World Class Shopping
 ©RJ Best |
Aside from eating, shopping is San Francisco’s favorite pastime. Consequently, virtually every neighborhood has its own unique shopping district. Some are more basic than others, but all of them provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of the locals.
Chic and
Urban
Most famous among San Francisco’s merchant centers is Union Square.
Its flagship stores include Neiman-Marcus, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue,
Niketown, DFS Galleria, and Tiffany’s. For those with sophisticated,
urban tastes, Union Square offers unparalleled selection in apparel,
jewelry, shoes, and even home furnishings. Don’t miss San Francisco
Centre with a Nordstrom on the top four floors, just a few blocks
away on Market Street. Little boutiques line the side streets surrounding
the square, so be sure to spend some time (particularly on Maiden
Lane) roaming, even if it's just to window shop.
Moneyed
Families
On Sacramento Street in Presidio Heights resides a quiet shopping
district with an elegant but eclectic mix of shops. A bit more of
a family emphasis exists here than in Union Square, with several
high-end baby emporiums that clearly cater to the young families
who live in the area. Everything from needlepoint to antiques to
upscale pet stores is available here. Just a block away in Laurel
Heights, the Laurel Village shopping center on California Street
is basically an extension of Sacramento Street, but it’s also where
residents do their grocery shopping. The emphasis in this mall is
definitely on food, with prepared foods, foodstuffs, cooking stores,
and bakeries to make your mouth water.
 ©Grayline San Francisco |
Home Furnishings
for the Trendy
The ultra-hip Upper Fillmore district is where San Franciscans head
for eclectic home furnishings. Though clothing boutiques are on
the rise, some of the most unique furniture stores can be found
in a three block area of Fillmore. Don’t expect to find many bargains,
though – trendiness doesn’t come cheap! The restaurant selection
in this district makes shopping particularly pleasant. On the south
end of the Fillmore is Japantown, where you’ll find interesting
bookstores, candy shops, and Japanese home furnishings.
Pricey and
Pleasant
The Marina is always so busy that you’ll wonder whether anybody
who lives there actually goes to work! The pace is reminiscent of
a resort town most of the time, yogurt and coffee shops abound,
and the dress is casual (but tidy). Though bargains here are uncommon,
the appealing mix of goods assures something for everyone. Boats
are docked a few blocks away, yet there’s very little “nautical”
feel to the area. Fancy lingerie shops, trendy clothing boutiques
and home furnishing stores line Chestnut Street, the main thoroughfare
in the Marina. Many big-name chain stores, like the Gap, Gap Body,
Gap Kids and Pottery Barn, are plentiful. Cow Hollow’s shopping,
namely Union Street, is more upscale and is know as the best shopping
street in San Francisco. Smaller boutiques and restaurants dot this
street, many of them one-of-a-kind and fairly pricey.
 ©RJ Best |
The 60s live
on – or do they?
Looking for a more earthy shopping experience? Haight-Ashbury may
be just the thing for you. A far cry from the emporiums that existed
during the Summer of Love, the area shows signs of gentrification
that may surprise you. For instance, at the corner of Haight and
Ashbury, Ben and Jerry’s stands proudly. Freshly roasted coffee
stores and some hip clothing boutiques are scattered throughout
the neighborhood, but for the most part, youthful interests still
reign. Find discounted record stores, used clothing, costume shops,
and all manner of wild emporiums along Haight Street. The area between
Masonic and Stanyan offers the best shopping. Close to the park,
at Stanyan, rent bikes and skates.
Factory outlets
South of Market, otherwise known as SOMA, is where many local clothing
designers sell their overstock and seconds at bargain prices. An
annual book, Bargain Hunting in the Bay Area by Sally Socolich,
details just where to find the best deals. (Available in the mapwest.com
Book and Guide store) It’s best to consult the book or some other
updated source before you visit because the outlets come and go.
Some tour companies offer special tours of this area, too.
Local and
lesser-known spots
The Castro and Noe Valley offer a more local flavor, with less emphasis
on out-of-town guests. In the Castro district, the primary shopping
is on Castro Street between Market and 19th Streets, but there all
sorts of little shops lurk on the side streets and even on Market
Street as far as 14th Street. Home furnishing shops with unique
items are the most common but lots of novelty shops compete for
attention, too. Castro is the city’s most famous gay neighborhood,
so be prepared to encounter stores that you might not see elsewhere.
In Noe Valley, the atmosphere is quieter with a subtle focus on
handcrafted, artsy items. If you follow Castro Street up the hill
(and it’s a big hill, so you might want to consider the bus) and
stop at 24th Street, you’re in Noe Valley.
Ethnic Flavors
San Francisco’s ethnic diversity lends it a measure of charm that
other cities lack. See for yourself when you spend some time roaming
the streets of Chinatown (Stockton and Grant Streets), where the
scents and sounds demand as much attention as the merchandise in
the souvenir shops. Keep walking toward Columbus Street and you’re
in North Beach, where vestiges of its Italian heritage can still
be found in certain shops and restaurants. Pastry and coffee in
this neighborhood are especially good – a nice respite from shopping!
For an entirely different experience, visit the Mission District
for a taste of the city’s Latin community. The Mission remains one
of San Francisco’s most authentic neighborhoods, so don’t expect
to find chain stores here. Do expect lots of discount opportunities
and hole-in-the-wall restaurants where excellent Mexican food is
served.
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