Reddit
reddit.com › r/asksf › what are your favorite unique shops in sf?
r/AskSF on Reddit: What are your favorite unique shops in sf?
April 21, 2019 -
Just looking for cute, unique shops of any variety in the city. I have a few to share as well:
Mollusk surf shop in the sunset. Very unique, adorable shop with beautiful boards and nautical decor. They have their own clothing line but beware their clothes are not constructed well and will fall apart.
Flora Grubb in edit: bayview. Beautiful garden center and plant shop with a Ritual coffee bar and a succulent wall. It's a very relaxing place to visit and their employees are helpful.
Edit: thanks to everyone for all of their suggestions. I'll be working my way down the whole thread!
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826 Valencia (San Francisco's best independent pirate supply store) and Paxton Gate next door for taxidermy, minerals and oddities. Loved to Death on Haight Street always has something unusual. Cliff's Variety sells all sorts of cheeky cards and gifts and is a great source for dressing up. Mixcoatl Handicrafts & Jewelry on 24th and Van Ness in the mission for your luchador mask needs. Heath Ceramics is great for higher end ceramic items (plates, dishes, bowls, etc.). San Franpsycho on Divisadero near Haight Street for unusual SF-based clothing (shirts and hoodies, caps, etc.)
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Johnson Leathers : their bespoke leather jackets are outstanding Borderlands Books : great SF/Fantasy bookstore Arch Art Supply : best art supply store in SF now that Flax moved to Oakland and Pearl's closed down Peak Design Flagship store : a camera bag lover's heaven Charles Chocolates : I liked them so much I invested in the company Glaser Designs : Buy It For Life (BIFL) bags made right here in SF Top Drawer : eclectic stationery store, owned by the legendary Ito-Ya of Japan Ichiban-kan : Japanese dime store, full of weird, wonderful and useful stuff AudioVision SF : audiophile store that doesn't sneer at digital audio Mai Do : Japanese stationery is the best Rickshaw Bagworks : bags made in SF Three Fish Studios : cute California-themed prints Thos. Moser : heirloom furniture Alden Shoes : home of genuine shell cordovan shoes Nomad Rugs : handwoven rugs, leaning towards tribal designs Arsicault : best croissants in town, possibly in the US Miette : like a kid in a candy store, because, well, it's a candy store Schubert's : old school, but their princess cakes are tops See also my map of foodie spots: https://majid.info/sfmap
826 Valencia (San Francisco's best independent pirate supply store) and Paxton Gate next door for taxidermy, minerals and oddities. Loved to Death on Haight Street always has something unusual. Cliff's Variety sells all sorts of cheeky cards and gifts and is a great source for dressing up. Mixcoatl Handicrafts & Jewelry on 24th and Van Ness in the mission for your luchador mask needs. Heath Ceramics is great for higher end ceramic items (plates, dishes, bowls, etc.). San Franpsycho on Divisadero near Haight Street for unusual SF-based clothing (shirts and hoodies, caps, etc.) Answer from wellvis on reddit.com
Yelp
yelp.com › shopping › cool stores
Cool Stores San Francisco, CA - Last Updated September 2025 - Yelp
Top 10 Best Cool Stores in San Francisco, CA - Last Updated August 2025 - Yelp - Woot Bear, Rare Device, The Love of Ganesha, Wink SF, True, San Franpsycho, Katachi, Upper Playground, 826 Valencia Pirate Supply Store, TANTRUM
Secret San Francisco
secretsanfrancisco.com › home › secret guides › 8 sf neighborhoods that are perfect for a day of shopping
8 Delightful Streets To Go Shopping In San Francisco
July 15, 2025 - SF Mercantile – T-shirts, pins, and other items that celebrate all things San Francisco. Amoeba Records – SF’s best selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, posters, and other music-related items. Indigo Vintage along with several other excellent vintage and thrift shops to choose from. Blue Bin Vintage– The vintage and second-hand store features a curated selection of clothing, plus an impressive collection of denim.
Cool SF or Bay Area clothing brands?
Just wear Ben Davis More on reddit.com
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August 5, 2023Cool San Francisco t-shirts that don't scream San Francisco?
San Francisco Mercantile on Haight. Get an Amos Goldbaum shirt. Or order direct from him: https://www.amosgoldbaum.com/shop More on reddit.com
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November 27, 2023What are your favorite unique shops in sf?
