TL;DR: The best California gift ideas are California poppy seeds, the California cutting board, and the California Bear Hug Mug. Here’s why:
- With California poppy seeds, your friend can grow the official state flower, perfect for loved ones who enjoy California nature.
- I love this California cutting board because it incorporates state imagery into a practical kitchen item that can remind someone of California daily.
- The California Bear Hug Mug is a sweet gift or souvenir that reminds Californians and visitors of our beautiful state.
As a born-and-raised Californian, I know the Golden State inside and out (there’s a reason I run a California travel website!). I put a lot of thought into this guide to really capture our state’s iconic spirit with handpicked keepsakes—starting with unique gifts made in California, followed by California-themed souvenirs.
Below, you’ll discover fun local gift ideas, including foods and wines to share, as well as nostalgic California mementos to spark or reignite a love for the state.
So, whether you left your heart in San Francisco, you’re currently California dreamin’, or remembering that time you went surfin’ USA, I’ve got you covered with this gift guide.
California Poppy Flower Seed Growth Kit
Made in McKinleyville, California, by The Jonsteen Company
The sunny California poppy is the official California state flower and grows wild in state parks and along the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
If the California lover in your life has a green thumb or wants a little piece of home with them, this simple poppy seed growth kit is a great gift idea.
California Cutting Board
Made in San Marcos, California, by Totally Bamboo
This California Cutting Board has a detailed map of California with a simple, attractive design, so your giftee can find their favorite California cities while chopping. It’s small, lightweight, and made of eco-friendly bamboo.
Alternatively, this cutting board is actually shaped like California–a fun design for serving charcuterie on.
California Bear Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Designed in California by SF Mercantile
Looking for good souvenirs from California? Try something practical like a stainless steel water bottle.
This water bottle features vintage California Bear artwork. It’s eco-friendly, convenient, super durable, and can hold up to 17 ounces.
Looking for more water bottles? Read our review of Cirkul water bottles and the best alternatives to Hydro Flasks.
California Bear Hug Mug
Looking for California gifts for coffee or tea lovers? This charming ceramic mug features the California bear on one side and “I Love You California” on the other.
It can hold 16 ounces, and it’s also microwave and dishwasher-safe. Overall, this is a simple yet convenient California souvenir idea for California lovers.
California License Plate Map
Handmade in Santa Barbara, California, by Surf To Summit
One of the more “extra” California-themed gifts, this California License Plate Map is perfect for a garage, den, or office.
This map combines multiple California license plates into the shape of California. It comes in three different sizes, but if they’re all too big then this cute California license keychain is a perfect stocking stuffer.
California Olive Oil
Made in Stockton, California, by Corto
California wine isn’t the state’s only culinary delicacy. If you have a friend who likes to cook, this olive oil is a delicious made-in-California gift that can add some flavor to their dishes.
This rich, nutritious olive oil could also nicely round out a California wine gift box.
Books About California
If you’re looking for California-themed gifts for a bookworm, there are plenty of intriguing books about California or that have Californian authors.
For instance, my California E-Book is an excellent guide for people who want to road trip through California.
You could also get them Where I Was From, a nonfiction novel by native Californian Joan Didion.
East Of Eden, a novel by John Steinbeck, takes place in the Salinas Valley, and his love of the rolling hills and central valley shine through clearly.
The Joy Luck Club is a New York Times best-selling novel by Amy Tan and takes place in San Francisco. It’s a novel about tradition and how it can foster lifelong relationships.
Finally, for any giftees who spend a lot of time in the kitchen, the Malibu Farm Cookbook is an excellent gift idea. It features over 100 delicious recipes from the coast of California.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares
Made in San Francisco, California (as well as San Leandro, California)
You really can’t go wrong with chocolate as a gift. And this San Francisco-based brand offers some of the best chocolate in Northern California, with plenty of flavors to choose from.
You can purchase their chocolate on Amazon or at just about any California grocery store.
This would be a delicious addition to a general San Francisco or California-themed gift box or a chocolate-focused gift basket for chocolate and California lovers.
California Snow Globe
Designed in California by SF Mercantile
This festive snow globe is a lovely Christmas gift for California lovers. It’s also great year-round as a general California souvenir!
With its neutral colors and small size, it’s a piece of one-of-a-kind home decor that your giftee can show off in any season.
California Wine
Made in California
If you’re looking for fun California gifts for the wine enthusiast in your life, grab a bottle or two of high-quality California wine!
The California wine scene has a fantastic worldwide reputation. Some Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous Napa Valley in Northern California is an ideal gift for any wine enthusiast. Or select a bottle of California wine from further down the coast in Paso Robles, an emerging wine destination.
For a sampling of other regional California wines as part of a gift basket, consider Chardonnay from Sonoma or Livermore or a syrah from Temecula.
In-N-Out Gift Card
Burgers at California In-N-Out locations are, of course, made in California
In-N-Out is a popular California burger chain and an essential stop on road trips for both Californians and those who love California.
