Due to a strange and somewhat unfortunate turn of events I'm stuck in the Silicone Valley for a while, and despite its name appears to severely lack in the electronics markets like I find in Japan. I already made some orders to suppliers and have gotten all the parts I "need" to do things, but if I can't just run out and grab components when I need them I'll have to make orders to Digikey or Mouser every time I need any part. The tools available here are generally cheap but also crappy, if anyone knows of a good store to buy tools (like, say, Goot or Hakko brand irons?) I'd love to hear about it. Thanks.

The Electronics Flea Market is this Saturday in Cupertino - it is a great resource:
http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com/

Also, don't forget that you can place online orders at JameCo and pick them up in Belmont.

We also have a bunch of surplus electronics sources (many of which are local to Silicon Valley) in our links, such as HSC, Excess Solutions, and Weird Stuff.