There was once an obvious answer when out-of-towners asked, “Where should we go to do a little shopping?” But Union Square is not what it used to be (although a comeback is in the offing, with a holiday shopping pop-up from Off the Grid and the new Best Bookstore in Union Square). So the calculus is a bit trickier.
Do your visitors want local boutiques or big-box convenience? Something stylish? Something weird? Something tourist-proof? The great news is that San Francisco has neighborhoods where shopping is not only painless but genuinely pleasurable and full of discoveries — for both your visitors and for you.
Here are the city’s most reliable shopping districts, each with its own vibe, strengths, and degree of navigational sanity. We’ve highlighted some gems in each area.
Hayes Valley
Source: Camille Cohen/The Standard
Take your friend with expensive tastes to Hayes Valley, which is densely packed with well-curated boutiques, great restaurants, and bars.
Ahlem
Hayes Valley is packed with eyewear shops. While Warby Parker has its place, consider taking a bolder route for your next prescription. Los Angeles-based, Parisian-born designer Ahlem Manai-Platt has brought a selection of the city’s chicest frames to the neighborhood.
416 Hayes St.
Reliquary
In the crowd of squiggly candles and Instagram-fueled kitsch, Reliquary stands apart. Its home goods feel purposeful rather than gimmicky, and its clothing is both stylish and exceptionally well-made. If you’re looking for something small, you won’t regret buying the SUBU Slippers (opens in new tab) ($89). For an unforgettable local gift that will last, peruse the clothing from San Francisco designer Evan Kinori. Reliquary even has gift guides (opens in new tab) to make shopping for your loved ones less of a headache.
544 Hayes St.
Buck Mason
The Venice Beach brand recently renovated its downstairs area into a wood-paneled paradise with leather chairs, a vintage sound system, and a large selection of liquor, making shopping a relaxing experience even for those who are just along for moral support. I went in for the brand’s famous Toughknit white tees (opens in new tab) (yes, $62 is a lot, but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it) and ended up spending more than an hour hanging out, drinking Japanese whiskey, and trying on Rolexes I will never be able to afford. The Seafarer cotton rib crew (opens in new tab) ($188), however, was priced well enough for me to take home. Both breathable and warm, it is the perfect chunky knit for the city’s mellow(ish) winter.
568 Hayes St.
The Marina
Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
Love it or hate it, the Marina is a neighborhood that endures. Who doesn’t want to combine their retail therapy with quality people-watching — and where else can you stop in for a caviar bite (opens in new tab)between clothing splurges?
Books Inc.
Local authors get extra love at Books Inc. Last month, I snagged Bay Area musician Alex Bleeker’s “Taste in Music: Eating on Tour With Indie Musicians (opens in new tab),” a captivating read about the surprising habits of my favorites, including Devendra Banhart.
2251 Chestnut St.
Madewell and Gap
With Madewell’s arrival and Gap’s recent reopening, Chestnut Street has become a go-to destination for all things denim. I’m not a Gap devotee, but I have to admit, the renovation of the Marina store has completely transformed the brand’s hometown outpost. The refreshed space feels brighter, more inviting, and surprisingly gift-friendly, with everything from vinyl records to charming socks and scarves. There’s a kids’ section too.
Madewell, meanwhile, is offering a less expensive alternative to brands like Buck Mason. Its clothes are high-quality and fashionable, albeit overly safe-feeling.
Gap, 2159 Chestnut St.
Madewell, 2084 Chestnut St.
Harper 67
While the Marina is not known for vintage stores, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind satin jacket or other fun finds, Harper 67 (opens in new tab) has you covered.
3044 Fillmore St.
Stonestown Galleria
Source: Manuel Orbegozo for The Standard
The ’90s mall experience might be dead in most of America, but it’s alive and well on the west side of San Francisco. For out-of-towners, the variety of Asian brands at Stonestown are fun to check out: Korean skincare specialist Candy Doll Beauty, Japanese discount store Daiso, and of course, Chinese toy seller PopMart. Stonestown has it all: out-of-the-ordinary shopping, outstanding food, a full-on arcade, a movie theater, and occasional Labubu brawls. What more do you need?
The mall also has a surprisingly good vintage store, 2nd Street. This place is a goldmine for well-priced Japanese vintage and secondhand gems, particularly shoes.
Stonestown also has the city’s only Uniqlo outpost. This brand is great for many things, but perhaps its best quality is that its clothing looks as good on you as it does on your mother, brother, and niece. The fall/winter collection includes a handful of pieces by Jonathan Anderson, creative director of Dior. I’m obsessed with the straight-leg jeans (opens in new tab) — 100% cotton, stupidly comfortable in an early ’90s style, and only $60.
3251 20th Ave.
Bonus picks for the vintage hounds
Source: Kelsey McClellan
Valencia and Haight Streets have the most vintage clothing stores per block. But second-hand shopping has too much variety to make a single neighborhood the “best” for thrifting.
ReLove
This spot in Nob Hill is for anyone who wants designer without the price tag.
Whether it’s second-hand Armani suits, a great Levi’s denim jacket, or a handbag from runways past, ReLove is one of the best curated second-hand designer stores in the Bay Area.
1815 Polk St.
Big Time Vintage
Take your streetwear lover to Big Time Vintage in the Mission or the Haight.
Looking for a vintage North Face jacket or an old Coogi sweater? What about a perfectly beaten-up Carhartt jacket or a worn-in pair of 501s? Look no further than Big Time Vintage. With shops on Haight Street and Valencia Street, owner Bong Tigua has gotten so good at serving up vintage, he’s become a go-to for celebrities visiting the Bay Area.
968 Valencia St. and 1630 Haight St.
Cookin’
For the home cook, this place is heaven.
You don’t need a plane ticket to Paris to track down the best vintage cookware. Since 1989, Judy Kaminski has been selling classic French pots, pans, and culinary curios from her small shop, drawing in some of the Bay Area’s most celebrated chefs. Just be warned, this place is jammed to the gills with stuff, it’s tight to navigate, and getting your foodie friends to leave is next to impossible.
339 Divisadero St.