Best Places To Buy Gifts For Grads In The East Bay

Graduation Day is one perennial occasion that never seems to lose its spark. Whether a high school or college graduate, a graduation gift is a bonus to highlight hard work and achievement in meeting one of life's milestones. Here are five East Bay locations to ease the burden of choosing the perfect gift.

University Of California At Berkeley Student Store
2470 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 845-1226
www.bkstr.com

It makes sense that the University of California at Berkeley would carry a substantial amount of graduation gifts in its very own student store. While most gifts here are geared to the newly minted UC Berkeley alumni, several items are more general and will delight high school grads starting classes at Cal in the fall. A UCB Gift Card in particular would be a good start for an incoming Cal student ($25, $50, $500). Visit the UC Berkeley Graduation Gift Shop to view all gifts for graduates.

Oakland Athletics Team Store
Oakland Coliseum
7000 Coliseum Way
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 569-2121
www.oakland.athletics.mlb.com

Oakland's own baseball team has its loyal fans, and all the gear a fan could want is in the Athletics Team Store at the Oakland Coliseum. With sports being a big part of student life for many local young fans, graduation is the perfect opportunity to give the grad the gift he or she really wants while supporting the East Bay's local team. Choose trom team logo tee shirts and jerseys, an MLB official baseball, caps, baseball cards, collectibles and memorabilia. The Oakland A's Team Store is at D Gate of the Coliseum, and open for business Monday through Friday from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Online shopping is also easy at the A's website.

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See's Candies
1005 Contra Costa Blvd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 687-8343
www.sees.com

Commemorate graduation in the sweetest way with chocolates from See's Candies, one of the Bay Area's favorite chocolate purveyors. Bay Area locals have grown up enjoying See's Candies, which is notable too for its iconic white uniformed counter ladies. See's offers two items with a specific graduation theme. The Graduation Hat is a unique gift box containing two layers of milk, dark and white choclates with a variety of popular fillings ($17.90). Also offered are See's Gift Cards of any value and placed in a graduation cardholder, available at a See's Candies shop. If purchased online, the Graduation gift cards are available in $25 and $50 denominations and placed in the Graduation cardholder at the company's Mail Order department. For additional chocolate gifts appropriate for graduation, visit any See's Candies location. There are eight additional locations in the East Bay. Check the See's website for complete details.

Alamo World Travel & Tours
3201 Danville Blvd.
Danville, CA 94507
(925) 837-8742
www.alamoworld.com

Graduates have been in school most of their lives and are ready for a break. A vacation getaway can be the most efficient renewal energy source there is, as it offers a fresh start before moving on to the next stage. Consider a vacation package to a location your graduate wants to visit. Even if you have a budget, an Alamo World Travel or other tour agent can arrange an affordable flight and accommodation package. With 31 years of tour, cruise and hotel only experience, Alamo World Travel has the know how to help plan a trip anywhere in the world, or closer to home. Visit the Alamo World Travel website for a full range of travel options.

San Leandro Bancroft Florist
120 Joaquin Ave.
Robert's Landing, CA 94577
(510) 357-4129
www.sanleandroflorist.net

This local San Leandro florist has been serving the Bay Area for over 38 years, offering floral bouquets, plants and unique gifts for practically every occasion, including Graduation Day. Plan to send your best wishes to your graduate who no doubt will enjoy an unexpected colorful array. Featured Graduation Flowers here come with bouquet names fit for the occasion: Beautiful Life (starts at $40), Today's Your Day (starts at $45), Summer Style (starts at $40), and Share A Little Sunshine (starts at $40). You may of course create your own arrangements. Visit the florist shop or its website for complete information.

Related: 5 Sweet Chocolate Shops On The Peninsula

Melanie Graysmith is a writer, artist and educator based in San Francisco. She writes on adult education, art and lifestyle topics, and enjoys writing short stories and poetry. She is also a member of an independent filmmaking group. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.