Welcome to the Neighborhood, A Series About San Francisco Neighborhoods
In this installment of our “Welcome to the Neighborhood” series, we thought it would be fun to introduce you to some of our favorite shops in neighborhoods all over San Francisco. Resist the urge to “click to buy” your way through your gift list this year! Nothing beats the satisfaction and reaction of a well-chosen, thoughtful gift with a “real life” story behind it. To that end, we’ve rounded up unique, atmospheric, friendly, and very San Francisco shops in which you shall get your holiday spirit on.
Japantown shopping
You’ll spot at least one thing – and probably more – for the super-hip teen on your list at New People, a Japanese department store on Post street. Stocking everything from Harajuku clothing to anime-inspired goods and design items worthy of your uber-cool teen’s lair, you’re sure to get lots of cred with a gift from here.
Cow Hollow
Know someone who loves ink-on-paper books? Pay a visit to Chronicle Books on Union Street (they have other locations, but the Union Street store is our fave). Based in San Francisco, Chronicle Books is an independent publisher of creative books on art, food, pop culture, literature, and our favorite topic “paper goods.” These are books that not only provide a good read, but something beautiful to look at and enjoy over and over.
Shopping the Mission
For the vintage devotee, Stuff on Valencia street is the motherlode. Open just a few months, this perfect-sized antiques collective showcases the stylings of about 25 vendors, all of whom have v. good taste. A great vibe, good music, and super friendly staff will help you find that perfect vintage martini shaker, ancestral portrait or mid-century modern desk for your stylish friend. And guess what? They have a parking lot!
Russian Hill. Since the Bay Area seems to be ground central for oenophiles, no doubt there’s a wine enthusiast on your list. Give them something different to sip from Biondivino on Green street. This shop specializes in Italian wines – some you’ve heard of and many you have not. The owner, Ceri has taught the Ladies of Carried away a thing or two about Italian wines like Sagrantino, a welcome addition to any cellar.
Noe Valley – tis the season
We live in a food-obsessed area, where 8 year olds describe themselves as foodies and can hold their own on the best focaccia in town. It’s almost too easy to suggest going to the Ferry Building for a basket of local/organic/sustainable foods to present to your best dining buddy. Instead, we’re going to recommend Omnivore Books on Cesar Chavez. Every foodie would love to receive one of their new or antique books on food. This is a gift that will inspire your foodie to new levels of culinary accomplishment.
Take shopping to the next level in Presidio Heights
We would be remiss if we didn’t include something for the “hard to buy for” person. We just love, love, love the selection of large and small sign letters at Timeless Treasures on Sutter. How you choose to put the letters together is limited only by your imagination and the size of your gift recipients home. Your giftee’s initials is a natural, who doesn’t love a monogram. Bigger canvas? How about their entire name. Or the name of their pet. Or a phrase or inside joke the two of you share. Whatever direction you go, this is a personal gift that your “person who has everything” definitely won’t already have.
Do you love shopping? What are your favorite shopping insider tips for San Francisco neighborhoods?
Christmas angel photo courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. Additional photos courtesy of featured website.
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