Haight-Ashbury

The Embarcadero Center actually consists of ten structures, but the shopping mall area is four buildings connected by skywalks. Check it out just for its architecture alone, that seamlessly flows between indoor and outdoor spaces with greenery at every corner. There's tons of restaurants and shops, two hotels and a cinema complex, as well …

No visit to San Francisco is complete without a stop at the bustling Union Square. The cultural and shopping hub of the city is a great place to spend your day. From art galleries, theaters and music venues to salons, spas, department stores, luxury boutiques and eateries, there's always something happening around …

A festival marketplace with 13 bay-view restaurants, dozens of fun attractions and over 110 stores, many one-of-a kind. Bling Things (jewelry), Alpaca Fashion (sweaters), the Cable Car Store (collectibles), Field of Dreams (sports and celebrity gift store), Houdini Magic, and Puppets on the Pier. If you can’t find it here, you can’t find it …

Since 1953, City Lights has been a prominent San Francisco landmark embodying the 50-year history of the Beat Generation. It specializes in arts, world literature, and progressive politics. If you are a book lover, you must check out this place, which happens to be the first ever all-paperback bookstore in the …

Eclectic Chinatown invites shoppers into this bustling maze of streets and alleys that brims with small shops jam-packed with mahogany furniture, carved statues, exotic gifts, green and rose scented black teas. Don’t miss the Fortune Cookie Factory on Ross …

The sheer size of this place is guaranteed to impress you, but the vinyl selection this store offers will simply leave you speechless. CDs and even cassettes are also sold here in abundance. Music lovers won't be able to get away …

Still maintaining its reputation as the 60s psychedelic-hippie-counterculture capital, this quarter's streets are dotted with Victorian houses, piercing salons and vintage clothing shops. Music and bookstores are the biggest draws to this …

Situated in a sophisticated area of San Francisco between Presidio Heights and the Financial District, Sacramento Street is a long shopping and residential section of the city where you will find great interior decor shops, antiques, upscale boutiques as well as many eateries. From here you can also get some of the best views …

The opulent Westfield San Francisco Center offers a variety of shops — more than 200 — as well as many eateries and a movie theater. Here you will find from the large and popular American chain stores such as American Eagle, Footlocker and Victoria’s Secret to high-end stores like Burberry, Louis Vuitton and …

After its opening in 1898, the Ferry Building became the transportation focal point. At its peak, as many as 50,000 people a day commuted by ferry. An elegant two-story public area with repeating interior arches and overhead skylights, the Ferry Building is a great place to be whether you're looking to dine, shop for fresh …

Built in 1907 as the Del Monte Peach Canning Factory, The Cannery is a vibrant waterfront marketplace. The historic brick warehouse includes three levels of unique shops, galleries, restaurants and winding walkways. In the center is an inviting courtyard boasting several cozy outdoor cafes surrounded by 130-year-old olive trees. Live music and a variety …

Adults and kids alike will enjoy browsing through the shelves at this puzzle store, where puzzles, brain teasers and games for all age groups are on …

Since 1852, Ghirardelli Square has housed the oldest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer in the country. To attract crowds, it has added more than fifty premium shops, galleries, restaurants and a hotel. A large open-air plaza is a great place to relax during the weekend or after …

A tiny fortune cookie factory at the Chinatown district where visitors have a chance to observe the fortune cookie-making process. You also get to taste these crispy treats as part of a free …

This quirky little store sells items very much out of the ordinary. From taxidermy paraphernalia to carnivorous plants, plus an eclectic array of home decor, candles and soaps. This place is a must-visit when shopping in San Francisco — even if it's just to see a taxidermy unicorn head on display (and for …

As the name of the store suggests, everything here revolves around candy, but taffy in particular is the true star of the show. The enticing display of the candy in giant barrels makes it difficult to leave without a bag full of candy in your …