Niketown
Union Sq.
More glitzy multimedia extravaganza than true sporting-goods store, this emporium is nevertheless the best place in town to find anything and everything with the famous swoosh.
4 Best Shopping in San Francisco, California
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With its grand department stores and funky secondhand boutiques, San Francisco summons a full range of shopping experiences. From the anarchist bookstore to the mouthwatering specialty-food purveyors at the gleaming Ferry Building, the local shopping opportunities reflect the city's various personalities. Visitors with limited time often focus their energies on the high-density Union Square area, where several major department stores tower over big-name boutiques. But if you're keen to find unique local shops, consider moving beyond the square's radius.
Each neighborhood has its own distinctive finds, whether it's 1960s housewares, cheeky stationery, or vintage Levi's. If shopping in San Francisco has a downside, it's that real bargains can be few and far between. Sure, neighborhoods such as the Lower Haight and the Mission have thrift shops and other inexpensive stores, but you won't find many discount outlets in the city, where rents are sky-high and space is at a premium.
Seasonal sales, usually in late January and late July or August, are good opportunities for finding deep discounts on clothing. The San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner advertise sales. For smaller shops, check the free SF Weekly, which can be found on street corners every Wednesday. Sample sales are usually held by individual manufacturers, so check your favorite company's website before visiting.
Patagonia
Fisherman's Wharf
Technical wear for serious outdoors enthusiasts is the specialty. Along with sportswear and casual clothing, the store carries active wear for backpacking, fly-fishing, kayaking, and other activities.
REI
SoMa
In addition to carrying a vast selection of clothing and outdoor gear of the Seattle-based co-op, the store rents camping equipment and repairs snowboards and bikes.
Recommended Fodor's Video
The North Face
Union Sq.
The Bay Area–based national retailer is famous for its tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and outdoor apparel, including rugged Gore-Tex jackets and pants.
