california.great-place-to-buy-puzzles-in-california

California Stores by City

Los Angeles

Puzzle Zoo

Puzzle Zoo is a specialty toy and games shop in Santa Monica that offers a strong selection of jigsaw puzzles for all ages. You’ll find everything from beginner puzzles to more complex designs, spanning themes like art, nature, and pop culture. Staff are helpful and can guide you toward the right puzzle for your needs. In addition to puzzles, they stock toys, collectibles, and novelty gifts.

Photo Source: https://www.instagram.com/puzzlezootoys/?hl=en

Miracle Mile Toys & Gifts

Miracle Mile Toys & Gifts is an independent boutique toy store in Los Angeles offering a refined collection of puzzles, games, educational kits, and classic toys. Their puzzle selection includes creative brain‑teasers, children’s puzzles, and more challenging or artistic sets, often from specialty brands. The staff are knowledgeable and help customers find puzzles that match age, difficulty, and theme. They also offer beautifully made toys, keepsakes, dress‑up items, and gift wrapping.

Photo Source: https://www.facebook.com/miraclemiletoysandgifts/about

Chevalier’s Books

Chevalier’s Books may be best known for books, but their puzzles and puzzle books also feature fairly often on their shelves, from jigsaws themed around literature to Hidden Pictures, logic puzzles, and puzzle activity books. They carry distinct puzzle titles like Pride and Puzzlement, travel‑puzzle books, puzzle‑mazes and challenge books suited for a variety of ages and skill levels. The shop is cozy and neighborhood oriented, so finding puzzle volumes feels more personal than mass‑stocked. Staff are helpful and can point you toward good puzzle gifts or books with puzzle‑components for kids or adults.

Photo Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKc-1zahj2F/?img_index=2

WACKO

WACKO has a dedicated section for Games, Puzzles + Playing Cards, carrying a variety of puzzles and board‑games side by side with novelty items. You’ll find classic jigsaw puzzles, quirky puzzle designs, and collectible / pop culture themed puzzles among their toy offerings. Staff are used to helping customers sift through the eclectic stock to find something playful or challenging. The store feels more like a quirky treasure hunt than a standard toy shop, wandering the aisles often reveals surprising puzzle finds.

Kip’s Toyland

Kip’s Toyland is LA’s oldest toy store, and puzzles are a standout here, from nostalgic jigsaws to logic sets and activity books. They avoid electronic toys, giving puzzles a central role alongside classic games and wooden toys. You’ll find themed and vintage puzzles for both kids and adults, plus helpful staff who can guide you to age-appropriate or gift-worthy picks. The experience is warm, personal, and refreshingly old-school.

Photo Source: https://www.wackola.com/

Merci Milo

Merci Milo is a charming children’s boutique in Highland Park that includes puzzles among its curated offerings, wooden tray puzzles, floor puzzles, and other blocks/stacking/puzzle‑type toys. Their puzzle section is smaller than big toy stores but well chosen for quality, design, and ethical materials. Staff are helpful if you are looking for something specific, like a certain puzzle style or brand. It’s a cozy spot where puzzles are part of a larger collection of heirloom, artisan, and handmade toys.

Photo Source: https://www.kipstoyland.com/contact

San Diego

Photo Source: https://www.instagram.com/shopmercimilo/

Bards & Cards

Bards & Cards is a vibrant tabletop game and hobby shop in the heart of downtown San Diego. While they’re well known for board games, RPG books, trading card games, and hobby supplies, they also carry a selection of jigsaw puzzles to complement their broader offerings. Puzzles here are often family friendly and themed, ideal for casual puzzlers seeking local or artful designs. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, whether you’re looking to pick up a puzzle for a quiet night in or something more ambitious.

Bluestocking Books

Bluestocking Books is a cozy independent bookstore in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood, known for its curated collection of new, used, and vintage books. Alongside literary classics, local authors, and rare finds, the store also carries an appealing selection of jigsaw puzzles. Whether you’re looking for puzzles with artistic flair, vintage illustrations, or literary themes, Bluestocking has something to match your taste. It’s a perfect stop for book lovers and puzzle enthusiasts alike, thoughtfully stocked, warm, and inviting.

Photo Source: https://www.facebook.com/bardsncards/photos

Replay Toys Boutique

Replay Toys Boutique is a delightful toy store in North Park, San Diego, specializing in both new and pre‑loved toys, collectibles, vintage items, and playful accessories. They carry jigsaw puzzles along with their toy inventory, giving customers options that range from fun small puzzles up through more decorative or nostalgic types. It’s the kind of place where you might walk in looking for a specific toy and leave with a puzzle you didn’t know existed, but are excited to try. The atmosphere is friendly and casual, and the selection feels like a discovery.

