Something unique to San Francisco....
 

I am going to San Francisco next week for the first time. We also will spend some time in Sonoma and Napa.

When I travel, I love to bring back some little memento that is not readily available anywhere else. Maybe a piece of jewelry or artwork. Nothing really expensive.....maybe around $100.

I like to record these items in my journal and talk about why I liked them so much. Then, when I die, my children will know the history of some of my possessions. Great idea, right?

Or, at least, they might toss the journal in with the box of my junk when they take it all to Goodwill.

Anyway.....any suggestions of where I might find something special that will always remind me of my trip to San Francisco?

Vicki

What a lovely idea on the journal. I might have to borrow that. I too like to pick one thing up usually from my travels - and that keeps the trips special to me.

Why not GET there and find something special that will always remind you of your trip?

Somehow I'm missing the point, I suppose. There are things that areas are known for (Aran sweaters from the Aran Islands, Hermes scarves in Paris, Murano glass in Venice, pottery in Portugal, that sort of thing...) but why not buy something that "speaks" to you on your trip?

Are you asking what SF is famous for? Again, I'd buy something that is special to YOU - which may be something completely different from what is special to the rest of us.

When we were in Hawaii last, at our resort (the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island) had a brass turtle on the nightstand. It is only about 3-4 inches long and very heavy. We snorkeled several times with turtles on that vacation. At the end of our stay, I found that brass turtle in a gift shop at the resort. I almost didn't buy it because it was about $25, which was pretty high, I thought, for what it was. I decided to get it, though, and I am so glad we did! Now it is on my nightstand at home, and when I look at it I remember how trip.

Also, I like to get music that reminds me of the vacation. On that same trip, the hotel had a CD that they would start playing at night when they came for the turn-down service. We found that CD (Kohala Flying), bought it, and now sometimes listen to it while we're going to sleep -- just like we did in Hawaii!

So I agree that sometimes it is better to wait until you are there to figure out what you want to buy --because I really didn't think a brass turtle would be one of my favorite Hawaiian memories, but it is.

I don't get the negative responses on this thread, especially since SF is known for it's many artisans.

MOMA haslovely jewelry, as does The Museum of Craft and Design. However if you have time to check out some of the neighborhoods (Hayes Valley and Valencia St in the Mission among them) you'll find many amazing artisans and smaller shops.

What is the negative response, mztery?

Something will jump out at you, and you'll know that you have to have it.

OOOhhh
How about a Stanley Mouse work ?
http://www.mousestudios.com/

((R))
R5

Flax. Whenever we go to the City, it's always a mandatory stop. http://www.flaxart.com/

Thanks for the ideas. I am familiar with Stanley Mouse's rock posters but never knew his name! I need to peruse his web site a little more. Flax looks pretty cool. Did you see the door mat that says "you are here"? : )

These are just the kinds of things I have in mind.

Well, other than the fleece sweatshirt most visitors buy at Fisherman's wharf because they don't expect it to be so cold in the summer.... I'm sure something will jump out at you. I like to buy earrings on my trips.

In addition to unique items I purchase when traveling, I also try to buy an ornament or charm. Sometimes this is difficult because most ornaments are made in China.

MY

Oh, Flax-great idea !
Just thought of another place for jewlery, artwork, etc.
www.gumps.com
Always fun to prowl around. We try to go every year around Christmas just to enjoy how the store is decked out and buy each other a little surprise for under the tree.

R5

I second the jewelry at SF MOMA. Very modern and interesting. If you are looking for christmas ornaments, it may seem a bit kitchy (sp?) but a cable car ornament might be nice (also - a cable car hint...never wait for the car at the end of the line if there is a big line of people. Walk up a few blocks instead).
Some of the national park stores (Crissy Field or Maritime Museum) can have interesting things to do with California. And the teeny store in the California Historical Society Museum sometimes has nice California themes stuff (around the corner from MOMA and across Mission street - not open Mondays)

Go to China Town and haggle and buy some pearls. There are lots of street vendors with some unique and not unique jewelry and artwork. There are many stands at the base of market by the Ferry Building, on the sidewalks down by the Chocolate Factory building, and around Union Square.

I also saw some very nice silver jewelry in the Jewish Museum. You can always bring back a loaf of sourdough bread in the shape of a lobster!

OH OH you can get an Alcatraz black and white striped T Shirt down by the wharf! And a hat to match!

From Napa? WINE!

oh....I have three little grandchildren -- age 2-1/2, 11 months and 5 months --- wouldn't a picture of all of them in Alcatraz shirts be cute?

: )
year 2030 -- "omg -- who are these little kids in this picture?? They have on shirts from Alcatraz?"

" *sigh* oh, that's me with my cousins....that was the year my grandmother went to California and she brought us all back those shirts. She thought they were cute.... she was so weird."

I guess I'll definitely have to get something with a cable car on it, although I'll have to take a good look at the cable cars before I commit to riding one. The cable cars I've seen in movies look very scary.

If that is the case, try the California line. Very tame. Does go up Nob Hill but it is mostly flat. Riding the cable cars is very expensive now - something like $5 a ride and you have to pay each time you get back on. Check on a pass. Not sure where you get them but you have on and off priviledges. I believe that you cannot get them on the cable car.

You could also sit inside if you can get a seat rather than outside.

I did get a hermes scarf in Paris - a leather bag in Florence... I also buy those cheap prints - and have them framed - and they are around my house - Notre Dame de Paris, the Château de Chillon, River Arno in Florence... that always makes me smile when I see the prints in my house.

I found some very nice stone jewelry in S.F. Once near the Embarcadero, there was a little market going on. Another time, near the Cliff House, a couple of tents were set up. I enjoy finding nice pieces that remind me of my trip.

Gumps is a great idea! I love that store. They have a whole line of San Francisco gifts.

http://www.gumps.com/GIFTS/GIFT+BOUT...ancisco+Gifts/

My grandmother would take us there at Christmas and I remember being so amazed.