Shopping in California
-
A
Shoe Biz
Shop at any of the three locations on Haight St, but the 1420 'super store' is where to find new arrivals and buttery leather boots, and take the elevator to limited-edition Adidas heaven upstairs. Other locations: 3810 24th St in Noe Valley and 877 Valencia in the Mission.
reviewed
-
B
Curve
Jennifer Aniston and Marisa Tomei are among the stars snapping up the sexy, sassy and sometimes even sensible international designer pieces at this edgy boutique with its neat glass ceiling. Don't even think about shopping here if you're size six or higher. Parking in back.
reviewed
-
C
American Rag
Tiny tees, tight jeans and top-tier brands make this chic store a fave with Whitney Port (formerly of The Hills ) and her ilk. The latest designer duds are on the left while vintage, slightly cheaper ‘rags’ are found on the right. Saucy shoes preen in the middle.
reviewed
-
D
Her
Count on Her for universally flattering Ella Moss dresses and pencil skirts that slim your curves. You could get the star treatment with a personal shopper from Her dispatched to your hotel, but then you'd miss the smoking-hot sales rack for deals of up to 70% off.
reviewed
-
E
Kate Somerville
Facialist to the stars, Kate has made fans of Sandra Oh, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Alba and other A-listers with her potent potions and customized treatments. A session at her posh but pleasant medi-spa will leave your skin quenched, radiant and ready for your own close-up.
reviewed
-
F
Le Petite Retreat Day Spa
Petite but oh-la-la – this luxe spa is a soothing feng-shui zone that'll leave you feeling as limber as Gumby after a deep-tissue stone massage, as glowing as Brooke Shields after an enzyme facial and as sexy as Brangelina after a couples' massage in the outdoor cabaña.
reviewed
-
G
China Bazaar
Wire racks are perilously overloaded with bargain novelty items in no discernible order, except for the tiki section, which will add some aloha to your home bar. Just when you thought home decor couldn’t get any cheaper, check out the ceramics sale section downstairs.
reviewed
-
H
Lotus Bleu
French whimsy, Vietnamese design and San Franciscan psychedelic color keep eyes open wide in this compact design boutique packed from basement to rafters with fuchsia felt bull's-eye pillows, French laminated-canvas totes and lacquer breakfast trays.
reviewed
-
I
Larry Edmunds Bookshop
Every movie and TV book imaginable is crammed – sometimes haphazardly – onto the narrow shelves at this friendly shop that’s been around for 60 years. For everything from Kung Fu cinema to X-Files minutiae to Syd Field’s screenwriting tomes, look here first.
reviewed
-
J
Bottles & Bins
Vince Poma's liquor store is the peninsula's top spot to pick up wine and nonstandard beers - lots of Belgians and Pacific Northwest microbrews - and in the corner his spirited wife Karlen serves up her love-infused deli sandwiches from 10:30 to 15:00 weekdays.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
ADS Hats
Hats come in handy in SF almost year-round, and this local hat-maker collective sells super-fly lids to keep the fog from chilling your scalp: distressed-leather newsboys, unisex bowlers, svelte 1920s cloches and floppy numbers that would do Janis Joplin proud.
reviewed
-
L
Ichiban Kan
It's a wonder you got this far in life without penguin soy-sauce dispensers, 'Men's Pocky' chocolate-covered pretzels, extra-spiky Japanese hair wax, soap dishes with feet, and the ultimate in gay gag gifts, the handy 'Closet Case' – all for under $5.
reviewed
-
M
Moondance Jewelry Gallery
You'll be over the moon with delight at this go-to place for the latest baubles by Me & Ro, Anthony Nak, Temple St Clair and other hot jewelry artists. Marcia Cross, Arnold and Reese Witherspoon are among loyal fans of this gorgeous, gallery-like store.
reviewed
-
N
Livinggreen
'It's not easy being green' opined Kermit, but after a trip to this eco-superstore we beg to differ. From natural-fiber rugs to Tassajara bamboo furniture to nontoxic paints and cleaners by Ed Begley, you'll find everything you need for your eco-lifestyle.
reviewed
-
O
Anubis Warpus
Warped and proud, Anubis Warpus has got your alternative lifestyle needs covered. While you wait to get some pendulous part pierced, you can catch up on your 'zines, DIY manuals, vintage smut and comix. They also tattoo, but their piercing rep is stronger.
reviewed
-
P
Discolandia
The oldest Latin-music store in the Bay Area and as funky as ever, making passersby step in time with merengue, salsa and Tejano blasting out the door. Get yours on CD or vintage vinyl, and stock up on Spanish-language mags, adult comics and pulp fiction.
reviewed
-
Q
Comparte's of California
Comparte's has supplied mouthwatering truffles, toffees and chocolates to Frank Sinatra, Nicole Kidman and other chocophiles for over half a century. Their specialty, though, is hand-dipped fruits – try the apricots drenched in rich dark chocolate.
reviewed
-
R
Le Palais des Thés
If you consider fine tea one of life's great pleasures, you'll find kindred spirits at this exquisite boutique. Friendly staff will gladly help you find a new favorite from among the 250 varieties of quality teas, each with its own distinctive character.
reviewed
-
Oxbow Public Market
Oxbow Public Market is a gourmet food court, featuring Hog Island's sustainably harvested oysters (six for $15), Pica Pica's Venezuelan cornbread sandwiches ($7), and Three Twins certified organic ice cream ($4 fo a single waffle cone).
reviewed
-
S
Fabric8
Pull into this Astro-turfed-garage-turned-indie-design-boutique for a Mission-style overhaul. Rings sprout tiny volcanic geodes and Muni buses find their wings on T-shirts, while soft-sculpture mushrooms just want to make friends. Don't miss the bathtub fish tank, the backyard sculpture gallery or gallery openings with Mission food carts.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Hyde & Seek Antiques
Like the home of a long-lost eccentric aunt, this tiny storefront is full of surprises: a briefcase that opens to reveal a full tartan bar, a Danish-design silver calla lily, a Native basket more tightly wound than your boss – all at reasonable prices.
reviewed
-
U
Katsura Garden
For a little something special, consider a bonsai. Katsura Garden can set you up with a miniature juniper that looks like it grew on a windswept molehill, or a stunted maple that will shed five tiny, perfect red leaves next autumn.
reviewed
-
V
Aero & Co
Feminine Figmint, playful Ponderosa and arty Gabriella Artigas jewelry are among the edgy local designers getting a platform at Cynthia and Alisa's ‘gallery of clothes.' Gwen Stefani and Maggie Gyllenhaal have been spotted browsing the racks.
reviewed
-
W
Lola of North Beach
Answers to all your SF gifting quandaries, from artsy souvenirs (ticket stub album for all those cleverly designed SF museum tickets) to Beatnik baby showers (onesies with a typewriter tapping out 'So my story begins…'), plus California-made soy travel candles that smell like sunshine.
reviewed
-
X
Rockaway Records
Rockaway buys, sells and trades all types of great music. Used CDs are fairly priced and there are plenty of booths for prepurchase listening. Collectors can forage through the rare-music section or stock up on posters, magazines and memorabilia.
reviewed