The staff at Focal Point is top notch, true professionals. You will walk out of here with the perfect frame for your face. I have 3 frames from FP and I get compliments on them all, all the time. read more

Probably the coolest eyeglass store ever! Although I did find my new frames at Walnut Square Optometry. Even with that said, Focal Point Opticians is like a museum for funkie, artistic, out-of-the-box frames and in the best way. I will return!! Totally worth the drive from Santa Cruz! Great staff. Very friendly and plentiful. Oh, and the store is much bigger than it appears. So keep walking because it just goes and goes. Enjoy! read more

The short version: excellent selection and excellent customer service. The long: First, yes, the frames here will cost more than at some of the chain shops. However, they are much better quality and have better selection. At Focal Point, they carry frames by actual frame designers (Face a Face, La Font, Oliver Peoples, etc). These are companies that specialize in making glasses, not purses, shoes, who knows what. And for those of us who wear our glasses every day - come on, these are on your face every day - isn't it worth spending more to get something great? The selection is great - I found several frames to try on just by browsing. They will let you just browse on your own, but really, you should take advantage of the knowledge of the staff. My friend and I both worked with Lynn, who pulled several frames for us to try that we wouldn't have thought of but that looked great. Not only that, but she could tell us why they did or did not work, being specific about our faces. If the frames don't look good on you, they will tell you. I narrowed down to two frames but needed to come back later. I felt no pressure to buy that day; Lynn just took down my information. When I came back, Lynn could look up the frames I'd liked and then I made a decision. For my friend, who has astigmatism, it cost the same to get lenses through Focal Point, so she did. Lynn explained all the options very clearly and did not pressure her to go through FP for the lenses, but let her make an informed decision. For me, it ended up being a better deal to get lenses made elsewhere - again, I felt no pressure around that decision. I absolutely love Focal Point and won't go anywhere else read more

Advice. Talk about generous. I went in to shop for a frames, not knowing what I should get, because I was looking for bi-focals in addition to distance glasses. I loved their frames, and yes, the discount table is incredible. But most importantly, the man there gave me his time, plenty of it, to help me figure out exactly what I needed. The discussion ranged from what I used them for-- up-close work: reading (for school at the time, plenty of it), computer (a few hours a day); and distance: walking around and general navigation. I ended up not buying the glasses there because I ended up in downtown Berkeley, out of convenience. I owe Focal Point a lot however, in their patience and assistance! Thank you! read more

I don't bother going to any other opticians anymore; even though I no longer live near Berkeley, I go out of my way to get to Focal Point. First of all, its selection of frames is amazing, including a huge selection of Oliver Peoples styles. Its staff is incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and fun. They really love what they do. And once or twice a year, Focal Point has an amazing sale on frames, enabling you to buy uber-cool styles for great discounts. read more

Very friendly staff who did an adjustment on a pair of glasses that I didn't even purchase there. The adjustment gave me the opportunity to look around the store, which is beautifully laid out. They carry a variety of brands and their selection is enormous, with a bunch of frames on sale as well. I'm looking forward to purchasing glasses there in the future! read more

Friendly, knowledgeable, efficient and fun! Great staff.

I was looking for a specific pair of Sunglass made by Porsche Design, I could not find it here, byt the selection on other fine eyewear was desrving of a nice compliment. This place is everything you would expect, good service, large selection, big names. I didn't find my sunglasses, and my quest continues, but I would recomend this place to anyone that is looking for quality eyewear. read more

I've been a happy client of Focal Point, specifically of Lynn Edisen, for well more than a decade. Yes, FP is expensive, but then all high-end frames are, and I can't put a price on the care I've received at FP and from Lynn over the years. Lynn was there for me every step of the way when my prescription for rimless frames required several do-overs, the lab's fault, not FP's. She solved a difficult problem with focus for my computer glasses. And Lynn was instrumental in finding my current frames, teal green Harry Potter round-shaped. I get on-the-street compliments on them nearly every day! read more

