20 Totally Unique California Themed Gifts: Give Some California Swag

These cool lowball glasses come with etched maps of California. They are billed as a whiskey glass, but they make a great gift, even for a non-drinker. The etched design runs around the whole glass. San Francisco is pictured, but the seller also has options for 54 other California cities and towns.

Sold by Southern Rascal on Etsy.
Costs: $13.95.

These map necklaces have such a California sense of place. The necklace pictured comes in antique silver with a 24″ chain. LA, SF, San Diego, Encinitas and Carlsbad are featured in the Etsy store, however you can request a custom location order. Also available as cufflinks, earrings and bracelets.

Sold by Charming Maps on Etsy.
Costs: $15-20.

This series of California themed gifts celebrates our lovely lakes and coastlines. They come in a clean gold and green-blue design. You can order for a wide variety of lakes and coastlines like: Lake Shasta, Lake Tahoe, Channel Islands, June Lake Loop, Lake Arrowhead, Clearlake and the Central Coastline. In addition to mugs, the seller offers throw pillows, posters, beach towels, prints and signs.

Sold by Lakebound Shop on Etsy.
Costs: $25 for mugs up to $45 for other items.

This whimsical tea towel design showcases the best of CA with palm trees, sea lions, the Golden Gate Bridge and other cultural and natural landmarks. You can fill up the whole house with this design because the seller also offers pillows, plates, journals and baby onsies.

Sold by Fish Kiss Brand on Etsy.
Costs: $18 for the towel up to $36 for other items.

This hand-stamped necklace has a dog tag style and is made from pewter and silver. It comes with an 18″ chain. Customers like them because they are cute and dainty, but also sturdy around the neck.

Sold by Janet Sanda on Etsy.
Cost: $14.

The poppy is California’s state flower and this cute tee shows it off nicely. It has a racer back with a looser fit and it comes in eight colors. It’s made in the US from sustainable materials.

Sold by Feisty Fashion on Etsy.
Costs: $22.

This retro tee brings California’s 1970’s vibe into the present day. As I was researching these gifts, I liked this one so much and I’m ordering it for myself as a reward for the hard work of crafting this killer California gift guide. The store has a variety of designs in men’s and women’s sizes. Everything is hand drawn and hand-printed in Orange County.

Sold by We Love California on Etsy.
Cost: $21 for the tee up to $40 for sweatshirts

Timbuk2 bags are great if you want buy from companies that design and manufacture in California. Their bags are insanely sturdy and great for travel. I have the extra small bag, which is actually large enough to use as a camera bag when I’m out and about getting photography shots in San Francisco and beyond.

Sold by Amazon or REI.
Cost: $60+

You can order a generic version of this necklace, which comes filled with sand from Grey Whale Cove near Half Moon Bay. But the truly cool part of this jewelry is that you can send the seller your own sand from a special place and they will customize the necklace for you. The jewelry charms are hand stamped and made of sterling silver.

Sold by My Beaded Butterfly on Etsy.
Cost: $29.

These stickers have a clean modern design. They have been designed by Andres, who is on a mission to visit and illustrate all 62 national parks. This set represents the major parks in California. You can buy them individually or in a batch of nine.

Sold by National Park Art on Etsy.
Costs: $25 for a set of nine or $4 each.

California sage is known for its clean refreshing scent and its essential oils have cleansing and restorative properties. This lotion is made from the distilled essences of sage gathered from the foothills of Santa Barbara.

Sold by Refugio Gardens on Etsy.
Cost: $15

Nothing screams “I’m a California Cheerleader” than a colorful patch and this series from the Patch Parlor certainly fits that bill. They have over 100 California themed patches featuring state and natural parks, the state flag, the state flower, sports teams and historic sites.

Sold by Patch Parlor on Etsy.
Cost: $4.50

Author Tom Steinstra is the San Francisco Chronicle’s outdoors writer and he’s been exploring California for decades. This book has a year’s worth of outdoorsy weekend adventures to places like Lassen National Park, Mendocino, Gold Country and wine country. Check out his author profile for other books on CA that cover CA camping, fishing, RVing and hiking.

Sold on Amazon.
Cost: $15-22

This beautiful coffee table book is a collaboration between author Gary Snyder and illustrator Tom Killion. Killion’s Japanese style woodcuts are perfect for capturing the beauty of the Sierras. And Snyder channels John Muir with his lovely writings. This is a great nature gift from California and perfect for someone who also appreciates art.

Sold on Amazon.
Costs: $18-38 (I recommend the more expensive hardback)

Olivier is a cute little gastronomy shop located in the Napa Valley town of Calistoga. They have a wide range of oils, vinegars and herb mixes. I recommend their barrel aged balsamic for its well-balanced, slightly sweet flavor.

Available directly from Olivier.com.
Cost: $10.50 for a 6.75 oz bottle.

Paso Robles in known as a wine growing region, but they also grow some tasty olives too. Pasolivo has a variety of oils and vinegars, but I like their Classic. It’s fully flavored and peppery–perfect for salads.

Available directly from Pasolivo.com.
Cost: $48 for a 500 ml bottle.

Cowgirl Creamery makes some of the best cheese in California and they’ve won tons of awards for it. It’s one of my favorite California gifts, having received it several times from my sister. Thanks Tracy! Cowgirl Creamery offers a variety of gift packs from the one pictured here to the $800 annual of-the-month-club (yes please!). Be sure to order one that offers the Wagon Wheel cheese- it makes the absolute best grilled cheese sandwiches.

Sold by Cowgirl Creamery
Cost $85 and up

IN-N-OUT is the quintessential California burger joint. In addition to an an ugly Christmas sweater festooned with an animal style double cheeseburger, they also have normal t-shirts (for both humans and dogs), hats, household items and gift cards.

Sold by IN-N-OUT
Cost: $3 and up ($60 for the ugly sweater)

Woozy with a bit of booze is only way that anyone is going to wear that ugly sweater. So, consider this a pairing. St George is a distiller located on a repurposed military base in Alameda, California. They make festive concoctions like spiced pear brandy and coffee liquor (which is way better than Kahlua, trust me). I also recommend the Botanivore Gin (picture here).

Sold by BevMo
Cost: $25-37

And our final offering sums up how we and Lucille Bluth feel about California. Nuff said.

Sold by Speak Social on Etsy
Cost: $14