If you’re the one away from California while they’re still here on the West Coast, an In-N-Out gift card is one of the most thoughtful and practical California gift ideas.
Taste Of California Seasoning
If you have a friend or family member who loves to cook, this “Taste of California” seasoning is one of the best California gift ideas.
This all-natural seasoning has zero filler, allowing its unique flavors of strawberry, thyme, lemon peel, and cilantro to shine through.
Send it in the mail or make it part of a California foodie gift basket.
Homesick Candles
Need gift ideas for your Californian friend or family member who’s missing home? A California Homesick Candle is one of the best California-themed gifts for nostalgic California lovers.
These hand-poured candles remind Californians of home with multiple scents, including two of my favorites: Northern California, with pear, vanilla, amber, musk, clove, and apple notes; and Southern California, with floral, fruity, and vanilla notes.
California Socks
I had to include a pair of funky socks on this list of California gifts.
Whether you’re shopping for locals who love California or someone who recently moved away, socks are an inexpensive but thoughtful gift.
These California-themed socks have a simple, charming design–perfect for California lovers.
California Pillowcase
Looking for some California-themed gifts to brighten up someone’s California home?
This pillowcase features iconic California poppies in a beautiful watercolor design. It comes with a pillow as well, so no need to buy that separately.
California Ornament
This holiday season, why not give your loved ones some California Christmas gifts?
This California-state-shaped, colorful glass ornament has plenty of easily recognizable symbols and state landmarks. It would make a great stocking stuffer!
Highway 1 Sign
This handmade Highway 1 sign is one of the best California-themed gifts for anyone wanting a California-themed aesthetic in their home.
It comes in two different sizes: 8″x12″ and 12″x18″. This Highway 1 sign is also very light and easy to hang without using nails.
California Box Sign
This California Box Sign is one of the more charming and unique California-themed gifts.
The sign is 13.5 x 15.5 x 1.75 inches and relatively lightweight at 1.8 pounds. It also has an adhesive red heart that you can move around to reflect your giftee’s hometown!
Stuffed Avocado
Real avocados spoil fast, but this plush avocado will last for years.
If you’re looking for unique California-themed gifts, this adorable fuzzy avocado from Jellycat is a great gift for kids (or adults!).
The smallest size is best for traveling, but the biggest makes an excellent avocado pillow.
California Puzzle
I did a California puzzle while stuck at home, and it was such a fun way to think about all my favorite parts of the state and trips I’ve made (and want to make!).
This is a great California gift for the problem solver in your life to teach them about California’s geography and landmarks, such as Joshua Tree, wine country, the state capital, Lake Tahoe, and more.
With 1,000 pieces, it’s best for older kids or adults.
California Baby Romper
Looking for California gifts for a friend or family member’s new baby? This 100% cotton romper will look adorable on pint-sized California lovers. The comfy material makes it a perfect everyday onesie.
Available sizes range from newborn up to 12 months.
California Hoodie
Looking for some California gifts for him in this gift guide?
This comfy men’s hoodie will help your family member show off his state pride, all while keeping warm. Its simple design matches just about any outfit.
And if your loved one is more into t-shirts than hoodies, you can grab one in the same design.
Whether their favorite part of California is Lake Tahoe or Joshua Tree, Napa Valley, or Venice Beach, this sweatshirt works for all people who love California.
California Map Necklace
If you’ve come to this gift guide looking for unique gifts, this shiny California map necklace is one of the more thoughtful California gifts for California lovers who want to show their state pride.
The California-shaped pendant has a small cutout heart in the middle. And since it’s rose gold, it’s a fitting way to honor the Golden State.
California Poppy Print
This poppy print is one of my favorite California gifts for a loved one looking for art to brighten up their home.
The California poppy is a well-known state symbol, and this colorful print features the famous flower on a blue background.
It’s a beautiful gift for California lovers from the East Coast to the West Coast.
California Map Print
As a map nerd, this print is another one of my favorite California gifts in this gift guide.
This simple and appealing map print is a thoughtful gift that could make a beautiful addition to your loved one’s home. It features a black-and-white map that combines all roads of California to depict the state in a cool, creative way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi McFadden
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
When it comes to gift giving, Mimi has it down to a science. With a degree in psychology, she knows that the key to a meaningful and memorable gift is a personalized approach–always paying attention to someone’s unique interests and passions. Since she was little, Mimi has wholeheartedly embraced the tradition of gift giving. Now, she loves crafting fun gift guides to inspire others to level-up their gifting game and to find that perfect gift.
Suneel Jain
Partnerships & Management
Suneel has lived in California for 32 of his 35 years of life. He regrets those other three because there really isn’t any other state like the Golden State. Suneel’s gotten to live in San Diego, Berkeley, San Francisco, Fremont, Hayward, Sacramento, and crashed on plenty of couches when visiting friends and family throughout the rest of the state. As a San Diegan, even if he lives in Norcal now, he still insists on saying “the” before the freeway number, rooting for the Chargers (even if they’re not in San Diego anymore), and gets excited whenever he has an excuse to make a trip down.
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