It with great enthusiasm that I can enlighten my neighbors on a secret. Focal Point is the biggest rip off ever. If you're so insecure (as I once was) to pay astronomical prices for frames and lenses then so be it. On the occasion I purchased glasses from Focal Point. I was improperly fitted with glasses that were very expensive. Then I was nickel and dimed, more like hundreds more for lenses. If I have to hear Leitz one more time.... I hate to cut out the middleman. But when a company has to milk you to make a living then bring me the best for the best price. I discovered Werby Parker. Better lens, great frame. And 1/4 the price. $1,200 at FP. $250.00 WP. For my $1,200.00. I got the glasses and a good luck from the employee. No follow up. Don't cut out the middleman, but don't let insecurity force you to spend more than you should. I would never buy from them again. And, EVERYONE I know that once did, and now doesn't agrees with me. In conclusion. My farewell greeting from "the famous" Paula. "Just a reminder. These are fragile. Once you accept these. Their yours. Any adjustments from any other store will most likely break these, as my lens just barely fit". "So far I'm really confident. Twice the screw came out. These so called Hand Made frames are no different than the cheapest pair from China. I assure you they never fit me, no matter how much you bend them. If your going to sell a Ferrari then give the client a more confident feeling and follow up. read more

I have come in more than once with eyeglass 'emergencies' and have always been taken care of. The staff here are knowledgeable, kind, funny and patient. I will be forever thankful for Paula's help in replacing my favorite stolen glasses during a week when nothing was going well. She has a great eye for what will look good on people, and will share her opinion so you don't leave with something on your face that doesn't work. read more

I had an aluminum frame, 20+ year old pair of sunglasses that I LOVED, break. Aluminum glasses aren't made anymore. I had to keep them. But no one would attempt to fix them, including Focal Point, because they were aluminum. I finally went back to Focal Point and said "look, we're putting men on the moon. I want these glasses fixed. I know that, at some price, they can be fixed. She said "it might be more than we'd want to charge." I said "I'll pay." She sent them away for a week, fixed them so that I've been using them another 2 years (they've even come back into style) and the price was, she was embarrassed to say, $25. Was I ever happy! Helen D. read more

I couldn't believe my eyes at the number, variety of styles and manufacturers this store carries. It was like being in a candy store or maybe a wine store. While I thought I knew the frames that I wanted, they had so many that I left without selecting one. The staff were attentive but not pushy so I can't wait to make up my mind and go back! Note that I am only giving them 4 stars because I didn't select frames so I can't compare the technical and administrative part of selection. read more

Went there today with my husband on our walk in the neighborhood. Both of us ready to buy several high end frames, only to be there for over twenty minutes without a welcome, acknowledgment of our presence, or offer of help. It was so awkward and creepy. Several sales associates walked past us while we were trying on glasses through the store ... Again without any acknowledgment. I kept thinking "any minute now someone will help us" and gave them the benefit of the doubt that perhaps they were just busy. But in reality they were hanging behind the counter together, talking with each other and would even glance at me from time to time without saying a word. Even when we finally gave up and left the store no one said a word. Very disappointing. Heading somewhere else to buy our fancy frames. read more

This is not a place for people who are looking to try on the glasses they're going to eventually buy from 39dollarglasses, or who are hoping to walk out with glasses for under $300. It's just not going to happen. No, Focal Point is the type of place you go when you are tired of having your complex prescription screwed up by Lenscrafters... again. Or when you finally realize that if you're willing to spend $200 on a jacket you'll wear once every few weeks, maybe it makes sense to invest in something bold or artistic to wear on your face every single day, instead of merely bland and inoffensive, like the things you're likely to find in your optometrist's waiting room. And, sure, they carry Chanel and Prada and other run of the mill designer names that you might also find at a Sunglass Hut, but they also carry brands that are a little more exciting to 4 eyed geeks, like ic! berlin and lafont. The service, at first blush, can be a bit stiff and reserved. But once you ask for help you'll get it, and it's genuine advice about what suits your face and what's really the wrong size or shape for your features, instead of a smarmy endorsement of anything you pick up in the hopes of making a sale. If you want the full service experience, look for Paula. She takes genuine delight in finding the perfect frames for your life, and she'll find some way to make you laugh along the way. Be forewarned -- a new pair of lenses can take two weeks, but the prescription is also dead accurate, which can matter if you have prism or some other complication. If your prescription isn't that difficult and you need a finished pair faster you may want to take your frames elsewhere to avoid the wait. read more

