This is one of those businesses where you should check the Sort Order and choose Newest First. They're going through a lot of changes. My girlfirend said: It's nothing like it was 30 years ago. [wink emoji - like yeah, nothing is] If you've ever been through a corporate merger or a non-profit merger, well, you might catch the scent. Alt-E of Massachusetts is the new owner of Real Goods (as of just weeks ago). Alt-E stands for alternative energy, so solar is still the thing, but this location is clearly very much in "work in progress" status at this time. Customer Service woman in the small store was very helpful. We left with some new information about hempline construction and we picked up some practical and some gift items. She also gave us the name of the good straw bale construction contact. When I asked about the Yelp check-in deal for the free copy of the Source Book, she knew nothing about the check-in deal. She said the store we were in was a Solar Living Institute store, but she kindly called down to the Real Goods "store," which was a warehouse. Things were in flux in early September, 2019. Nice fellow at the warehouse was able to secure a copy of the book for me, but it was a little awkward. Meanwhile, up the hill there's a dispensary now. Emerald Pharms which has its own Yelp listing, but I'm mentioning it here because all three businesses share a driveway and parking and are walking distance from each other. read more

This store has so much interesting merchandise -- it's all about eco-green shopping - you name a thing and it's there. Urban homesteaders can find all they want for canning, dehydrating even beekeeping! There's a super cool bee hive with a clear glass/plexi wall covered by a cabinet door so you can open it up and peek inside at the girls doing their thing. Everyone in the store is always super helpful, the store is very clean and there are always interesting bargains to be had. read more

This is my favorite pit-stop when driving from the Bay Area up 101 towards Humboldt county. I've been coming here for 20 years and never had a bad visit. As a dad, I can appreciate Real Goods as a stimulating, welcoming, and enticingly stocked oasis on a long drive. As a former Humboldt resident, I appreciate how Real Goods can appeal to both liberal hippies and conservative rednecks. Located in Hopland, CA, half way between Cloverdale and Ukiah, the Real Goods store has plentiful parking and a beautiful and expansive outdoor space, including misters, picnic tables, a fountain, pond, and an underground tunnel for kids to climb through. The also have plentiful and clean restrooms. They even had no-flush urinals in the 90s, well before I saw them used anywhere else. Inside the store, you'll find a wonderland of off-the-grid-living products, and you'll also find a remarkably knowledgeable staff that will gladly talk to you about sustainable living. This is a great place to find gifts for your eco-conscious, nerdy, redwood-hugging friends (like me) or your zombie-ready, off-road driving, underground bunker building, prepper friends (not so much me, but still a good friend to have). read more

Real goods solar living center an oasis of and for all things green and solar living - leaving less of a footprint on mother Gaia. Been stopping (since the trees were small) taking a break from the road, finding something new in the solar gadgets world and shopping here for years. Great structures and grounds, lots of trees around. The main building (Information/shopping center) is a straw bale construction that's now world renown. It's passive solar design and sun dial/calendar entrance are beautiful examples of using the sun to create great spaces and leaving a smaller footprint. Nice shady areas with some picnic tables and chairs along the grounds. Cool passive solar repurposed recycled restrooms. Relaxed comfortable environment for anyone and everyone. Well worth a stop and visit whenever you're driving on the 101 through Hopland, on the south end of town. Look for the old cars used as tree planters. 4.5 Stars - rounded up for still being the great place that it is after all these years. 00436 read more

So epic-ly random. I'm not really sure quite what to think about Real Goods. It's kind of a bizarre mash-up of green conscious items, organic food items, natural clothes, wine, and other interesting things. They even have some ponds on their grounds, electricity powered by exercise bikes, as well as bathrooms constructed from recycled prescription bottles. It's definitely a surreal place. But it's my kind of surreal place. I picked up some energy saving light-bulbs, some Ginger Spice Braggs Apple cider, and fawned over the unique natural cooking supplies and skin products. If you're making a visit here - try to allot some time to really explore the store. It's crammed full of good gift potential and it will be hard to leave without buying something. Trust read more

NOT to be confused with the physical location in Cali, which many not even be there anymore. Real Goods was recently purchased by Alt E ( Alternative Energy Store) but the web link for these Yelp reviews goes to the same site where I purchased my items. I bought an inverter/controller via a phone sale with Real Goods Solar sales person Adam. Unfortunately, the unit will not work with my Simpliphi battery. Long story short, Simpliphi will not honor their battery warranty unless I use THREE of their 24v lithium batteries with the Victron unit that Real Goods sold me. Real Goods (now ALTe, inc) sold me the battery and the Inverter/Charger. They never told me I would need 3 batteries. Simpliphi techs assured me that resellers are more than aware of these limitations. Now I can't get anyone to talk to me from Real Goods. No response to e-mail or calls. Just pathetic. You are better off buying from Amazon. Hate to say it- but its true. I wanted to buy from a good company, but I just got screwed!! read more

