California by Mail

Anyone who has lived away from loved ones for even a few years has undoubtly experienced the hassle of packing and mailing holiday gifts. It doesn’t take long for most of us to discover that there’s a better way--sending gifts that someone else wraps and ships. There’s only one hitch: How many years can you send even the most tried-and-true gifts to the same people?

A search for ways of sending a taste of California to relatives and friends resulted in an astonishing array of choices, due in part to our state’s vast agricultural resources. (Because of restrictions on mailing alcohol out-of-state, we have not included gift-order wines.) By no means is the list complete, but we’ve tried to include both common and more unusual items. No doubt it will provide ideas for just about everyone on your list.

Due to the large number of listings, it was impossible for The Times Food section to order and taste every item. Consequently, these listings are not endorsed by The Times; information is provided only as a courtesy to readers.

Although the descriptions are brief, they provide a basic idea of what the company offers and a general price range. Contact the companies directly for brochures with more complete information on products and exact costs.

Some things to keep in mind when shopping by mail:

--When time permits, test-ordering is a good way to check quality. If this isn’t practical, make certain the company guarantees a full refund or exchange if you’re dissatisfied. Remember that a lost or damaged shipment is the responsibility of the shipper.

--Find out how long it will take your orders to reach their destination and if delivery dates are guaranteed. For perishable items, ask if the package will be marked to ensure proper handling once it reaches its destination.

--Fill out order forms clearly and carefully. Keep a copy for your records. When ordering by telephone, obtain the name of the person taking the order. Many companies accept credit card payment, providing some leverage in the event of a dispute.

If you hurry, the gifts selected can still arrive in plenty of time for the holidays.

Almond Plaza, California Almond Growers Exchange, P.O. Box 500, Sacramento, Calif. 95803-9988; (916) 446-2500--natural and flavored almonds, other nuts, fruitcakes and candies, available singly or in gift packs--$8.50 to $125, credit card holders may order by phone from (800) 225-6887.

Andrizzi Distributing Co., 1186 Yulupa Ave., Suite 109, Santa Rosa, Calif. 95405; (707) 579-2595--potato pancake, Belgian waffle and premium crepe mixes, available singly or in gift packs--$5.50 to $19.95.

Boudin Sourdough French Bread, Fisherman’s Wharf Bakery, 156 Jefferson St., San Francisco, Calif. 94133; (415) 928-1849--gift packs of six (1-pound) round loaves, six (1-pound) long loaves, or a 49er gift assortment of bread, salami, cheese and wine or sparkling cider, $17 to $30.

Bobbi’s Sweet Surrender, 7863 Girard Ave., No. 106, La Jolla, Calif. 92037; (800) 338-3202--brownies, cookies, candy and fruitcakes--$6.95 to $28.95.

Brown Kiwi Ranch, 1273 W. Crescent Ave., Redlands, Calif. 92373; (714) 792-2218--cardboard boxes of kiwi in mixed sizes and shapes; wooden gift boxes of uniformly shaped and colored fruit--$18 to $19.50.

Cafe Beaujolais Bakery, P.O. Box 730, Mendocino, Calif. 95460; (707) 964-0292--almond, hazelnut, walnut and macadamia nut panforte, original and chocolate fruitcake--$18.50 to $24.

California Soleil Vineyards, P.O. Box 3150, Yountville, Calif. 94599; (707) 944-8585--vintage-dated varietal wine preserves and syrups, available in gift packs--$5.50 to $15, plus shipping and handling.

Casa De Fruta, 6680 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister, Calif. 95023; (408) 637-0051--dried fruit, nuts and candy, available singly and in gift packs--$1.95 to $22.50, plus shipping and handling.

Cowboy Caviar, P.O. Box 1178, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 92693; (714) 493-3318--vegetable pate, available in jars and drinking mugs--$5 to $19.50.

Crinklaw Farms, P.O. Box 706, King City, Calif. 93930; (408) 385-3261--herb, garlic and bay leaf wreaths, garlic and Indian corn braids, chile pepper strings and wreaths, sweet bell pepper jam--$5.95 to $24.50, plus shipping.

Cuisine Perel, P.O. Box 1064, Tiburon, Calif. 94920; (415) 435-1282--wine-based salad dressings and sauces--available only in cases of twelve bottles, single or mixed varieties--$28 to $42 ($28 for 8-ounce bottles, $42 for 12.7-ounce bottles).