Following the Yelp reviews, went there to get frames and prescription lenses. They are indeed quite expensive (specifically the lenses - but they were high quality Zeiss lenses). Quite pushy to sell you more expensive stuff but that's OK. 2 weeks later got the lenses but the edges were clearly ugly. They were quite accommodating and found a solution (painted the sides). Was sufficiently happy to order sunglass lenses. Again withstood the push to buy the most expensive ones. 2 weeks later got a message that their lens vendor made the wrong lenses. A week later they called and I left work early to collect my glasses. Could barely see with the new lenses. Turns out they made them incorrectly again. Need to wait another week. Hope they get it right this time (no apology BTW). Quality is high but for the prices they charge, I would expect them to get it right the first time. read more

great people skills....actually did what they said they would, in the time frame quoted. definitely a keeper. read more

The best of the bay!!! Had glasses all my life and never has there been a place that cares so much and does such a great job. They know glasses better than anyone!!!! read more

Paula! Paula! Paula! I have never been anywhere but Focal Point with Paula since my first set of frames in 1996. Fashionable but not silly, quality but not overpriced, and customer service beyond belief. Get your eyewear HERE. Ask for Paula. read more

When I received my glasses, I could not read with them. They said they would re-do it for me because my eyes could not see with the less expensive material used for my lenses. So...i gave them more money for more expensive material. The second set i still could not read through. ack. Then they were sitting crookedly on my face and the optician told me she refused to straighten the glasses because my face was crooked and i would just have to "live with it" I took the frames to another optician who was happy to straighten my frames but i still could not read well. Finally back to the eye doc who said no one has a perfectly symetrical face. duh. The person was very unethical, mean and unprofessional. Never go there!! I had been going there for years prior and loved them. read more

My adventure to find the perfect pair of eyeglasses began with Focal Point a year and a half ago and really only ended a few months ago. They were having a trunk sale and I found a pair of very cute glasses, but I was at the beginning of my search and didn't quite believe that it could be that first pair I found. Well, about 11 months later I returned and had the glasses ordered. Cheree (sp?) helped me and she was very nice! But then I became one of those customers that stopped by 4 more times for adjustments because my ears are not quite right and the glasses would be uncomfortable at times. They were glad to help each time and said they didn't mind. Now keep in mind if you go on a Saturday it can be very busy there. I think that's what happens when you're pretty popular with good reviews on yelp. Thank you everyone! My dental office in Moraga is almost ready to open--stop by anytime for a visit! read more

I used to love this place, it has a great selection. I recently went to buy a pair of Oliver Peoples that I had picked out at the Oliver Peoples store in Costa Mesa. The pair of glasses was $100 more expensive here than it was at Oliver Peoples. In order for me to remain a customer, the owner matched their price. I bought the glasses, they said they would ship them to me and I would have them within 10, 12 days max. 14 days later, I call to see why they haven't shipped my glasses yet; they tell me there was a problem with the lab and they would be sending them within 3 days. One week after that, I call again to see what the hold up is. This time, I was told that they could not read the owner's handwriting so they were trying to decipher my order and I would have it within 3 days. After a whole month after I first ordered my glasses I call because I am making a trip back up to the Bay Area and would just pick them up if they were ready--I was told they would be. I go to pick up my glasses (on a Thursday) and I am told the lenses are defective and they have ordered new ones that will arrive the day after (Friday) so I should come back Saturday. At this point, I am extremely mad that I still don't have my glasses, but since I need the new prescription I come back Saturday morning. After I get there, I am told the lenses still aren't there and that they will be there by 12:30pm that same day so I needed to come back that afternoon. Since I was leaving the next day, I had to make the extra trip. This was absolutely THE WORST customer experience I have EVER had. I was not given any discount for my troubles, the owner had dropped the price to match another store in order for me to remain a customer, but I will definitely never come back to Focal Point. The manager, Maria, needs to learn a few tips on how to treat customers. Next time, if something goes wrong, pick up the phone and update them on the situation. EDIT: The owner of Focalpoint contacted me after posting this review to remedy the poor experience I had had in his shop. I appreciate this gesture to recapture my confidence in this business. I will give Focalpoint another chance next time I need a paid of glasses. It is important to make mistakes in this world, as it is the simplest way of learning, but one needs to actually learn from their mistakes--something Focalpoint has done. Thank you. read more