This is place, ah, is so amazing! I've stopped in here a couple times now and plan to be back and stop here every time I'm in the area! Perfect pit stop! This place has so much to offer...I don't even know where to begin. We very much enjoyed just wandering around the grounds, with yurts and greenhouses, beautiful gardens, art scattered around and a pond, which is a perfect place for a picnic. The store is also amazing! From big appliances to clothes, with an amazing selection of books and kid, kitchen, home and garden goods! They also offer camping here, I believe their listings are on Airbnb, there's a tiny house and a teepee! So much to see, explore and learn here! They offer some very interesting sounding courses here and have a dispensary on site. read more

Real Goods - Winter time outside... - Solar Installation Near Me - Ukiah, California

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I love this place - such a fun stop when driving through town. Has a great shop with unique, eco-friendly items (small items perfect for gifts, lots of books, and household items (dishes, wind-chimes, compost toilets, solar panels...). Large pond, walking trails, nice place to sit, clean restrooms, and now a dispensary. read more

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I drive by the entrance to this place all the time, I had no clue how far back it went and just how much there was to see! There were a lot of fun things to look at in their shop. A lot of beautiful sights to see around the grounds with some water features, fun sculptures and statues, and a play area for children. If you're just passing through the 101, this would be a great place to stop and stretch your legs! The shop also has cold drinks and frozen treats. read more

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This is my favorite store in the world. There is no other store that I would rather have a shopping spree at, and it will be my first stop if I ever win the lottery. I've been coming here for years and I've noticed that there are a few different ways to enjoy the Real Goods store. 1.) My Ship Has Come In: If you have some significant initial funds, you can explore ways to convert to a more responsible way of living. (Of course, eco-living is likely cheaper in the long haul.) There are solar panel consultants, all the books you could need, gorgeous stoves, water filters... The list goes on... 2.) I Can Afford To Make A Few Wiser Choices: You like to buy natural bedding, since you recharge at night and would prefer to breathe toxin-free air. Or you want as many natural and organic fibers against your baby's tender skin. 3.) I'm An Opportunistic Hippy: You might have no real money to speak of, but you love to cruise their many on-sale items for some special little treat. (I usually fit this category.) 4.) I Just Need A Stop On The 101 (that doesn't involve gas station chow or greasy fast food): There's many picnic areas, spots for kids to play, coffee, snacks, groovy eco-bathrooms, displays, wine-tasting... If you use the space without buying anything, there's a donation box. 5.) I Have No Money: You might just need to beam some love rays at the donation box, but it's still a great place to look around! read more

There are not a lot of places on Yelp that get 5 stars from EVERY reviewer, but Real Goods deserves it. This is a truly fantastic business: 1 - They have put a ton of effort into creating a beautiful space, with wonderful grounds to walk around and enjoy. 2 - They have THE BEST selection of sustainable construction, off-the-grid living, and healthy eating books that I have seen anywhere other than Amazon. You could spend literally hours browsing those shelves. 3 - They have their own B100 Biofuel pump, which is what brought us in here in the first place. It's slow, but beggars can't be picky... 4 - The staff were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. There are very few stores in the world where you can pick up children's toys AND have a deep conversation with the staff about the merits of Outback Inverters for Solar PV installations. They really do want to help. 5 - On Site is their Solar Living Institute non-profit, truly showing their dedication to the mission and putting it front and center. I literally had to pull Alice out of the store, before we spent TOO much time and money there. The truth is though, I could have spent another hour there myself, and between the solar equipment, the books, the composting kitchenware, and the kids educational toys - I could have easily spent a thousand dollars there too... This place is truly the gold-standard of Eco Friendly retailers. Thanks for a great afternoon. read more

Appliances, kitchen and home items for eco-living or living off the grid. Fun stuff and serious stuff such as self composting toilets, solar ovens, solar laptop bags, plus really great extensive book section on alternative contruction. Every summer they have a solar living festival which is pretty fun and educational. A nice stop on the drive up or down Hwy 101. read more

Just went after reading and seeing videos online. I was excited to go since my wife and I are going off grid soon. Wanted to see lots of cool gear and learn as much as possible. Sadly the place was bought out by a Marijuana company and the amazing store I expected is gone! The main store is empty and most of the out buildings are not in ue and looked abandoned. All that is left is a small shop. Feels like a gift shop with minimal stuff and a few books, Its so sad because I was so excited and drove 1 hour and a half for nothing. Looks like I'm getting my stuff from Amazon and learning from YouTube. Although I never saw the original place and only saw pictures, videos, and word of mouth I feel like its a great loss to NorCal. Unless things change I do not recommend going. read more

This place is so cool, it's worth stopping at every time I'm on 101 in this area. The staff are great, the goods are really great, the place is cool. When my child was elementary age, she loved the exhibits. A good rest stop on long drives. The goods are expensive in my book, but they're so cool & useful. read more

I want to live here!!! This store, ground, staff... EVERYTHING was amazing!! I love it!!! Bought a shirt, some wine and stickers on my road trip home. Found this place and fell in love instantly. I am planning on my next camping trip for next summer to come back. If you are eco-friendly and want a great place to shop - GO HERE!!! read more

This is my favorite place to visit with the kids- loads of space dor them to explore. Also the gift items are perfect. Highly recommend shopping here. read more

educate your self and stop by, worth the trip!!!!! great wine!!!!!!

