Shopping here is rather like slipping through Lewis Carroll's looking glass. Dried flowers, French silk ribbons, antique figurines of saints, earrings, odd-shaped vases and an ever-changing selection of curios await you in a carefully arranged jumble. The net effect is rather surreal and, on the whole, pleasant. You will feel as if you have slipped out of the hurry-scurry 21st century and into a dreamy past of perfect gifts.
Located across from Union Square with its own fabulous view, this legendary store features some of the finest jewelry in the world. Here you will find two floors of breathtaking crystal, flatware, china, silver, and fine diamond, gold, platinum, and gemstone jewelry. Shop for engagement rings, anniversary presents or something special for a newborn baby. You will see why it is that anything you give wrapped in a robin's egg blue Tiffany's box is sure to be considered an heirloom that will be treasured for generations.
Located in a vintage Beaux Arts building dating from just after the 1906 earthquake and fire, Neiman Marcus is one of the city's most upscale department stores. You'll find all the big names in fashion: Chanel, Jil Sander, Calvin Klein, Salvatore Ferragano, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Giorgio Armani, TSE, Fendi, Gucci, Versace, Christian Dior, Donna Karen, and Yves Saint Laurent. It also features two eating establishments: The Rotunda and the Fresh Market Café.
Whether you're looking for your next favorite piece of jewelry, searching out an engagement ring, or just feel like browsing, be sure to stop in at Crown Nine next time you're in Oakland. The boutique jewelry store is committed to the concept of selling real objects made by real people, and places an emphasis on hand-crafted, unique items. Kate Ellen, an award-winning jewelry designer, opened the shop in the space below her loft apartment; from this perch, she creates and curates the jewelry that is placed on display.
You could easily spend an entire day with your family at Bay Street Emeryville, because there's something there for everyone. In addition to shopping for apparel, you can also catch a movie at the AMC Theatre, or even buy something to decorate your home. If you get hungry, there are several places to satisfy any craving, whether it be for cupcakes or pizza. Though there are often delightful live performances on weekends, that also tends to be the busiest time to visit. Weekdays after school are also crowded, as it provides a popular mall-like atmosphere for local teens to hang out. Street parking is difficult, though paid parking in the garage can be validated at the movie theater and at Barnes & Noble.
Located in Northwest Berkeley, the Road Runner Sports store is a haven for both amateur and professional runners. Using real time Shoe Dog Analysis, the staff at this store depend on crucial statistics to help you decide on the right running shoes. Find an extensive range of shoes for men, women and kids, spread across several categories such as running shoes, training shoes, trail running gear as well as limited edition shoes. A wide range of fitness gear and trackers are available as well, besides nutrition products.
The silver collection at this gallery includes everything from tiny mustard spoons to an English soup terrine, from ornate candelabras a la Beauty and the Beast, to stylish clean lines of a knife-rest, you will find the handiest little mealtime accessories to outshine any sunny day. The owner's personal favorite is a child's gold plated rattle, with a whistle at one end and a smooth pink stick of cool coral at the other for teething, it reputedly fends off colic at a reasonable price! Whether you want classic silverware or a South American Ybarra lion that pours tea from it's scratchy toothed silver spout, the selection here will truly dazzle you.
The Parkers run this family-owned business, and they offer the finest in old furniture. Shiny black mahogany chairs, tables, china hutches, chests and bed frames fill this large space and gleam throughout. The owners specialize in early 20th-century American furniture, mostly from the 20s and 30s, purchased mainly from estate sales and auctions back East. The staff does stripping, repairs and refinishing, thereby making the finished piece practically new. It offers immediate delivery and a 30-day money back guarantee.
Few quality designer stores cater to the business traveler exclusively. Glaser Designs is one such store which specializes in leather bags and briefcases for corporate executives. Besides work bags, it also offers traveler's bags, laptop carriers and so on. A departure from the usual deep warm colors used for business leather items, Glaser Designs successfully experiments with lighter tones for both men and women. They also have a separate product line for corporate gifts like hand-finished wallets and memo jotters.
This high-end guitar shop is the labor of love of Stevie Coyle. Mighty Fine Guitars will not only fine tune your instrument but also has an impressive collection of guitars that can be a collector's pride. You will find new as well as used acoustic guitars that are well worth the price. Learn to play one by the skilled owner. Though this shop is compact, it hosts concerts in the adjacent Lamorinda Music. The Big Room is their 85-seat performance space. Some of their previous listings are Dave Deighton, Michael Chapdelaine, Alex de Grassi, Laurie Lewis, Gurf Morlix and Mike Dowling. The tickets for the live music are reasonably priced.
Shop for the most exquisite diamond jewels at SoMa's Yadav Diamonds & Jewelry. Earlier popular as Diamonds on Web, this jewelry boutique has been selling superior-quality pieces for decades. Be it their finely designed engagement rings, wedding bands, bracelets or dainty earrings, you are sure to find your chosen decorative ornaments in a myriad designs, patterns and styles. The store also provides customized jewelry at the hands of their trained and highly skilled diamond setters.
Located in Union Square among world-famous designer boutiques like Chanel, Prada, Gucci and Jil Sander, Spectacle Shoppe sells designer prescription eyewear and sunglasses that keep it in step with its high-brow neighbors. Here you will find an ample collection of fashion glasses by Cartier, Oliver Peoples, Christian Dior, Bada, and more. There are a variety of modern and contemporary styles to choose from, whether you prefer a conservative look or something eye catching and eccentric.