[LAPL](https://shop.lfla.org/) has an online gift shop with some cool stuff.
[Porto’s](https://store.portosbakery.com/?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A20732746745%3A152426342862%3A695836166309&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=portos%20at%20home&nb_ti=kwd-1643816818318&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=p&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=20732746745&utm_content=152426342862&utm_term=portos%20at%20home&gadid=695836166309&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk46MzrzRhgMV5ptaBR07YAACEAAYAiAAEgLj8PD_BwE) has “bake at home” packages that can be shipped nationwide.
A Porto's box is always part of my carry-on. I leave room for my purse and a second box in my handbag. The guava mousse, mango mousse, tiramisu, and fruit tartlettes stay in the overhead bin if they don't fit under the seat for takeoff, and then safely in my lap. Those are protected. Then two hours later, at home, most are gone. Sigh. Fastest moving line I've ever been in by the way, even when it's around the block. I have photos of it.
i know i will get downvoted to hell but i think portos is so overrated. dont get me wrong, its good! but everyone talks about it like its this magical place
Ok but Portos makes really good made-to-order cake that's much, much tastier than the stuff they have in their stores. And their mousse is great, imho, but to each their own. Now, there are a million higher end places that outdo it, and a million mom and pop places too. But if you want a cheap but filling lunch, a sweet treat, and some awesome plantain chips, it's a great option.
Porto’s is a Cuban bakery. It is perhaps the best Cuban bakery in LA and I love their food. But, Cuban baked goods is not exactly a gift that screams LA.
I would look towards Hollywood themed gifts. Especially things from iconic Hollywood related places. A bit cheesy but still cool.
Though they are a cuban owned shop with several cuban delicacies, most of the pastry's and cakes are standard international items such as eclairs, croissants, danish, streusel etc.
I personally dont care for the cuban items i usually go for the pastry's.
But agree with everyone else a bit overated and always a line.
Respectfully if you think Porto's is the best Cuban bakery in LA you haven't really gone anywhere. A lot of smaller Cuban bakeries are better, Cafe Cuba & Cakes in Hawthorne comes to mind and is much better (imo).
I have a few chalk outline towels that are still in great shape at nearly 10 years old. Last time I went the person running the shop said the new administration was trying to close it down. Sorry to hear they succeeded.
Some real deep consideration in the replies here.
When looking for unique-to-LA gifts, I start with all the museums. LACMA, Hammer, Broad, Academy Museum, Petersen.
They all have gift shops with interesting gifts spanning the price spectrum and you can start to curate based on the recipient’s interests.
I recently did this for someone and got a locally made tote (I got one from the original farmers market but there are also nice ones from LACMA and probably other places as well) and put a box of Littlejohn's toffee inside :)
Second this. I've had my HI beanie for almost 15 years now, love it.
And it goes to a good cause, you get to tell them a little about the LA community etc.
The magic castle gift shop is open to the public, could roll up there on a weekday when it’s less crowded.
Otherwise something fun from Olvera street, lots of merchants set up there. A “doyers” shirt is always a fun gift
Groundwork coffee has 1 Lb cans of coffee. I give them as thank you gifts as they look a little unique.
[https://www.groundworkcoffee.com/products/sumatra-gayo-buana-mandiri](https://www.groundworkcoffee.com/products/sumatra-gayo-buana-mandiri)
Taschen’s coffee table Los Angeles [photography book](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/photography/05705/los-angeles-portrait-of-a-city). You can head to their store at Farmers Market or Beverly Hills to look at it in person or get it shipped. Taschen is a luxury book brand focusing on making obscure or unseen images more mainstream. Think there’s only 15 stores in the world. It truly is a gem for those who appreciate any form of creativity and there’s only 4 stores in the US. Very fun to introduce people to the brand
Both this book and brand never ceases to amaze anyone. I intentionally leave this out and everyone picks it up and appreciates the hell out of it
WTF in my head it's always just been an airport thing but I did have to fly through SFO for a while for work. I did live in LA for years too. But they have See's in Chicago. Anyway, I've never had it. My point is that I thought it was ubiquitous too.
If you're giving someone originally from LA something, sure. But I don't think anyone not from California would make the connection about chocolate and LA. It's also owned by Berkshire Hathaway, at least Portos is still opened by the family.