I broke my frames and needed to replace them immediately. I was worried because I really need my glasses to see (and to read!) and my back up glasses also broke, so I was anticipating being "blind" for weeks. I thought that I'd have to go through a long process of the eye exam and then waiting weeks to get the new glasses made up (I have a complex prescription). It didn't dawn on me that frames could be found immediately to fit my lenses. I went into Focal Point to look for new frames and got amazing help. Not only were frames found that fit my current lenses perfectly, but they were changed right on the spot and I walked out with working glasses! Didn't expect that at all! Everyone there was so helpful and friendly! I really appreciated all of the help - especially that I would have glasses right away! When I left, they gave me all kinds of extra goodies to clean my glasses - spray and a few extra of those cleaning clothes that are awesome! I'll never buy my glasses anywhere else...and they were on sale! Great prices, huge selection, fabulous designs. I couldn't have had a better experience!!!! read more

Beware, the sales people are great, meaning they can and will sell you anything. But the service ultimately not great.

if you want awesome, rock glamorous, and can't decide between preppy, hipster, funky, or sophisticated, Focal Point is for you. I had the most amazing experience here. Hands down. Bf and I were in the area for lunch. I wandered in "just to look" and tried on some frames for fun. George, helping another lady, took one look at the current frames and shook her head "no" with an aura of authority. she ended up helping me choose frames, taking the time to educate me on how to choose them based on the bridge of my nose/width of my eyes and how the frames .. well.. frame your eyes. first lesson: no matter how much you love the look, if they don't fit on your nose bridge, you will hate them. so very true! then she informed me on how to care for lenses..sounds simple, but no one has ever told me. lastly, she adjusted my current frames (awful, ill fitting, purchased elsewhere), made them feel much better (still not great, but i think it's the frame not fitting my face! which another lady sold to me without hesitation) and did not even pressure me to buy any frames there!!!! she said they don't take many vision plans, as they do not have an eye doctor on site, and that if i wanted to i could get the brand/model of the frames and get them at a place where my insurance would cover. i was blown away. i bought the frames anyway, opting to use my "out of network" benefits, and will have the rx and lenses made by my optometrist in berkeley (so the lenses will be covered). i can't wait! i wear glasses everyday..and now i have great fitting, feminine frames..with a touch of pink! read more

Focal Point deserves many more than 5 starts! They have a high expertise in designing and fitting multi-focal lens to each customer's idiosyncratic needs, and the most up to date equipment to do it with. They would work with you on the lens until it fits you just right. When buying glasses we often think of the frame. But it's the lens that facilitates the clear, sharp vision. They are courteous, committed, impeccably professional, cutting edge, and compassionate. I used to suffer from bad headaches due to the difficulties in fine tuning my lens prescription as the lens were being crafted. These are gone since I bought there a pair of multifocals and a pair of computer-reading glasses. read more

the focal point is not inexpensive. they do not pretend to me. However, they know me by name, they make minor adjustments to all my glasses while I wait, they have good sales on the high end stuff (up to 80% off for those who must wait for sales) and a back room full of always on sale frames, they invented the e-clips which makes custom sunglasses for any frames, and the selection of frames is great. As another review mentioned, they have an opinion and they are usually right. A boutique, neighborhood store. highly recommended read more

Fantastic customer service. My husband purchased a pair of glasses last November at Focal Point and had a very good experience. Yesterday his glasses were almost destroyed in an accident. I brought in his mangled glasses -- and I mean really mangled, very bent with one side of the glasses nearly falling off. One of the staff took the glasses and spent about 30 minutes straightening them out, making them look like new. I wish I had asked her name. She was so helpful and did a magnificent job, requiring such careful precision work. And this was done free of charge. Thank you! We are now life-time customers. read more

I was taking a walk in the neighborhood when I realized my sunglasses had broken. I stopped into Focal Point to see if they could fix them. The staff was very friendly and shop was clean and organized. A staff member took a look and said he could replace the screw and make the repair on the spot. Only took a few minutes, cost me $3. Great experience. read more

It's great energy in Focal Point. The staff are helpful and I might add the Manager Maria Morales is fun and excellent at being with the customers and in the business of optical sales. It's wonderful to waltz in on the twice a year sale too. I walked out with a Barton Perreira frame for about half off. Wow! And thank you! read more

