Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
San Francisco's locally owned boutiques
carry cutting-edge
fashions, distinctive housewares, rare topics, and other unique
treasures. I've detailed five shopping zones; I recommend you choose
three or four and spend a half or a whole day on this tour; weekday
mornings are best if you eschew knocking elbows with crowds of fel-
low shoppers. Refer to the shopping chapter maps (p 69-70) for more
stores in each neighborhood.
START:
BART/Muni: Powell St.
1
Union Square.
Retail's biggest
names overlook the square: Macy's,
Levi's, and elite brands like Louis Vuit-
ton and Tiffany's. The Gap, Old Navy,
and myriad designer boutiques are a
stone's throw away. For home prod-
ucts, check out William Sonoma's
flagship store and Crate & Barrel.
Although chains dominate here,
you'll also find a few local originals
like Gump's (p 77), famed for its china
and glass items.
Between Market,
Post, Powell & Grant sts. BART/Muni:
Powell St.
2
Fillmore Street.
Sophisti-
cated urbanites flock to this delight-
ful cafe-lined street, perfect if you
feel like puttering through high-
priced boutiques. You'll pass Mrs.
Dewson's Hats, the wares of which
have adorned celebrities, and Nest,
with its fetching housewares. Stop
by Kiehl's (p 77)
to sample a
buttery hand
cream before
visiting Heide
Says, a
stylishly
feminine
purveyor of
ladies' attire
and jewelry.
Fillmore St.
(between Sutter &
Jackson sts.). Bus: 1,
2, 3, 4, 22.
3
La Méditerranée.
Lunch on
hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and
pita at this cozy eatery. The chicken
Cilicia is superb.
2210 Fillmore St.
(between California & Sacramento
sts).
y
415/921-2956. $. (p 108).
4
Union Street.
For more mod-
erately priced clothing boutiques,
continue down Fillmore Street to
Union Street, which caters to the
upper upper-middle-class.
Union St.
(between Divisadero & Franklin sts.).
Bus: 22, 41, 45.
5
Sacramento Street.
As an
alternative Union Street, you could
head to posh Presidio Heights for
truly chichi purchases. Shops like
Fetish, Sue Fisher King, and Dottie
Doolittle stock precious ladies' fash-
ions, home furnishings, and kids'
attire.
Sacramento St. (between Lyon
& Spruce sts.). Bus: 1 to California
St. & Presidio Ave. Walk 1 block to
Sacramento St.
6
The Haight.
If dramatic, non-
conservative attire is more your
style, there's no better place than the
Haight. Very choosy vintage stores
abound here; this is where you'll find
a hip polyester '60s dress, trendy
club gear, or punk-rock T-shirts. My
favorite is retro-gear-king Wasteland
(p 75).
See also p 36, bullet
4
.
Haight St. (between Masonic &
Stanyan sts.). Bus: 6, 7, 43.
Mrs. Dewson and her
colorful, whimsical
hats.
