Supporting Small Business In Your Community This Season

• Check to see which services or providers are offering their services online! Tutors, fitness trainers and classes, music classes for children, and art classes are now being offered through videos or online conferencing. 

Amtrak San Joaquin is proud to be a community partner and wants to help spread the word on some of our favorite stores that are near one of our stations. Buying local is a simple thing to do and can go a long way in helping local businesses stay in business and helps them keep their employees. Together we can get through 2020 and become a stronger and more resilient community! 

San Francisco/ Oakland 

For the book lover:

San Francisco has some iconic bookstores. Visit City Lights, a landmark independent bookstore and publisher that specializes in world literature, the arts, and more, or head to Green Apple Books for a mix of new and used books, founded in 1967.

For the fashionista:

Oaklandish is your stop to share some Oak Town pride - their mission is to spread local love through civic pride-evoking tees and accessories, while creating quality inner city jobs for locals.

For absurdly soft clothes designed in San Francisco, visit Marine Layer, which focuses on using materials like recycled plastic, upcycled cotton, Tencel and modal to create sustainable, low-impact materials.

Something for everyone:

Want to find gifts from all over the Bay Area in one place? Head to the San Francisco Ferry Building for handcrafted goods, epicurean delights, and one-of-a-kind finds.

For the sweet tooth, go to Dandelion Chocolate, which molds and wraps every chocolate bar by hand, or Miette Patisserie for French macarons and globally sourced candies. For the cook, try Stonehouse Olive Oil, best known for their citrus oils, which are produced by crushing fresh local fruit along with olives, making them perfect for salads or baking. Pair it with an assortment of treats from Cowgirl Creamery, offering organic, farm-to-table award-winning cheese.

For handcrafted goods, try Heath Ceramics, one of the few remaining mid-century American potteries which has been making tableware and tile for over a half-century in its Sausalito, California factory. And for a true luxury experience, head to Benedetta, a Sonoma County-based skin and body care company, which utilizes farm-sourced botanicals and ingredients from certified organic and biodynamic farms, many of them local, for masks, lotions and soaps. 

Sacramento

For the book lover: 

Sacramento's Capital Books offers best seller books, puzzles, board games, and audiobook memberships. Don't know which book to get for your family member or friend? To help shoppers, Capital Books put together a list of gift suggestions by theme. So whether you are shopping for an animal lover, someone with a green thumb, a home chef, or cocktail lover there is a book for everyone! Capital Books is offering shoppers curbside pick up, free local delivery, nationwide shipping, shopping via their online store or you can make an appointment to shop in person. 

For the dessert lover:

Traveling may be out the door this year but that doesn't mean you can't gift delicious french pastries. Estelle bakery & pâtisserie makes fresh baked goods daily and uses the finest and freshest local ingredients available. Walking into Estelle will make you feel like you are transported to France where you can choose from macarons, cakes, tarts, seasonal croissants, pastries, muffins, scones, fresh baked artisan bread, and a warm latte or cappuccino. And for a limited time you can purchase their macaron tree (which is both decorative and delicious)! Follow them on Instagram (@estellebakery) to see their latest treats! 

For the athlete: 

If getting into shape is on your new year resolution or if you need to find a gift for a workout enthusiast, shop at Fleet Feet. Whether you are a runner, strength training, yoga-lover, or just enjoy wearing athleisure wear, Fleet Feet has all the gear, shoes, electronics, and accessories for women and men. Shop brands like Nike, Lululemon, Patagonia, North Face, and much more. 

For the artist: 

University Art is a treasure trove of art supplies, frames, creative gifts, stationery, art classes, and more. Also available are a variety of children DIY kits where children can create their own jewelry, learn how to paint and make paper collages, and learn how to draw with a step-by-step book. Get creative by shopping online and pick up in-store or receive free shipping with orders of $50 or more. 

Stockton

Something for everyone: 

Head over to Lincoln Center where you are sure to find a gift for everyone on your list! Shopping for Christmas decor, something for the home, or unique gifts? Best Wishes and Regalo Bello have it all! There is always something new in store and shoppers can spend hours searching and shopping. During the holiday season shoppers can enjoy fresh snow made every half hour at Lincoln Center!

For the flower-lover: 

Flowers are always a great gift for that special someone. Stockton Floral is a local independent florist located in Yosemite Street Village. Choose from a variety of different flowers and get into the holiday spirit with fresh poinsettias! 

For the home good lover: 

The Little Shop on the Mile is a local shop filled with beautifully Stokcton locally made crafts, clothing, art, baby clothes, and much more. Shop for fun shot glasses, mugs, scrunchies, candles, jewelry and clothes. Follow the Little Shop on the Mile on Instagram (@thelittleshop_onthemile) for pictures of the latest treasures. 

Fresno

For every Valley girl:

Located on Fulton Street in downtown Fresno, Root General Store is a husband and wife-owned shop that sells a medley of everyday goods made by local artisans and other independent designers. From clothes (like their popular "Valley Girl" shirt) and jewelry to home goods, you never know what handmade treasure you'll find. Shop online or through Insta Shop (@root_general).

Visalia

For Making a Home:

Pacific Treasures is filled with things to make a home warmer, more relaxing, and more…homey. And you can probably cross a lot of people off your list with just one visit. Find holiday home décor, Le Creuset cookware, candles, clothing, purses, specialty foods and more. And if you can't shop in person, they offer curbside service and delivery.

Stockton

For the strange and unusual:

From dream journals to crystal jewelry, this store has everything you need for a friend who makes full moon water and cleanses with sage. The Freckled Moon is a woman-owned business, with art, handmade boho décor and unique gifts that you don't need to go to Etsy to find. For store hours, check their Instagram (@thefreckledmoon) stories.