5 July '26-One of the best gift shops in Alameda. You will find many unique treasures. I found a whole bunch of items that will do nicely as gifts. Excellent service and free gift wrapping! Shop local! read more

Whales & Friends in a woman-owned gift shop that offers a variety of treasures not available in big-box stores. It carries hand made jewelry, women's clothing, soaps & lotions, fun socks, cards, books, and one-of-a-kind specialties. It has been located in Alameda for decades and I hope it stays forever in the Island City. read more

Whenever I enter this shop, the staff ask "can I help you?", with disdain. Whoever manages this place- teach your staff to never say this? It's retail 101. Try being friendlier, offering to assist or answer questions. Plus they snark amongst themselves & come off as mean elders. Nice merchandise but refuse to purchase anything because they are so horrid. read more

I have been shopping at this amazing place for many years. I used to frequent the Lincoln Ave location and miss going there. It was so easily accessible... the Southshore location is so lovely and much larger. My sister comes to visit every Christmas and this is our little yearly piece of heaven.The owner and all the salespeople are helpful and friendly. I find very special gifts here and will continue to patronize this beautiful store. read more

Their new moved location near See's Candy is so cozy! There's tons of unique knick knacks, ornaments, toys, trinkets, and gifts to look at. The people at the register where nice and showed us a snow globe that had a Spinning Santa and music! Overall a cool place to check out :) read more

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I love Alameda! It's my favorite spot to shop. I'm not fortunate enough to live here, so I'll come shopping on my day off. I love finding NEW (to me) shops...Today I wandered into Whales and Friends with my grandchild. She shopped for a friend and I shopped for myself. I was looking at the sales rack when a petite woman with dark hair let me know everything on the rack was 50% off. Ok, that's nice. I was looking at a dress and she stood there telling me that it's from France and the scarves are not 50% off and blah blah. Again..ok. There are days where I enjoy mindlessly putzing around in a shop in my own head. So, I quietly thanked her and wandered in a different direction to have some peace while shopping. It's an interesting shop and I just wanted to shop alone in peace. I looked at bags and trinkets and I spied some lovely candles! I picked out three orange tapers when the same saleswoman approached me to ask me if I needed help...they are tapered candles weighing less than a cup of coffee. I said, "thank you, I'm really ok." Then she offered to move them to a table and I said "Is it ok for me to shop in this store unaided, please?" So she gives me such a harsh look and tells me she is backing away now. Then I hear TWO sales women at the counter talking so inappropriately about ME. Mind you, I've done nothing but tried to enjoy my day off shopping! What bad customer service. All I did was look for candles. I'm nicely attired, my hair is done, I'm with my grandchild shopping! I felt so hassled by this woman, I can't make sense of it. The worst part was to hear them gossiping loudly about me! I heard one of them saying IS she still here and I said, yes..she/I still am here! Why are you loudly gossiping about me? It's not nice nor is it kind. I was a cash paying customer. My money is green. I was never rude, or unkind. My purse is so tiny I was not carrying a backpack. I'm silver haired and I'm someone's grandmother! I'm bummed. The wax tapers for my candelabra were the perfect shade of orange! What IS wrong with people?!! Why was I targeted like that in this store? I felt so unwelcome. I felt scrutinized and I will never return to this store. What a sad customer experience. I try to shop in smaller stores so they stay open. I'm truly bummed. I should have READ the reviews!! Someone said it's a hostile environment and this is the truth! Another person said they felt unwelcome, also TRUE! read more

Whales & Friends - Storefront - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Alameda, California

NO returns, only exchanges for store credit. Make sure you want to buy because even if you bring it back the next day, they will not refund your credit card. They have use of your money while you have nothing except the obligation to shop there again to use the store credit. Nothing is said at time of purchase that it can't be returned. Never shopping there again. read more

Wowzzza super cool and unique store! The owner has curated a shop that has some really cool art, lamps and gifts of all kinds I seen tee shirts and glass pyramids. Very unique finds. While in Alameda after a YELP event we decided to head over to Trabbaco, This store is just across the courtyard...I was surprised to see this amazing store still open, it was already after 9pm! they let me look around without pressure. Very friendly knowledgeable staff. I can't wait to head back to buy something! read more

Whales & Friends - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Alameda, California

I always walk in the store and get greated. Everyone is friendly. If you are shopping for a special event, I have found it is nice to drop in and they will help you shop and gift wrap everything for you. WhenI walked into the store I noticed a nice collection of Day of the Dead items. They also carry a nice collection of Frida Kahlo items. Enjoy your time exploring all the wonder items they have. read more

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The pop up store at South Shore is beautiful! Kudos to Christine for opening this addition to her Lincoln Ave store. Elegant and fun holiday decor and gifts. Right across from the Christmas tree and Trabocco. Might favorite items are the old fashioned TVs with the Christmas scene in it. All different sizes! And beautiful advent calendars! read more

Whales & Friends - A huge Christmas decoration in the store window! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Alameda, California

Unbelievable selection of high quality gifts and home decor. A visit to this store is very exciting!

