San Francisco Shopping Advice
 

We will be visiting SF soon and are interested in going to outlet malls. Staying in Union Square and would appreciate any suggestions/advice on outlet malls that does not involve a long journey (anything over an hour). Do not plan to drive so suggestions pls? Many thanks.

I don't know of any outlet stores anywhere near Union Square, so you would have to have a car to get to them, outside the city.

There are some discount stores on Market St, was there recently and did had some great luck with finding some good bargins.

Indeed, there aren't any large malls in SF proper at all. The outlet malls are all outside the city; maybe someone can help you with public transpo ideas, but the journey will surely take at least an hour and probably more. Good luck!

i think there are some outlet stores aren't there? Esprit and jessica mcclintock?
but for an outlet mall you'd have to go to petaluma or gilroy or vacaville, all quite a distance.

The only outlet malls I can think of are more than an hour from downtown SF. The outlets at Gilroy are pretty good. I am not much of a shopper myself, but I know a lot of people who will drive for hours to get there.

Why would you go to one of the most beautiful and sophisticated cities in America to schlep around outlet stores you could find anywhere in the country??? And then not be willing to drive?? The mind boggles.

There are outlet stores, it's been discussed, you can do a search.

Off the top of my head I can say: Ross is in the union square area, corner of Market and 4th street, and 2-3 blocks away is Burlington coat factory. Also on Market at 5th is Marshall's.

Mike - I don't understand either, but then I always figure that this is because I am not much of a shopper. I guess different people are interested in seeing different things.

I join the "don't understand this" club, but what the heck :)

By the way when I was in retail I was shocked how many europeans devote days to shopping. I guess it depends maybe on personality, maybe on where a person's coming from. If I'd live in a village with the only shopping possibility being mail order I'd most likely make shopping trips.

I'm willing to bet the OP is from outside the US. Foreign visitors are the only people who regularly post questions on outlet malls here on fodors.com. Brand-name stuff is just cheaper here (although, once you factor in the travel expenses,...).

I'm almost positive that the Esprit outlet has closed and I'm not sure that Ross and Marshall's would qualify as outlet shopping. I have been to the outlet malls in Napa and north of St Helena and neither are worth a repeat visit IMO. Agree that you may want to rethink your shopping plans (or rent a car). If you really want to visit a mall, try the San Francisco Center on Market.

IMHO do NOT bother going to the outlets in Vacaville (I am now ducking because sure the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce will want to bat me over the head). Most outlets have all the "junk" that has not sold in the regular stores. There are a couple of exceptions but not enough to rent a car and take the 2 hour plus drive from SF to Vacaville.
I feel that way about all the outlet stores though.

Many thanks for all your replies. We'll search for outlet malls as suggested.

Yes. We are from England, and the prices in the US, especially in outlet malls, are eye-bogglingly cheap for us from Europe. And the range of choice is huge.

Don't worry, we'll will enjoy the delights of SF as well.

I agree with previous response. Why go to outlet malls when in SF. If you are looking for a bargin go to Berkeley and Haight Ashbury (in SF) and go to the resale shops. They are not like other resale shops. You can find great things there. Also much more fun than boring outlet malls which you can find anywhere. Also be sure to spend Saturday in Berkeley (Telegraph). Lots to see and buy. Street merchants galore.