The Trendiest California-Based Sunglasses Brands

Every Californian look  needs a good pair of sunglasses. Not only does a premium pair of sunnies elevate your look to the next level, but they also provide you with necessary UV protection from the scorching Golden State sun. We’ve compiled a list of awesome sunglasses brands that includes the usual suspects you might have already come across, as well as a few that you wish you discovered sooner. The unifying line? All of these top sunglasses brands are based in the Golden State. So, if you’re on a hunt for your next favorite pair of shades from a local brand—whether that’s retro aviators, classic wayfarers, or quirky new silhouettes entirely their own—these are the sunglasses brands you need to browse.

The Best Eyewear Brands To Shop From Now

1. DIFF Eyewear

Headquarters: Torrance 

DIFF Eyewear aims to make a DIFFerence with every pair of sunglasses they sell. The brand’s commitment to creating a world where everyone has access to the vision care they need has led them to partner with Sightsavers—this way, they provide treatments to people in need through eye exams, surgeries, medicine, and more means. In fact, this awesome sunglasses brand has aided over two million people through this wonderful initiative so far, and with every purchase, this number only keeps going up.

Whether you’re searching for prescription, blue light, or sun-protecting glasses, consider choosing DIFF and using fashion as a force for good. Not only is this one of the best sunglasses brands, but it also offers an awesome range of styles, all handmade with premium materials—their charitable attitude is the cherry on top. 

2. Westward Leaning

Headquarters: San Francisco

Want to match with Katie Holmes, Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and other celebs? Get yourself a pair of sleek sunnies from Westward Leaning. With a cult following of style-makers around the world, this popular sunglasses brand is one you can’t go wrong with. 

Every pair you’ll come across on Westward Leaning’s line is unisex, meticulously crafted, and as universally flattering as possible. It’s virtually impossible to browse its online shelves and not find anything you like; however, if that happens to be the case, this cool sunglasses brand allows you to craft your own custom pair! Choose from 12 popular frame shapes, pick your frame color and finish, decide on the ideal lens, select a signature side inlay, and you’ll be ready to rock your custom pair of shades from Westward Leaning.

3. RAEN

Headquarters: Oceanside

RAEN prioritizes craftsmanship over everything, which is why they create all of their frames by hand, from the first sketch to the final polish. Fully inspired by the surf, sun, and culture of Oceanside, this sunglasses brand infuses the free-spirited, coastal lifestyle into every step of production. The result? Super cool sunnies with exceptional fit, comfort, and durability, with modern styles inspired by the classics. Besides amazing sunglasses, RAEN also sells a range of prescription eyeglasses, accessories, and apparel, all of which follow this top sunglasses brand’s effortlessly cool aesthetic. 

4. Garrett Leight

Headquarters: Los Angeles

Garret Leight, the founder of his namesake brand, comes from a lineage of premium eyewear makers. As the son of Oliver Peoples founder Larry Leight, this West Coast native’s line of decade-old premium eyewear is quite the popular name in the industry in its own right. The popular sunglasses brand’s aesthetic is evidently inspired by the sights and sounds of the founder’s hometown, Venice Beach. Taking classic styles and updating them with a distinct Los Angeles twist, Garret Leight’s glasses are sleek, and classic, and can be worn over and over again.

5. Jacques Marie Mage

Headquarters: Los Angeles 

Each component of Jacques Marie Mage eyewear is carefully examined with the goal to offer products that stand alone as exquisitely crafted collectibles. In fact, the sunglasses brand claims that more than one hundred hands touch each spectacle before its arrival at the Los Angeles headquarters—yes, one hundred. These high-quality glasses include fine-tuned touches such as mineral glass lenses, metal detailing in sterling silver and 18k gold, and the brand’s signature logo. 

While Jacque Marie Mage’s glasses come with a pretty price tag, you can be sure that you are getting your money’s worth with every purchase. It’s one of the best sunglasses brands for men and women for a reason—JMM is as gorgeously luxurious as you can get with your eyewear. Won’t take our word for it? Jeff Goldblum, Brad Pitt, and Keanu Reeves grace the brand’s impressive roster of devoted clientele.

6. Bonnie Clyde

Headquarters: Los Angeles

Bonnie Clyde is a much more playful brand that makes high-quality eyewear that’s comfortable to wear for any occasion. Hailing from Downtown Los Angeles, this unisex sunglasses brand is like a breath of fresh air in the eyewear scene with its bright, colorful, and daring specs. 

Founded and designed by two brothers whose parents have been in the eyewear business for over three decades, Bonnie Clyde makes glasses that are comfortable, built to last, planet-conscious, and sensibly priced. Want to have people do a double-take every time you step out? Choose one of this sunglasses brand’s incredible designs and you’ll immediately and significantly up your sunglass game.  

7. 9FIVE

Headquarters: San Diego

Sort of like Bonnie Clyde’s older, more established brother, 9FIVE is one of the best eyewear brands prioritizing quality above all. Handcrafted from the finest materials featuring detail and innovation to its highest standard, 9FIVE is a brand you can trust to push the limits every single time. Most of this sunglasses brand’s styles come in a range of colors, both classic and daring, so you can play your sunglass game as safe (or not) as you like. Whatever you end up purchasing, any pair you choose will be your next favorite—you won’t have to take much time to think this over at all.

8. Sunski

Headquarters: San Francisco

Sunski believes your sunglasses should be the most fun item you own. After all, it’s how you see the world and how the world sees you. Prioritizing style, fit, performance, value, and sustainability, this affordable sunglasses brand makes eyewear that’s meant to follow you on your adventures. Sunski produces sunnies that are meant to elevate your adventuring experience instead of making you worry about keeping them safe every step of the way—you can easily trust this sunglasses brand to be your companion at all times. Many of the eyewear Sunski makes is inspired by different places in California, so keep an eye out for the fun names!