I LOVE Shelby's Garden! A few years ago a dear friend got me some beautiful yet minimal bracelets…read morefrom here and I have since purchased many other pieces, really unique stuff and reasonable price, don't think I paid more than $30 for a piece. Was wandering in here a few weeks ago needed some retail therapy, and decided to smell their scent selection, smelled this Capri Blue Volcano hand lotion and went to heaven. The smell immediately comforted me, seemed so familiar but I couldn't quite place it. I go home to research (I thought maybe it was the scent of one of my Vegas cainos and thats why i recognized it lol!) and of course - it's the scent Anthropolgie uses in their stores! Addicting and a known universally accepted scent! To the point where a man stopped me on Laurel and said "Ma'am I'm sorry if this comes off wrong but you smell AMAZING" =) (fun fact for single ladies: based on research men really like citrus or vanilla/pumpkin yes pumpkin scents on women and this is mostly citrus with light floral base notes! Isnt that something...). I asked my husband how he Iiked this because he's never been in an Anthropologie or to Shelby's and he applied like 3x to his hands and sat there sniffing them like Molly Shannon in Superstar. What a fun cute store to browse there is all sorts of stuff the owner must hand-pick everything because it's so charming and there is always something new/fun/pretty/cute to buy!

If this store is going to be closed during regular business hours I feel like they should make it…read moreknown so people don't drive out of their way for this store, only for it to be closed.

The Most American Small Business Book Store I've ever been to…read more Owner/Operators and employees are educated, knowledgeable, honest and sincere.

Reach and Teach is truly a local gem and one of the most inspiring shops on the Peninsula. They…read moreoffer a carefully curated mix of progressive books, educational toys and games, eco‑friendly products, and other high‑quality gifts you won't find in big box stores. Every visit feels like a treasure hunt--you'll discover something meaningful, fun, and thoughtful. The two owners are not only super friendly but also deeply civic‑minded, always ready to share knowledge and support community causes. Their passion for education, sustainability, and social justice shines through in everything they do. If you're looking for a place that combines heart, purpose, and great finds, Reach and Teach is a must‑visit.

One of my absolute favorite shops in the Bay Area! The space is warm, inviting, and filled with…read moredecor inspiration perfect for refreshing your home or finding a thoughtful gift. Their seasonal displays are always beautifully done, and the staff is genuinely enthusiastic and helpful. Over the years, I've picked up all kinds of unique treasures, but most recently I purchased Farrow & Ball paint and enjoyed my experience. They have an in-house mixing machine and were incredibly patient in helping me find the perfect color match for my space. Prices can be on the higher end for vintage furniture, but they also carry more budget-friendly options like cookbooks and charming little knick-knacks. I always feel so refreshed after walking in & plan to at least monthly!

This is such a cute home goods store (so cute I already owned several pieces they were selling!) it…read morewas the perfect mix of rustic and unique. It was Christmas-y without being too much and you could definitely get goods here that are unique! The staff was friendly too. It was very warm and inviting.

Great customer service and walked away with a nice healthy plant…read more It's a tad more expensive than other places but it's worth coming here.

Work near the area and happened to wander around and saw they had plants. Went inside to see some…read moreif they had any plants to add to my collection. They have outdoor and indoor plants available. As I kept walking in, they also have a store inside with random cute things like candles, decorations, jewelry, baby clothes etc. Smelled nice and clean inside. Saw staff taking care of the outdoor plants. So I found a cute plant but when I got to the cashier to pay, I asked if she happens to know or see if they had a bigger version. To my surprise she answered with "what we have out there is what have. Have you seen a bigger a version?" Honey, I wouldn't have asked if I saw one wouldn't I? Kind of disappointed with her reply. But maybe she's new not sure what the situation is. They have plenty of succulents to choose from if you're into them. The prices for the plants were fair.

This is such a fun store to browse. I got to downtown San Mateo early before meeting a friend and…read morewandered in. Within minutes, I realized I could easily spend much more time here. They have a unique selection of items, mostly from local artists, that make great gifts. Sales associates are attentive and helpful.

Therapy is, well, good therapy! They have a ton of stuff in these stores ranging from cards to…read morebooks to plushies to ceramics to tea to clothing. I always have a lot of fun looking at the stuff here. It's also good to pick up a gift or two if you need it. They have some local goods too depending on the city (here, San Mateo, but it seems they also have some neighboring cities like San Francisco and San Carlos).

I love the jewelry at this spot! They have plenty of options to choose from and they feel very one…read moreof one if you know what I mean. The pricing suits the quality, I purchased a pair of earrings that are perfect and at a good price. I never realized it was at the same shopping center as Safeway, a true hidden gem!

Such a treasure trove! My mom and I come to Shady Lane whenever she's in town, and we're always…read moregetting each other little gifts from here. Beautiful little stones, earrings, garden decor. There's so much to find and explore for such a tiny shop. Highly recommend stopping by if they're open!

It's an alright spot -- as another reviewer mentioned, you don't really feel welcomed here over the…read moreseemingly regular customers (e.g. older white folks as reflective specifically of Ladera). It was enough that I noticed a couple of workers glared at me. For what's meant to be a leisurely, outdoor space, they overall don't appear very happy or warm, at least not to the casual customer curious enough to walk in on a weekend. I did end up getting a reasonably priced house plant (~$26, sticker says it's from a farm in Half Moon Bay) and a beautiful pinkish 5-stem rose bouquet (~$12) because they looked nice and healthy and I knew they'd make me happy, but the vibe itself here isn't the best compared to other nurseries. This also isn't really a full walk-in florist space. There are some pretty bouquet options to choose from, but it's not as extensive as expected particularly given the other reviews that make it sound like a dedicated florist service. I did see a lot of colorful potted orchids lined up across the front window. Also, overall the items in the gift shop are extremely pricey and up marked -- doesn't seem like much shopping gets done in this space -- and it's less so a quaint country shop vibe and more so try-hard pretentious.

Always make really lovely arrangements for me…read more They tend to have actually nicer flowers than most other flowers shos. I usually give them loose instructions of what I'm looking for they always exceed expectations. Very friendly staff and always on time for me for either pick up or delivery.

Very cute gift shop for cards, journals, gifting, and for yourself. I was able to find a really…read morecute mini watercolor set to use while I'm in half Moon Bay.

My husband & I stumbled upon this store while walking around Half Moon Bay & stumbled upon this…read morestore. The inside was so lovely & cozy, plus they had a nice selection of Jellycats. I highly recommend visiting this shop if you're into Jellycats & stationery! Plus, the shopowners were so nice! I've never seen Bartholomew the Bear in a Sea Farer outfit & to just find him out here at the Paper Crane store was enough for me to buy him! I recommended my best friend to stop by this shop whenever she's in Half Moon Bay. Thank you for running this store! Can't wait to come back to HMB again