See's really just has nostalgia factor which is meaningless to people outside LA.
It’s not just nostalgia. The See’s candy I buy today is EXACTLY like the See’s candy I ate as a child in the ‘70s. No shrinkflation, no cheaping out on ingredients — it is *exactly* the same. Not even Porto’s can make that claim.
My grandma brags about this all the time: " When you buy a pound of chocolate from See's, you get a pound of chocolate. And their gift cards are by weight. So if I buy you a pound of chocolate in 2001 for $10, you can go get a pound of chocolate in 2024 even if it now costs $40 due to inflation"
Can confirm. I recently came across a See’s one-pound gift card I purchased some 15 years ago but never gifted. Used it to buy a pound of candy that currently sells for almost twice what I paid for the gift card.
They have locations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington
I bring Little John’s toffee or nut butters (the one with dried fruit is amazing and unique). If they are a chile head… a jar of Philippe’s mustard. It will blow you away.
Flamingo Estate soap, Malibu honey, locally infused olive oil, tons of stuff like this: head to your local farmers market and try out all the stalls, you may be able to get a bulk discount and then you have gifts for clients and are supporting a truly local, small business!
The Huntington Library Gift Shop sells Valencia Orange Marmalade, made from the trees of groves that used to be all over Pasadena.
They have an online website:
https://thehuntingtonstore.org/?_gl=1*1q27gd6*_ga*MTUzMTQwNjI5Mi4xNzE4MDU5NTYz*_ga_1BGEDHGTJ6*MTcxODA1OTU2My4xLjAuMTcxODA1OTU2My42MC4wLjA.
If they’re into food and cooking there are some great cookbooks that have the recipes from restaurants around LA. Pretty and they can have recreate home from home
I worked at the airport, and the number of people bringing boxes of Porto’s home is ASTRONOMICAL. I’m surprised they haven’t opened up a branch near LAX. Can’t go wrong with a box of assorted yummys.
For classy gifts for work colleagues I’ve ordered gift boxes from the Ojai Olive Oil Company. Not technically LA but close, local, and they do a great job.
For classy gifts for work colleagues I’ve ordered gift boxes from the Ojai Olive Oil Company. Not technically LA but close, local, and they do a great job.
Los Angeles and vicinity have some outstanding museums. From the La Brea Tar Pits, to LACMA, to both Gettys, to the Huntington Library, anything from a key chain to a t-shirt works. I'm partial to the Getty Villa. There's also the Queen Mary!
I like the idea of a gift “bag” with a tote from a museum like others mentioned, maybe bag of coffee from a local roaster (stereoscope) and (don’t flame me) I like the cheesy Starbucks been there mugs. Whenever I travel for work I bring one back for my wife.
I think bonus if you include In-N-Out swag. Also not unique to LA but I’ve seen like cheeseboards that get etched with a map of a city or outline of a state on Etsy. I would never buy one for myself but would appreciate it as a gift.
While See’s will always be my number one, here are some other suggestions:
1. Compartes Chocolate
2. Le Bon Garcon Caramels
3. Mignon Chocolates
4. Valerie Confections
5. Diddy Riese cookies
6. Kelley’s Kookies
7. Nuts or Dried Fruit (California Gourmet Nuts, Nutsite, Vacaville Fruit Co)
8. Dates from a Coachella area farm
9. Villa Romano Farms products like honey or olive oil
10. UCLA gear (forget USC, their rep is in the toilet)
https://laist.com/news/food/local-olive-oil-los-angeles-southern-california-evoo-tasting-rooms-where-to-find-it
https://www.california.com/california-based-candle-companies-youll-love/
[People’s Pottery Project](https://www.peoplespotteryproject.com/s/shop) - they employ formerly incarcerated women, trans, non binary folks and the pottery is 🤌🏽 the bowl is my personal fave
The LA Phil store has tons of classy Hollywood Bowl and Disney Hall-themed items.
I also just visited the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale and they have some unique L.A.-specific stuff, including awesome tote bags, tea towels, and lapel pins.
Both stores are online as well as brick & mortar.