These guys and gals live and breath their products services and technology. What a treat to be able to browse and learn about off the grid sustainable living from friendly knowledgeable folks who encourage without pressuring, judging or grandstanding. Bought some stuff to continue my exploration and journey but also made a few small purchases just out of support for the amazing store and culture read more

I love this place so much. My children both have been coming here since they were very little, a weekly mecca from Ukiah. We have been inspired, refreshed and filled with joy from our visits. We are so lucky to have this community treasure within reach. And, the staff is AWESOME. I love Leslie, who is so good with her children visitors, my son always looks forward to seeing her. I recently was turned on to Emerald Pharms which is located on the premises..it is a well lit and beautifully appointed CBD apothecary. Chelsea was such a well educated and gracious host there, I cannot wait to return for all of my medicinal needs. All around, Real Goods is a precious gem! read more

A great store, with about a million different tree hugger things to inspire you. However, we stopped in on a sunny Sunday afternoon and it was a ghost town. No one outside anywhere (it was a little eerie), just a few chickens and some goats. We wandered about, wondering if it was much better when there were people and guided tours and any sort of excitement or activity. I mean, the store is nice and all, and while the bathrooms aren't as weird as you might hope when you hear that they have "weird bathrooms," without the background, and with most outer buildings locked up tight, it fell pretty flat and felt a little bit like a forgotten hippie commune. I suppose I'd give it another shot in the summer, but I'm not that hard pressed to be honest. read more

A lot of interesting sustainable-living demonstrations, many interactive. I can easily lose an hour browsing their store as well.

Where else would you go for your off-grid home needs? Real Goods has it all from, camping to homesteading to solar and more. Friendly staff, tours on the weekends, beautiful gardens, and ponds full of fish! Not to mention a beautiful line of clothes, kids toys, kitchen needs, beauty care and books to cure your retail therapy. A great spot to take the kids, have a picnic, do a self guided tour and relax. You'll get sucked into the store that's full of amazement and not want to leave the property, which is a great thing since they have a tiny tumbleweed air bnb house and camping. Just way to much to list, that's why you should just go see for yourself. read more

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This place is awesome! Great selection of all sorts of "eco" products, from crystals to solar lighting. They have quite a lot of cool things that I had never seen anywhere else. Apparently they have been leading the way as far as solar energy since 1978, as well as specializing in outdoor preparedness and off-grid living. They are a huge resource, with highly knowledgeable staff and a library of related books. When traveling north on the 101, definitely hit this place up, its a nice place to stop and shop as well as having really beautiful grounds and nice bathrooms. read more

MeLissa is super knowledgeable about the Solar Living Institute. we had an absolutely amazing time! This place is so beautiful and inspiring! read more

Even though this store is about two hours away from anything I do when I'm visiting the folks in California, it is always on my list. It may be my favorite store, full stop. A wealth of alternative living information and gadgets, the store itself is a fine example of the beauty of straw bale building and the use of recycled materials. There is a fountain in the central courtyard that has something to do with lunar cycles, a playground, and a garden full of useful plants (the parking lot is surrounded by plants that help process chemical runoff from anything dripping from the bellies of the cars). There's a Dawn Redwood tree near the raspberries which is an example of the only known plant related to the California Redwood, and is native to Asia (wow, continental drift). There are also lots of interactive displays about environmental problems and weird sculptural illustrations of (for example) how many barrels of oil the store has saved by selling low-energy lightbulbs. It's a long drive up 101, but you'll know you're there when you see the car husks with trees growing right through them in the front yard, which have been there from the very humble beginnings (my family has been coming for decades). If you are interested in alternative living, check it out at http://www.realgoods.com. They have some fantastic-sounding internships, too. read more

I really love visiting this place any time I'm going through Hopland. It's so relaxing to wander around the premises, sit on the big swing by the store and listen to the sound of the fountain, or stroll through the gardens. I love the variety of items on sale in the store. This last time, I bought a small cast iron skillet and a charger for AAA batteries. Also picked up a rootbeer making kit for my son. The people are very helpful and friendly. It's a pleasure to visit this store. read more

This is definitely my favorite alternative living and just fun place. Even if you don't want to buy something for eco alternative living they have drinks ice cream and fun games for sale. read more

Great shopping experience for self sufficiently . Everything under the sun for solar independence . Very helpful and friendly staff. Beautiful gardens and permaculture setting. read more

A Mecca for anyone who loves the earth and who wants to learn how people can live with it and ourselves in harmony and peace. Walking the grounds you can see in person how it can work. Beautiful and so comfortable to be in. And it's got beautiful things to buy. And great books! read more

I got a emergency solar battery charger 8 years ago and never had the chance to use it. Last week we tried to charge 2 AA batteries in it and it didn't work. I called and they would not do anything about it. I'm not satisfied. read more