Laguna Beach Living’s Holiday Gift Guide: Local Gifts with Personality
Some towns have malls. Laguna has morning walks through the village, coffee lines at the old theater, and storefronts you pass every day — until something in the window stops you and feels like the exact right gift for someone you love.
Nothing here feels seasonal or staged. It’s just the rhythm of living in a small beach town that makes its own rules.
In Laguna, gifts don’t come from aisles or algorithms — they come from a hat studio you wander into after a beach walk, a ceramic bowl you spot on your way to meet a friend, a wellness consult you heard about from someone who swears it changed everything, or a dinner spot you’ve eaten at so many times you stopped counting.
This list is made up of those places — the ones locals actually go to, the ones we send our friends to, the ones that make gifting feel personal instead of performative. Nothing mass-produced. Nothing trend-chasing. Nothing that will end up in a sponsored roundup on TikTok.
From handmade Japanese ceramics to custom hats, scalp treatments to peptide therapy, locally poured wine to dinner under the Forest Ave lights — this is Laguna’s gift guide for people who shop small, with intention.
FASHION & ACCESSORIES
For anyone who appreciates style, quality pieces, and a little personal flair.
Lucky Cowboy
Lucky Cowboy is one of those places where craftsmanship is the entire point. Located in Bluebird Mercantile, their hats are shaped, steamed, flamed, and finished by hand right there with you. Each hat starts as a blank form and evolves into a piece that reflects the wearer — whether that’s clean and classic, rugged and weathered, or somewhere in between. The studio leans into slow, intentional creation in a way that feels refreshing in a world of fast everything.
A gift from Lucky Cowboy isn’t just taking home your favorite hat ever — it’s the experience of watching something special take shape. You’re giving a piece that carries story, personality, and the kind of character that comes only from hands-on work. For someone who loves style, uniqueness, or anything with soul, a hat experience with Lucky Cowboy is a standout pick.
The Vault
The Vault’s trio of boutiques, The Vault Women, The Vault Men and Melrose Place (all on Forest Ave) cover a wide range of styles — elevated basics, denim, sweaters, jackets, dresses, accessories, and polished pieces for both men and women. Their selections lean contemporary and wearable, with brands chosen for quality and versatility. The stores are beautifully merchandised and easy to shop.
If you’re gifting clothing, The Vault is a safe and stylish bet. You can pick up something tailored to the recipient’s style, or keep it flexible with a gift card that lets them explore any of the three shops. It’s a great option for partners, adult children, or friends who love fashion.
HOME & STYLE
For the one who loves cozy spaces, cottage charm, and thoughtful home details.
Blueberry Hugs
Blueberry Hugs brings a curated selection of handmade Japanese goods to South Laguna — ceramics, bowls, mugs, lifestyle pieces, and seasonal collections created by artists from across Japan. Their Hasami Ware Cat Series adds a cheerful, lucky-home element. Akane’s pottery includes matcha bowls, vases, and ring dishes with a softer, hand-formed feel. Saasa Studio’s rustic mugs have a cozy weight to them that makes a morning coffee feel intentional. The Hina Hiyo Club holiday collection is designed exclusively for Blueberry Hugs and changes each season.
Everything inside feels thoughtful, warm, and personal. These are the kind of gifts someone uses daily — a mug, a bowl, a small sculpted piece — and each one carries texture and artistry. If you’re shopping for someone who appreciates handmade work, simple rituals, or Japanese craftsmanship, this is one of the most special spots in town.
Camps & Cottages
Camps & Cottages has been part of Laguna’s design landscape for 25 years, and you feel that history the moment you walk in. Their selection blends antique, cottage-style, and coastal-inspired pieces — furniture, lighting, found objects, original art, and unique décor that add depth and charm to any home. Their catalog includes painted cottage pieces, warm neutrals, and seasonal touches that make a home feel layered and lived-in.
For gifting, this is where you find something with presence: a small painting, a vintage basket, a statement lamp, or a decorative detail that instantly changes a room. Nothing here feels cookie-cutter. If someone on your list loves character-filled interiors or has a Laguna cottage of their own, this shop is a direct hit.
FOOD, WINE & EXPERIENCES
For people who prefer memories over things — the diners, the sippers, the experience seekers.
Bianchi Winery & Tasting Room
Bianchi’s Laguna tasting room brings their Central Coast wines into a comfortable, stylish space on North Coast Highway. They offer structured tastings featuring their signature and reserve selections — bold reds, clean whites, and approachable blends. The room is warm and relaxed, making it a great place for conversation and discovering new favorites.
A gift card for a tasting or a curated bottle set is a smart choice for wine lovers, hosts, or anyone who appreciates good conversation over a great glass. It’s simple to give but always feels elevated.
Equator Coffees
Equator’s Laguna café, located at the restored Rivian South Coast Theater, serves ethically sourced, meticulously roasted coffee. Their menu features single-origin beans, blends, seasonal roasts, and a lineup of pastries and breakfast items — a dependable stop for locals heading out on morning walks or easing into the workday.
For gifting, their Holiday Blend with tasting notes of berry compote, brownie, and baking spice makes a great hostess gift, and a café gift card is always a welcome add-on. It’s thoughtful without being overdone, and it gets used fast — exactly what a good gift should do.