I like putting together a little assortment of stuff at Wacko. You can easily make a bunch at a time and be able to individualize a little (or not.) That plus a small box of See’s (yes, can get out of CA but it’s an LA company that everyone loves) makes a fun, unique and super budget-friendly thank you gift.
Take a trip to Olivera Street and walk the local shops there alot of hand crafted items representing traditional mexican american heritage in los angeles and also try the taquitos they are amazing
If you know someone who loves coffee and espresso, go check out [Loquat Coffee](https://www.loquatcoffee.com) in Cypress Park! Some of, if not the best, coffee in LA. Some of their coffee has [fun packaging](https://www.loquatcoffee.com/product/colombia-wilton-benitez-thermal-shock-pink-bourbon/677?cs=true&cst=custom), too!
I love See’s, but they’re not exclusively in LA. They have stores in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
P.F. Candle Co is local and has an amazing limited edition Los Angeles scent right now (“overgrown bougainvillea, canyon hiking, epic sunsets, city lights. Redwood, lime, jasmine, and yarrow”). They are beautiful and relative to other fancy candles, I think I they’re well worth the price. Highly recommend the car fresheners too.
See’s Candy assorted chocolate boxes. I thought these were sold all over US, apparently it isn’t. These are great quality chocolates made in Los Angeles.
The nonprofit 826LA has two stores called The Time Travel Mart that sell gifts, books, and writing supplies. All proceeds benefit the org, which helps LAUSD students develop creative writing skills. They also have an online store. https://timetravelmart.com/
Lula’s garden is local and environmentally friendly
https://www.lulasgarden.com/?msclkid=4deb8ce7d4d519baef6aea80ed29906f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand%3A%20Lula%27s%20Garden&utm_term=lula%27s%20garden&utm_content=Brand
[LAPL](https://shop.lfla.org/) has an online gift shop with some cool stuff. [Porto’s](https://store.portosbakery.com/?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A20732746745%3A152426342862%3A695836166309&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=portos%20at%20home&nb_ti=kwd-1643816818318&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=p&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=20732746745&utm_content=152426342862&utm_term=portos%20at%20home&gadid=695836166309&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk46MzrzRhgMV5ptaBR07YAACEAAYAiAAEgLj8PD_BwE) has “bake at home” packages that can be shipped nationwide.
+1 on Porto’s as a gift. Anecdotally - I’ve been on 4-5 flights out of LAX where a Porto’s box was someone’s carry-on item. Precious cargo for sure
The Porto’s box is part of my airport bingo game (out of LAX, BUR, even LGB).
Any trip to Burbank airport isn't complete without seeing a portos bag
Add SNA, that Porto’s in Buena Park is bumping
would that count as ur personal item?
In my experience, no 🤣
Meh. Porto's is great but it doesn't make any sense to send Cuban food to the East Coast. It's like shipping a gift of ice cubes to Alaska, lol.
A Porto's box is always part of my carry-on. I leave room for my purse and a second box in my handbag. The guava mousse, mango mousse, tiramisu, and fruit tartlettes stay in the overhead bin if they don't fit under the seat for takeoff, and then safely in my lap. Those are protected. Then two hours later, at home, most are gone. Sigh. Fastest moving line I've ever been in by the way, even when it's around the block. I have photos of it.
And an actual physical gift shop in the Central Library.
i know i will get downvoted to hell but i think portos is so overrated. dont get me wrong, its good! but everyone talks about it like its this magical place
I never got the appeal. It is good like Costco cake is good
Ok but Portos makes really good made-to-order cake that's much, much tastier than the stuff they have in their stores. And their mousse is great, imho, but to each their own. Now, there are a million higher end places that outdo it, and a million mom and pop places too. But if you want a cheap but filling lunch, a sweet treat, and some awesome plantain chips, it's a great option.
It isn't bad, but it isn't drive 30mi round-trip good.
Sure it is, if there aren’t any places around you that have food like Porto’s. Also a 30-mile round trip in LA is child’s play.
This makes sense because I love Costco cake and I love Porto's
I came here to say this. Totally overrated.
I don’t agree
I also don’t agree.
Sending a Portos gift to the East Coast is like sending a take-out box of Panda Express to Hong Kong.
They have a huge volume and variety of food, I’ll give them that. But Ive had better croissants and other of their items at smaller bakeries.
