40 Best Places to Shop in Union Square, Civic Center, and the Tenderloin, San Francisco

Along with gems in dazzling settings, San Francisco's oldest retail store—it's been in business since 1852—carries luxury watches by Jaeger-LeCoultre and others. On Saturdays well-heeled couples scope out hefty diamond engagement rings.

Everything the home chef could need is here, along with round aspic cutters, larding needles, and other things many cooks never knew existed. The store hosts cooking classes and jaw-dropping demonstrations.

Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, sconces on the walls, a faux fireplace, and groovy music in the background set the scene at this oasis of hip. Dress shirts, sweaters, swingy pleated skirts, and suits, trousers, and jackets by the British designer have an updated 1960s aesthetic.

The closest thing to Savile Row in San Francisco, this small, cutting-edge, men-only boutique has everything from handmade suits to large handmade silver belt buckles from top-shelf Japanese and Italian designers.

Looking for a silver-tip badger brush? A polished-teak shaving-soap bowl? Or even sandalwood-infused pre-shave oil? You can pick up all of these items here, while the master barbers in the back provide anything from a moustache trim to the 45-minute "Royal Shave" (including hot towel and after-shave mask).

The Bay Area–based national retailer is famous for its tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and outdoor apparel, including rugged Gore-Tex jackets and pants.

This gray marble beauty towers over Union Square with almost as much leverage as its signature blue box. The company that all but invented the modern engagement ring makes more than just brides swoon with Elsa Peretti's sinuous silver and architect Frank Gehry's collection using materials like Pernambuco wood and black gold.

The East Coast socialite–turned–designer has brightened staid Maiden Lane with her outpost for Bergdorf Blondes, inspired by designs from the '60s and '70s. The carpet is a rich avocado, walls are magenta among other colors, and velvet curtains frame floor-to-ceiling mirrors in other candy colors. In addition to her ubiquitous ballet flats, Burch's signature tunics, silk blouses, and suits are on offer.

The more than 400 whiskeys arranged along the back wall—mostly single-malt Scotches—are organized by their region of origin, so you can easily distinguish those made in Islay from those from Speyside or Lowland. The charming Scottish proprietor can tell you about his favorites, help you with the selection of tartan scarves or cashmere sweaters, or even equip you with a kilt.

Behind a historical facade lies the massive mothership of the Sonoma-founded kitchen-store empire. La Cornue custom stoves beckon you in, and two grand staircases draw you up to the world of dinnerware, linens, and chefs' tools. Antique tart tins, eggbeaters, and pastry cutters from the personal collection of founder Chuck Williams line the walls.