2017-12-22 11:49:32
San Francisco is known for its creativity, ingenuity and style, all of which make for some of the best shopping in the world. Discover local art, fashion, food and more as you explore the city’s diverse shopping districts. From charming boutiques to unique specialty shops to world-famous flagship stores, every kind of shopper can find a little piece of San Francisco flavor to take back home. Here are some of our favorite classic and quirky picks you won’t find anywhere else. SF MERCANTILE 1698 Haight St. The vibrant culture of California inspires the gifts and keepsakes at SF Mercantile, located in the heart of the iconic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Choose from carefully curated — and decidedly not tacky — San Francisco souvenirs, including apparel, ceramics and collectibles, designed by local artists who know and love the Golden State. LOCAL TIP: Haight Street has an eclectic array of vintage clothing boutiques, record shops and bookstores that reflect the neighborhood’s independent heritage. Get in the psychedelic spirit at legendary tie-dye shop Love on Haight — its kaleidoscopic rainbow façade is impossible to miss. MISSION BICYCLE COMPANY 766 Valencia St. Every Mission Bicycle Company bike is designed by its rider and built by hand in the headquarters on Valencia Street, one of the Mission District’s main thoroughfares. Even if you can’t take home a Mission bike of your own, you can still take one for a spin around the city. The $40 daily rental includes a helmet, lights, locks and a messenger bag. LOCAL TIP: While you’re in the neighborhood, pedal over to some of the other boutiques, galleries and shops that line hipster-heavy Valencia Street. Discover taxidermy and terrariums at Paxton Gate and hunt for mid-mod treasures at Harrington Galleries. GHIRARDELLI ICE CREAM & CHOCOLATE SHOP 900 North Point St. Get your chocolate fix the San Francisco way by indulging in all manner of decadent delights from the Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop in Ghirardelli Square. Check out the vintage factory machinery, treat yourself to a sundae and don’t leave without some handsomely wrapped chocolates and other tasty mementos. LOCAL TIP: Originally a chocolate factory, Ghirardelli Square is now a shopping and dining complex in Fisherman’s Wharf. After you’ve had your fill of sweets, take in the unbeatable bay views and check out the lovely jewelry, gift, stationery and décor shops around the Square. TIMBUK2 506 Hayes St. Founded in a garage by a local bike messenger, Timbuk2 has continuously manufactured its stylish and nearly indestructible messenger bags, backpacks and accessories in San Francisco since 1989. Stop by their flagship in the Hayes Valley neighborhood to select your own bespoke bag. LOCAL TIP: Stroll down the three-block stretch of Hayes Street between Laguna and Franklin streets to peruse a bevy of trendy boutiques, unique eateries, home furnishings and vintage items. Fuel your shopping adventure with macarons, confections and ice cream at spots like Miette or Smitten Ice Cream. 3 FISH STUDIOS 4541 Irving St. Located on the main drag of the quiet Outer Sunset, 3 Fish Studios is the workspace and shop of artists Annie Galvin and Eric Rewitzer. Their original prints are brightly-colored love letters to the city, affectionately showcasing its neighborhoods, landmarks and culture. Don’t miss their collaboration with another local maker, Rickshaw Bags. The two companies teamed up to create beautiful totes printed with some of 3 Fish Studios’ favorite designs. LOCAL TIP: Close to both the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate Park, the Outer Sunset neighborhood has a cool, creative vibe and an eclectic mix of shops and cafés. General Store on Judah Street offers the choicest handmade goods, art and local fashion. GREEN APPLE BOOKS 506 Clement St. and 1231 Ninth Ave. Satisfy your literary side on a visit to renowned Green Apple Books, nestled in the Inner Richmond neighborhood. Don’t be deceived by the simple storefront — Green Apple is a world-class independent bookstore where you can explore labyrinthine shelves of everything from paperback best-sellers to rare antique treasures. A second location is in the Inner Sunset. LOCAL TIP: The surrounding area of Inner Richmond is real San Francisco: a varied landscape of locally owned restaurants, galleries, shops, and more. On Clement Street, drop by the indie clothing boutique Seedstore to pick up all the essentials for a San Francisco-chic look. BRANDS GALORE In addition to quaint neighborhood retail districts and one-of-a-kind shops, San Francisco is also home to bustling shopping destinations where you’ll find dozens of popular brand-name stores concentrated in one locale. Add these spots to your must-sees if some serious shopping is on your agenda. UNION SQUARE This historic park is the heart of San Francisco’s downtown shopping and hotel district. Macy’s and virtually every top fashion label in the world has set up shop in and around Union Square. Its extensive collection of luxury stores includes Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Tiffany & Co. and St. John Knits. Take a stroll down its charming alleyways for more hidden treasures. Maiden Lane, a pedestrian-only street from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., features outdoor cafés and upscale retailers like Chanel and Marc Jacobs. Saunter south on Powell Street to reach Uniqlo, which features stylish and colorful basics. Head east on Post to find local favorite Gump’s, which has distinctive housewares, clothing and accessories. For those who fancy classics with an edge, Brooks Brothers Group offers clothing, sportswear, accessories and shoes, or make a timely purchase at Tourbillon. After a full day of shopping, enjoy an evening in Union Square when its theaters and cocktail lounges light up. WESTFIELD SAN FRANCISCO CENTRE A two-block walk from Union Square, this indoor mall offers a mix of acclaimed brands and local treats. It’s home to more than 200 shops and restaurants, including the second-largest Nordstrom in the U.S., the West Coast’s flagship Bloomingdale’s, H&M, Levi’s and more. Recent additions include the made-in-America-focused Makers Market to TAP (415), a restaurant by the team from Twenty Five Lusk. Finish the day with a spa treatment or movie on level five, or head back down to level four for the mall’s signature happy hour under the building’s breathtaking glass-dome ceiling. OUTLETS NEAR SAN FRANCISCO Just a short drive from San Francisco — to the north, east and south — are some of the West Coast’s premier outlet malls. Find discount prices on top brands such as Armani, Diesel, DKNY, Kate Spade, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Calvin Klein, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Combine wine country sightseeing with visits to a premium outlet in Napa or Petaluma. Or, on the way to Lake Tahoe or Yosemite, swing by the San Francisco Premium Outlet. A southbound visit to Monterey means a stop in Gilroy, not only for their premium outlet, but also for the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival in July where you can try garlic-flavored everything (including ice cream!). The nonprofit organization SFMade was founded in 2010 to support local micro-manufacturers. It also provides product and maker listings, plus an event schedule for its workshops, factory tours and pop-up shops. For an overview of who’s making what in San Francisco today — including artisanal chocolate, fine wine and spirits, handcrafted furniture, trendy clothing and just about anything else you might want — visit sfmade.org. Holiday Gift Fair in December features more than 60 local vendors.
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