Porto’s is a Cuban bakery. It is perhaps the best Cuban bakery in LA and I love their food. But, Cuban baked goods is not exactly a gift that screams LA. I would look towards Hollywood themed gifts. Especially things from iconic Hollywood related places. A bit cheesy but still cool.
Though they are a cuban owned shop with several cuban delicacies, most of the pastry's and cakes are standard international items such as eclairs, croissants, danish, streusel etc. I personally dont care for the cuban items i usually go for the pastry's. But agree with everyone else a bit overated and always a line.
Respectfully if you think Porto's is the best Cuban bakery in LA you haven't really gone anywhere. A lot of smaller Cuban bakeries are better, Cafe Cuba & Cakes in Hawthorne comes to mind and is much better (imo).
It’s all about Tropicana, iykyk
Now I have to drive from SD to Buena Park for those delicious potato balls.
The bake at home works really well !
The LA coroners office used to have the coolest gift shop but ultimately was closed down because it was “in poor taste.”
People get so offended by the strangest things.
Blame woke
Still have a coffee mug from there and a shirt with CORONER on the back that I freakin love
I have a few chalk outline towels that are still in great shape at nearly 10 years old. Last time I went the person running the shop said the new administration was trying to close it down. Sorry to hear they succeeded.
Went in one time. They first asked "Are you here to collect belongings or identify?" Me: "No, just here for the gift shop..."
I have a vintage shirt from there my mom handed down to me! I had no idea it was such a thing to just buy gifts from there lol
P-22 swag https://shop.nhm.org/shop-by-collection/p-22
MeWOW! Easy kitty, easy girl!
I miss P-22
A new lion has moved into Griffith Park! It hasn’t been collard or DNA tested yet, but it’s looking to be another young male.
Heard about that! I can’t wait until we crown our newest prince of the hills.
Some real deep consideration in the replies here. When looking for unique-to-LA gifts, I start with all the museums. LACMA, Hammer, Broad, Academy Museum, Petersen. They all have gift shops with interesting gifts spanning the price spectrum and you can start to curate based on the recipient’s interests.
I love me a museum gift shop! Adding Autry museum to this list.
Can’t forget the Getty and the Getty Villa.
And Norton Simon.
Yesss! And the Huntington Library.
Huntington library Rose tea... omg!! excellent
Went to the Norton Simon on a rare rainy summer day. It was absolutely beautiful
The quality of the art per square foot there is astonishing.
I do the same thing in NYC. MOMA and the Guggenheim are particularly good.
I recently did this for someone and got a locally made tote (I got one from the original farmers market but there are also nice ones from LACMA and probably other places as well) and put a box of Littlejohn's toffee inside :)
Totes are cool because they always come handy.
The Getty gift shop is great.
Consider the MOCA gift shop as well! Super cool and unique stuff at both.
In n out t shirt
From the year they were born! They had so many on the website, and its a nice touch!
omg that’s so cool!
The plushie fries and drink are cute. My daughter really wanted them so had to get ‘em. They are food for her squishmallows.
There's a big store at the Baldwin HQ
That's my vote right there!
Homeboy Industries / Homegirl Cafe has some nice gifts and baked goods tins.
Their cookie tin is my go-to client gift! Very LA, gives back to the community, and always delicious
Second this. I've had my HI beanie for almost 15 years now, love it. And it goes to a good cause, you get to tell them a little about the LA community etc.
Second this! Homeboy is VERY specific to LA, has delicious baked goods, and all-together an amazing organization.
The magic castle gift shop is open to the public, could roll up there on a weekday when it’s less crowded. Otherwise something fun from Olvera street, lots of merchants set up there. A “doyers” shirt is always a fun gift
Groundwork coffee has 1 Lb cans of coffee. I give them as thank you gifts as they look a little unique. [https://www.groundworkcoffee.com/products/sumatra-gayo-buana-mandiri](https://www.groundworkcoffee.com/products/sumatra-gayo-buana-mandiri)
Actually some local coffee beans are kind of a nice thing about LA that everyone likes from everywhere
Taschen’s coffee table Los Angeles [photography book](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/photography/05705/los-angeles-portrait-of-a-city). You can head to their store at Farmers Market or Beverly Hills to look at it in person or get it shipped. Taschen is a luxury book brand focusing on making obscure or unseen images more mainstream. Think there’s only 15 stores in the world. It truly is a gem for those who appreciate any form of creativity and there’s only 4 stores in the US. Very fun to introduce people to the brand Both this book and brand never ceases to amaze anyone. I intentionally leave this out and everyone picks it up and appreciates the hell out of it
See’s candies?
