Yolo County is a hidden gem known for its bucolic landscapes, charming small towns, and agricultural heritage. It’s also a great place to get your holiday shopping done! Not only are there plenty of local shops and talented artisans here, there are also lots of things to do for those who prefer experiential gifts. So, no matter who or what you’re shopping for — the sports lover, the food lover, the wine lover, or the art lover — you’ll find it in Yolo County. Following is our gift guide for shopping Yolo County this holiday season.
For Those Who Need to Relax
Hotel Winters Getaway
With all the stress of the holidays, it comes as no surprise that many people could use a weekend getaway. A stay at Hotel Winters fits the bill! The charming boutique hotel has a luxury spa, a relaxing courtyard, and elegant rooms. Plus, it’s steps away from some great wineries and tasting rooms.
Farm-Fresh Lavender
There’s no better way to unwind than a nice hot bath. It’s even better when it’s paired with the calming scent of lavender from Capay Valley Lavender. They offer bath salts, soaps, candles, and body butter that indulge the senses.
For the Sports Fan
Baseball Tickets
In case you haven’t heard, West Sacramento will be hosting its very own (temporary) Major League Baseball team — the Athletics, formerly known as the Oakland A’s. The A’s will be playing at Sutter Health Park for a few years before their permanent move to Las Vegas. For sports lovers, tickets to an A’s game make a great gift. As always, River Cats tickets also make a great gift.
For the Foodie
Gourmet Food
There’s nothing like locally produced food straight from the source, and Yolo County has no shortage of gift ideas for food lovers! At The Hive in Woodland, you can pick up honey- and bee-centric gifts such as honey varietals, Kosher honey, and beeswax candles. They also offer gift certificates you can use for guided honey and mead tastings.
Another local gift idea is gourmet olive oil courtesy of Séka Hills in the Capay Valley. They have an oil mill onsite and produce several varieties of extra virgin olive oil, as well as vinegar, wine, honey, and nuts. They offer sample packs so the foodie on your list can try it all!
You can also find a variety of food-related gifts at the Davis Farmers’ Market. Sure, they have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, but they also sell gourmet food products, such as jams and jellies, nuts and nut butters, honey, baked goods, and wine. Plus, during the holidays, they’ll wrap up all your goodies in a festive gift basket.
For the Wine (and Beer) Lover
Local Wine
Yolo County is one of the most underrated wine regions in all of Northern California. But world-class wineries dot the entire region, from the Capay Valley in the north to Clarksburg in the south and everywhere in between. You can visit one of the many Yolo County wineries to pick up great gifts for the wine lovers in your life.
Not a wine drinker? There are many craft breweries in Yolo County as well, which offer gifts to go for beer lovers. Looking for something different? Yolo County is also home to a local distillery, Patio 29 in Winters, which produces vodka, rum, and whiskey.
If you’re hoping to give an experience gift, consider giving a gift certificate to the River Fox Train in West Sacramento. They have special wine tasting trains, a beer train, and a train offering all of the above, plus cocktails and mimosas. If you’d rather take to the water than the rails, the Sacramento River Cruise offers wine and beer tasting sojourns embarking from Clarksburg. They also have a tequila tasting cruise.
For the Arts & Crafts Lover
Local Arts & Crafts
If you have an art lover on your list, a good place to explore is the city of Davis. There are numerous art galleries here and you can pick up locally made, one-of-a-kind gifts. At the Artery, for example, you’ll find paintings, textiles, jewelry, and more. The Pence Gallery hosts a special holiday market through Dec. 24, featuring everything from handmade ornaments and scented candles to handcrafted jewelry and upcycled fiber art.
Another great spot to pick up handmade gifts is the Davis Craft and Vintage Fair, held on select Saturdays. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of giftable goods, including handmade bath and beauty products, knitwear, woodworking, jewelry, and more. Or, head to the Winters Collective, which features a curated selection of handmade jewelry, clothing, home décor and more.
Arts & Crafts Classes
If your giftee is a DIYer, consider treating them to a how-to class or workshop. Park Winters offers hands-on workshops such as dried floral arranging and wreath making. Or, you can pick your own bouquet come springtime. The Davis Arts Center has classes for both kids and adults, such as wheel throwing and weaving.
Holiday Shopping in Yolo County
From locally produced gourmet foods to artisan handicrafts, Yolo County offers gifts for everyone on your list. Or, you can treat your loved ones to one-of-a-kind experiences in Yolo County that you won’t find anywhere else, such as hotel stays or baseball tickets. This season, let Yolo County inspire your gift giving and discover why it’s one of California’s best-kept secrets for holiday shopping. And, if you’d like to treat yourself to a shopping getaway, be sure to check out the many lodging options in Yolo County.
