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Best Hobby Shops In The Bay Area

Model Trains (credit: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

At one time, hobby shops populated San Francisco and other Bay Area cities, but the surging Internet presence with its easy access to online ordering along with changing interests in hobbies that young people in particular enjoy, the number of hobby shops has declined throughout the region. Yet, in spite of the changes, some hobby shops have survived with supplies and community events geared to today's diverse Bay Area hobbyists.

The Hobby Company of San Francisco
5150 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 386-2802
www.hobbycosf.com

The Hobby Company has been the go-to spot for San Francisco crafters and hobbyists for more than 40 years. The shop offers an extensive selection of craft and hobby supplies along with a friendly and knowledgeable staff that sincerely aims to help customers find just what they are looking for. Well-stocked with a wide range of arts and crafts items including paints and brushes, stickers, models, clock parts, wooden boxes, trains, plus a large bead room and a full-range of beading and jewelry-making supplies.

Just Trains
5650 Imhoff Drive, Suite H
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 685-6566
www.just-trains.com

Here is a shop specifically for the train enthusiast. Just Trains carries the Bay Area's best selection of model train supplies, with more than 3,000 square feet of the best in model train parts from all major manufacturers. Model train enthusiasts, from beginners to long time builders, love this place, and according to the shop's fans, the friendly and knowledgeable expert staff is always helpful and patient as they help you navigate and get familiar with this well-stocked shop. Stop by and see what all the fuss is about.

Marin Hobby & Craft
224 Greenfield Ave, Suite 2
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 454-3087
marinhobby.com

Known for its large selection of model trains, boats, model kits and 3D puzzles, Marin Hobby & Craft carries a whole lot more. The shop's extensive selection of specialty hobby products includes the paints and tools hobbyists, crafters and players at all levels of skill and interest can appreciate. The added sparkle to Marin Hobby & Craft is its repair and restoration services: train repairs, radio-controlled (RC) cars, boats and plane repairs, and ship restorations bring your models back to life with Marin Hobby & Craft experts' detailed work. They can even finish an incomplete project so you don't need to stress about it any longer. Visit the website for complete details on everything the shop offers, including its After School RC Program and Kids Hobby Camp.

J & M Hobby House
1660 Laurel St.
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 593-5019
www.facebook.com/pages

Housed in an eye-catching art deco building, J & M Hobby House is a popular locally-owned business with a loyal following. The shop's customers appreciate the good prices and top customer service and say they love the way they are treated. J & M Hobby Souse is consistently well stocked with the usual range of hobby shop supplies, including paints and craft supplies, RC cars, planes and boats, trains sets, doll parts and just about everything the hobbyist would need for a project. As one customer says, J & M Hobby House is a "Great hobby shop and the last of a dying breed! If they don't have it in stock they will order it for you and not even make you pay up front." Stop by and see for yourself why J & M Hobby House has been successfully family-owned since the 1960s.

Hobby Town USA
840 El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 900-8202
www.hobbytown.com

Hobby Town USA, Sunnyvale is a small but well-stocked shop with a great layout, and carries just about anything a hobbyist could want or need: RC cars, planes and boats, lots of models and figures, train sets and accessories, paints and tools, games, puzzles and more — and if it's not here, they will offer to order it for you. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, and ready to find a solution to your hobby supply needs.

Melanie Graysmith is a writer, artist and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She writes on adult education, art and culture, business, and lifestyle topics, and enjoys writing short stories and poetry. She is also a part of the Bay Area independent film community. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


 

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