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:
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.
Inside Ambiance SF on Union Street – photo by Justin Schuck under CC BY-ND 2.0 Ambiance SF on 24th Street – photo by Justin Schuck under CC BY-ND 2.0
Hero Shop
This trendy boutique in Lower Nob Hill offers a selection of apparel, footwear, home décor, jewelry and other goods.
HERO SHOP in San Francisco – photo by mendolus shank under CC BY-ND 2.0
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.
Love on Haight (formerly Jammin on Haight) – photo by Mike McBey under CC BY 2.0
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 Covered in San Francisco – photo by Janice Marie Foote under CC BY 2.0
Chocolate Heaven
Chocolate Heaven at San Francisco’s PIER 39 is also a destination for chocolates and other sweet gift items.
Chocolate Heaven at PIER 39 – photo by PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ under GFDL and CC-BY-SA-4.0,3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0
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.
READ MORE: CALIFORNIA : HOTELS FOR SPORTS LOVERS
The Giants Dugout Store at the Embarcadero Center – photo by Ken Lund under CC BY-SA 2.0
Stonestown Galleria
Shops of popular brands, department stores, restaurants and a theater fill the two floors of Stonestown Galleria on 20th Avenue.
Inside Stonestown Galleria – photo by Michael Ocampo under CC BY 2.0
Westfield San Francisco Centre
More than 170 shops, restaurants and a multiplex call this expansive, upscale 9-story shopping mall home.
A view of the complex interior of the Westfield San Francisco Centre – photo by Coolcaesar at en.wikipedia under CC-BY-SA-3.0-migrated-with-disclaimers and GFDL-en
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.
Inside 101 Music – photo by Michael Beaton under CC BY 2.0
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.
Amoeba Music on Haight Street – photo by Kathy Drasky under CC BY 2.0
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.
Chinatown in San Francisco – photo by Andreas Wulff under CC BY 2.0
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.
Peace Plaza in Japantown – photo by Ken Lund under CC BY-SA 2.0
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.
Along Mission Street in the Mission District – photo by Wendy Harman from Washington DC, USA under CC-BY-2.0
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.
The Love of Ganesha on Upper Haight Street in San Francisco – photo by Philippe Teuwen under CC BY-SA 2.0
WINK SF
Wink is a whimsical gift shop on 24th Street that offers a diverse mix of books, toys, accessories and home décor.
WINK SF on 24th Street – photo by torbakhopper under CC BY-ND 2.0
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.
Some of the shops on Haight Street in San Francisco – photo by Brocken Inaglory under CC-BY-SA-3.0 and GFDL
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.
The sidewalk on Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, San Francisco – photo by Beland under PD-self
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.
Community Thrift on Valencia Street – photo by Orin Zebest under CC BY 2.0
Mission Thrift
This large emporium stocks pre-owned clothing, footwear, evening wear and costume pieces.
Mission Thrift in San Francisco – photo by JCruzTheTruth under CC-BY-SA-4.0
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.
Wasteland on Haight Street – photo by Cliff under CC BY 2.0
