Curiosities, oddities and neo-Victorian treasures

Noteworthy for: Paxton Gate is known for its impressive taxidermy – the store’s experts sometimes give demonstrations at the California Academy of Sciences.

Like an art museum inspired by science, the store’s gleaming shelves are lined with skulls and framed insects, fossils and geodes, enormous taxidermy giraffes and lions, rare plants and succulents, wooden carvings, neo-Victorian jewelry and much more.

A block away, Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for kids harks back to the pre-digital age when children played with games, wooden dollhouses and stuffed animals (of the toy variety, as opposed to taxidermy), all of which are sold here. Paxton Gate staff also offer craft workshops like tiny terrarium-building and silk screening. Consult their webpage for details.