San Francisco Shopping

(San Francisco, California - CA, USA)

San Francisco is without doubt a major center for shopping in California and the numerous districts provide a shopper's paradise. Whether you are looking for fashion, antiques, furniture, jewelry or home accessories, rest assured that San Francisco will provide you with a huge choice.

Most shops in San Francisco are open seven days a week and public transport is never far away, so shopping in different areas is both quick and easy, although many shops in the city are within walking distance of each other.

Shopping Districts

Union Square and Nearby

Union Square in San Francisco is a popular shopping Mecca and is enclosed by Bush, Taylor, Market and Montgomery streets. Many of the city's largest department stores can be found in Union Square and there are also numerous smaller shops, selling a wide range of items. Good shopping streets close to Union Square include Post and Sutter Streets, and also Maiden Lane

Chinatown

Chinatown in San Francisco is a lively area and is full of cheap shops lined along Grant Avenue. Shops in Chinatown sell a wide range of inexpensive goods, including T-shirts, clothes and tourist souvenirs. Be sure to visit the Stockton area of Chinatown, where you will find the community's shopping street, which includes grocers, fishmongers, tea retailers, noodle parlors, restaurants and some lively, authentic markets. Shops in the Chinatown district of the city tend to open between 10:00 until 22:00.

Union Street

Union Street in San Francisco is a fashionable district of the city, particularly in the Cow Hollow section of Union Street. Shops in this part of the city include top fashion outlets, antique stores, handicrafts, household accessories, custom jewelry, art galleries and also exclusive glassware.

Fillmore Street

For some of the best shopping in the city, be sure to visit Fillmore Street. Packed into five blocks, Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights is the ideal sport to find trendy boutiques, crafts shops, house ware stores and there are also some great places to stop and have a snack, before spending some more holiday money.

Fisherman's Wharf and Nearby

Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco is a long strip of malls, situated on a picturesque waterfront. This is a lively place for shopping in the city and is always busy. Jefferson Street in Fisherman's Wharf is full of literally hundreds of excellent shops, restaurants and attractions. For added entertainment, there are also many street performers, including musicians and mime artists.

Haight Street

Haight Street is always a popular spot for shoppers and this relaxed neighborhood has its own style of shops. The six upper blocks of Haight Street, situated between Central Avenue and Stanyan Street in San Francisco, provide a superb place to purchase inexpensive vintage clothing, tie-dyed shirts, funky jewelry, art from all over the world, vintage furniture, reproductions of art deco accessories and much more besides.

Japantown

Japantown is quite unlike Chinatown and is a huge, five-acre shopping complex. Located between Laguana and Fillmore Streets, Japantown is a three-block shopping complex with a large car park. Shops in Japantown sell items such as cameras, musical equipment, porcelain, antiques, kimonos, Japanese chests, paintings and many Japanese-related items.

Treasure Island Flea

This popular flea market has taken place on a monthly basis since 2011, being held on the last weekend of each month on the Avenue of the Palms. Open between the hours of 10:00 and 17:00, and undercover during the rainy season, the market offers the chance to purchase everything from antiques and collectibles, to fresh flowers, handicrafts, specialty foods, and all manner of up-cycled and vintage goods. Many local traders and indie designers from around the Bay area choose to sell their wares here, which in the past have included jewelry made from clocks, watches and even board games. Visitors will find free car parking, although admission charges are applicable for adults and children over 12 years old.