Visitors head to San Francisco for its culinary gems, gorgeous scenery, historic charm and world-class museums. But there's more to the Golden Gate City than you might expect. You'll find shopping destinations in every single San Francisco neighborhood, from designer stores to niche boutiques and from major art galleries to hyper-local spots featuring the work of up-and-coming local artists and artisans.
It's just a matter of knowing where to look. If you're in search of the best shopping in San Francisco, you've come to the right place; there's something here for just about everyone.
Union Square
- Location: Post and Powell Street, San Francisco
- What You'll Find: Flagship stores including Macy's, Saks, Tiffany, & Neiman Marcus; art galleries; high-end boutiques; jewelry shops
Union Square is the city's most popular shopping destination for good reason. Spanning an entire block, the square itself is essentially a high-end shopping mall featuring a huge array of luxury and high-end shops, stylish boutiques and art galleries. It's surrounded by big-name department stores and larger shops on the surrounding streets. You'll find a huge variety of restaurants scattered throughout Union Square, as well. If you are looking for the best shopping in San Francisco, Union Square is a quintessential destination.
Sacramento Street
- Location: Sacramento Street
- What You'll Find: Interior Design, Architecture, Art and Furniture Shops; Salons and Skin Care
Sacramento Street is one of San Francisco's best high-end shopping areas in San Francisco, featuring more art and design shops than clothiers, though you'll find a bit of it all here. Sacramento Street's vibe is posh and sophisticated, making it a fun place to grab coffee or tea and enjoy an afternoon stroll, even if you don't plan to make any large purchases. You'll also find many salons and upscale day spas on this stretch; it's a great place to book an appointment if you'd like to be pampered a little during your trip.
North Beach District
- Location: North San Francisco, along the Financial District, Russian Hill and Chinatown neighborhoods
- What You'll Find: Old-world Italian eateries and bars; hip boutique shops; the famous City Lights bookstore
From cool, retro coffee shops to San Francisco's most famous bookstore, the North Beach District has a lot to offer--especially to those who want something a little less mainstream. Influenced by its old-world Italian roots, you'll find pizzerias and small bars and eateries scattered throughout the neighborhood. The City Lights Booksellers & Publishers is a huge draw; it has been around since 1953 when it became the first bookstore to stock paperback-only tomes on the topics of world literature and progressive politics. City Lights is one of those stores to visit in San Francisco that you won't find anywhere else. You'll also encounter cozy old-fashioned delis and bakeries among the North Beach shops, making this one of the most fun neighborhoods to explore and sample as you go.
Embarcadero and Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market
- Location: Embarcadero / Ferry Plaza, San Francisco
- What You'll Find: Mainstream Stores in Embarcadero Center; hip restaurants and offbeat shops at the Farmer's Market area
One of the best San Francisco shopping spots in San Francisco for tourists and locals, Embarcadero Center has over a hundred shops and restaurants running the gamut from Sephora to Bridal Galleria. You'll find a little of everything here, from couture to casual. Farm-to-table restaurants along the adjacent Farmer's Market stretch invite you in to savor the flavors of the San Francisco Bay area, whether you're up for bistro-style fare, tacos, or local wine. This area is popular among locals as well as visitors to San Francisco; it's easy to while away the hours enjoying the atmosphere, scenery and fantastic food and drink options nearby.
Haight Ashbury
- Location: Haight St. and Ashbury St., bordering Golden Gate Park
- What You'll Find: Colorful, modern, urban shops with a hipster vibe
In the 1960s, Haight-Ashbury was considered by some to be the heart of America's counterculture movement. It was home to free thinkers, hippies and bohemian celebrities who chose to live off the beaten path... and today, those vibes continue. Here, you'll find hip, modern shops featuring colorful art, fashion, souvenirs and more. Stroll past the homes of celebrities like Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix, among others, hipster coffee in hand and eye-catching architecture all around. This is a neighborhood worth visiting for the views and historic atmosphere as well as the shopping opportunities.
Fillmore Street
- Location: Fillmore Street, running from the Marina District up to Haight-Ashbury
- What You'll Find: Chain Stores, Jazz Clubs, Ethnic Restaurants
Fillmore Street has been the heart of jazz culture in San Francisco at various points throughout the city's history. You'll find thrift shops, high-end boutiques, hole-in-the-wall cafes and culinary gems along this diverse street that spans multiple San Francisco neighborhoods. So much culture is embodied here. You'll find two independent bookstores, plenty of places offering life music and art with antique shops all along the way.
Union Street
- Location: Union Street, running from the Embarcadero to the Presidio
- What You'll Find: A Variety of Boutique Shops and Eateries among old-world Victorian architecture
Not to be confused with Union Square, Union Street is best known for its light, airy Victorian architecture. The Victorian storefronts with gingerbread-like trim are unmistakable and alluring, making it one of the best places to shop in San Francisco. This area is home to the highest concentration of jewelry stores in San Francisco, so if you're in the market for an engagement ring or another special wearable work of art, this might be the place. You'll also find a huge variety of small shops, boutiques, coffee shops and eateries.
San Francisco's shopping scene is unlike any other; there's something for every shopper, inclination and budget. Whether you have an hour or an entire day to spare, take some time to stroll along the storied streets, poke your head into one beguiling shop after another and grab a bite to eat in a local cafe, bakery, or bistro. You'll get a feel for the atmosphere of each street and district that gives San Francisco its one-of-a-kind flavor and style.
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