San Francisco’s Top 10 : Stores and Shopping Centers – Top 10 Shopping Areas

  1. Gumps

    Founded
    in 1861 by German immigrants, this homegrown department store is an
    institution. It has the largest collection in the US of fine china and
    crystal, selling famous names such as Baccarat and Lalique. The store is
    also celebrated for its Oriental treasures, rare works of art, and its
    window displays.

    • 135 Post St

    • 800 766 7628




    Gumps

  2. Nordstrom

    Located
    on the top five floors of this gleaming center, the fashion emporium is
    known as the “store in the sky.” Impeccable service, a vast selection,
    and a refined atmosphere featuring live piano music make this a very
    upscale shopping experience.

    San Francisco Shopping Center

    • 865 Market St




    Nordstrom

  3. Neiman Marcus

    Perhaps
    the highest of the high-end stores, this one overlooks Union Square
    from a plum spot once occupied by the City of Paris building,
    constructed in the 1890s but torn down to build this modern structure.
    Part of the original remains, however, by way of the huge stained-glass
    dome. Neiman’s boast is that it can get anything you might want –
    private jets, elephants, you name it.

    • 150 Stockton St

  4. Saks Fifth Avenue

    For
    decades, the name has been synonymous with high style and this branch
    of the New York mainstay is one of the best embodiments of the store’s
    mythic elan. You’ll find just about every international designer of note
    here.

    • 384 Post St

  5. Macy’s

    This
    old-guard department store has now become an all-purpose emporium
    carrying merchandise in all price ranges. Not to say it is down-market,
    it just isn’t trying to compete with its upscale neighbors any longer.

    • 170 O’Farrell St

  6. Crocker Galleria

    In
    the 1980s, when an old office building was truncated, architects put
    together some of the vintage elements to create this sparkling indoor
    mall. Its three floors are under a dramatic glass dome built around a
    central plaza, creating an open-ended arcade. US and European designer
    stores vie for attention with local shops, cafés, and restaurants.

    • 50 Post St




    Crocker Galleria

  7. Embarcadero Center

    These
    four skyscrapers are primarily office towers, but on the lower and
    promenade levels there are over 125 shops and restaurants, from
    newsstands and coffee bars to a Gap. The choice tends toward the major
    chains.

    • Embarcadero & Battery, Sacramento & Clay sts




    Embarcadero Center

  8. Ghirardelli Square

    Housing
    over 70 restaurants and shops, this former chocolate factory has become
    one of the most frequented destinations in Fisherman’s Wharf. The
    stores range from tourist T-shirt shops to fine jewelry boutiques .

    • 900 North Point St

  9. Metreon

    This showcase for Sony products and similar paraphernalia is a high-tech heaven for kids.

    • 101 4th St

  10. Westfield Shopping Center

    An awesome center with ten levels and nearly 400 stores, including a Bloomingdale’s and a nine-screen movie theater.

    • 865 Market St


Top 10 Shopping Areas

  1. Union Square

    Traditionally
    the focal point of all the best stores, including Tiffany & Co,
    Armani, Prada, Cartier, Yves St Laurent, Chanel, and more .

  2. Union Street

    Converted Victorian homes house a charming assortment of boutiques, bookstores, antiques shops, restaurants, and a cinema.

  3. Grant Avenue

    The
    southernmost four blocks are chic shopping off Union Square; then you
    enter eight blocks of exotic Chinatown emporiums; finally, Upper Grant
    is all about North Beach hangouts.

  4. Upper Fillmore Street

    A colorful choice of cafés, restaurants, and boutiques, all geared to a high-end Pacific Heights clientele.

  5. Market Street

    A good place to find cut-rate electronics shops, as well as outlet shops like Old Navy clothing store.

  6. Hayes Valley

    These blocks offer shopping with an avant garde feel .

  7. Chestnut Street

    Clothing boutiques, health-food shops, and an old-fashioned cinema.

  8. The Mission

    Plenty of super-discount stores and funky home furnishing shops .

  9. Castro Street

    Fine shops, gay bookstores and erotic boutiques .

  10. Haight Street

    This is still hippie-central – secondhand clothing and esoteric emporiums .