderne Eye Optometry (5802 College Ave., Oakland,
510-653-4242) may be pricey, but it boasts over-the-top customer
service that’s something of a local legend.
Pavé Fine Jewelry (5496 College Ave., Oakland,
510-547-7000; 1778 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-528-7300, PaveFineJewelry.com) has a crisp and
shiny decor à la your typical high-end gem shop, but the affable
employees are prone to grin at you rather than glare — and
they’ll help you find (or design) the jewels of your dreams.
Rabat Shoes (1825 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-549-9195,
RabatShoes.com) has hundreds of
styles for men and women, ranging from European labels such as Camper,
Repetto, and Robert Clergerie to California-born brands like
exquisitely handcrafted Cydwok.
Skechers USA Outlet (5815 Cutting Blvd, El Cerrito,
510-235-1123) has cute, comfy kicks for everyone in the family.
Sunglass Hut (5608 Bay St., Emeryville, 510-658-8627)
features a wide array of the latest designer styles and unparalleled
customer service.
UC Berkeley Optometry Clinic (2222 Bancroft Way, Berkeley,
510-643-2020, CalEyeCare.org)
offers tests by (supervised) eye-docs-in-training, plus cheap glasses
and chic frames.
Upper Playground (2509 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, 510-
649-0740, UpperPlayground.com) specializes in
brilliantly illustrated urban street wear with a hip-hop flair,
designed by artists near and far.
The Walk Shop (2120 Vine St., Berkeley, 510-849-3628,
WalkShop.com) has pioneered the
comfort shoe revolution since 1978, with labels including Josef Seibel,
Stonefly, Wolky, and Pikolinos.
Malls
Bay Street (5616 Bay St., Emeryville, 510-655-4002, BayStreetEmeryville.com) includes
Old Navy, Sephora, J. Jill, Pottery Barn, the Apple Store, and Barnes
& Noble; restaurants run the gamut from P.F. Chang’s to Zao Noodle
Bar; and incredible cupcakes and cookies can be found at locally owned
Teacake Bake Shop.
Bayfair Center (15555 E. 14th St., San Leandro, 510-357-6000)
features tons of shoe stores and a refreshingly diverse clientele.
Broadway Plaza (S. Main St. & Mount Diablo Blvd., Walnut
Creek, 925-939-7600, BroadwayPlaza.com) encompasses familiar
mid- to high-end chains — from Tiffany to H&M to Crate and
Barrel — anchored by Nordstrom’s and Macy’s, with adjacent
shop-filled streets stretching as far as the eye can see.
Hilltop Mall (2200 Hilltop Mall Rd., Richmond, 510-223-1933,
ShopHilltop.com) is for the urban
teen looking for the hottest new tennis shoes and cell-phone
accessories, the Wal-Mart aficionado seeking a fix, or the retail
sociologist seeking that old-school mall atmosphere (think lots of
loitering high schoolers and Orange Julius).
Marina Square Center (off I-880 at Marina Blvd. East,
MarinaSquareCenter.com)
includes Nordstrom Rack (which some regulars lovingly refer to as “the
black hole” because it’s so massive you can easily lose track of your
shopping buddies), Marshall’s, and outlet versions of Eddie Bauer,
Eileen Fisher, the Gap, Nine West, and Talbots.
Stoneridge Shopping Center (One Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton,
ShopStoneridge.com) is
exceptionally clean, and spacious, and features four department stores
(Sears, JC Penney’s, Macy’s and Nordstrom), more than one hundred of
the usual suspects (everything from Abercrombie to Hot Topic to
Chico’s), and a few fun restaurants like P.F. Chang’s and the
Cheesecake Factory.
Westfield Center (865 Market St., San Francisco,
415-512-6776, Westfield.com/sanfrancisco)
houses a posh food court, a movie theater, five floors of mostly
brand-name shops, a Nordstrom department store that climbs an
additional five levels, and a dreamy Bloomingdale’s.
Music
1-2-3-4 Go! Records (423 40th St., Oakland, 510-985-0325,
1234GoRecords.com) is both a
record label and a record store specializing in punk/hardcore and
classic-country records.