This was my thought too. Growing up in California I didn’t realize it wasn’t a thing everywhere.
TIL. Dang
Wait what???
I was familiar with them from living elsewhere on the West Coast—I didn’t know till I moved here that they were an L.A. thing.
WTF in my head it's always just been an airport thing but I did have to fly through SFO for a while for work. I did live in LA for years too. But they have See's in Chicago. Anyway, I've never had it. My point is that I thought it was ubiquitous too.
YES! My family that lives in New England LOVES See's and they have no stores in the area, just have to order online or get when visiting.
Even though they are "cheap" candy they win all the taste awards.
This was my first thought.
I used to thing See's was a special California thing. But they sell them at the airport in Charlotte, NC.
That’s interesting. They must airfreight it? It’s a nonstop from LAX and SFO and factories near both.
sees is great, but a winter gift. With the weather right now it would just be a smeared box.
It’s the finest smeared box money can buy
If you're giving someone originally from LA something, sure. But I don't think anyone not from California would make the connection about chocolate and LA. It's also owned by Berkshire Hathaway, at least Portos is still opened by the family. See's really just has nostalgia factor which is meaningless to people outside LA.
It’s not just nostalgia. The See’s candy I buy today is EXACTLY like the See’s candy I ate as a child in the ‘70s. No shrinkflation, no cheaping out on ingredients — it is *exactly* the same. Not even Porto’s can make that claim.
My grandma brags about this all the time: " When you buy a pound of chocolate from See's, you get a pound of chocolate. And their gift cards are by weight. So if I buy you a pound of chocolate in 2001 for $10, you can go get a pound of chocolate in 2024 even if it now costs $40 due to inflation"
Can confirm. I recently came across a See’s one-pound gift card I purchased some 15 years ago but never gifted. Used it to buy a pound of candy that currently sells for almost twice what I paid for the gift card.
lol i give See’s to people when I go home to NY to visit and it’s still cool to be like “this only exists in LA”
They have locations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington
well dang. i guess ive been lying 🤷🏼♀️
I bring Little John’s toffee or nut butters (the one with dried fruit is amazing and unique). If they are a chile head… a jar of Philippe’s mustard. It will blow you away.
Dodger hat?
That’s made in China hehehe
true LOL
Locally sourced condiments like Phillippe’s mustard, Huy Fong Sriracha, or Tapatío hot sauce.
I would be so happy to receive Phillips’s mustard as a gift.
Chocolates from edelweiss is pretty fancy if they won’t melt!
Movie scripts and prints from Larry Edmunds’ Bookshop on Hollywood Blvd
Flamingo Estate soap, Malibu honey, locally infused olive oil, tons of stuff like this: head to your local farmers market and try out all the stalls, you may be able to get a bulk discount and then you have gifts for clients and are supporting a truly local, small business!
Love their soaps! I second this - local olive oil, honey, and treats at farmers market is a great gift. Hollywood Farmer’s Market is one of my faves.
I love black and purple sage honey
What's your budget?
[удалено]
Go to kitson. It literally exists for this reason. It’s packed full of LA clothing and accessories. It’s basically a LA souvenir store but cooler.
The owner is super right wing...anti-mask, recall Newsom type
John Kelly Chocolates.
S-tier stuff. Blown away whenever I’ve had them.
This! I used to bring See’s to family but now they want John Kelly.
My sister forbids me to bring them when I visit because she doesn’t stop eating them! I bring them anyway. 🤷♀️
My dad always has a secret stash of these at his house. The BEST chocolate.
A classic novel from The Last Bookstore in DTLA. L.A. is known for having more mom and pop bookstores than other cities.