826 Valencia (San Francisco's best independent pirate supply store) and Paxton Gate next door for taxidermy, minerals and oddities. Loved to Death on Haight Street always has something unusual. Cliff's Variety sells all sorts of cheeky cards and gifts and is a great source for dressing up. Mixcoatl Handicrafts & Jewelry on 24th and Van Ness in the mission for your luchador mask needs. Heath Ceramics is great for higher end ceramic items (plates, dishes, bowls, etc.). San Franpsycho on Divisadero near Haight Street for unusual SF-based clothing (shirts and hoodies, caps, etc.) More on reddit.com
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April 21, 2019Hey! Does anyone know any cool clothing shops for men?
Agree with the other poster about buying secondhand clothes... in SF you could check out Haight Street. There's a Crossroads, Buffalo Exchange, plus a handful of vintage stores, and Wasteland can be pretty great for finding high priced labels way cheaper.
If you're able to get out to Vacaville there's a Levi's outlet. It's awesome.
More on reddit.com 7
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April 28, 2015San Francisco Travel
sftravel.com › article › san-francisco-shopping-guide-to-mission
The San Francisco Shopping Guide to the Mission | San Francisco Travel
September 11, 2024 - These are our top picks for places to shop in San Francisco's oldest neighborhood. ... Dog Eared Books is known for its soothing atmosphere that invites you to relax and browse the shelves for your next favorite book. Whether you love that new book smell or prefer the thrill of saving cash on gently used paperbacks, Dog Eared Books has got you covered. You may even stumble on some unique publications here, as this store carries local literature and small press books.
Videos
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Dark Aesthetic Shopping Guide: San Francisco - YouTube
THRIFTING for 6 hours in SAN FRANCISCO
ShopDine SF: Vacation Vintage
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I Spent a Day in San Francisco’s Thriving Mall - YouTube
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THRIFTING in SAN FRANCISCO (thrift roadtrip pt 3 🚗) | vintage, ...
Atlas Obscura
atlasobscura.com › lists › cool-shops-in-san-francisco
8 Cool Shops in San Francisco - Atlas Obscura Lists
July 19, 2018 - The giant pair of sexy legs sticking out the window of this costume store have become its main draw. ... With the touch of a button, you can read a randomly selected short story. ... The tea room that pushed the boundaries of adorable straight into... we can't find the words. ... A collection of memorabilia from the Beat era in the back of a San Francisco bookstore.
Inside Guide to San Francisco Tourism
inside-guide-to-san-francisco-tourism.com › home › san francisco attractions › chinatown › chinatown shopping
The Coolest Shops in San Francisco's Chinatown!
July 6, 2023 - Along Grant Avenue, you'll see some large, two and three story stores, full of an amazing variety of things to buy, and actually lots of fun to explore. My favorites: Canton Bazaar and Old Shanghai face each other across the street. ... Two ...
Visit California
visitcalifornia.com › experience › san-francisco-best-shopping
Where to Find the Best Shopping in San Francisco
November 8, 2024 - Shopping in San Francisco must begin in Union Square. The centrally located hub has a little bit of everything. The biggest stores in the world are well represented—think Bloomingdale’s, Macy's, and Neiman Marcus. Designer brands are well represented too, including Bulgari, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada, and Tiffany.
SFGATE
sfgate.com › local › article › our-favorite-sf-shops-local-businesses-18481743.php
40 of our favorite San Francisco shops
November 28, 2023 - So read on to learn about all our favorites, and if you have a shop you love that’s missing, let us know — we’re always looking for more San Francisco stories to tell. We’ve ordered shops by neighborhood. Horgan Edet, co-owner of The African Outlet, sits amid the store’s varied goods. Jillian D'Onfro/SFGATE · The African Outlet — Bayview: 4942 3rd St. To visit the African Outlet is to be dazzled by the extraordinary amount of art and handicrafts that pack the incense-perfumed store.
Goop
goop.com › home › california › san francisco
Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Shops In San Francisco - goop
June 11, 2019 - Outer Sunset is many things: a beachy neighborhood in San Francisco, home to many excellent surf shops (looking at you, Mollusk and Woodshop), and the place to come for Black Bird. The independent bookstore, curated by local owner (and voracious reader) Kathryn Grantham, is equal parts community hangout and retailer.