5th String (3051 Adeline St., Berkeley, 510-548-8282) has
instruments and gear, and also offers lessons and a regular jam
session.
33 Revolutions Record Shop & Cafe (10086 San Pablo Ave.,
El Cerrito, 510-898-1836, 33Revolutions.com) is a
cafe-cum-vinyl-record-emporium specializing in jazz and soul LPs (they
buy, too), and hat, magazine, and healthy edibles store.
Acapulco Records (3509 International Blvd., Oakland,
510-533-2009) specializes in a variety of Mexican pop music, from
Lupillo Rivera to La Banda del Recodo, Los Tigres del Norte to
Selena.
Amoeba Music (2455 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, 510-549-1125,
Amoeba.com) houses virtually any
medium for music and visuals — CD, DVD, records, cassettes
— and any genre of music, from Bakersfield honky-tonk, punk from
Texas 1965 and Iceland 1982, to baroque, hip-hop, bebop, remixes of
remixes, old-school R&B, and obscure imports.
Axis Records and Comics (2921 Chapman St., #6, Oakland,
510-851-2011, AxisRecordsandComics.com) is no
longer a public store (by appointment only), but does business online,
where you’ll find stickers, buttons, T-shirts, action figures, graphic
novels, and thousands of CDs and LPs (of all genres, but especially
punk).
Best Music Co. (1716 Broadway, Oakland, 510-832-2024,
BestMusicCo.com) serves the East
Bay community with all manners of musical instruments, but especially
those in the brass and woodwind families.
Blue Note Music (2556 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, 510-644-2583,
BlueNote-Music.com) features
new and vintage acoustic and electric guitars and amps, plus a hefty
complement of supplies, including a decent array of electronics.
DaSilva Ukulele Co. (2547 8th St., Berkeley, 510-649-1548)
can handle all your uke needs — handcrafted instruments, repairs,
lessons, and gear.
Down Home Music (10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito,
510-525-2129, DownHomeMusic.com) stocks around 24,000
roots and world titles, as well as music-related books, DVDs, LPs, and
vintage 78s and 45s.
Groove Yard (5555 Claremont Ave., Oakland, 510-655-8400) has
a fairly narrow niche — jazz on vinyl — yet that’s
precisely why loyal customers coming back.
Guitar Center (10300 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito) offers an
unbeatable selection of music gear and instruments — with usually
some monster sale price to boot.
Indian Music World (26605 Mission Blvd., Hayward,
510-881-5501) has a wide selection of DVDs, CDs, and cassette tapes in
Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and Punjabi.
Leo’s Pro Audio (5447 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 510-653-1000,
LeosAudio.com) can hook you up with
all kinds of audio gear for recording, mixing, and producing the best
live sound.
Mod Lang Records (6328 Fairmount Ave., El Cerrito,
510-486-1880, ModLang.com) is a
prototypical “cool” record store, where you can unearth rare European
imports, B-sides, the latest and greatest indie album, plus a treasure
trove of music memorabilia and magazines.
Powerage Amp & Electronic Repair (510-846-3113, PwrAge.com) is the type of unpretentious,
straightforward, professional repair shop that will fix or modify just
about anything, new or vintage, at shockingly reasonable prices.
Rasputin Music (2401 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, 800-350-8700,
multiple locations, RasputinMusic.com) is a CD and record
store that also has in-store events featuring local and touring
artists.
Starving Musician (2474 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-841-2648, StarvingMusician.com) specializes in
used gear for a clientele that befits its name.
Subway Guitars (1800 Cedar St., Berkeley, 510-841-4106),
owned by the eccentric “Fatdog,” is a tiny store filled with guitars
and basses in all sizes, shapes, and custom-made configurations.
Recreation & Hobbies
510 Skateboarding (2500 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley,
510-843-1863) offers a wide variety of skateboard decks and related
skateboarding equipment, as well as the knowledgeable staff required to
assemble your board, or at least point you in the right direction of a
smart purchase.
Alameda Bicycle (1522 Park St., Alameda, 510-522-0070)
guarantees free adjustments on bikes purchased there, warranty their
two wheelers for life, and offers classes in basic maintenance.
