CALIFORNIA COWBOY BOOTS

I have not yet given into my desire for cowboy boots.  When I do succumb to the invitable, however, I plan to start my shopping with these folks:

Luis Jovel Custom Cowboy Bootmaker: I'll start with Fresno-based LJB.  Why?  Because his boots look great, and because he makes them in the heart of California's real cowboy country.

Courtney Custom Boots: Napa-based Courtney Custom is a one-woman shop that makes custom boots by hand.  The waiting list is a year long.

Genio Custom Boots: Escondido-based Genio Custom hand makes elaborate boots at within-dreaming-distances (i.e., less than $1,000) prices.

Hernandez and Sons Custom Boots: San Jose H&SCB makes very pretty things from leathers, including boots.

Ballard Custom Footwear: Beverly Hills-based Ballard custom makes boots by hand from a variety of leathers.  Their website doesn't say how much the boots cost -- I'm guessing it's a lot a lot a lot.

Custom Boots by Michael Anthony: Sebastopol-based Michael Anthony hand makes custom boots from standard and exotic leathers.

Murga Boot Company: Rancho Santa Margarita-based MBC makes custom leather clothing, including some pretty fantastic boots.