Culinary Products Group, Goldrush Enterprises, 153 Utah Ave., South San Francisco, Calif. 94080; (415) 871-0340--sourdough starters and accessories, sourdough mixes--$2.25 to $18.95.

Culpepper’s Popcorn, 14000 Dinard Ave., Santa Fe Springs, Calif. 90670; (213) 921-7961--assorted flavored popcorn available in decorative containers--$6.95 to $99.95, plus shipping.

Deer Creek Wild Rice Co., 680 Jones St., Yuba City, Calif. 95991; (916) 673-8053--bags and gift packs of wild rice--$6.50 to $40, plus shipping and handling.

Enfant Riant, California Escargot, P.O. Box 357, Petaluma, Calif. 94953; (707) 763-1876--tiny escargot, packed in water--$9.95 per can, $61.50 per half case of 12 cans, $107.50 per full case of 24 cans.

Farmers Market Fruit & Produce, 3rd & Fairfax, Los Angeles, Calif. 90036; (213) 934-4413--gift packs of fresh produce--$29.95 to $55.95.

Fruit Fair of California, Farmers Market, 6333 West 3rd St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90036; (213) 936-1222--gift packs of fresh produce--$19.95 to $72.95.

Far West Fungi, P.O. Box 428, South San Francisco, Calif. 94083; (415) 871-5424--mushroom growing kits--$12.95 to $13.95, plus shipping.

Gourmet Nut Center, 1430 Railroad Ave., Orland, Calif. 95963; (916) 865-5511--variety of nuts, nut oils and butters, and candy, available in tins and gift packs--$3.50 to $95.

Grand Finale, 200 Hillcrest Road, Berkeley, Calif. 94705; (415) 655-8414--assortment of butter cream products--caramels, sauces and truffles--$4.95 to $39.95, plus shipping and handling.

Green Hill Farms, P.O. Box 663, Temecula, Calif. 92390; (818) 788-3690--organically grown Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons, 6 1/2 pounds (7 to 9 persimmons) per box--$12.95.

Hadley Date Gardens, 83-555 Airport Blvd., Thermal, Calif. 92274; (619) 399-5191--gift packs of dates and nuts--$6.50 to $33.

Harmon’s Gourmet Inc., 15104 Vermont Ave., Paramount, Calif. 90058; (213) 531-0333--flavored mustards, pepper jellies and bean-soup mixes, available singly or in gift packs--$3.25 to $22.75.

Jaffe Brothers, P.O. Box 636, Valley Center, Calif. 92082; (619) 749-1133--organically grown, unsulfured dried fruit and other natural foods--$1.85 to $122.50, plus shipping.

Kendall Cheese Co., P.O. Box 686, Atascadero, Calif. 93423; (805) 466-7252 or 466-7271--goat cheeses and creme fraiche-- $2.25 to $12, plus shipping and handling; minimum order of $10.

Kozlowski’s Raspberry Farm, 5566 Gravenstein Highway. N., Forestville, Calif. 95436; (707) 887-2104--fruit jams, jellies, chutneys, marmalades, butters, syrup/sauces and vinegars, wine jelly and mustard, barbecue sauce, available in a variety of gift packs--$11.75 to $54.95.

Laura Chenel’s Chevre, 1550 Ridley Ave., Santa Rosa, Calif. 95401; (707) 575-8888--variety of goat cheeses, available singly or in assortments--$2.50 to $53, plus shipping and handling; minimum order of $20.

McFadden Farm, Potter Valley, Calif. 95469; (707) 743-1122--dried herbs, wild rice, garlic braids, bay leaf wreaths--$5 to $21.50.

Magee’s, Farmers Market, 157 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90036; (213) 938-4127--nuts and nut butters, available singly and in gift packs--$5.50 to 40.75.

Mariani Nut Co. P.O. Box 664, 709 Dutton St., Winters, Calif. 95694; (916) 795-3311--Five and 25 pound packages of shelled walnuts and almonds, and dried fruits--$12 to $87.50.

Mariani Orchards, 1615 Half Road, Morgan Hill, Calif. 95037; (408) 779-5467--dried fruits, dates, nuts, seeds, fruit and nut specialties--$.85 to $130, plus shipping and handling.