Photo Source: https://www.bluestockingbooks.com/

Photo Source: https://toystoreguide.com/replaytoysboutique/

Game Empire

Game Empire is a long‑standing game shop in the Kearny Mesa area offering a wide range of hobby goods, from board games and card games to role‑playing games and miniatures. They stock jigsaw puzzles alongside games, both newer and classic designs. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle night or an artful challenge, you’ll find options here. The store is also equipped for gamers: there’s space for tournaments and casual play, which makes it more than just a store, it’s a community hub. Staff are knowledgeable and often help customers find puzzles that match their preferences.

Photo Source: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/game-empire-san-diego

Artist & Craftsman Supply

Artist & Craftsman Supply is a longtime art and craft retailer in Hillcrest, serving artists, crafters, students, and DIYers with supplies since 1985. They offer a wide assortment of art materials, paints, tools, brushes, canvas, papers, as well as everything for fiber arts, printmaking, and general crafting. The staff are well regarded for being knowledgeable and helpful, often guiding customers toward the right materials for their project. The shop also includes gifts, games, and select items like puzzles, making it a place where you might stop by for paint and leave with something fun to work on or assemble.

Photo Source: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/artist-and-craftsman-supply-san-diego

San Francisco

Gamescape

Gamescape is a well‑established game store in San Francisco’s Western Addition / Divisadero area, combining a hobby shop, game event space, and puzzle retailer. Alongside their wide array of board games, role‑playing games, and miniatures, they maintain a substantial jigsaw puzzle section. Whether you’re looking for beginner puzzles, family‑friendly genres, or more challenging artistic designs, you’ll find many options. The staff are praised for their helpfulness when you want recommendations or want to see the puzzle art in person.

Cliff’s Variety

Cliff’s Variety is a vibrant neighborhood staple in the Castro, offering a huge range of goods from hardware and fabric to costume accessories, housewares, toys, and craft supplies. Stepping inside feels like entering a general‑store and gift‑shop mashup. There are sections for paint, notions, tools, and quirky art or costume pieces. Among the toys and games, one can often find puzzles. Classic jigsaw styles, simpler or themed puzzles, maybe even novelty or children’s size. Whether you’re grabbing paint and brushes or looking for a small gift or project, Cliff’s surprises with unexpected finds.

Photo Source: https://www.gamescapesf.com/

Photo Source: https://www.facebook.com/CliffsVariety/photos

Just For Fun

Just For Fun is a beloved local toy & gift shop with multiple neighborhoods in San Francisco (Noe Valley, Union Street, Fillmore), known for its warm, playful atmosphere. The stores carry a wide variety of items. Art supplies, creative crafts, greeting cards, and small toys, along with jigsaw puzzles of various types. Whether you’re shopping for a child, looking for a gift, or want something relaxing to assemble at home, their puzzle selection delivers options. The staff often help you find just the right puzzle size, theme, or brand, making browsing feel engaging and personal.

Photo Source: https://www.yelp.com/biz/just-for-fun-san-francisco-3

TANTRUM

TANTRUM is a whimsical toy and gift store located on Clement Street, San Francisco, known for its beautifully curated items and nostalgic charm. They stock a variety of artisan toys, cards, craft kits, and decorative gifts, with puzzles appearing among their offerings based on reviews. If you’re looking for puzzles, expect them to lean towards distinctive or artistically designed sets rather than mass‑market options. The warm and personal service, plus attention to detail (free wrapping, emphasis on good materials), make shopping here feel special.

Game Post of San Francisco

Game Post is a locally loved game store in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, offering a colorful mix of board games, card games, and puzzles. The store caters to hobbyists of all kinds, including casual puzzle fans looking for fun, fantasy, and visually rich designs. Whether you're shopping for a new puzzle to unwind or something to add to game night, the store's curated selection offers options for all ages. Friendly and knowledgeable staff help make the experience enjoyable and easy.

Photo Source: https://www.spottedbylocals.com/san-francisco/tantrum/

Photo Source: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/game-post-san-francisco

Books Kinokuniya

Kinokuniya San Francisco is a storied bookstore located in Japantown’s Japan Center, known for its mix of Japanese & English books, manga, art books, and unique merchandise. Their two‑floor layout splits the first floor to anime/manga & merchandise, and the second floor to general books, stationery, and gift items. Among these offerings is a selection of jigsaw puzzles, often anime‑ or pop culture‑themed, art‑driven, or designer puzzles appealing to both fans of Japanese media and casual puzzlers. With daily hours, friendly staff, and a large footprint, it’s a go‑to spot for finding books & puzzles together.