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These products are locally sourced and sustainably made, so you can feel good about buying with the Earth in mind.
Local? Good. Sustainable? Great. Local and sustainable? Now we’re talkin’. These five Central Coast products tick both boxes, and then some ― they’re also affordable without skimping on quality. So as you’re hunting for your next gift, or looking for an excuse to treat yourself, consider these options. Your wallet ― and the planet ― will thank you.
Shrubs by Sideyard Shrubs
No, not those shrubs. These are fruit-infused drinks made with apple cider vinegar that can flavor cocktails and sparkling water, enhance salad dressings, and give marinades an extra kick, among a bunch of other uses. A little goes a long way. Unfiltered and cold-processed, Sideyard Shrubs are sugar-free and bottled with the mother, the good bacteria created during the fermenting process. The final product is alive, raw, and packed with probiotics.
Sarah Bourke started making shrubs in her Santa Barbara apartment during the height of the pandemic (she used figs and guavas from trees in her side yard), and the company’s 16-ounce bottles can now be found in stores and restaurants all over the state, from boutiques in Napa to farm stands in Santa Ynez to large grocers in L.A. Flavors include apricot, passion fruit, yuzu, and our favorite, prickly pear.
Sideyard sources all its fruit from small Southern California farms, often buying up the bruised and oddly shaped pickings that would otherwise end up in a landfill. “We’re proud to work with farmers we know as friends and feel like family, so much so that you’ll find their names prominently displayed on each and every label of our fruit-infused vinegars,” Sarah says. “We believe strongly in building demand for regional food systems, regenerative farming practices, and organic growers.” Purchase online at drinksideyard.com. ($30)
Biltong by Figure Ate
Biltong, the South African cousin of beef jerky, has a few distinct advantages over its better-known counterpart. While jerky is typically cooked in an oven or dehydrator for a few hours, biltong ― which translates to “strip of beef” ― is air-dried for a week or more, giving it a softer, more tender texture. Jerky is often steeped in sweet, sugary sauces that overpower the taste buds, whereas biltong is seasoned with a mix of spices that let natural flavors come through.
And while many commercial beef jerky brands source their meat from feedlots stocked with GMO grain, Figure Ate is a small-scale biltong producer in Lompoc that uses grass-fed cattle free of any hormones or antibiotics. Figure Ate is part of White Buffalo Land Trust, a nonprofit with a mission “to practice, promote, and develop systems of regenerative agriculture for local, regional, and global impact.”
Flavor-wise, the biltong’s organic spice mix of sea salt, black pepper, wine vinegar, and coriander create an earthy yet zesty combo. It’s so tasty it was a 2023 Good Food Awards winner. There’s also a spiced version that includes red pepper flakes, garlic, and paprika. Both are packed with 32 grams of protein and are “Land to Market” verified.
The nonprofit also offers a naturally fermented persimmon vinegar. “For each product,” a company rep says, “we start by identifying ecological needs that can be addressed with regenerative agriculture and finish with nutrient-dense and delicious foods that can restore our bodies, communities, and ecosystem.” Shop online or use the website’s retail locator to find a store near you. ($11.99)
Candles by Santa Barbara Company
Santa Barbara Company ― a women-owned, multigenerational, California Certified Green Business ― curates local gifts and products with an eye on “beauty, deliciousness, and sustainability.” So it only makes sense that they produce their own line of small-batch candles with clean-burning, plant-based wax and 100% recycled paper labels. The jars also contain recycled glass and are pretty enough to keep after the candle burns out.
Scents include Miramar Beach (cardamom and orange with notes of palm, light musk, and amber), Fig Mountain (sage, wild herbs, and chaparral), and Goleta Bluffs (lemon and sea salt with hints of vanilla and oud). There’s also Wine Country (fruit and oak), Ojai (sage, rosemary, and pomegranate), and Wildflower, Rosewater, and Eucalyptus.
In addition to selling candles and a variety of items, Santa Barbara Company specializes in creating beautiful gift baskets, which can be delivered locally as well as nationwide with a handwritten note.
“Our clients look to us for a seamless gifting experience that demonstrates their company culture, great taste, and social and environmental commitments,” owner Caroline Echeveste says. “We believe that in the spirit of true generosity, gifts should not come with a profound social and environmental cost.” Shop online or at 214 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. ($32)
Everlasting Flowers by Sweet Mountaintop
Sweet Mountaintop is a two-acre farm set among the avocado orchards of Rincon Mountain, just outside Carpinteria. From the property, you can see the entire Santa Barbara Channel and all the way up the coast to Gaviota. Its operator, Mary Gonzalez, was born and raised in town and specializes in growing herbs and flowers that she sells at weekly farmers markets.
In addition to her tinctures, oils, and salves, she sells wreaths, garlands, and crowns made with dried, “everlasting” flowers. If they’re handled with care and kept out of direct sunlight, they can last for years. The handmade garlands are especially versatile, adding a pop of vibrancy to whatever space they occupy, from a wedding venue to your living room. “Imagine yourself coming home each day to a space that is full of joy and color,” Mary says, “no matter what season it is.” Buy online at sweetmountaintop.com or at the farmers market at 119 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. ($15-$25)
Blankets by Sundream
Casey and Brooke Courter met in Hawaii in 2013 and moved to San Diego, where they kept noticing the same style of beautiful blanket. “At the time I didn't know they were traditional Mexican blankets,” Casey says. “I just thought they were cool and figured other people would think so too. … When we learned more about the sustainable story of how they are made with 100% upcycled materials, we knew we were on to something amazing.”
Fast forward to today, and the couple’s Central Coast company, Sundream, sources and sells these south-of-the-border textiles handwoven on traditional looms. Durable and versatile, they’re made with reclaimed fibers derived from post-consumer materials (clothing and other garments that would otherwise be thrown away and end up in a landfill) and are the perfect backdrop for picnics, yoga, or a day at the beach.
“We are proud to offer a second life to this special blend of sustainable fabric, and to offer sustainable jobs to the artisans in Mexico who make these incredible works of art,” Casey says. “We have worked with the same team of artisans for over a decade!” Shop online at sundream.co. ($60)
