San Francisco Transamerica Pyramid - photo by Pikrepo under CC0
San Francisco Transamerica Pyramid - photo by Pikrepo under CC0

BEST SHOPPING IN SAN FRANCISCO: 20 PLACES TO EXPLORE

The city of San Francisco is a great place to explore if you’re looking for some retail therapy. From flagship stores to vintage shops, there is simply a lot to see in San Fran. Here are some of the places where you can experience the best shopping in San Francisco:

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Best Shopping in San Francisco – Boutiques

Ambiance

Ambiance is a fashionable and colorful outpost for modern designer apparel and accessories. In San Francisco, you can find Ambiance boutiques on Union Street, Haight Street, Irving Street and 24th Street.

Hero Shop

This trendy boutique in Lower Nob Hill offers a selection of apparel, footwear, home décor, jewelry and other goods.

Love on Haight

Known as Jammin on Haight until 2017, this corner boutique features colorful and art-inspired clothing, as well as tie-dye gear.

Best Shopping in San Francisco – Chocolate Shops

Chocolate Covered

On 24th Street, you will find a shop offering different varieties of chocolates from all over the world. It also has gifts and custom candy boxes in stock.

Chocolate Heaven

Chocolate Heaven at San Francisco’s PIER 39 is also a destination for chocolates and other sweet gift items.

Best Shopping in San Francisco – Malls

Embarcadero Center

Embarcadero Center in the Financial District houses familiar retailers, restaurants and a movie theater that features indie films.

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Stonestown Galleria

Shops of popular brands, department stores, restaurants and a theater fill the two floors of Stonestown Galleria on 20th Avenue.

Westfield San Francisco Centre

More than 170 shops, restaurants and a multiplex call this expansive, upscale 9-story shopping mall home.

Best Shopping in San Francisco – Music Stores

101 Music

This records shop on Grant Avenue has used LPs and CDs from different genres. It also offers musical instruments, posters and other music gear.

Amoeba Music

Those who love indie music would have a great time hanging out in this record store on Haight Street that stocks new releases, as well as vintage hits.

Best Shopping in San Francisco – Neighborhoods

Chinatown

The streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown are lined with stalls and shops offering exotic ingredients, silk, jade, colorful souvenirs, jewelry and other items. There are also shopping centers within Chinatown that you might want to check out.

Japantown

Japantown gives you a slice of Japan in San Francisco. Here, you can find shops specializing in kawaii goods, kimonos and Japanese gift items.

Mission District

Shopping in San Francisco would not be complete without stopping by the Mission District. This neighborhood is home to a variety of shops, including No Shop, BAIT, Carousel and Curator.

Best Shopping in San Francisco – Novelty Stores

The Love of Ganesha

For crystals, candles, incense, sarongs, dream catchers and other curio items, stop by The Love of Ganesha on Haight Street.

WINK SF

Wink is a whimsical gift shop on 24th Street that offers a diverse mix of books, toys, accessories and home décor.

Best Shopping in San Francisco – Streets

Haight Street

If you’re visiting San Francisco, you can’t miss walking along this street. Haight Street has a vintage feel that seeps through some of the shops on it, like Piedmont Boutique, Static, Decades of Fashion and Buffalo Exchange.

Fillmore Street

With twelve blocks along it, Fillmore Street has hundreds of shops lining its length. These include NARS Cosmetics, Superga SF, Ralph Lauren and INTERMIX.

Best Shopping in San Francisco – Thrift Stores and Vintage Shops

Community Thrift

The first thing you’ll notice in this thrift store is its pink façade. Once inside, you will find unique vintage pieces, as well as new goods.

Mission Thrift

This large emporium stocks pre-owned clothing, footwear, evening wear and costume pieces.

Wasteland

Wasteland gives a trendy spin to thrift stores. Here, you will find an assortment of vintage, designer and new clothing, as well as fashion accessories, footwear and other items.

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