What to bring a friend in Canada from California?

[ashley0139]

I'm visiting a friend in Toronto in a few weeks, and when she used to visit me she would always bring me Kinder eggs and other Canadian candy. This is my first time visiting her, so I want to bring her something. The thing is, she often visits NYC so she doesn't need me to bring her American candy. She's never been to California though, so I'm trying to think of something from here I can bring her. Any thoughts?

 

[JaxDad]

A really nice Napa wine, especially if she's into sharing.

 

[BadPinkTink]

A really nice Napa wine, especially if she's into sharing.

I second the wine but not just any wine.

One year I was in Santa Barbara county and decided to bring wine home for family. I didnt want to bring home just any California wine, so I asked in the wine tasting place for a bottle of white and a bottle of red, which were local to that area. I asked for wine which might not be sold overseas, something which locals would drink. I also had a budget, a maximum amount I wanted to spend per bottle.

 

[ashley0139]

A really nice Napa wine, especially if she's into sharing.

Unfortunately I am not checking a bag. It's a short trip.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Our go-to gifts from our area are See's Candy or Ghiardelli Chocolate.

 

[Meriweather]

Our go-to gifts from our area are See's Candy or Ghiardelli Chocolate.

I like those choices! :yes:

sourdough bread.......everywhere that claims to be sour dough sure doesn't seem like it to me!

 

[RangerPooh]

Yes, Sourdough! You cannot find good, quality sourdough outside of California.

 

[tvguy]

Our go-to gifts from our area are See's Candy or Ghiardelli Chocolate.

I have family all over Canada and they expect See's Candy when we come.

 

[Meriweather]

Yes, Sourdough! You cannot find good, quality sourdough outside of California.

Well, we can get it here in AZ.....at Costco. They have Boudin.....love that stuff....but it is still SF sourdough

 

[violina]

Agreed with others on sourdough, though I've learned that it can be an acquired taste for those that don't care for it.

I will sometimes opt for coffee -- specifically Philz or Blue Bottle beans if I can work out getting that. Basically any coffee shop that is specific to CA or ones they can't get. A regional coffee cup works well too (like the ones from Starbucks or Peet's). My family has requested trinkets in the past so that's usually easy (if it's something your friend would like), which usually is a little statue or something that represents the area. Like when I lived in SF, friends and family would ask for a little Golden Gate Bridge or trolley.

 

[ashley0139]

Our go-to gifts from our area are See's Candy or Ghiardelli Chocolate.

I could definitely do See's.

 

[ronandannette]

I'm visiting a friend in Toronto in a few weeks, and when she used to visit me she would always bring me Kinder eggs and other Canadian candy. This is my first time visiting her, so I want to bring her something. The thing is, she often visits NYC so she doesn't need me to bring her American candy. She's never been to California though, so I'm trying to think of something from here I can bring her. Any thoughts?

On our last trip to California a year ago, I fell in LOVE with California walnuts and brought a bunch of them back. Also, you may not know that we don't have Trader Joe's in Canada. I've yet to give anyone a jar of Cookie Butter and have it go amis.

 

[bcla]

Yes, Sourdough! You cannot find good, quality sourdough outside of California.

It's got to be from the Bay Area. Something about the environment. I had the Boudin sourdough at DCA and there's something a little bit off from there. Other brands available in Northern California that I consider really good are Semifreddi's and Acme. Acme is based in Berkeley, but they have a large production bakery at the Ferry Building in San Francisco.

I remember the big name used to be the San Francisco French Bread Company, which owned all the major brands sold locally - Parisian, Colombo, Toscana, and Boudin. They all eventually got divested and Boudin is the only survivor that's not simply a purchased brand name attached to an inferior product. I remember when I could count on a local delivery from a Colombo truck to a specific Safeway in the morning before going to school. The bread was still warm and extremely cheap.

If it were anything local to me, it would be the kalamata olive bread at Phoenix Pastificio in Berkeley. However, it's more a matter of where I am and not where the OP is. They're a staple of several local farmer's markets, although I remember when they had a prominent retail location that they couldn't afford after a rent hike. I don't know if there's anything similar close to the OP, but I know it's not necessarily unique.

 

[violina]

Also, you may not know that we don't have Trader Joe's in Canada.

Oh my goodness, I forgot about that. My close friend lives in Toronto and when I told her about all the pumpkin and maple goods, she was sad about missing out. Even my parents got in on the action there; they came out to visit and asked me to grab TJ's pumpkin coffee since they don't have a convenient location back on the East Coast.

 

[bcla]

Oh my goodness, I forgot about that. My close friend lives in Toronto and when I told her about all the pumpkin and maple goods, she was sad about missing out. Even my parents got in on the action there; they came out to visit and asked me to grab TJ's pumpkin coffee since they don't have a convenient location back on the East Coast.

There was this one guy who was reselling TJ's house branded stuff in BC. He had to use disguises and even hire people to buy for him because the store managers figured that he was reselling which they don't approve. The owner won a lawsuit, but after TJ's reopened it he couldn't afford the legal costs.

 

[Quartz01]

Day old bread. That’s all.

 

[Disneylover99]

Yes, Sourdough! You cannot find good, quality sourdough outside of California.

I live in Toronto and eat sourdough all the time. I always think it tastes great, but maybe I’m missing out. Now I want some California sourdough.

 

[Skywalker]

Wouldn't bring the Ghiardelli Chocolate - we can buy that in and around Toronto.
I , also, am curious about what is so special about the sourdough bread now. And the See's Candy.

 

[JaxDad]

I lived in Southern California when I was a boy. I just remembered how much I loved the dates! Not everyone likes them, so it’s a bit of a risk...

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I agree with See's. My Texas family is always delighted when I take See's to them. If you do end up checking a bag, I would also recommend California olive oil, olives, or wine. Do you have access to California almonds?