We're still playing with a wooden three dimensional cable car puzzle that we got in 1975.

By the way, the cable cars aren't scary at all. Exciting, yes!

SF MOMA has little frige magnets of all sorts of old time photos of SF. They also have luggage tags with the street signs from Haight and Ashbury. I just sent one to our goddaughter.

BTW~It's not lobster, it's dungeness crab SF is known for.

Oh I am going to have to go to Gumps next weekend!!

<<<Once near the Embarcadero, there was a little market going on. >>>

That market goes on daily.

<<<Oh I am going to have to go to Gumps next weekend!!>>>

Oh good, you're still coming! I'm glad you didn't change your plans.

I like the idea of seeing what grabs you, but I agree with checking out MOMA and Gumps; the former for cutting edge design in its shop; the latter is definitely an SF institution and has some wonderful selections.

But I say, hop on to the cable car for a ride; it's definitely a unique experience, and you can ride inside (vs. hanging onto the outer poles, which I prefer).

Afterward, I would find a cable car gold charm for a pendant or charm bracelet. It's fun to have a memento of an experience as well as the place itself IMO.

check out laurel burch designs

http://laurelburch.com/

our local artist - she started in the 60s in the haight - with a large following who had a penchant for bright colours and cats.
sadly she passed away a couple of years ago.

Thanks for that link. I still have a Laurel Burch tote and earrings I love.

The Cable Car Museum has a store when you might be able to find something interesting.
http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

Since you say unique. The artist exchange in the Mission has one of a kind art, jewelry, sculpture, etc. Much better than the crap at Fisherman's Wharf.

http://www.artist-xchange.com/

What is the Mission?

The Mission District is a neighborhood in San Francisco..

Hi vikib2, here is a rundown of the various neighborhoods in San Francisco which you might want to print out and take with you.
http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/
Have a wonderful visit in San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa. And have fun shopping for a special momento to take home!

I was going to suggest that you take home some SF sourdough starter, since that is such a classic & unique to the area -- but apparently, once the starter leaves the Bay Area, it quickly morphs into East Tennessee starter or Poughkeepsie starter, or wherever it's taken.

Ghirardelli chocolate, while not the greatest chocolate on earth, is very SF, having started here in 1852.

Maybe a book from City Lights, another old and revered SF landmark.

On Haight Street you can find Summer of Love memorabilia.