Not only does this place have the best selection of frames (5k in stock at any given time), but their staff is awesome. Paula is the best -- super fun to work with and she is a pro at fitting glasses to your face. I used to spend hours browsing and trying on frames without trusting my own judgment. Now I leave the work to Paula. I walk in, she looks at my face, checks out my eye color, asks me about my style and -- BAM! -- in less than 5 minutes, she has pulled 10 pairs of amazing glasses for me to try on. I purchase, I love, I wear, I get compliments. If you're considering Focal Point, go for it. read more

Update to my review from last June: Recently, I took my reading glasses off, and the bridge piece snapped! What the heck?? Maria told me don't worry, there is a warranty. Short story shorter, I am now the proud owner of brand new custom readers and once again reading like a champ! Very noticeable improvement over the Costco readers I was using for the last week while my replacement was being made and shipped to me. So glad to have my easy reading vision back. No muss, no fuss, just excellent customer service and expert craftsmanship. Thanks, Maria! read more

I went to this spot because I saw the large sale signs and I though I could save me a trip to LA to my Mykita dealer... long story short, my glasses ended up not being on sale ("oh Im sorry but this particular frame is not on sale actually") and they were the most expensive frames and prescription glasses I ever paid for in my life! (I'm 55) The bill for the frames and glasses ended up being almost 2K. I went ahead with it because I loved the frame and did not want to waste time. Boy oh boy, did I waste my time though. My glasses arrived with a 4 week delay, they are all scratched and the lenses are blurry, I have to hold my head in one specific position to not see blurry, lol, I thought I was getting the best of the best - that is what the sales women kept telling me - but oh boy, no! Im returning these with a vengeance - what a waste of time Focal Point is - BEWARE. In the meantime I also found the exact frame they sold me for $650 for $425 online, #lol read more

sooo much to choose from. finally I have found a pair that fits my face. YaY.

I got frames several years ago from them. Recently, I had another pair of glasses (not bought from them), and the frame broke. They took the new lenses and put them in the old frame that I still had. Best of all--no charge! And totally, friendly courteous service. I realize their frames and lenses tend to be on the steep side; however, they provide service and stand behind their products like Costco never will. While I've moved away from Elmwood, I still go there. read more

My experience there was fantastic. The frames are beautiful and Cherie - who has great taste - helped me to find a bunch of frames in different price ranges. She spent a lot of time with me as well. It was refreshing to actually have an honest sales person that would actually tell me if something didn't look good. read more

This is a great place to get glasses. I've replaced both wings on my present glasses and they made me new clip ons recently that work great. i'd stay away from the coating that they put on glasses though. It seems to scratch off quickly. read more

update to my previous review. In the spirit of honest yelping, I am returning to report that the store owner contacted me and made a genuine good faith effort to address my problem and fix it. We came to an acceptable result. I am still unhappy with the service I initially received and with the lack of information given to me at the time of purchase. I was however impressed with the response to my yelp and am hoping the service will improve for all. read more

Excellent selection, with good sales and a good discount table to make those pricier frames affordable. And rock solid lenses - I've had to have lenses re-ground multiple times at other places to get something I could live with, but here the lenses have always been just right from the beginning. read more

I bought a pair of Betsey Johnson eyeglasses here about 3 years ago. Just recently, I was finally getting around to having lenses put in them. I went to Costco who said they were just reading glasses and the plastic was inferior so they couldn't be done. I took the frames to Kaiser and they said the same thing. I looked online and the frames were definitely optical frames, so I took them back to Focal Point and they made and installed the lenses in 4 days. Paula, who helped me with these, was wonderful! She assured me that they could fix the damage Costco did to the frame and they did! While I was there, I spotted another pair of glasses that I loved, but did not buy them as I was just picking up a pair. A week later, I decided that I would buy the other frames as finding a pair you love isn't easy and frames do get discontinued. I called the shop, only to find that the frames I wanted had sold the day before and that the color I wanted was indeed discontinued. Maria, the mangager, called her La Font representative and tracked down a pair of frames in the color I wanted in just a few days! Talk about excellent customer service! Yes, you can get frames cheaper online, but if we don't support our local shops, where will you go to try on the frames in person to see if they look good on you? I enjoyed my experiences at Focal Point and will continue to support them! read more