Forget about Facebook, Google, and the numerous other tech companies that call Silicon Valley home. This bustling region of northern California nestled between San Francisco and San Jose offers a whole off-line world of reality-based things to do, including some pretty decent shopping.
So grab your iPhone, log onto Facebook, and hit “Like” for these Silicon Valley brick and mortar shopping gems:
A shoe boutique that donates 100% of its profits to charity? Indeed! Bay Area Philanthropist Pamela Rosekrans opened doors to this stylish store in 2006 to channel all proceeds into two of her fave non-profits - the Global Fund for Women and Single Mothers Connect. And the result is a well-edited selection of stylish shoes and accessories for women. Look good and do something good at the same time. Pssst: If you round the corner to nearby café Calafia, you may see the ghost of Steve Jobs who ate here often. 855 El Camino Real #45, Town & Country Village, Palo Alto, 650-326-9644
No computers or tech gadgets in sight at this attractive store in the heart of Redwood City’s revitalized downtown. Here you will find a treasure trove of pretty home accessories like suede pillows and sumptuous candles, curious home objects and a great selection of distinctive jewelry. Need a hostess gift for a tech IPO party? You will find it here. 2400 Broadway, Redwood City, (650) 260-1155
Ground zero for where the techno-riche spend all their new stock option dough. If you are looking for a swank new suit from Emmanuel Zegna or a new bauble from Tiffany’s, this is your place. A stroll through this perfectly manicured outdoor garden mall will lead you by the heavyweights of luxury retail – Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus - and an outpost of SF’s legendary retailer Wilkes Bashford. Don’t be surprised to run into Google’s glamorous Marisa Mayer buying yet another Oscar de la Renta gown. 717 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, (650) 617-8200
Cantor Arts Center Museum Shop – Step onto Stanford University’s Palm tree-populated campus and make your way into this whimsical museum boutique where the smart set shop. Connected to Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center filled with modern arts, European works, private American collections and even a Rodin sculpture garden, this charming store features cool take-home items like jewelry, glassware, one of a kind toys for kids and art prints. Linger on campus and you just might run into the next tech gazilionaire cycling to her next biz school lecture. 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford, 650-723-4177
A true local's kinda place, this community bookstore is consistently busy with engaging author events, creative children’s programs, and is simply a great spot to just peruse the aisles and aisles of books. Buy your reading materials (WIRED Mag?) and then go next door to Café Barrone’s for a cup of coffee. You may spot Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg or even Palo Alto-born actor James Franco sitting at a nearby table… 1010 El Camino Real #100, Menlo Park, (650) 324-4321
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