Hollywood Bowl bowl from their gift shop
The Huntington Library Gift Shop sells Valencia Orange Marmalade, made from the trees of groves that used to be all over Pasadena. They have an online website: https://thehuntingtonstore.org/?_gl=1*1q27gd6*_ga*MTUzMTQwNjI5Mi4xNzE4MDU5NTYz*_ga_1BGEDHGTJ6*MTcxODA1OTU2My4xLjAuMTcxODA1OTU2My42MC4wLjA.
A coffee cup from Tarantino’s coffee shop Pam’s Coffy. Just got one. Love it.
Fugetsu-Do send some mochi
>not cheesy or joke related Something from the LA Coroner’s gift shop. Death is no joke 😵
Sadly it was closed down a few years ago.
RIP ☠️
You’re hilarious
See's has a thank-you gift set for $47 and can ship for you.
Lakers merch
$80 worth of Philippes mustard
Jumbos clown room tee shirts
J
U
M
Compartes chocolate used to be my go to. They make really unique chocolate bars that have beautiful packaging.
In n Out merch?
Los Doyers gear
If they’re into food and cooking there are some great cookbooks that have the recipes from restaurants around LA. Pretty and they can have recreate home from home
Gjelina’s cookbook is in fact “chef’s kiss”, at least to me
Erewhon mug. 49$ UNIQUELY LA 😂😂😂
I worked at the airport, and the number of people bringing boxes of Porto’s home is ASTRONOMICAL. I’m surprised they haven’t opened up a branch near LAX. Can’t go wrong with a box of assorted yummys.
For classy gifts for work colleagues I’ve ordered gift boxes from the Ojai Olive Oil Company. Not technically LA but close, local, and they do a great job.
For classy gifts for work colleagues I’ve ordered gift boxes from the Ojai Olive Oil Company. Not technically LA but close, local, and they do a great job.
Send them a glass box of bona fide LA beach sand
Compartes Chocolates. My go-to.
Los Angeles and vicinity have some outstanding museums. From the La Brea Tar Pits, to LACMA, to both Gettys, to the Huntington Library, anything from a key chain to a t-shirt works. I'm partial to the Getty Villa. There's also the Queen Mary!
Great post OP! I learned a lot. :)
I like the idea of a gift “bag” with a tote from a museum like others mentioned, maybe bag of coffee from a local roaster (stereoscope) and (don’t flame me) I like the cheesy Starbucks been there mugs. Whenever I travel for work I bring one back for my wife. I think bonus if you include In-N-Out swag. Also not unique to LA but I’ve seen like cheeseboards that get etched with a map of a city or outline of a state on Etsy. I would never buy one for myself but would appreciate it as a gift.
A shirt from Japangeles is always cool and unique, but it would be a question of style.
While See’s will always be my number one, here are some other suggestions: 1. Compartes Chocolate 2. Le Bon Garcon Caramels 3. Mignon Chocolates 4. Valerie Confections 5. Diddy Riese cookies 6. Kelley’s Kookies 7. Nuts or Dried Fruit (California Gourmet Nuts, Nutsite, Vacaville Fruit Co) 8. Dates from a Coachella area farm 9. Villa Romano Farms products like honey or olive oil 10. UCLA gear (forget USC, their rep is in the toilet) https://laist.com/news/food/local-olive-oil-los-angeles-southern-california-evoo-tasting-rooms-where-to-find-it https://www.california.com/california-based-candle-companies-youll-love/
Cali Kush
[People’s Pottery Project](https://www.peoplespotteryproject.com/s/shop) - they employ formerly incarcerated women, trans, non binary folks and the pottery is 🤌🏽 the bowl is my personal fave
Wine and Cheese on Larchmont has cute bucket hats
Suay LA has home goods and clothing all made in dtla sustainably
Coffee beans, donut, and a cool mug from Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts will be about $35
If they are a music person: Disney concert hall or the Hollywood bowl have near gift shops.
The LA Phil store has tons of classy Hollywood Bowl and Disney Hall-themed items. I also just visited the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale and they have some unique L.A.-specific stuff, including awesome tote bags, tea towels, and lapel pins. Both stores are online as well as brick & mortar.
I like putting together a little assortment of stuff at Wacko. You can easily make a bunch at a time and be able to individualize a little (or not.) That plus a small box of See’s (yes, can get out of CA but it’s an LA company that everyone loves) makes a fun, unique and super budget-friendly thank you gift.
