Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Main Drags
One of the great unspoken charms of San Francisco is its affection for pri-
vate business, and that affection has created a city rich with little bou-
tiques. To my mind, one of the principal ways to enjoy an afternoon here
is simply to pick a shopping street and crawl from store to store—there's
always something original or unique for sale (although it may not always
be affordable, because San Francisco is such an affluent city).
Just as the city is more about little boutiques than it is about giant
wonder stores, San Francisco also doesn't really have a central shopping
district. Some people might say that Union Square would be it, but in fact
that area is host (mostly) to major corporate chains found in malls across
America. That, to me, doesn't make it necessarily desirable. Here's some
advice on Union Square, plus some other good areas to troll, along with
how to reach them.
Union Square
The unofficial center of town, and the place most neophytes think of when
they think of shopping in the city, is packed with enormous versions of
well-known stores such as Virgin, Macy's, Nordstrom, and others. Even
Kenneth Cole has two stores in the area. Because of the multitude of well-
known brands, kids will probably find the most to interest them (read: be
least bored) accompanying their parents around Union Square.
Chestnut Street
Bus no. 30 from Union Square to Scott Street.
Serving the upper-middle-
class denizens of the Marina and their growing brood, Chestnut Street
offers a pleasant smattering of well-known brands (Body Shop, Williams-
Sonoma) as well as small local finds (best for books, kids' clothes).
Union Street
Bus no. 45 from Union Square.
Chestnut Street's more restaurant-heavy
cousin, just a few blocks uphill, Union Street has a similar selection of
upscale home shops and clothing boutiques. It's easy to combine a visit
here with one to Chestnut.
Fillmore Street
Bus no. 2 on Sutter Street.
Fillmore Street is like Chestnut Street with more
beer. Stores are upscale in an aspirational way, such as Rachel Ashwell
is still located in
Berkeley (2455 Telegraph Ave., at Haste;
%
510/549-1125) where
the shop began,
but you should be satisfied with this equally voluminous, more
convenient outpost.
Although its personality comes across as more hard-core, dare I say punkier,
than Amoeba's, I must say I've always found the staff at
Rasputin Music
555
(69 Powell St., at Ellis;
%
800/350-8700; www.rasputinmusic.com)
to be friendlier
