2019 BARTable Gift Guide: Gifts Under $25

Photo courtesy of beekind. 

You won’t need mistletoe to earn a kiss this season when you give these Bay Area gifts from both sides of the bridge. All under $25—and each within easy walking distance from BART—you can still reign supreme as the best gift-giver without breaking the bank. From wearable wonders to edible treats, stuff all the stockings on your list with the following local finds from some reliably epic brick-and-mortars.

Personalized Fortune Cookies, $6 Gift Box | 12th St/Oakland City Center

A love note, a prediction, or a joke—who wouldn’t be into a fortune cookie that contains a personalized message inside? Oakland’s Fortune Cookie Factory has the classic plain flavor plus a wide variety of chocolate-dipped, multicolored fortune cookies. Order an ornate gift box or large bags of cookies. It’s a common dessert with a twist: Your hidden, tailored message will make for a welcome holiday treasure hunt. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center and walk six minutes to Fortune Cookie Factory.

beekind Local Honey, $10.75 | Embarcadero

Like many good things in life, this honey is raw and unfiltered. If you don’t think Northern California Spring Wildflower Honey sounds enticing on name alone, how about the fact that its sweet deliciousness comes from blackberry, star thistle, oak, pine, and wildflowers? Take BART to Embarcadero and walk eight minutes to beekind’s array of natural honey and other unbee-lievably (had to go there) cool products located in the Ferry Building.

SFJAZZ High School All-Stars CD, $15 | Civic Center/UN Plaza

Support local music, local youth, and a local nonprofit—all in one gift. You can’t go wrong with this purchase from SFJAZZ Center. Hear the finely syncopated results when a world-class performance venue makes music education a priority. Young jazz prodigies in two high school all-star ensembles, Big Band and Combo, are featured on this double-disc release. Plus, it’s jazz—there’s always a time and place for it. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza and walk 10 minutes to SFJAZZ Center.

Official BART Gear, various prices | Lake Merritt

From kids to adults, everyone loves the foam trains, new boi socks and the old boi/new boi t-shirts. Transit fans will certainly swoon over any of the BART official gear that's available at Lake Meritt on the concourse level. Best yet, you can only get the gear at the station store so be sure to head on BART to Lake Merritt to pick up the perfect transit gift. 

Standard Deviant Brewing Shirt, $20 | 16th St Mission

Almost as famous as the watering hole’s craft beer, Standard Deviant Brewing’s fashionable swag has become signature SF attire. It’s even big in Japan. Seriously, this local merch has made its way overseas. Give this shirt to someone special as an alternative to the other San Francisco red and gold logo you see around town. And don’t forget to grab a pint while you wait to complete this gift purchase. Take BART to 16th St Mission and walk five minutes to Standard Deviant Brewing.

Adobe Books Tote, $15 | 24th St Mission 

Not to be confused with that other high-tech Adobe in these parts, Adobe Books in the Mission is a longstanding pillar in the local art and thought scene. Thirty years, to be exact. This commemorative 30th Anniversary tote in red or black will be appreciated by any SF-lover, book-lover, art-lover, independent shop-lover, and more. Slinging a reusable tote over your arm for daily or special use just never goes out of style. Take BART to 24th St Mission and walk five minutes to Adobe Books.

Golden Milk Powder, $22 | 24th St Mission 

It’s creamy and it’s dreamy: whether for the healing benefits as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich elixir, or for the soothing and spicy flavor, there are plenty of valid reasons why golden milk is all the rave these days. Grab some golden milk powder at SF’s Beloved Cafe and give the gift of a healthy, tasty warm beverage powered by turmeric, ginger, cardamom, organic vanilla, and organic ashwaganda. Take BART to 24th St Mission and walk three minutes to Beloved Cafe.

Fort Point Beer Glass, $7 | 16th St Mission or Embarcadero 

Take a piece of the bar home with you in the form of a pint glass. Presidio-based Fort Point Beer Company just opened a new taproom on Valencia Street in SF’s Mission, and it’s serving up some classic stocking stuffers: Grant your beer-aficionado a Willybecher tall glass or Tumbler short glass. Take BART to 16th St Mission and walk 8 minutes to Fort Point Valencia, or check out the other taproom in the Ferry Building near Embarcadero.

Pair of Tickets to The New Parkway Theater, $20-$24 | 19th St/Oakland

Not just any movie theater, The New Parkway Theater in Oakland is for indie-lovers and those with a keen appreciation for mismatched furniture seating. Finely curated programming in an artistic, mural-laden setting, a lounge vibe, and a bar to boot, make this a lively community destination. Take BART to 19th St/Oakland and walk 10 minutes to The New Parkway Theater.

Fun Socks, $12 | Rockridge 

Now’s the time to really sock it to ‘em. Knee-high socks for warming up during winter make for a functional-yet-fashionable holiday gift. Oakland’s Tootsies, in Rockridge, dresses up local feet and more, with shoes, socks, clothing, and accessories. Find a pair of toe-warmers to refresh a friend’s wardrobe—or to complement this year’s ugly sweater contest attire. Take BART to Rockridge and walk two minutes to Tootsies Boutique.

Crystals, Prices Vary | Downtown Berkeley

Instead of lump of coal, fill that Bay Area stocking with crystals and stones to clear the chakras. Berkeley’s Stone Room 2, the sister shop to Stone Room in Albany, makes up for its lack of creativity in name with creative gift-giving options. Who in these progressive parts doesn’t enjoy a little positive energy? Give your woo woo friend some uplifting vibes with crystals, rocks, and minerals for an energy cleanse they’ll surely need after all the holiday family time. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley and walk five minutes to Stone Room 2.