11 of the best · California, USA
Shopping in California: Grand Squares, Food Halls and Open-Air Centres
From the department stores of Union Square to the food artisans of the Ferry Building, the open-air centres of Palo Alto and San Diego, the outlets on the road to Palm Springs and the village shops of Carmel.
Our 11 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Insiders' picks
Our first three calls on this list, from editors who know California from Napa to San Diego.
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San Francisco’s shopping heart
Union Square
San Francisco’s grand shopping square, with a winter ice rink.
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Food hall on the Bay
Ferry Building Marketplace
The restored ferry terminal on the Embarcadero, now a marketplace of local food producers.
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Gardens and department stores
Stanford Shopping Center
An open-air garden shopping centre in Palo Alto.
The full list: Shop, A–Z
More areas 4
Shop
Shopping districts 4
Streets and squares.
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Galleries and boutiques
Carmel-by-the-Sea village shops
The storybook village of Carmel, with galleries.
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A courtyard on State Street
La Arcada Plaza
Local boutiques, galleries and restaurants in a historic State Street courtyard.
1114 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101Explore View on map
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Piazzas and the Saturday Mercato
Little Italy
Patio cafés, galleries, piazzas and the Mercato farmers’ market in downtown San Diego.
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San Francisco’s shopping heart
Union Square
San Francisco’s grand shopping square, with a winter ice rink.
Shop
Shopping centres 5
Open-air centres and outlets.
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In the heart of Carmel
Carmel Plaza
Boutiques, restaurants and wine tasting rooms at Ocean Avenue and Mission Street.
Ocean Avenue & Mission Street, Carmel, CA 93921Explore View on map
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Shops, dining and a hotel in San José
Santana Row
An open-air street of shops, restaurants, homes and a hotel in San José.
377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128Explore View on map
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Gardens and department stores
Stanford Shopping Center
An open-air garden shopping centre in Palo Alto.
Shop
Food halls 2
Local produce and artisans.
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Food hall on the Bay
Ferry Building Marketplace
The restored ferry terminal on the Embarcadero, now a marketplace of local food producers.
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Napa’s gathering place for food and wine
Oxbow Public Market
A riverside market hall of local food and wine in downtown Napa, open every day.
610 & 644 First Street, Napa, CA 94559Explore View on map
