Top Rated Shopping in Berkeley

This destination draws music lovers from all over the Bay Area. When you first walk in, you will be overwhelmed by the vast selection of CDs, vinyl and tapes. Take a deep breath, find your area of interest, and begin. It boasts one of the largest selections of any used music store in the East Bay, and not a subject, from the most common to the most eclectic, goes uncovered. The classical section is most impressive, as is the collection of vinyl and posters. Be prepared to spend a few hours hunting and discovering.

Here book-lovers will find the romantic notion of shelves stacked up to the ceiling with books, so heavy they threaten to give way. The fading smell of bookbinding glue conjures images of ancient libraries. You could spend hours wandering the aisles like that kid in The Neverending Story. If you do not find what you are looking for, which is nearly impossible since Moe's has just about everything ever printed, you are sure to find something to appease you. For those looking for antique or rare books, check out the huge collection on the fourth floor.

Once a small and funky co-op store where you could find locally grown and organic produce, this store moved into a former Safeway building and expanded its offerings to appeal to everyone from the granola to the yuppie. You will still find bushels of fresh and organic produce, a wine selection to rival most specialty wine shops, and a complete bakery, butcher and fish market. It specializes in organic items, but there are many national and conventional brands as well. Bulk buying for grains and nuts and pasta is second to none, and the cheese section is first-rate.

Lovers of romantic details and Victorian styles will fall in love with this lace and textile museum. Explore the latest exhibit or check out the permanent collection, including pre-Colombian Peruvian lace, and the finest lace from 17th-century European courts. This free museum is funded by the attached Lacis retail store, and also hosts various classes, clinics and workshops.

If you are looking for some alternate healing therapies such as energy healing and vortex healing, then Hummingbird Medicine Art & Healing Studio is a good option. Run by energy healer and artist, Mel Hofmann, you can book an appointment for a session which lasts for an hour. The studio also hosts workshops on meditations. Besides these, you will find pieces of fine art, unique textile art, Hummingbird photos and limited photo prints on canvas.