The merchandise and art is overpriced for what it is. I guess beauty is really in the eye of the beholder. The lady working was not very friendly. read more

If you love me, please get me something from this store! Quite honestly, one of my favorite stores to shop at of all time! ELITE TIP: Get on their email mailing list to receive a discount around the time of your birthday! Whales and Friends have been around for a long time - I can remember shopping here since high school & enjoying it, and that was quite a while ago! I was shopping then at the original, smaller Lincoln Avenue location, so I was thrilled to discover this big, beautiful expansive location at the South Shore Center Mall. I grew up in Alameda and still have strong ties there, so whenever I come home, I like to visit this store. And I can hardly walk out without buying anything! I do not regret this at all. Besides having such lovely unique items for the home, gifts, jewelry, seasonal, and beauty/personal care, what sets Whales & Friends apart for me and for my family & friends is that THEY KNOW THE VALUE OF EXTREMELY GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE! Truly! Thank you to the owner Christine and staff! The fact that I have been shopping here and enjoying it since I was in high school speaks volumes about your business. Every time we step foot inside your store, you & your staff treat us so well, are attentive, the store is beautiful, and organized attractively. They go above and beyond here with customer service! A prime example of this is when a beloved, expensive graduation necklace of my daughter's recently broke. Christine helped us directly and had us pick up a replacement chain! THANK YOU! This meant the world to us that you would help us like that. Who does that? They take care of you here. Christine and her staff are truly the exemplary definition of what good customer service is all about. Very rare these days. My favorite things to shop for here are: home goods, holiday items like Christmas and Valentine items, cards, VERY BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY, a lot of jewelry pieces which are unique to Whales & Friends, hats, really nice music boxes, and really nice BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE ITEMS LIKE SOAPS & LOTIONS! My most FAVORITE LOTION HERE IS THE TERRA NOVA BODY LOTION - with the shea blossom in the slight orange scent. It is completely lovely - light, not greasy, formulated well & not sticky or overly perfume-y. It keeps my hands & legs soft and the light scent is so pretty. There are other scents, too. Spend a little more on yourself - this lotion in a pump is under $20 - you are worth it & you will thank me. So please do check out Whales & Friends in Alameda for shopping with extremely good customer service at a great location, so many things to choose from for yourself or a friend and there are always different things to discover at this beautiful store! read more

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A great selection of unique and interesting gifts. Also a great selection of interesting and unique things to gift yourself. + wide selection + long time local owner + knowledgeable staff + one if a kind items + gorgeous, free gift wrapping! + easy, accessible parking + fun things Support local, shop here read more

Whales & Friends - Beautiful, free gift wrap! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Alameda, California

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This is truly one of the sweetest shops I've ever been to !! The owner is one of the nicest people I've ever met - she is always at the ready with help or suggestions and is so knowledgeable about every single item in the store. I've never had a bad experience here and always come away with something amazing. The products she carries are so unique and so much fun to wander around and see. She has definitely curated an experience for her shoppers - can't recommend enough!! read more

The owners are always very helpful, sweet, and knowledgeable. They seem to know every product they carry and where I can find it. I told them I'm looking for a chicken-related gift, and she took me around the whole store to point out all the chicken themed wares. There's usually something for everyone! read more

I'm a 25 year fan of W&F. If you are a very special friend, your gift comes from here. I'm happy that they've added this 2nd location across from Trabbaco. They gift wrap simething beautiful and have very exclusive inventory. The owner is a piece of luv and always has a cheerful heart and kind words to share. I really enjoy spending a couple of hours browsing and buying. Great for kids too and art lovers! Welcome to South Shore!!!! Yahoo!!! read more

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I was helped by a kind woman with brown hair. I also bought this beautiful bag from there. read more

Whales & Friends - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Alameda, California

Walked into the store, not a soul there, I was there only customer, two associates one on the floor one behind the register not even a hello or acknowledgement that I was there. Such a shame there is absolutely NO customer service, cute store. read more

Was treated like a pariah when my kid played with a display toy. Fancy doodads and toys for looking not touching, fine, I can completely understand the motivation, but there is a way to let us know the rules of the store that are direct, kind, and not so incredibly condescending. I can sympathize with poor customer service. This was hostile. read more

My husband loves their hat selections. I think he bought 5 different hats from here. We are a fan of the store. I couldn't help but to buy small thing everytime I'm there. The store has cute, unique, antique selections that could make you wonder around in the store for quite sometimes. Whales & Friends is definitely my to go store to buy any occasion gifts. We try to stop by every weekend to check out new items whenever we are in the area. The owner Christine is nice & friendly. She is definitely a reason why we love going there. If you guys in the area make sure to stop by and check this store out . By the way, if you need a quick pick up for elegant greeting cards for all occasions, they have it too read more

Whales & Friends - My hubby 3 of 5 hats from Whales & Friends - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Alameda, California

Kristine is so lovely and this place is such a gem. There's truly something for everyone. We've bought gifts here for the in-laws, our children, ourselves. I bought a beautiful small area rug that sits in my converted van (for weekend getaways) and without doubt every time someone comments on its beauty and where did I get it. We don't come in here enough, but every time we do we leave very happy (and have been coming for years). My husband most recently got a new watch, incredibly unique and beautiful. Love that they support local artists as well. Just truly a wonderful store and great customer service from Kristine (she's the only one we've exchanged names with, and who has helped us the most, but everyone else also nice). read more

