Christmas is less than a week away. Malls and shopping centers are packed, roads are crowded, and the selection at big stores can be less than diverse. Fortunately for those of us near Ocean Beach (and the rest of San Francisco, with only a short trip), there’s an alternative close to home. Caroline Parker takes us on a trip through the neighborhood, highlighting a selection of gift possibilities from local shops.

Instead of crowded scenes, why not shop Ocean Beach for cool and original gifts this Christmas?

Our neighborhood has been getting a lot of attention lately, with recent features in both Sunset Magazine and the New York Times. No surprise: Ocean Beach has long been a haven for crafters and artists. We’ve got the best of both worlds – a seaside community within the big city of San Francisco.

Use this guide to stay local and turn holiday shopping into a laid-back tour of Ocean Beach. Give yourself time to chat with your neighbors and hang loose.

The Last Straw

4540 Irving Street

(415) 566-4692

Closed Mondays

Cash and check only.

Treasures abound at The Last Straw, a tidy, welcoming shop with an elegant selection of jewelry and more. Add a handmade soap to your present to up the luxury factor. Gift-wrapping is complimentary.

Mollusk Surf Shop

4500 Irving Street

(415) 564-6300

Mollusk Surf Shop is a creative force in the neighborhood, offering unique t-shirts, posters and beautifully crafted surfboards.

General Store

4035 Judah Street

(415) 682-0600

General Store recognizes beauty in everyday things. They offer a cool selection of time honored design and modern innovations.

Trouble Coffee

4033 Judah Street

(415) 682-4732

Serving some of the best coffee in San Francisco, Trouble Coffee has a following. Now they have gift cards, too. Available in $5 and $25, the cards are hand-embossed. Collect a few and you can piece together an image on the reverse.

Aqua Surf Shop

2830 Sloat Boulevard

(415) 242-9283

A friendly shop that specializes in wetsuits and boards for the beginner to pro surfer, Aqua will hook you up. This is a good place to shop for the dude on your list.

Larry Letofsky Studio

1235 47^th Ave.

(415) 564-6375

Call for an appointment.

Duck into Larry Letofsky’s home studio and you’ll find high-fired stoneware with roots in Chinese and Japanese traditions. His mugs, casseroles and bowls are utilitarian — use and love them.

Caroline Parker lives at Ocean Beach.