Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
porcupine skull if I so desired. A baroque wonderland for taxidermists, or Addams
family rejects, it's also a delightfully macabre place to snoop around even if you're not.
For the squeamish, there's also a giant garden shop, some architectural salvage, and a
wide selection of cool-looking housewares, such as bell jars and perfume bottles that
are cut from the classic mold. The shop also runs classes, such as a recent one on
“insect mounting”; that was $60 and included a bug.
A beloved resident of the Castro since the 1930s,
Cliff's Variety
55
(497
Castro St.;
%
415/431-5365; www.cliffsvariety.com),
in the heart of the gay dis-
trict, is technically a hardware store first, but over time it has expanded to sell a
huge range of interesting and fun items, from greeting cards to housewares to
novelty toys. It'll put you in mind of a smart version of the Woolworth's of your
youth.
Open since 1990, when the Castro was going through much darker days,
Under One Roof
5
(549 Castro St., near 18th;
%
415/503-2300; www.underone
roof.org)
is a boutique whose wares go toward supporting AIDS causes—to the
tune of 100% of profits. Unlike Out of the Closet, its stuff is mostly new and
interesting, and it focuses mostly on gift items and housewares, not clothing. In
August, the store sponsors a “summer merchandise sale,” usually somewhere off-
site, that marks down post-season stuff.
A surprising number of Australians are wandering the streets of San
Francisco—it's a primary stopping point for long-haul flights to Europe—which
may explain, partly, the survival, since 1980, of
Australia Fair
(700 Sutter St., at
Taylor;
%
415/441-5319; www.ausfair.com),
which deals in Aussie stuff. Bronco
hats, R. M. Williams boots, Tim Tam cookies, Cherry Ripe candy bars, and that
old standby Vegemite are sold here (and online by the same store).
Japanese snack food, cheap little gizmos, and other fascinating Asian doodads
are shipped by the cargo-container-load from Japan to
Ichiban Kan
5
(22 Peace
Plaza, Suite 540;
%
415/409-0472; www.ichibankanusa.com),
the Japanese
equivalent of a dollar store, except crammed with curious Japanese products that
you probably won't find many other places. It sells a little bit of everything, from
Japanese sweets (Pocky rules!) to bizarre plastic gadgets, usually for around $1. It's
got the same plastic smell that American dollar stores have, but many of its wares
are distinctly Asian. It's hard to come away with at least a few low-priced goodies.
Everyday staples such as batteries can be found for cheap here, too, so don't over-
look it just because you're all set on key chains.
An eight-strong chain with a sole San Francisco branch,
Flight 001
(525
Hayes St.;
%
415/487-1001; www.flight001.com)
is a bright, hyper-colorful shop
selling the latest high design as it applies to travel. The funky luggage tags, pass-
port holders, alarm clocks, and other travel-ready stuff on sale here will make your
luggage stand out at the baggage claim. Its colorful and florid designs may appeal
more to trendy women than to the average male, but it's still fun to peruse what
they've got.