Alessa on Forest
Dinner at Alessa feels like a treat the moment you sit down. The menu is full of Italian comfort dishes — handmade pastas, seafood, salads, and I promise, the best pizza you’ve ever had — and the outdoor seating along Forest Avenue makes the whole thing feel warm and lively. Whether you go for a burrata starter or a bowl of pasta in a rich house-made sauce, the meal builds in that satisfying, comforting way that makes you want to linger.
A gift card here is an evening under the open sky on one of Laguna’s most charming streets, eating good food and spending unrushed time with someone you care about. Perfect for couples, families, or friends who love a dinner experience more than a physical gift.
BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE
For the person who loves good skincare, clean beauty, and feeling polished.
Dollface Beauty
Dollface Beauty sits between Sapphire and Laguna Beach Books on South Coast Highway and offers a curated menu of services: hydrafacials, brow shaping, lash extensions, waxing, and professional makeup using clean, mineral-based products. The studio has an inviting, easygoing atmosphere, and the team is known for being attentive, skilled, and fun — it’s the kind of place where people feel comfortable asking for exactly what they want.
A gift card here works for so many people on your list. Some use it for pre-holiday photoshoot glam, events, or a skin refresh, while others book a brow session or makeup for something special coming up. They also offer spa parties and house calls, which adds even more flexibility throughout the year. It’s a thoughtful, personal gift that gives a major confidence boost.
The Luxury Hair Spa
The Luxury Hair Spa focuses on scalp health — deep cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, LED therapy, oxygen infusion, and treatments designed to improve circulation, reduce buildup, and support stronger hair growth. Their services use techniques often seen in advanced facial treatments, but adapted for the scalp. It’s functional, restorative, and ideal for anyone dealing with dryness, irritation, sluggish growth, or stress-related scalp issues.
As a gift, it’s unexpected in the best way. Treatments leave the scalp refreshed and the hair softer, lighter, and healthier. For someone who invests in wellness, deals with scalp concerns, or simply loves a high-end treatment, this is one of the most unique and thoughtful options on the list.
ART & ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECES
For the creative, the collector, or anyone who values original work.
Sandstone Gallery
Sandstone Gallery has been a fixture on Laguna’s Gallery Row for 45 years, showcasing contemporary work from local and nationally recognized artists. Their collection includes paintings, mixed-media works, ceramics, sculpture, and monthly exhibitions from resident and guest artists. It’s a gallery that’s approachable, inspiring, and deeply connected to the Laguna arts community.
Art makes an incredibly meaningful gift, and Sandstone offers pieces in a wide range of sizes and mediums. Whether it’s a small ceramic piece or a larger work for a home, it’s a gift that lasts and becomes part of the recipient’s spaces and memories.
KIDS & FAMILY
For little readers, parents, teachers, and the families on your list.
Officer Blue the Dog — Children’s Books
Officer Blue is a children’s picture-book series created by a local mother-son duo, following Blue — a real life doodle with dreams of becoming a police K-9. (You’ve probably seen him on his morning walks in Woods Cove!) The books are colorful, expressive, and full of heart, with themes around bravery, kindness, and trying again when things get tough.
This is an easy, thoughtful gift for families, new parents, teachers, or any kid who loves dogs. The three-book collection feels personal, local, and fun — everything you want from a holiday children’s gift.
WELLNESS & RESET
For the friend who wants to feel better, stronger, clearer going into the new year.
reDefined by Jenna
reDefined by Jenna offers private and semi-private XFormer training designed to build strength, balance, and tone. The XFormer combines resistance, slow controlled movement, and full-body engagement — it’s not traditional Pilates, but it carries that same precision with added intensity. Jenna’s background in fitness and wellness shapes each session so it feels focused and challenging but approachable.
A gift here is perfect for someone who wants a fresh start or a strong push into the new year. Sessions are intimate, personalized, and rooted in form and intention — no overcrowded classes or chaotic energy. It’s a truly thoughtful present for anyone who loves movement or wants to reconnect with it.
KOA Wellness
KOA Wellness focuses on the kind of health support people actually need but rarely treat themselves to — hormone balance, metabolic support, peptide therapy, inflammation reduction, recovery, and the general “I want to feel like myself again” work. Their approach is personalized: consultations, targeted treatment plans, and education around what’s really happening in your body. It’s the opposite of trendy wellness; it’s functional, grounded, and truly helpful.
Gifting a session here shows real thought. For someone navigating perimenopause, chronic stress, sluggish energy, recovery from athletic routines, or just trying to get back in rhythm, KOA provides guidance that actually moves the needle. It's a meaningful choice for anyone ready to feel supported, steady, and stronger heading into the new year.
Buying local isn’t just another slogan in Laguna — it’s how we keep our community creative, interesting, and fun.
Every place in this guide brings something real to our town, and supporting them keeps that energy going. Picking out ceramics at Blueberry Hugs, making a new hat at Lucky Cowboy, lingering at Alessa with a glass of wine under the lights — these are the moments that make Laguna feel unique, special, and like home.
So take your time, explore, shop a little, talk to the owners, and let this year’s gifts tell a more meaningful story.