BARTable Holiday Shopping Guide
This year’s shopping season is in full swing, thanks in part to the plethora of small makers and artists who work and reside in the Bay Area. If you’re looking to do double duty and support these artists while also checking items off your shopping list, consider the many holiday shopping opportunities listed below. They wouldn’t make the cut if they weren’t BARTable, so consider making a stop at one of the weekday events before your commute home. Better yet, make it a transit-friendly weekend outing and throw in a little holiday hot chocolate cheer.
Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.
Lots of shopping opportunities this holiday season in Berkeley. Images courtesy Visit Berkeley.
Berkeley Holidays Gift Guide
Visit Berkeley has the rundown on all the holiday shopping events in Berkeley from now through the end of the year, including the popular 42nd Annual Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair, which takes place over three weekends in December. Before you head out to do your shopping, consider purchasing a Berkeley Bucks e-gift card, that keeps cash in the Berkeley community. Once you've purchased your "bucks," use this guide for all of the city's shopping districts.
Shop and enjoy the holiday decor at the Ferry Building. Image courtesy of the Ferry Building.
Stroll through the Ferry Building
Offering a wonderful collection of primarily local, independently owned shops, the Ferry Building has stood as an iconic landmark and gateway to San Francisco, situated on the Embarcadero for over a century. It's a great spot to make a day of it, with shopping, dining, and experiencing San Francisco's finest history. Check the calendar for pop-up holiday events too! From Embarcadero, travel 0.4 miles to 1 Ferry Building.
Find your perfect gifts in the Rockridge Business District. Images courtesy of Rockridge Business District.
Shop 'til you drop in Rockridge
Many of Oakland’s best locally owned and run restaurants, coffee shops, specialty markets, and wine bars are found along College Ave in the Rockridge Business District. Home stores abound, and amazing furnishings and décor are found at every turn. There's no shortage of options for fashionistas—the district caters to all with the latest and vintage styles. All spiffed up for the holidays, make this a stop to check everyone off your list! Take BART to Rockridge, and the discoveries begin just down the stairs from the station.
Shop a Vacant to Vibrant pop-up this holiday season. Image courtesy of Vacant to Vibrant.
Vacant to Vibrant
A program of the SF New Deal, Vacant to Vibrant is transforming downtown San Francisco vacancies into vibrant communities shaped by local participation with innovative, creative, vibrant and multifaceted pop-ups. With the holidays upon us, it's a perfect time to support these individual businesses and maybe find that "special" something you've been looking for - check out their gift guide. Find the pop-up map here and then take BART to San Francisco and exit at Embarcadero or Montgomery St.
Brio compatible Fleet of the Future wooden trains are available on Rail Goods. Image courtesy of BART.
Find transit-themed gifts at RailGoods
This list would not be complete without including the RailGoods online store launched by BART and Capitol Corridor. There, you'll find the 2025 Holiday merch line, system maps, fleece blankets, t-shirts and more. Everyone loves BART swag!
