Twelve Gifts of Christmas

By VERONICA YOO

There’s no partridge in a pear tree, but these 12 brands, all located in California, offer treats to get you and your loved ones in the festive mood for Christmas and the new year.

Big Sur Salts Carlo Overhulser, founder and owner of Big Sur Salts, sought to harvest salt as memorable as the Monterey coastline. Overhulser discovered ways to harvest BIg Sur’s flavors while supporting its preservation. Big Sur Salts use California sea salt to capture Big Sur's colors, taste and aroma. Many of the products take inspiration from various locations, evoking for customers the experience of feeling an ocean breeze or the chill of a redwood forest. For instance, Lobos Salt references Point Lobos, a popular hiking spot among both visitors and locals; with notes of coffee and garlic, it’s packed with flavor.

Mendocino Jams & Preserves This purveyor of small-batch jams, jellies, marmalades and other spreadable wares operates out of a cozy storefront in the town of Mendocino, but also takes online orders. No jam is made with compromises; ingredients are fresh, ripe fruit and lots of sunshine. There’s the classic Strawberry Jam, plus many unique flavors to try like olallieberry and loganberry.

Boa Vista If you’re not a fan of jam, fruit butters are a delicious alternative, offering more pureed fruit than sugar, giving a more complex flavor. Placerville’s Boa Vista sells a wide variety, from Old Cherry to Peach to Pumpkin, so there will be something to suit diverse palates.

Far West Fungi Far West Fungi is a family business based in Santa Cruz County, providing gourmet mushrooms for any dish. Not only are they locally grown, but they’re also organic and reasonably priced. There are many choices, ranging from the popular shiitake to the more exotic lion’s mane and pink oyster.

Seka Hills An establishment operated by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Séka Hills gets its name from séka, the word for “blue” in the Patwin language, which references the “blue hills that overlook Northern California’s Capay Valley.” Like the name, this Yolo County business is rooted in tribal culture, continuing the history and traditions of caring for the land. Gift boxes give customers the option to choose three from the many available products, such as olive oil, wine, vinegar, wildflower honey and nuts. Or the pickled asparagus and jerky are equally tasty.

Rancho Gordo Looking for something to give the foodies on your holiday shopping list? Rancho Gordo occupies a unique niche: heirloom beans. Company founder Steve Sando, a fan of cooking, had difficulty finding foods native to the Americas. Soon, Sando was selling and sharing some of the very same products that are now on the website—with hearty recipes too. In addition to more than 30 varieties of beans, cooks can also explore a variety of grains, spices and sauces to bring some heat to any holiday party.

Pezzini Farms The Central Coast hamlet of Castroville is considered the artichoke capital of the world, and it’s also home to Pezzini Farms, which has harvested heirloom Green Globe artichokes for nearly 80 years. The business also sells gift baskets, including Artichoke Parmesan pasta sauce and other ’choke-themed goodies.

Step Ladder Creamery Charcuterie is a must-have on the table for any holiday meal. Step Ladder Creamery sells a solid collection of small-batch cheeses. The farm owners raise their goats, overlooking every aspect of production. Choose from curated bundles, or select your own components, from a tasty Manchego (Cabrillo) to a bold Monterey Jack (LumberJack), for a stellar cheeseboard.

Corky’s Nuts Corky’s Nuts started as a walnut farm and more importantly, a family business. Founder Nicole Facciuto brings the same love and thought to the business, the same way her father—Corky himself—did while tending to his trees and land. Two walnut varieties—Chandler and Hartley—are harvested in California between September and October for shipping in December. (Preorders for January are still available.)

Semolina Artisanal Pasta Semolina began in 2014 when Leah Ferrazzani wanted better pasta for the palate and planet, so she began experimenting. Ferrazzani now offers fresh pasta for pickup at her Pasadena shop as well as dried pasta and other items for online customers. Ferrazzani also shares amazing recipes, from eggplant polpettes to spaghetti pies, that will keep you warm and cozy for the winter.

Tomales Bay Oyster Company Tomales Bay Oyster Company produces Prest Point and Tomasini Point Pacific oysters, named after the areas where they are grown. The team takes pride in highlighting that oysters are truly sustainable since they require no fertilizer or feed. Farmed in saltwater estuaries, shellfish in general live off phytoplankton, algae and diatoms, all of which are brought in with each tide. They’re not available by mail, but lucky Marin County residents and those willing to travel can bring a cooler and pick them up by the dozen. To fit every occasion, they can be roasted, barbecued or eaten raw.

Lucky Penny Every holiday is sweeter with cinnamon rolls. At Marin County’s Lucky Penny, these sweet treats can be picked up frozen and reheated at home, along with other baked goods and leavened bread. Every pastry is made with ingredients that are organic, seasonal and local.