Alameda Yarn Company (2002 Encinal Ave., Alameda,
510-523-9003) slings yarn, knitting needles, personal instruction, and
a convivial space.
Article Pract (5010 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 510-652-7435)
has lots of natural fibers, unusual blends and dyes, books, patterns,
and workshops.
Baubles & Beads (1676 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-644-BEAD) is a bead emporium featuring everything from Swarovski
crystal to vintage Lucite, wooden to Japanese seed beads; they offer
classes in all levels of beading, wirework, and even metalsmithing.
Blick Art Materials (5301 Broadway, Oakland, 510-658-2787;
811 University Ave., Berkeley, 510-486-2600) has been around since 1911
and offers everything you’ll need to paint, draw, scrapbook, make
prints, practice calligraphy, do projects with the kids on a rainy day,
and more.
Destination 1440 (1440 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley,
510-526-7529) is a one-stop shop for boarders of all types.
East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse (4695 Telegraph Ave.,
Oakland, 510-547-6470) is a true inspiration point: You’ll find sheet
music, microscopes, empty mint tins, tiles, dry-erase boards, photos,
toys, zippers, and all manner of what-have-you for craft or household
projects.
Fish First (1404 Solano Ave., Albany, 510-526-1937)
specializes in fly-fishing needs, and its knowledgable staff can offer
tips, tricks, and advice.
Hank & Frank Bicycles (6030 College Ave., Oakland,
510-654-2453) is a bike shop with a large stock and a social conscience
(you can “adopt an African Bike” through its web site).
Knit-One-One (3360 Adeline St., Berkeley, 510-420-8706) hosts
classes — popularly called “knitting spas,” owing to the warm,
social vibe and delectable goodies provided — in crochet,
purling, spinning, sewing, and beyond for beginning to advanced
participants.
Mike’s Bikes of Berkeley (2161 University Ave., Berkeley,
510-549-8350) is a big bike retailer: two stories with gear,
accessories, and more.
Missing Link Bicycle Collective (1988 Shattuck Ave.,
Berkeley, 510-843-7471) is a responsible business and a hub of the
local biker community, sponsoring a few local teams, offering free
in-store classes (like fixing flats, building bike wheels, and how
not to crash), and providing support to local participants in
the recent national Bike to Work Day.
Old West Gun Room (3509 Carlson Blvd., El Cerrito,
510-525-5329) can assist you in all parts of firearm use and care.
REI (1338 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510-527-4140) is an East
Bay institution that has the supplies you need to cycle, climb, ski, or
camp.
Royal Robbins (841 Gilman St., Berkeley, 510-527-1961) stocks
extremely comfortable clothes in both natural and synthetic
fabrics.
See Jane Run (5817 College Ave., Oakland, 510-428-2681)
offers shoes and swimwear to help women get moving.
Title Nine sports store (1374 Tenth St., Berkeley,
510-526-1972) specializes in stylish and functional women’s sports
apparel.
Utrecht Art Supply (1909 University Ave., Berkeley,
510-649-0808) chain carries its own brand of paints, canvas, and
brushes alongside national brands of paper, studio furniture, DVDs, and
whatever else a serious artist (or art student) could want.
Salons & Body Care
17 Jewels Salon & Spa (4801 Telegraph Ave.,
Oakland, 510-653-1059, 17JewelsSalonSpa.com) offers more
than seventeen reasons to visit, but here are a few: The relaxed decor
is chic without being slick, the hair gurus are so friendly you’ll want
to hug them when you leave, and the middle-of-the-road pricing is
beyond reasonable given that they dole out some of the best cuts in
town.
Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs (1002 Solano Ave., Albany,
510-525-6262) pulverizes any ache, fatigue, or ailment around —
and the redwood hot tubs provide the perfect post-sauna soak.
Alchemy Skin Spa (380 Colusa Ave., Kensington, 510-558-9885,
AlchemySkinSpa.com) begins
each treatment with a series of questions about your spiritual and
emotional state — it’ll have a lasting effect on your spirit.
Beauty Center (3976 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, 510-653-7837,
BeautyCenterOnline.com)
stocks a multitude of shampoos, conditioners, gels, sprays, and
relaxers — and that’s only the hair products.
