Okay so this is not really a travel question but here goes. Our daughter will be attending college in San francisco next fall. We will have to fly out and buy all the dorm stuff we need once out there. Where the heck does one go in San francisco for all those dorm essentials without spending a million dollars or going to store after store?
Looking for Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Ikea etc.

All of the above are available--which school would help folks steer you in the right direction.

Ikea is across the bay in Emeryville near Oakland--


4400 Shellmound St.
Emeryville, CA 94608

If you go to the website for the other stores (you have the info about the Ikea store) and type in the zip code of the location where your daughter will be living that should give you the locations of the nearest stores. I could be wrong but I don't think the City of SF has any Target or Bed and Bath stores. I assume you will be renting a car when arriving in SF..you will need to do so for the shopping. Best regards and I hope your daughter has a successful and good time at her college and enjoys SF.

Ikea you've heard about.

I think the closest Target is probably in Daly City.

Cost Plus has more "practical/household" stuff than many realize.

There is a big "Greatland" Target in Daly City just of HWY 280 as LoveItaly said.

Ikea is in Emeryville and easily reached by car from SF. I recommend going on a weekday.

Bed,Bath & Beyond is I think on 9th street(South of Market) in SF. They are in the same complex as Trader Joe's downtown.

There is a Costco in South of Market area as well.

Where is she going to school? That might help us help you in terms of neighborhoods.

She will be going to University of San Francisco.

Lovely campus! Great location. There is a Trader Joe's on Masoic if you wish to stock her up (between Geary and Euclid).

You will have to go out of her neighborhood for most other items you are looking for. If you take Bush Street out of SF it will be your quickest way to access the freeway going to Ikea (Bay Bridge)You will need to take 280 South to get to the Target store in Daly City.

Try and get some time in the Koret Sports facility at USF if you are inclined to work out. It's beautiful.

If she drinks coffee there is a Peet's in the Laurel Village shopping center(really just a couple of blocks) on California
between Laurel and Walnut (I think).

I used to live in the Jordan Park neighborhood which is across Geary from USF. It's really quite nice.

Costco - 450 10th st
Bed Bath & Beyond (very large store) 555 9th st

Stu Dudley

There is also a Bed, Bath & Beyond in the 280 Metro shopping center in Colma ( just north of the Target in Daly City.) It would be very easy to go to both of these stores in one trip. Congratulations to your daughter -- I hope she has a great time at USF!