The Best Local Souvenirs from Traveling: books and stickers
Nerd Alert: I’m talking books, bookmarks, zines, stickers, and California marine mammal posters.
As a seasoned traveler, I have learned my lesson about buying generic totes, magnets, keychains, and t-shirts as souvenirs from places I've visited. The lesson is not to buy those kinds of things because they’re mass-produced with generic names and locations. Typically made with plastic and by low-wage manufacturers.
Now…..I revel in the idea of buying books by local authors in local indie bookstores, locally made art in the national park gift shop to provide revenue for our national and state parks, and stickers printed locally and designed by a local artist.
The trend here is locally made, supporting the local community, and offering locally unique products to reinvest in the community we’re visiting.
Pismo Beach printed stickers in the shop
Books purchased at Chaucer’s Books in Santa Barbara by Los Angeles-based authors
Locally painted art of Morro Bay and Morro Rock
Bought stickers in the national and state park gift shops
Visiting my boyfriend on the Central California Coast meant there would be at least a trip to Santa Barbara. We made a stop at Chaucer's independent bookstore because I had seen that one of my all-time favorite authors had just given a talk for her new book, “The Family Recipe”. I wanted to support her work, and they had signed copies!
I am so happy I was able to find 3 Asian female authors on the front displays in this store. Carolyun Huynh, Elizabeth Ai, and Connie Cao.
I'm super excited to get a signed copy of “The Family Recipe” and “NewWave” reminds me of my parents’ era and my childhood, with 80s culture shaping my parents' generation.
The postcards and posters are helping remind me of the travels beyond the pictures I take. I tried to be a minimalist and take only photographs and stickers. Still, I think displaying a collage of photos, stickers, and postcards will visually remind me of the Cali trip and invoke the spirit of travel and adventure in a more prominent place in my mind.
Books purchased at Chaucer’s book store and 1 national park coloring book purchased at the Channel Island Ventura visitor center
Assortment of stickers
Local art and postcards purchased at the state park education center
Display size of the California coast marine mammals purchased at Chaucer’s Bookstore
