Earlier today I wrote about my packing plan for Munich, but before I take off across the ocean, I venture out to a closer destination next week: San Francisco! I’ve been there once before but am not very familiar with the city and would love any tips on must-see things or on any good thrift stores or used book stores I could peruse while there. Thank you so much for any tips you may have! S.
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I live in Silicon Valley and worked in SF for the past 7 years. I have heard that Crossroads Trading Co. is a great spot. I also hear that there are some high end/quality, reasonably priced places in the Castro. If I can give you one piece of advice, plan to layer! The weather as I am sure you know, is very unpredictable and changes without warning. I will never get used to leaving 85 degree heat and an hour later being in 50 degree gloom and doom…hehehe. Oh, and don’t forget your walking shoes!
Layering is definitely key in the Bay Area. Buffalo Exchange is also worth visiting — it’s similar to Crossroads. I would also check out some of the consignment shops near where you’ll be staying. When I’m a hostess to people from outside the Bay Area, my favorite thing to do is to sample some of the best food this area has to offer (and there’s lots!)… so I’d say make sure you hit up at least one farmer’s market, try some artisan ice cream (The Scoop in the North Bay is the best I’ve ever tasted), and explore the restaurant scene here (Aziza in SF, and Cha-Ya and La Note in Berkeley top my list). If you’re here on June 2nd, you can also take advantage of First Tuesdays and check out a bunch of museums and galleries in the city for free. And, on June 4th there’s a fantastic old time band called the Stairwell Sisters who’ll be leading a square dance at Yerba Buena Gardens — it might sound a little hokey, but their square dances are incredibly fun!
I wholeheartedly agree with H’s suggestion of layers. The weather changes based on where you are in the city and what time of day it is. Not sure about thrift stores, but definitely check out the City Lights bookstore on Columbus.
the weather’s been pretty erratic lately (not that that’s new…) so like previous posters mentioned, definitely layer! i think there have been great suggestions for clothing stores and restaurants so far, and if you wanna try something a bit more upscale, you could check out Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse (it’s cheaper during lunch in the upstairs cafe). for a great bookstore in the city, city lights is great, and you may also want to try green apple books on clement!
I hit paydirt at the Goodwill flagship store downtown, S. Audi and I both did!
1580 Mission St, San Francisco – (415) 575-2240
Held Over in the Haight is fantastic for slightly pricier vintage. Got my dirndl there!
1543 Haight St, San Francisco – (415) 864-0818
I went out to SF 3 years ago at this same time of year and just loved it! It’s a great city, so easy to navigate (their public transport is FAB) and lots to do! Some of my favorite things were: the tour of Alcatraz, the thrift shops and fun bookstores in the Haight (Haight-Ashbury St, for map reference), Grace Cathedral (GORGEOUS!), martinis and chocolate-covered strawberrys at the Top of the Mark (restaurant at the top of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel – swanky!), just hanging out in the Castro, the Japanese Gardens in Golden Gate Park, Lombard Street, Coit Tower…I could keep going.
Dressing in layers is definitely the key, as others mentioned. I was hot, then cold, then hot…kept taking off and adding layers all day! Something else you will really appreciate about the city is that everyone is so green and eco-friendly. I’ve never been in a city where residents are so conscious of the environment and I loved it. Oh and one more thing: if you arrive and see the Golden Gate Bridge and it is unobscured by fog, RUN to do all your walking-across/picture-taking of it then. Because the fog comes in like a solid wall across the bay and the Bridge just disappears. It was only visible for a day or so when I was there, but luckily we had a SF native to advise us on the fog. You are going to have a blast! Enjoy :)
THANK YOU all for such wonderful suggestions!! I can’t wait to make a long list and hopefully be able to check a lot of it off next week!
I also know what I’ll be doing on Tuesday – hitting the museums! Thanks for the tip, h !
Thanks, also, for the layers tip, I keep thinking Cali and forgetting that San Francisco weather is fickle and not at all sunny and balmy all day long.
Amy – I LOVE San Francisco and its eco-friendliness is one of the main reasons for that!
I love Japantown there, off Geary Blvd. Great restaurants and shops, and Fillmore Street has lots of cute shops.
As you may know, I live right in the heart of SF, so drop me a line if you’d like to meet up while you’re in town! I’d definitely echo Sal’s sentiment of hitting the Goodwill flagship store and Held Over, as well as all the other cute little boutiques in the upper Haight area.
moe’s books on telegraph in Berkeley is a used book store and FABULOUS! there are four floors of books….
[...] been a wonderful day for me, and once more, I’d like to thank you all who gave me such great suggestions for things to do and see here. I spent the day in the Haight area of San Francisco, taking in the [...]
[...] with you on this blog and because a considerable amount of my sightseeing was influenced by your wonderful suggestions! Thank you, again, for informing me about San Francisco must-sees and for allowing me to share my [...]