Chateau Tivoli
chateautivoli.com › home › blog › cool shops you should check out in san francisco
Cool Shops You Should Check Out in San Francisco
November 24, 2024 - San Francisco’s diverse shopping scene offers endless opportunities for discovery and delight. From the quirky boutiques on Haight Street to the gourmet finds at the Ferry Building Marketplace, each shopping area has its unique charm and specialties. Union Square provides a high-end shopping experience with luxury brands, while Valencia Street offers a more laid-back vibe with its independent and creative shops. Exploring these cool shops adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your stay, offering a chance to find special items and experience the local culture.
Quora
quora.com › What-are-some-cool-design-shops-in-San-Francisco-CA
What are some cool design shops in San Francisco, CA? - Quora
Answer: There are many amazing design stores in San Francisco ranging from modern to hipster ... here's a list of my favorites in no particular order (I tend to lean towards the hipster side): 1) Rare Device (Orignial location on Divisidero near Alamo Sq. and a new location in Noe Valley): Ecle...
Time Out
timeout.com › usa › shopping › the-best-shopping-in-san-francisco
18 Best Spots to Shop in San Francisco for Uniquely Bay Area Finds
October 30, 2025 - Synonymous with cool, edgy vintage, this Haight Street store in its current location since 1989 is a must-shop. While the first location was opened in 1985 across the bay in Berkeley, San Francisco’s followed soon after, and today there are shops in WeHo, Studio City, Highland Park and Silverlake.
Go City®
gocity.com › en › san-francisco › things-to-do › shopping-in-san-francisco
Best Shopping in San Francisco - Boutiques, Outlet Malls & More
October 14, 2025 - The Napa Premium Outlets are an easy side trip to add to a day trip to Napa Valley - this area is around 45 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Stores feature everyday savings of 25%-65% off stores like Cole Haan, Ann Taylor Factory Store, J. Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Coach Outlet, Timberland, and more.
CrawlSF
crawlsf.com › home › union square shopping guide
Union Square Shopping Guide - CrawlSF
January 29, 2025 - Even after the company was purchased by the Mitchell’s Group of Connecticut, Bashford continued to work at the store. He was beloved by locals. Today the attentive staff carry on Mr. Bashfords legacy, at the Sutter Street location. If you are in need of that perfect suit for an interview, the perfect outfit for a special occasion or just a quality staple to add to your wardrobe, Wilkes Bashford will certainly deliver. It is one of those only in San Francisco shopping experiences that you rarely find in the hustle of the 21st Century.
Downtown San Francisco
downtownsf.org › post › luxury-shopping-in-downtown-san-francisco
Luxury Shopping in Downtown San Francisco | Downtown San Francisco
Look beyond Union Square to find true luxury shopping in downtown San Francisco. Historic Jackson Square is home to more indie ateliers, boutiques and retailers per square mile than most of San Francisco combined.
Tripadvisor
tripadvisor.com › united states › california (ca) › san francisco › things to do in san francisco › shopping in san francisco
THE 10 BEST Places to Go Shopping in San Francisco (Updated 2025)
Fantastic mall, a shoppers delight, only 4+ star retail stores here Zara, Razer, Swarovski, Bloomingdale's and so muc... ... If you are in San Francisco on a Saturday, consider a visit to the Ferry Building.
San Francisco Travel
sftravel.com › article › where-to-shop-san-francisco-around-bay-area
Where to Shop in San Francisco and Around the Bay Area | San Francisco Travel
October 3, 2025 - Everything is within walking distance and set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, including the cable cars, Chinatown and Nob Hill. Don’t end your Union Square shopping spree there. Take a stroll down the neighborhood's charming alleyways for more hidden treasures. Maiden Lane, a pedestrian-only street from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., offers outdoor cafés and upscale retailers. Many of San Francisco’s other neighborhoods should also be explored by anyone with an eye for fashion.
Racked SF
sf.racked.com
Racked SF
The Japantown store features a dazzling array of Korean skincare and makeup products.
TravelUp
travelup.com › en-gb › blog › where-is-best-for-shopping-in-san-francisco
Shopping in San Francisco - Top Shopping Places & Things to Buy in 2025
Explore the best shopping spots in San Francisco, from luxury boutiques to vintage treasures. Discover unique souvenirs, fashion, and gourmet treats across the city's top retail districts. Book your San Francisco flights today for the ultimate shopping experience!
Exploratorium
exploratorium.edu
Experience the Exploratorium at Pier 15 | Exploratorium
Experience the Exploratorium. Let your curiosity roam free through hundreds of exhibits in our six spacious indoor and outdoor galleries at Pier 15, San Francisco.