Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
With its grand department stores and funky secondhand boutiques, San Francisco summons a full range of shopping experiences. From the anarchist bookstore to the mouthwatering specialty-food purveyors at the gleaming Ferry Building, the local shopping opportunities reflect the city's various personalities. Visitors with limited time often focus their energies on the high-density Union Square area, where several major department stores tower over big-name boutiques. But if you're keen to find unique local shops, consider moving beyond the square's radius.
Each neighborhood has its own distinctive finds, whether it's 1960s housewares, cheeky stationery, or vintage Levi's. If shopping in San Francisco has a downside, it's that real bargains can be few and far between. Sure, neighborhoods such as the Lower Haight and the Mission have thrift shops and other inexpensive stores, but you won't find many discount outlets in the city, where rents are sky-high and space is at a premium.
Seasonal sales, usually in late January and late July or August, are good opportunities for finding deep discounts on clothing. The San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner advertise sales. For smaller shops, check the free SF Weekly, which can be found on street corners every Wednesday. Sample sales are usually held by individual manufacturers, so check your favorite company's website before visiting.
Although nationally known artists—like Masami Teraoka and Ana Teresa Fernández—display their modern sculptures, paintings, photographs, and installation artwork here, emerging Bay Area artists get a spotlight, too. The gallery's BOXBLUR space showcases contemporary art both in visual exhibitions and performances.
"The Caviar Sisters" Petra and Saskia Bergstein created this sustainability-minded brand that has developed a cult following among caviar connoisseurs and chefs in the Bay Area. Their chic above-street-level boutique on Union Street allows the public to pick out some of the finest caviar products in town—and feel good about it.
This family-run shop has been selling bright, fun-shaped kites—dragons, butterflies, sharks—since the 1960s. There's a lot more than kites, too, with feng shui items, art tiles, and even iPhone cases that can go home as local souvenirs.
This upscale designer consignment shop is full of nearly new items for a lot less than new prices. Chloé and Chanel are a couple of the many high-end labels to grace the racks. Not only is this shop brimming with one-of-a-kind tops, dresses, and coats, but it smells like a spring garden, and they include a sprig of fresh flowers with every purchase.
What started as a print workshop in 1962 now includes studios as well as a large, airy gallery displaying etchings, intaglios, engravings, and aquatints by local and internationally renowned artists.
Located a few blocks off of Union Street, this shop's name perfectly sums up how in vogue its selection of women's clothing is. The boutique keeps thing edgy and comfortable but never veers too far in either direction for stylish tops, pants, skirts, dresses, and even colorful cardigans. It is without question a San Francisco favorite for contemporary, fun, but functional designs.
This family-owned business appears to be just another neighborhood liquor store, but it's actually a rare and wonderful specialist. In a city obsessed with wine, these spirits devotees distinguish themselves by focusing on rare, small-production Armagnac and Calvados brandy, and champagne. Look up from the bottles to admire the stained-glass lampshades, too.
Wine geeks love the retail choices and the exciting offerings poured at this hybrid wine store–bar. This is the place to ask questions about quieter regions and rarely seen grapes—the co-owners are gifted sommeliers and love to share their passion with guests. The shop puts together some of the greatest cheese, charcuterie, and tinned fish boards in town.
An eclectic group of shoppers wanders the aisles of this pleasantly ramshackle bookstore. The diverse stock is mostly used and unique, including quirky selections like local zines, vintage children's books, and remaindered art books. There are also paintings from local artists on sale.
Mothers shop here for charming silk dresses and other special-occasion outfits for their little ones. Less pricey togs for infants (boys to size 12 and girls to size 16) are also for sale. There are lots of fun toys, from stuffed animals to mini picnic sets, worth glancing at as well.
Located around the city, this small group of markets presents a terrific selection of gourmet foods and high-quality artisanal food and drink products. Paninis, baguettes, and espresso drinks are also available for hungry Union Street shoppers. However, it's best known for the extensive selections of craft spirits and cocktail ingredients, making this the shopping headquarters for San Francisco's home bartenders.
The educational gadgets sold here are so clever and engaging that kids won't know they're learning while playing. Space- and dinosaur-related games and toys are popular, as are robots, creative maker kits, and optical illusion gifts.
In addition to scarves, jewelry, and other crafts from around the world, this decorative-arts store carries brightly colored glass and ceramic works by local and international artisans, plus beautiful votive candles.