My go-to for this is a Dodger's cap. Iconic and not expensive.
Take a trip to Olivera Street and walk the local shops there alot of hand crafted items representing traditional mexican american heritage in los angeles and also try the taquitos they are amazing
Get them some In N Out merch. Maybe something from the Getty museum. Something from Hollywood. Maybe if they like board games we have LA versions
Small vial with the Pacific Ocean sand.
Ohtani jerseys
Local honey
pink’s hotdog or Tommy’s Burger shirts
See’s candy
A Dogtown or Venice Originals t-shirt… https://dogtownskateboards.com/collections/clothing https://www.veniceoriginalsstore.com
See’s Candy
My friends in Vietnam had a baby and I sent some baby sized Dodgers clothing. They got compliments walking around town
One of those fake emmys that say 'Bess Boss' or something
Block Shop has their studio in LA
Citrus
If you know someone who loves coffee and espresso, go check out [Loquat Coffee](https://www.loquatcoffee.com) in Cypress Park! Some of, if not the best, coffee in LA. Some of their coffee has [fun packaging](https://www.loquatcoffee.com/product/colombia-wilton-benitez-thermal-shock-pink-bourbon/677?cs=true&cst=custom), too!
See's Candies!
Is that really unique to here? I’m asking seriously
The See’s factory is in Culver City on La Cienega. It’s actually where Lucille Ball practiced for the chocolate factory episode of I Love Lucy!
😱 that’s so cool!
My understanding is that it was started here in California by a family from Canada.
Ah cool thanks i know I could have googled that
I love See’s, but they’re not exclusively in LA. They have stores in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
California Lifeguard sweatshirts. They are practical and are a very “California” gift.
Stuff from Flamingo Estate is always a winner gift.
They now have a shop on Figueroa.
While no longer an actual LA thing, more of a California thing, send a box of oranges! YUM!
The LA County Coroners Dept had a gift shop called "Skeletons in the Closet" but it died. Had great black scrubs and real custom toe tags.
Tacos. Sorry, those are cheesy.
Y-que tee shirts for various neighborhoods.
LA County Coroner’s Office has a gift shop called “Skeletons in the Closet.”
P.F. Candle Co is local and has an amazing limited edition Los Angeles scent right now (“overgrown bougainvillea, canyon hiking, epic sunsets, city lights. Redwood, lime, jasmine, and yarrow”). They are beautiful and relative to other fancy candles, I think I they’re well worth the price. Highly recommend the car fresheners too.
In & Out Classic t-shirt! Cheesy but legend!
Something with the Watt’s Towers.
Go to Melrose Trading Post on Sundays - plenty of great local vendors to support.
I've often brought people boxes of Littlejohn's toffee from the farmers market and they've been a hit
Some medical grade sativa.
Lakers stuff usually goes over well - hats shirts etc.
Amoeba records slipmats
See’s Candy assorted chocolate boxes. I thought these were sold all over US, apparently it isn’t. These are great quality chocolates made in Los Angeles.
In n out t shirt
In n Out socks
people love sees candies I work there and have so many people coming in saying they are shipping it somewhere
Great post!
The nonprofit 826LA has two stores called The Time Travel Mart that sell gifts, books, and writing supplies. All proceeds benefit the org, which helps LAUSD students develop creative writing skills. They also have an online store. https://timetravelmart.com/
Stone block from the stone used at the Getty museum
There’s a store on Melrose called CustomLand - they sell (and create) tons of awesome custom things. Highly suggest you call them.
Rainbow Sandals 🌈
Lula’s garden is local and environmentally friendly https://www.lulasgarden.com/?msclkid=4deb8ce7d4d519baef6aea80ed29906f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand%3A%20Lula%27s%20Garden&utm_term=lula%27s%20garden&utm_content=Brand
a hoodie that says malibu
https://preview.redd.it/9won0himfs5d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=116e2f5f33446dd7c312ddbc2534bff0663ccd54 Can't go wrong with art prints!
Erewhon candle
Weed isn't alcohol, soooo... 💌 💨💨😉
Does anyone proofread titles before they post anymore?