With holiday season in full swing, it’s time to start shopping. If you’re not sure where to begin, we’ve got you covered with this curated list of 10 picks from Southern California museum gift shops that highlight our region’s creativity and support for local artists.
1. Basquiat-inspired side table at The Broad
The Broad’s gift shop has something for everyone, including this side table emblazoned with Jean-Michel Basquiat imagery. Photo courtesy Modernica and The Shop at The Broad
The gift shop at The Broad in downtown Los Angeles has a well-edited inventory with items that celebrate artists from the museum’s temporary exhibitions and permanent collection. Give an interesting piece of Jean-Michel Basquiat imagery with the Trumpet Case Study Furniture Aiko X Base table, produced by local manufacturer Modernica.
Info: $295.
2. Roy Lichtenstein MCASD x Slowtide beach blanket at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Make a splash on your next beach day with this Roy Lichtenstein graphic blanket from the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Photo by Daniel Lang for MCASD
A visit to the recently transformed Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD), which reopened in 2022 after a renovation, offers a compelling way to bring home a reminder of scenic La Jolla.
The cutting-edge museum’s collaboration with home textile brand Slowtide emblazons a Roy Lichtenstein–designed graphic over a sturdy, water-repellent blanket that’s perfect for lounging at the beach.
Info: $80.
You may also like: Day Trip: Fun things to do in La Jolla, California
3. Handmade ceramic planter at Craft Contemporary
This one-of-a-kind, handmade animal ceramic planter is perfect for the succulent lover on your gift list. Find these planters and more at Craft Contemporary, just a stone’s throw from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo courtesy Craft Contemporary Shop
The retail zone at Craft Contemporary, formerly known as the Craft and Folk Art Museum, is an in-the-know yet accessible shop on L.A.’s Museum Row that’s perfect for those in search of meaningful goods with stories to tell.
Many of the items here come from locals such as Mexican-born, L.A.-based artist and educator Lizbeth Navarro, who paints birds, turtles, rabbits, and buffaloes using a scratch technique on her handmade ceramic animal planters. These one-of-a-kind creations visually pay homage to creatures great and small. Add a succulent to bring the outdoors in.
Info: $65–$75.
You may also like: Day trip to Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile
4. Nesting lotus bowls at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Elevate your kitchenware with a set of nesting lotus bowls from the Santa Barbara Museum Art Store. Photo courtesy Santa Barbara Museum of Art
These nesting bowls in hues ranging from light sand to deep rose gently evoke a lotus flower. The chic, modern aesthetic and breezy coastal vibes are as much at home in Stockholm, where the bowls are made, as in Santa Barbara, where the set of five is available at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art store.
Info: $190.
5. Golda Hiba incense at the Hammer Museum
Transform any space with cedar and cypress scented Golda Hiba wood incense from the Hammer Museum Store. Photo courtesy Hammer Museum
The Hammer Museum Store in Westwood is a one-stop resource for everything from hand-carved wood objets d’art to culinary treats. Offerings include Golda Hiba wood incense crafted by artist Tsugu Wada and qi holistic therapy practitioner Keiko Matsuo at their Studio Cue in Topanga Canyon. Oil extracted from Japanese hiba wood creates a cedar- and cypress-like scent to help shift the energy in any space.
Info: $30.
You may also like: Awesome hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
6. MOCA x Rewilder pouches and tote bags at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
Eco-friendly MOCA x Rewilder pouches from the Museum of Contemporary Art make for a great stocking stuffer. Photo by Charles White for MOCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles in downtown L.A. partnered with local fashion upcycling experts Rewilder to give discarded street pole–mounted advertising banners another life. The resulting pouches and tote bags are practical, environmentally conscious, and eye-catching.
Info: $40–$45.
7. Glass hummingbird feeder at The Huntington
Pick up a glass hummingbird feeder at The Huntington’s gift shop for the green thumb in your life. Photo courtesy The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
While the San Marino landmark’s galleries, gardens, and archives require multiple trips to explore, its expansive shop is one manageable way to continue the enriching lessons and experiences beyond the property’s 200-plus acres.
It might be overly ambitious to attempt to re-create any of The Huntington’s themed gardens at home, but this mushroom-shaped glass hummingbird feeder can help attract at least one special breed of wildlife to your outdoor space.
Info: $50.
You may also like: Gardens to explore in Los Angeles County
8. Alebrijes at the Museum of Latin American Art
Hand-carved alebrijes (Mexican folk-art sculptures of animals) add color to any room—and they’re a great gift for kiddos, too. Photo courtesy Museum of Latin American Art
The Museum of Latin American Art is a cultural and community hub in Long Beach’s East Village Arts District. The gift shop reflects the wide perspective of the museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
Hand-carved and colorful alebrijes (Mexican folk art sculptures of animals and creatures) from Oaxaca feel both grounded and mystical, perfect for a friend or family member of any age who welcomes joy and whimsy.
Info: $45–$275.
9. Breeze block magnets at the Palm Springs Art Museum
Check out the selection at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s gift shop, including this set of breeze-block refrigerator magnets by Minty’s Design. Photo courtesy Palm Springs Art Museum
The Palm Springs Art Museum is a must-visit for any swing through the desert city known for its midcentury modern architecture. Its gift shop is a treasure trove of original pieces and art-inspired goods, including this set of breeze block refrigerator magnets by Minty’s Design that stir up images of poolside cocktail parties and dazzling sunsets.
Info: $27.
You may also like: Day Trip: Fun things to do in Palm Springs, California
10. Blossom branch wool scarf at the Bowers Museum
A beautiful Japanese-inspired motif embellishes this One Hundred Stars wool scarf from the Bowers Museum Gallery Store. Photo courtesy Bowers Museum
Diverse cultures converge at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. This One Hundred Stars brand wool scarf from the Bowers Museum Gallery Store is embellished with a timeless Japanese-inspired motif. Its contrasting imagery of red-orange maple leaves and blue birds against a black background works for all seasons of wear.
Info: $95.
Jessica Ritz is a Los Angeles–based freelance writer whose work covering architecture, design, food, art, culture, and travel has appeared in Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Luxe, Los Angeles Times, Palm Springs Life, Travel + Leisure, California Home + Design, Metropolis, and Sunset. You can find her on Instagram at @jessnritz and jessnritz.com.
Travel offers & deals
