Berkeley — Oakland : Lucky Magazine

Erica Tanov

Look for Tanov's earthy, delicate clothing (such as her signature slipdresses, $260 each), along with pieces by emerging lines like Addison House, which makes tees appliquéd with quilt scraps ($98).
1827 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-849-3331, ericatanov.com for more information

Products: Women's Clothing, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Hush

This store introduces suburban shoppers to labels usually found in big-city boutiques. Look for Buddhist Punk, Mint, and Tomorrow's Chase—we love its tee featuring a scribbled likeness of a sand castle ($62).
1354 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, 925-944-4874 myhush.com for more information

Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Women's Clothing, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Jeremys

The thrill of shopping this designer clearance shop, which has brand-new castoffs from other stores, is never knowing what you'll unearth. Our most recent find: a pair of Prada boots ($47). We prefer this spot to the San Francisco Jeremys, as the merchandise is more affordable.
2961 & 2967 College Ave., Berkeley, 510-849-0701; San Francisco: 2 S. Park St., 415-882-4929, jeremys.com for more information

Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique

Samantha Lee Boutique

Color and prints collide on the racks of this boutique, and the resulting chromatic saturation provides an instant mood boost. Expect lots of cute, summery separates by Shoshanna, Nanette Lepore, Milly, and other lines known for their feminine silhouettes.
1378 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, 925-938-7267

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique

Scout

Each season, owner Paul Scott Silvera selects a theme for his home decor shop and stocks accordingly. Currently, he has the shelves lined with summer camp memorabilia, including vintage pennants ($30) and antique binoculars ($55 and up). There are non-theme goods as well: organic scented candles ($18) and vintage postcards (from $4).
5550 College Ave., Oakland, 510-547-2688, scout510.com for more information

Products: Decorative/Lighting, Tabletop, Linens, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Tail of the Yak

Picture a fantastical Victorian parlor filled with oddities and objects begging to be touched—shellacked beetles ($3 to $8), spools of pure silk ribbon ($3 to $7 per yard), a giant stuffed emu—that's Tail of the Yak. We were tempted to take home the beautifully labeled mulberry-scented bubble bath ($19) by L'Aromarine Paris.
2632 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, 510-841-9891

Products: Beauty, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Twenty Two Shoes

Hipsters are lured from all over the Bay Area by Twenty Two's expert selection of Costume National boots, L'Autre Chose mules, and limited-edition Puma sneakers. Bonus: Most shoes in the shop are fashionably comfortable (you won't spot many tall heels on the shelves).
5856 College Ave., Oakland, 510-594-2201, twentytwoshoes.com for more information

Products: Shoes
Type of Store: Boutique