Alameda's best gift store for those arts and crafty friends and members of the family needing or deserving of gifts! So glad they're on the island! And here's hoping their other (the original, non South Shore) location will open up again after the Covid-19 pandemic is over! read more

Truly a unique and eclectic gift shop. We stopped by after dining at a near by restaurant. As soon as I walked in I was amazed at how many beautiful pieces of art, jewelry and gifts they offer. It was an AMAZING experience to be able to walk in and find such a beautiful variety of items to choose from. Needless to say I chose quite a bit of items. The owners I believe were such a delight to interact with. They were so sweet and personable and truly understood the value of having great customer service. I would HIGHLY and I mean HIGHLY recommend this shop to anybody who's in the area. I think they have such a great variety of items for everybody and its always great to support local shops. This one is truly deserving of it! Thank you for making our night and we can't WAIT to come back for more! :) read more

Eclectic and charming, this shop truly has something for everyone. The owners are particularly friendly and sweet as well as the staff. They're an Alameda treasure! They even offer free gift wrap for any occasion, plus they offer home delivery during the COVID-19 outbreak! read more

so my 2 year old and I were inside the store early today, I was shopping for the play houses for christmas gift the one I liked was out of stock but the lady was pretty nice in the beginning and said they can have it shipped to me so I said okay! then this different lady kinda comes over to us 10-15 mins later and stares at my son. he had grabbed one of the wooden magnetic farm cars and he was just playing with it on the shelf and he added one of the wooden cows to the back of the tractor. The lady tells him "oh, that toy doesn't go with that one" and she grabs it and puts it back and I was just like oh okay, and didn't pay any mind to it. I had a few things in my hands, almost ready to check out. then the same lady comes back around and stares directly at my son again and says "yeah you really shouldn't be playing with that. you're mixing all the toys up and they don't go together" and I looked at her like "oh, well there's a lot of toys in here and he doesn't understand. he's just excited" and she was like "well he's mixing all our toys up." and I was like "okay we can just put them back, he only has 2 toys. I mean this is a kids store if you don't want the kids touching the toys maybe they shouldn't be on display." and I said it nicely and she says back "well why would you want him to play with that, wouldnt you want him to play with a new one thats in a box? And Are you gonna pay for that?" and I was like "yeah maybe, i'm still shopping." I walked away and I just had my son put the car back and I went to pay for the other items I had and the same lady checked me out and had the audacity to be like "your card didnt go through" I said yes It did, I put my pin in and It said approved and to remove my card. then shes like No it didn't because it didn't print a receipt. and I was like can you check the transactions? And she did and she says "oh yeah it did. thats weird" at that point I'm like let me get out of this cap store. looking at me like "oh are you gonna pay for that" and saying my card didnt go through trying to charge me again. does it look like I cant pay for my items? she had no reason to come at my child especially when there were other kids in there touching things. like maybe put a sign up that says do not touch toys or better yet just have a sign that says "no children allowed" I'd understand her if he was throwing things around and breaking things but that was definitely not the case. The ladys name was Jo I believe, and this is the first and last time I shop here. Literally bullying a 2 year old when he wasn't even doing anything wrong but literally holding some toys that "dIDn't gO tOgeThEr" Will not recommend anyone I know to come here. what a shame. definitely recommend supporting small businesses but this place was not it. read more

Whales and Friends has been my favorite place to shop for gifts for years! They have such a fun and varied array of gifts, there have been times I've managed to pick up something for everyone on my Christmas list in one visit. For birthday gifts, it's my go to, every time. I especially love their jewelry. And they do beautiful gift wrapping. Both locations are great and their staff is so friendly and helpful. It's easy to see why so many people love this place. read more

Absolutely beautiful store with wonderful staff! Lots of beautiful handmade gifts. They have a lot of pricey things which is understandable but they also have a lot of affordable options. I got some really cute animal advocate tees for $5 each! They gift wrapped the gifts I got as well! Will definitely be back when I'm in the area :) read more

Just stopped in yesterday and had a talk with the two ladies working and they were both so sweet and kind. Such a great feeling in this store and such good stuff. Will definitely be shopping here again. read more

This is a truly unique store if you are in the area. There is really tons of fancy stuff, which some are reasonably priced. Some of course handmade ones are appropriately priced ;) I was in a hurry, but really got overwhelmed with all the things displayed .... Also, as some of the people already mentioned, it was a great thing that the girl who works there was not pushy at all! If quality is what you are looking for and you are willing to spend some extra cash on a gift - this would be the store! read more

Love this shop! Great for gifts or personal purchases. Nice boxed or wrapping. Lovely items

I found this gem today. What a great collection of fabulous stuff! I could spend hours in there. The staff was helpful and friendly and not in an overbearing or pushy way. If I wasn't in a hurry to get my kids home I'd probably still be in there doing some impulse shopping. I definitely plan on going back as they have quality unique items that you won't find anywhere (except maybe Europe). Thanks for the lovely experience, ladies! read more