Will be in San Fran in August. I am a costume jewelry junkie. Need help finding the best places for reasonably priced vintage and new costume jewelry in San Francisco. I know there are a ton of thrift shops, but I'm also handicapped so able to just go to a few places-need the biggest bang for my energy.

Topping for some of our expert SFophiles.

All I know is Mrs Kal takes a bag o' money to the tables at FOMA (Foot of Market) by the Ferry Bldg/Embarcadero and the Cable Car turnaround across from the Buena Vista Cafe/Aquatic Park.

Good luck.

No expert either, but I have been to the 'FOMA' and they do have a lot of stuff. Should be easy to get around - some of it pretty nice. Have also seen lots of 'stuff' around Union Square and, of course, as Kal says, by the Buena Vista.

R,
FOMA area is flatter while the area around the BV has a bit of a steep little hill.

There has to be some funky places out in Cow Hollow/Union Street.

Maybe the SF FFFS are enjoying this great NoCal weather?

Yes, Market @ Embarcadero would be your best bet.

In August - which weekend? I can look up for you if there are any street fairs, we usually get lots of jewelery there.

Or you can check SFgate website.

There is a push cart near Ghiadelli square owned/run by Steve Sun and his wife..he has the usual stuff, but on th back of hi8s cart he has the most wonderful necklaces and earrings that they p ersonallymake themself.. I cannot tell you how many times Ive been stopped on the street, stores and even craft shoes to ask where I got the necklance... and very reasonably priced.

Will be in San Fran 8/16-8/25. Thanks to all for this very useful info-I'm salivating already. (fyi-I'm not in a wheelchair so I can do slight hills, but I do have lupus so I tire very easily.)

Would also appreciate info on great thrift stores with large vintage costume jewelry inventory.

We'll be there the 23rd thru the 25th...

Just don't tell Faina.

These are the festivals accessible by public transportation, I haven't been to any, so can't recommend. And the URL is here, so you can "play" with it:

http://www.sfgate.com/listings/searc...10,cat6,bydate

8/16/2008 San Rafael Food & Wine Festival
Fairs & Festivals
The event features wine tasting, cooking demonstrations, tasting of food from local restaurants, live music, arts and crafts, and tour of the Historic (more...)
Falkirk Cultural Center
San Rafael

8/16/2008 - 8/17/2008 Golden Gate Renaissance Festival
Fairs & Festivals
The event features costumed performers, Renaissance-era food, dancing, interactive theater, more. -- Chronicle Speedway Meadow
San Francisco
(Sunset)

8/16/2008 - 8/17/2008 Celebrate Milpitas! A Festival of Art, Wine, Entertainment & Culture
Fairs & Festivals
The event features more than 100 arts and crafts exhibitors, wine, microbrew and nonalcoholic beverages, live entertainment, a car show, more.
Milpitas Downtown
Milpitas

8/23/2008 - 8/24/2008 18th Annual Cotati Accordion Festival
Fairs & Festivals
A benefit for local youth groups with more than 30 accordion acts including Dick Contino, Limpopo, Polka Freakout, Vagabond Opera, Brian Jack and the Zydeco (more...)
La Plaza Park
Cotati

8/23/2008 - 8/24/2008 Palo Alto Festival of the Arts
Fairs & Festivals
The event featuring more than 300 artisans, Italian street painting, three stages of entertainment, fashion show, California microbrews and wines, gourmet (more...)
University Avenue
Palo Alto

Don't worry, pal, I woun't tell her

PHEW....close call.

not to knock faina...but

Cotati, Milpitas and Palo Alto are each a good hour to 1 1/2 hours from SF on public transport and for someone who tires easily in a wheelchair , it would be VERY exhausting to get there on public transport.

To the OP - are you looking for vintage jewelery for yourself or to re sell? i/.e Goodwill tye places or more upascale places.
The area known as Upper Fillmore has a great upscale thrift store, Repeat Performance, which benefits the Symphony. Prices aren't cheap but good stuff. Same with Seconds to Go, just nearby.

The Goodwill "mothership" is at Van Ness and Mission and is huge - lots of junk , not much collectible stuff but fun costume jewelery . You never know what you'll find.

Other suggestions form poiters seem to center on crafts fairs and individual crafts people which I'm not sure is what you're looking for.

PS For TONS of inexpensive costume jewlery, hair goods, you name it - SO GOOD on Haight St in the Haight Ashbury is a neat new-ish store. . They have a lot of cool stuff that you usually don't see all in one place and very fashion conscious. And haight st is always a fun trip - several neat stores altho I don't think anyone else has the kind of variety So Good has.

Thanks so much to everyone for your thoughtful advice. I'm looking forward to a rollicking good time!