Beauty Supply Warehouse (2601 Telegraph Ave., Oakland,
510-763-9805) offers every hair-care item, beauty product, and
accessory you can imagine — a rainbow of synthetic wigs, rows of
extensions, curlers, brushes, elastics, bandannas, belts, purses,
sunglasses, jewelry — even shoes.
The Claremont Spa (41 Tunnel Rd., Berkeley, 800-551-7266,
ClaremontResort.com/spa)
offers seven “Journey” packages; they’re pricey but luxurious.
Entourage Spa (Two Theatre Square, Ste. 148, Orinda,
925-254-9721, EntourageSpa.com)
offers a sensational full-service day spa featuring hair care, facials,
massage, and body treatments.
Festoon Salon (1401 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley,
888-35-SALON, FestoonSalon.com)
features trendsetting stylists who will do you right.
Glo Tanning (multiple locations, GloTanning.com) offers both the Orbit and
Omega beds, so tanners have the choice of UV consumption and the Mystic
mist machine.
Lafayette Park Hotel and Spa (3287 Mt. Diablo Rd., Lafayette,
925-283-3700, WoodsideHotels.com/lafayette/lafay_home.htm)
has an oft-overlooked little spa that offers facials with heated river
stones, apricot body glow treatments, and fireside massages for
two.
Lucky’s (948 Clay St., Oakland, CA, 510-836-5825) offers
tapers, fades, edge-ups, and razor cuts, with notable clientele and
basic cuts starting at $20.
The Nail Shop (multiple locations, 510-522-1401, TheNailShop.com) is where women peruse
celebrity weeklies alongside men yakking into Bluetooth headsets while
getting their feet scrubbed.
National Holistic Institute (5900 Hollis St., Suite Q,
Emeryville, 510-547-6444 ex. 141, NHIMassage.com) offers massages by
students for $35.
Oh! My Nappy Hair (331 19th St., Oakland, 510-839-3877,
OhMyNappyHair.com) offers a
space where African-American women can love their hair in its natural
state, free from chemicals or relaxers — gorgeous braiding,
twisting, and hair weaving.
Peter Thomas (1700 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, 510-843-0697,
PeterThomasHair.com) teaches
his stylists patience when operating sharp objects near a person’s
vanity: Be methodical, use scissors, be cool, end of story.
Piedmont Springs (3939 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, 510-652-9191,
PiedmontSprings.com) offers
absolute bliss for $15 an hour.
Polish on Piedmont (4319 Piedmont Ave., Oakland,
510-601-0909, PolishSpa.com) boasts
a selection of creative self-care offerings that sound too good to be
true: a eucalyptus and peppermint soak, a marine and sea-salt scrub
exfoliation treatment, an alpha-hydroxy peppermint clay mask, and, of
course, the spa’s signature “Soothe Your Soul” pedicure.
Razor’s Edge (2516 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda, 510-521-9070)
offers a reliable, no-frills haircut for $15 in just fifteen minutes
flat, plus plenty of guys talking politics and sports.
Sephora (5626 Bay St., Emeryville, 510-547-6200) is a
one-stop-shop for the best products available to make your hair, face,
and body look and smell great.
Toys, Games, & Comics
The Ark (1812 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-849-1930) offers
oodles of traditional toys, from puppets to wooden boats and kites to
dollies.
Borders (various locations in Emeryville, Alameda, and
Pleasant Hill) offers a great selection of comics and role-playing
books.
Boss Robot Hobby (2953 College Ave., Berkeley, 510- 841-1680)
is where model makers, RC helicopter enthusiasts, and Domo-kun lovers
rub elbows inside a tiny shop.
Comic Relief (2026 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, 510-843-5002,
ComicRelief.net) is the place to
find all the pieces to complete your mint condition collection of
Sandman books.
Dr. Comics and Mr. Games (4014 Piedmont Ave., Oakland,
510-601-7800) offers a wide range of comic books to complement the
selection of board and card games up front.
Endgame (921 Washington St., Oakland, 510-465-3637), for
analog gamers, houses a magnificent collection of new and used games
and offers space for numerous gamers to play upstairs.