Open for only a few years, this Italian specialty grocer---a throwback in the very best way---feels like it's been a neighborhood staple forever. The third enterprise by Tony Gemignani, along with Tony's Pizza Napoletana and Capo's, in what's quickly becoming a San Francisco pizza empire is named after the pizzaiolo's son. The shop sells Italian kitchen staples like excellent canned plum tomatoes and olive oil, as well as fresh pasta and ravioli---more than 100 pounds per day are made here for Gemignani's restaurants. Home cooks can also find all the equipment their hearts desire to make pizza and pasta. And of course, grab a slice to go.
Margie Rogerson opened this store to showcase her platinum-only designs. While she carries a large selection of engagement rings, her specialty is colored stones: rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Their colors really sparkle against the background of this all-white and Lucite space. It's open by appointment only.
This emporium and working roastery, open since 1935, is one of the best-loved coffee stores in a city devoted to high-quality roasted java. The shop sells craft roast whole-bean bags only. It's worth the jaunt if only for the aromas.
This five-decade-old shop stocks high-quality acoustic guitars, albums, and thousands of titles of sheet music—and even has its own editions and recordings wing. The custom guitars, banjos, ukuleles, and mandolins make this a true musician's choice.
A spirit of fun imbues this inviting space that showcases local emerging artists. Prices range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, making it an ideal place for novice collectors to get their feet wet.
After you experience the Ferry Building’s fancy Saturday celebrity-chef extravaganza, head to the city’s workaday market (Wednesday and Sunday). Vendors at the city's only farmer-operated farmers' market sell heaps of fresh produce, along with baked goods, jams, potted herbs, and plenty of delicious snacks and on-the-go lunches from local artisans.
For full-frontal nerdity in a chic modern setting, visit SF's premier comic book hangout. You'll find a great selection of graphic novels and artwork by popular and local artists, as well as lively after-hours events.
One of the city's leading galleries devoted to emerging contemporary artists resides along Chinatown's main thoroughfare. Jessica Silverman has been instrumental in launching the careers of several artists and constantly puts together interesting exhibitions.
The trendy but sturdily made and utterly unique footwear for men and women is among the best in the city. Club girls go gaga over the wacky heels, handing over a pretty penny, and everyone loves the sweet messages of affirmation, like "No one can fill your shoes."
Hand-painted robes, kimonos, formal dresses, and jackets are sold at this second-generation family-owned spot. Chic Asia-inspired gifts and smaller items make great souvenirs.
The selection of English-language books about Japanese culture—everything from medieval history to origami instructions—is one of the finest in the country. Kinokuniya is also the city's biggest seller of Japanese-language books. Glossy Asian fashion magazines attract the young and trendy; the manga and anime books and magazines are wildly popular, too.
Local artisans Julia Relinghaus and Katharina Ernst have been producing one-of-a-kind and custom products for more than 30 years. Ernst's bold knitted sweaters and accessories will help you stand out from the crowd, and Relinghaus's exquisite, high-quality leather jackets for men and women are the kind of investment you make for fine leather.
Danette Scheib's smart, sharp designs make this one of SF's leading of-the-moment clothing boutiques. Caftans, wrap dresses, and leisure suit jackets are both comfortable and savvy enough for a night out or a business meeting.
A San Francisco icon, founded in 1853, Levi's offers every style, size, color, and cut of 501s for men and women at its massive flagship store. You can even trade in your old Levi's for store credit and to keep them out of the landfill.
More than 100 local artists contribute their wares to this thoughtfully curated shop, the best place in the neighborhood for San Francisco gifts and souvenirs. The inventory changes but might include anything from laser-cut metal city maps and a good selection of jewelry to high-quality knitwear and graphic T-shirts.
For an alternative to Hallmark with a SF vibe, try this intimate shop offering gadgets, knickknacks, and tongue-in-cheek novelties, plus cards, stationery, and postcards. Many products make great souvenirs, from Golden Gate Bridge onesies for babies to city-skyline socks for adults. Local artists are well represented.
It doesn't take much time in San Francisco to learn about the city's frequent fog and chilly wind, both of which are the cozy inspiration for this local label's distinctive soft-textured, stylish clothing for men and women of all ages. If you're at any restaurant or event in the city, there's a good chance that several residents are wearing a Marine Layer design.
