All you need is love…and treats. We’ve got some pretty awesome local Bay Area shops that have put together great gifts—from beautiful charcuterie boards to cookie decorating kits, they have it all! So spread the love while supporting local businesses with treats that will bring a smile. We all need that.
Where to Find the Best Candy in San Francisco
Giddy
If the name is any indication, we're willing to bet your kids will leave this store feeling.. well, giddy. You'll find high-quality candy from global and local producers but for Valentine's Day, we like to stock up on the Sour Pucker Up Lips and Cinnamon Heart Jelly Beans.
It all started when founder Christa Hill wanted to share her favorite cookies with friends at Dolores Park. Ten years and thousands of cookies later, she’s still at it, bringing smiles to her customers throughout San Francisco. Each cupid box comes packaged with colorful tissue, a festive bow, a handwritten message, and hand delivered to you.
This small-batch, boutique bakery in San Francisco is loved by residents in and out of the city. For Valentine’s Day, Batter Bakery is offering their signature cookie decorating kit in small or large, and includes shortbread cookies, royal icing, sprinkles, supplies and instructions. Also check out their heart-shaped cookies in unique flavors like lavender sea salt, chocolate hazelnut and red hot candy! Online ordering and nationwide delivery is available.
A passion project for chocolatier Carol Gancia, Kokak Truffles has become a Bay Area favorite. The beautifully designed chocolate bouquet truffle box comes in flavors like strawberry, hazelnut, and coffee, makes a great gift. For something even more decadent, the Chocolate Love Tower includes an assortment from the Castro Pride, pie, tea, liqueur-filled and dark chocolate collections. Boxes can be ordered for local SF delivery, curbside pick-up or shipped.
This candy boutique doesn't offer just plain 'ole candy—it specializes in nostalgic candy that is difficult to find elsewhere. Think German gummy bears, Green Tea Kit Kat bars and imported Italian candy bars. We dare you to leave this store empty-handed!
Self-taught baker Eileen Wang in Alameda is all about beautiful desserts. For Valentine’s Day, grab a four-piece cupcake treat box that comes in flavors like red wine chocolate raspberry or vegan thin mint chocolate or go big with a dozen. We love the Tea Box for $70 that includes themed cupcakes, hot chocolate bombs, cookies, brownies, mochi and tea for a romantic afternoon tea or fun surprise to share with the kids. Pick-up in Alameda.
Step into Bonbon's and you'll be transported to a delightful European candy store where they have it all—gelato, marzipan, truffles, fudge, Belgian chocolates and our very favorite chocolate-covered cherries.
Started by a single mom with a love for making food look beautiful, Karla’s charcuterie and cheese boards are full of little details and totally giftable. For Valentine’s Day, her gorgeous and delectable boards start at $60 and are in high demand so be sure to get your order in early! Check out her Instagram for inspiration and contact information.
Since 2012, this Berkeley boutique chocolatier has been creating unique, small-batch, high-quality artisanal chocolates inspired by a passion for the Latin American culture. For Valentine’s Day, Casa de Chocolates has their Amor (Love) Collection featuring beautiful gifts ranging from chocolate-covered strawberries to hand-painted chocolate roses. We love their assorted chocolate box with flavors like Petalo de Rosas, Guayabana, and Tequila, or the chocolate-covered strawberries and truffles. Shipping and pick-up available at their shop in Berkeley.
The San Mateo bakery has been around since 2004 serving delicious signature, seasonal and custom-themed cupcakes baked to order from scratch. For Valentine’s Day, Sibby’s is offering their mini cupcakes with themed flavors like heart confetti, double chocolate raspberry, red velvet and white chocolate passionfruit. Delivery is available from San Francisco to Sunnyvale and pick-up is by appointment only.
Nestled within a Los Altos neighborhood, this charming community treat shop is where local kids come to spend their allowance on frozen yogurt, bulk candy, root beer floats and milkshakes. Parents will love that there are also sandwich and soup options along with coffee and the best part (as if it couldn't get any better) is that a portion of proceeds goes back to local schools.
17-year-old Shrobana Shangupta is making waves in the way of raising money for nonprofits like Sunday Friends and St. Jude’s in the San Jose area with her love of food. Self-taught and ambitious, her macarons have already cultivated a following with unique flavors like jelly donut and Nutella cheesecake. Share the love with a Valentine’s Day box with rose and vanilla cheesecake and dark chocolate ganache. Pick-up is available in San Jose.
Started eight years ago, Made Out Of Dough is all about bringing the flavor. With savory scones and sweet pastries, they have been working the farmer’s markets around the Bay Area and wowing customers with yummy treats. For the special day, check out the Chocolate Covered Strawberry cake with fresh strawberries or the Vanilla Love cake with swirled pink vanilla.
A crowd favorite, SusieCakes makes beautifully delicious cakes, cupcakes, cookies and pies made from scratch. For Valentine’s Day, the bakery is whipping up an I Heart You Box of four cupcakes in special flavors as well as a dozen mini rose cupcakes. For a fun activity, grab a cupcake or sugar cookie decorating kit. Pick-up and delivery are available at select bakeries, so be sure to check out the website for the closest one!
Family-owned since 2008, Sift Dessert knows the sweet stuff. With three locations in the Bay Area including Santa Rosa and Napa, Sift Dessert Bar makes beautiful cupcakes, macaroons, cakes and cuffles (cake and frosting blended together and dipped in chocolate). They have some fun boxes for Valentine’s Day including the gluten-free Conversation Crispy Bars and Macaroons box with rice crispy treats and the Hey Sugar Gift Box with whoopie cookies, gummy bears, sprinkles chocolate bar and a customized note. Shipping and store pick-up is available.
Want to send some flowers but also cupcakes? Check out Baked Blooms in San Anselmo. This home-based bakery started by stay-at-home mom Sarah Thongnopneua makes cupcake bouquets arranged and decorated to look like a beautiful bouquet of flowers. You can order a seven-piece small bouquet of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes in red, white and pink floral design. Cupcakes are homemade and baked from scratch in small batches using real ingredients. Pick-up is available in San Anselmo with local delivery only in Marin at this time.
Artisanal doughnuts handcrafted with locally sourced, organic ingredients is the name of the game at Johnny Doughnuts. For Valentine’s Day, their Strawberry Bismark flavor is a must-try along with assorted doughnut holes in a variety of flavors and fillings, dressed up like a box of chocolates. Get your sweet tooth fix at one of their San Francisco, Marin or pop-up food truck locations!