Eudemonia (2154 University Ave., Berkeley, 510-883-0814) is
the liveliest game shop in the East Bay, with geeky guys and gals
packed wall-to-wall on weekends.
Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff (2980 Treat
Blvd., Concord, 925-825-5410) is a clean, well-lighted place with a
friendly staff and an extensive knowledge of the many comics that crop
up each month.
Games of Berkeley (2151 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley,
510-540-7822) has its role players and Magic shufflers downstairs, plus
all the Frisbee golf supplies you’ll need to shoot 9 out by I-80.
GameStop/EB Games (multiple locations, GameStop.com) litter the Bay Area, and can
always be found when you just have to have Soul Calibur 4 for
Sony Playstation 3, or Soul Calibur 1 for Sega Dreamcast.
It’s Your Move (4920 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 510-547-4386)
is a cozy spot to find some new dice or a book of Mage spells.
Kimono My House (1424 62nd St., Emeryville, 510-654-4627) is
an office park/Japanime temple offering imported figures, models,
masks, and other collectible versions of massive robots and
short-skirted schoolgirls.
Mr. Mopps’ Children’s Books & Gifts (1405 Martin Luther
King Junior Way, Berkeley, 510-525-9633) is a Playmobile mecca that
offers toys of all shapes and sizes.
Sweet Dreams (2921 College Ave., Berkeley, 510-548-8697) has
toys both new and old, without prejudice against publisher, maker, or
country of origin.
Toy Safari (1410 Park St., Alameda, 510-522-1723) is a
real-life eBay packed with collectibles and toys alike, many twenty
years old or more.
Miscellaneous
Berkeley Patients Group (2747 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley,
510-540-6013) sells marijuana buds from the super-pure high level down
to $100 ounces of the brown Mexican you smoked in high school, plus
free food, coffee, classes, and on-site events.
Blue Sky (377 17th St., Oakland, 510-251-0690) coffee shop
offers good prices on a limited selection of marijuana buds,
consumables, and clones.
The Bone Room (1569 Solano Ave., Berkeley, 510-526-5252,
BoneRoom.com) is full of fossils,
sundry animal parts, and unusual jewelry — beetle wing or bacula
earrings, anyone?
East Bay Vivarium (1827-C Fifth St., Berkeley, 510-841-1400,
EastBayVivarium.com) is a
specialty pet store and de facto zoo peddling a menagerie of nature’s
most curious and/or intimidating creatures.
Good Vibrations (2504 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510-841-8987,
GoodVibes.com) isn’t your grimy,
subterranean sex store; whether you’re looking for some devilish
handcuffs, a discreet vibrator, or some trucker erotica, you can browse
and feel an almost lofty exaltation about the place.
Harborside Health Center (1840 Embarcadero, Oakland,
510-533-0146) has a massive selection of high-end marijuana
nuggets.
Lacis (2982 Adeline St., Berkeley, 510-843-7290, Lacis.com), both a retail store and a textile
arts museum, is a fascinating place to visit even if you’re not a
needlework or sewing aficionado.
O’Sullivan Cigars and Accessories (1628 Locust St., Walnut
Creek, 925-274-1533, CigarBest.com)
has a prime selection.
Oakland Cannabis Buyers’ Co-op (1733 Broadway, Oakland,
510-832-5346) is where you can get your cannabis card for only $25 so
you can find your way to any of the hundreds of dispensaries in the Bay
Area and get the stickiest of the icky.
Pet Food Express (6398 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 510-923-9500,
PetFoodExpress.com), which
offers a full line of pet products including beds, scratching posts,
kennels, and toys along with its “food,” is not just a great place to
shop because of its institutional convenience, but also because it
offers surprisingly good service and promotes animal adoption.
Reel Video (2655 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, 510-548-1118) has a
monster selection — some 100,000 videos and 3,000 to 4,000 DVDs,
according to the store manager.
Stagecraft Studios (1854 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley.
510-653-4424) is a 75-year-old costume, lighting, and makeup store.
Temple Tattoo (384 17th St., Oakland, 510-451-6423, TempleOakland.com) manages to be both
inviting and underground, and its extremely talented artists are
heavily inked tough guys with hearts of gold. misocrazy/Flickr
(CC)
