Home from No CA

I'm back from my teaching adventures in No Ca. I had a GREAT time. Huge, huge thanks to Maria and to all of my wonderful students. We had so much fun! I can't wait to do it again!!!

Here's what my hotel desk looked like last Wednesday night in Berkeley:
The goodies that I bought from Flax, Kinokuniya, Scrapbook Territory, Paper Source and Castle in the Air:
I bought one book. I didn't take a picture of it, but you can click here for more info. It's published by Pie books (I love their publications) and is called Hiroki Hiyashi Collection.

Several students asked me to compile a list of where I shop when I travel, so I thought I'd try to start adding little posts every now and then with little lists.

I usually stay at La Quinta in Berkeley. It's cheap. It's clean. It's between 4th street (paper shops/bookstores) and all of the other bookstores that I want to visit. I recommend it. I've been staying there for years (before it was a La Quinta). I had a major problem when checking in on Wednesday (long story) and the woman at the front desk helped me out in a big way. Two big thumbs up!

Stores I visit:

Flax San Francisco-if you want paper, go to Flax. The paper room is HUGE, as in, bigger than my apartment! If you want selection and great help, go to Flax. When I go to No Ca, guess where I usually head first?

Kinokuniya-in JapanTown in San Francisco. Kino Buy It All, as we loving call it, keeps expanding. There's a new store on the first floor (in addition to the bookstore that is downstairs) that is stickers and stationery/giftie things. On the second floor is the PEN store (with stamps, stickers, tape and more stationery goodies) across from the main bookstore. This store is dangerous (it is rare that I do not buy anything there) and I can't recommend it enough.

Scrapbook Territory-whenever I head north, I stop here and buy the latest and greatest fun scrapbook find. Stickers, tape, paper, stamps all call my name here very loudly. The store is huge and has an amazing selection.

Castle In The Air
-inspiring and always worth a looksie.

Miki's Paper-great selection of yummy Asian papers! Always helpful and very friendly!

Builders Booksource-great graphic design and art books.

Books, Inc-a new bookstore on 4th street. Yay! I was pleasantly surprised to see their amazing selection of books. Very well curated in the art, graphic novels and political books sections. Someone has great taste!

Paper Source-always worth stopping in!

Comic Relief-one of my favorite Northwest comic book shops. Great selection of titles. Always has new and old favorites in stock. Great selection of zines.

Two of my favorite used/new bookstores in Berkeley that I ALWAYS make time to go to are:

Pegasus on Shattuck

Moe's on Telegraph

Across from Moe's is Shakespeare and Company, which I've only been to once but I loved it!

Eating:
I've eaten at Ann's on Telegraph and enjoyed it!

Right next to Moe's is a place that has donuts, cookies and baked goods. Good prices and they are quite yummy!! I wish I knew the name of it.

Sophie's Crepes in Japantown in San Francisco is outstanding. I'm drooling just thinking about that place.

Bette's Oceanview Diner is quite yummy! Usually a line.

Other places that I've been that I loved:
Green Apple books in San Francisco
City Lights in San Francisco (one of my favorite bookstores)
Daiso-fun store that has several locations all over No Ca. Most goods are a $1.50

I've been told that I need to go to Tail of the Yak. Next visit!

Where are your favorite places to visit in Berkeley, San Francisco, No CA? Places to buy books, rubber stamps/scrapbooking, paper, art goodies, etc...? Places to eat? I'd love to hear!

Comments

T and J said…
waking up and reading your post today
put a smile on my face -thank you!
Posts about shopping tend to do that to me
Sandy..... said…
Sounds like you had a great time~! Ah... just to be in the CA sun...~! lol
bettie said…
I'd love to hear about any similar places in Portland
Sharon said…
Thanx for the list Kelly, Now I know where to head on my next trip to Berkeley.
Susan Stokinger said…
Hi Kelly, Great blog today. I have had fun moving around the links. I hope all is well with you. xxoo Susan
jane eileen said…
Jeane's mom said...
Whoa! Makes me want to take a trip to San Francisco and forget the summer job!
Michele said…
How crazy, I've gone to SF hundreds of times, and have never been to nor heard of these stores. Thank you so much for posting them, I'll be sure the check them out of my next trip. Hopefully real soon. :)
Unknown said…
Shattuck... Telegraph Rd... The mention of those places brings back memories of my art school days, down the street in Oakland.
Seth said…
Great stash you picked up! Thanks for the CA tips.
Sandy said…
Love seeing your desk and I see some of the things I just ordered in your pile. It sounds like you had a great time. I hope to visit all these places one day. They look awesome.
Those are really interesting places. I'm sure they have good things there where even browsing would be so much fun. I especially like comic book places, I am always on the hunt for cheap good material. I'm a geek yeah :P
Nicole Austin said…
this is a great list of shops! i'll have to make it up to berkeley for an art shopping day. i live so close, no excuse for me not to! ;)

nicole

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