While boasting the large-scale
facilities and international
names you'd expect in a major
city, San Francisco's shopping
scene is low-key and
unpretentious. This means
prices are slightly lower, and
shopping here is a pleasant,
relatively stress-free
activity.
If you want to run the
gauntlet of designer labels,
or just watch the style
brigade consume, Union
Square is the place to be.
The heart of the city's
shopping territory, it has a
good selection of big-name and
chic stores - Neiman Marcus,
whose prices have earned it
the nickname "Needless
Markup," Nordstrom, Saks
Fifth Avenue, Gump's and a
completely redesigned Macy's -
worth a few hours if you're
into serious dollar-dropping.
SoMa is home to the new
Sony Metreon mall at Fourth
Street and Mission, a form of
"shopper-tainment"
with its technology-driven
stores and state-of-the-art
movieplex.
Books
The Booksmith 1644 Haight St
tel 415/863-8688. Good general
Haight-Ashbury bookstore with
an excellent stock of
countercultural titles.
Borders Books and Music 400
Post St tel 415/399-1633.
Massive, emporium-style chain
stocking...
read
more >>
Music
Amoeba Music 1855 Haight St
tel 415/831-1200. A massive,
independent record and CD
store with one of the largest
and best used collections
you'll ever find (over one
million new and used). They
also host live performances
within the store. ...
read
more >>
