Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best
Shopping
All those rustic dens, well-stocked spice racks and fabulous outfits don't just pull
themselves together - San Franciscans scour their city for it. Eclectic originality
is San Francisco's signature style, and that's not one-stop shopping. But consider
the thrill of the hunt: while shopping in SF, you can watch fish theater, make
necklaces from zippers and trade fashion tips with drag queens.
Pre-Shopping Planning
Before you browse, check Urban Daddy (
www.urbandaddy.com
)
for store openings and
events, Thrillist (
www.thrillist.com
)
for guy gifts and gadgets, Refinery 29
(
www.refinery29.com
)
for sales and trends, and Daily Candy (
www.dailycandy.com
)
for
SF finds and deals. Factor non-refundable SF city and CA state sales taxes into your shop-
ping budget - combined, they tack 9.5% onto purchase prices.
Retail Hotspots
›
The Marina
Date outfits, girly accessories, wine and design along Union and Chestnut
Sts.
›
Downtown & SoMa
Global megabrands upstaged by offbeat boutiques and a leather fet-
ish superstore that outsizes Levi's, Gap and Apple flagships.
›
Japantown
Zen design,
kawaii
stationery, collectible toys, Harajuku fashion and anime.
›
The Mission
Bookstores, local design collectives, artisan foods, art galleries, hipster tees,
vintage whatever.
›
The Haight
Music, vintage, goth gifts and skate gear line Haight St.
›
Hayes Valley
Local designers, decor, food and shoes flank Hayes St.