Marin French Cheese Co., 7500 Red Hill Road, P.O. Box 99, Petaluma, Calif. 94952; (707) 762-6001--breakfast, Camembert, Brie and Schloss cheeses, available singly and in gifts packs--$9.45 to $24.91.

Meadow Farms Country Smokehouse, P.O. Box 1387, Bishop, Calif. 93514; (619) 873-5311--mahogany-smoked meats, including jerky, hams, bacon, chops, sausages, turkey, smoked Cheddar cheese--$4 to $64.

Miss Grace Lemon Cake Co., 422 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90210; (818) 995-1976--assorted cakes--available singly and in gift packs--$14 to $205, plus shipping and handling--credit card holders may order by telephone from (800) 367-2253.

Mission Orchards, P.O. Box 6947, San Jose, Calif. 95150; (408) 297-5056--fresh and dried fruit gift packs, nuts, fruitcakes, candy--$8.95 to $189.95.

Moon Shine Trading Co., P.O. Box 896, Winters, Calif. 95694; (916) 753-0601--varietal honeys, seed and nut butters and spreads, chocolate nut spreads--available singly and in gift packs--$1.75 to $18, minimum order of $15, plus shipping.

Munak Ranch, 3770 N. River Road, Paso Robles, Calif. 93446; (805) 238-7056--seven gift packs of fresh and dried fruit, one organic gift pack--regular packs are $12 each, plus shipping, organic pack is $15, plus shipping.

Napa Valley Connection, P. O. Box 509, St. Helena, Calif. 94574; (800) 422-1111 (California residents only) or (707) 963-1111--Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wine jellies--$2.75 to $6.

Rancho Nuez Nursery, P.O. Box 666, Fallbrook, Calif. 92028; (619) 728-6407--roasted macadamia nuts and chocolate/macadamia nut clusters--$12.50 to $16.50, plus shipping.

Rapelli of California, Inc., 1090 W. Church, Fresno, Calif. 93706; (209) 237-9591--dry-cured meat products--$3.93 to $29.50, plus shipping.

Running Deer Ranch, P.O. Box 100, Paso Robles, Calif. 93447; (805) 239-1784--preserves, marmalades, jelly, brandied fruits, fruitcake and condiments, available singly and in gift packs--$3.75 to $39.50, plus shipping and handling.

Santa Barbara Olive Co. Inc., 1661 Mission Drive, Solvang, Calif. 93463; (805) 688-9917--30 varieties of herbed, spiced and stuffed olives and vegetable products, available by the case or in gift packs--$19.99 to $142.50.

Sonoma Cheese Factory, Sonoma, Calif. 95476; (707) 938-5232--traditional and flavored varieties of Jack cheese and Cheddar cheese, available in gift packs--$8.25 to $53.75.

Taylor Herb Gardens Inc., 1535 Lone Oak Road, Vista, Calif. 92084; (619) 727-3485--herb seeds, herb six-packs and bay trees--$.90 to $18.00.

Timber Crest Farms, 4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, Calif. 95448; (707) 433-8251--dried tomatoes, dried fruit, nuts, fruit butters and candy, available singly, by the case or in gift packs--$.78 to $89.40.

The Ultimate Nut and Candy Co., 11849 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, Calif. 91604; (818) 766-5259--fruitcake, nuts, candy, caramel nut corn, dried fruit, available singly and in gift packs--$11 to $175.

Valerie Jean Date Garden, P.O. Box 786, Thermal, Calif. 92274; (800) 522-7799 or (619) 397-4357--dates and dried fruit, available singly and in gift packs--$9 to $172.15.

Vella Cheese Co., P.O. Box 191; (315 2nd St. East) Sonoma, Calif. 95476; (707) 938-3232--fresh, part skim, dry and extra dry Jack cheeses, Cheddar, blue and variety cheeses--$14 to $31.

Victorian Pantry, Inc., P.O. Box 222, Village Station, Saratoga, Calif. 95071; (408) 734-0907--preserves, conserves, mustards and dessert sauces and toppings, available singly and in gift packs--$5 to $20.

Wehah Farm, Inc., P.O. Box 369, Richvale, Calif. 95974; (916) 882-4551--brown, white and quick cooking rices, rice cakes and soup mixes, available by the case--$7 to $36.