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Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Shop
San Francisco
San Francisco is fanatical about cheese, and much of the local enthusiasm can be attributed to the two women who created the small-production Cowgirl Creamery, located in the Ferry Building Marketplace but still imparting the simple neighborhood shop feel. Here's how you do it: Sample, then buy a hefty slice of your favorite cheese, and then enjoy it on the waterfront with some crusty Acme Bread and a piece of fruit from Capay Farms (all within the same building).San Francisco is fanatical about cheese, and much of the

Crocker Galleria
San Francisco
Modeled after Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, this glass-domed, three-level pavilion, about 3 blocks east of Union Square, features around 40 high-end shops with expensive and classic designer creations. Fashions include Aricie lingerie, Gianni Versace, and Polo/Ralph Lauren. Closed Sunday.Modeled after Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, this glass-domed, three-level pavilion,

Dandelion
San Francisco
Tucked in an out-of-the-way location in SoMa is the most wonderful collection of gifts, collectibles, and furnishings. There's something for every taste and budget here, from an excellent collection of teapots, decorative dishes, and gourmet foods to silver, books, cards, and picture frames. Don't miss the Zen-like second floor, with its peaceful furnishings in Indian, Japanese, and Western styles. The store is closed Sunday and Monday except during November and December, when it's open daily. Hours are 10am to 6pm.Tucked in an out-of-the-way location in SoMa is the most

De Vera Galleries
San Francisco
Don't come here unless you've got money to spend. Designer Federico de Vera's unique rough-stone jewelry collection, art glass, and vintage knickknacks are too beautiful to pass up and too expensive to be a painless purchase. Still, if you're looking for a keepsake, you'll find it here. Closed Sunday and Monday.Don't come here unless you've got money to spend. Designer

Dianne's Old & New Estates
San Francisco
Many local girls get engagement rings from this fantastic little shop featuring top-of-the-line antique jewelry -- pendants, diamond rings, necklaces, bracelets, and pearls. For a special gift, check out the collection of platinum wedding and engagement rings and vintage watches. Don't worry if you can't afford it now -- the shop offers 1-year interest-free layaway. And, if you buy a ring, they'll send you off with a thank-you bottle of celebration bubbly.Many local girls get engagement rings from this fantastic little

Diptyque
San Francisco
If the idea of spending $40 on a candle makes you laugh, this isn't the place for you. But if you're the type willing to throw down good money to scentualize your living space, don't skip this French shop offering dozens of spectacular flaming fragrances. I'm such a fan that every time I went to Paris I'd weigh down my luggage with these 50-hour burners. (Before the horrible exchange rate, that is.) But now I can scoop them up in my own backyard. They also make great gifts.If the idea of spending $40 on a candle makes

emily lee
San Francisco
More mature fashionistas head to the quaint shopping street of Laurel Village, a block-long strip mall of shops that includes emily lee, for everything from elegant to artsy-designer garb that tends to be stylish, sensible, and loose-fitting. Designers include the likes of Blanque, Eileen Fisher, Flax, Ivan Grundahl, and Three Dots.More mature fashionistas head to the quaint shopping street of

Ferry Building Marketplace
San Francisco
A one-stop shop for some of the city's finest edibles, the renovated historic Ferry Building is home to the revered Acme Bread Company, Scharffen Berger Chocolate, the Imperial Tea Court, Peet's Coffee, Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Shop , Recchiuti Confections, and more. There's no better place to load up on the Bay Area's outstanding bounty.A one-stop shop for some of the city's finest edibles,

Flax
San Francisco
If you go into an art store for a special pencil and come out $300 later, don't go near this shop. Flax has everything you can think of in art and design supplies, an amazing collection of blank bound books, children's art supplies, frames, calendars -- you name it. There's a gift for every type of person here, especially you.If you go into an art store for a special

Flight 001
San Francisco
Jetsetters zoom into this space-shuttle-like showroom for hip travel accessories. Check out the sleek luggage, "security friendly" manicure sets, and other mid-air must-haves.Jetsetters zoom into this space-shuttle-like showroom for hip travel accessories.

Fraenkel Gallery
San Francisco
This photography gallery features works by contemporary American and European artists. Excellent shows change every 2 months. Open Tuesday through Friday 10:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 11am to 5pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.This photography gallery features works by contemporary American and European

Ghirardelli Square
San Francisco
This former chocolate factory is one of the city's quaintest shopping malls and most popular landmarks. It dates from 1864, when it served as a factory making Civil War uniforms, but it's best known as the former chocolate and spice factory of Domingo Ghirardelli (say "Gear-ar-delly"). A clock tower, an exact replica of the one at France's Château de Blois, crowns the complex. Inside the tower, on the mall's plaza level, is the fun Ghirardelli soda fountain. It still makes and sells small amounts of chocolate, but the big draw is the old-fashioned ice-cream parlor. If you're coming to shop, think again: It's pretty lame in that department, but you can dine decently at Ana Mandara. The main plaza shops' and restaurants' hours are 10am to 6pm Sunday through Thursday and 10am to 9pm Friday and Saturday, with extended hours during the summer.This former chocolate factory is one of the city's quaintest

Gimme Shoes
San Francisco
The staff is funky-fashion snobby, the prices are steep, and the European shoes and accessories are utterly chic.The staff is funky-fashion snobby, the prices are steep, and

Good Byes
San Francisco
One of the best new- and used-clothes stores in San Francisco, Good Byes carries only high-quality clothing and accessories, including an exceptional selection of men's fashions at unbelievably low prices (for example, $350 pre-owned shoes for $35). Women's wear is in a separate boutique across the street.One of the best new- and used-clothes stores in San

Good Byes
San Francisco
One of the best new- and used-clothes stores in San Francisco, Good Byes carries only high-quality clothing and accessories, including an exceptional selection of men's fashions at unbelievably low prices (for example, $350 pre-owned shoes for $35). Women's wear is in a separate boutique across the street.One of the best new- and used-clothes stores in San

Good Vibrations
San Francisco
A laypersons' sex-toy, book, and video emporium, Good Vibrations is a women-owned, worker-owned cooperative. Unlike most sex shops, it's not a back-alley business, but a straightforward shop with healthy, open attitudes about human sexuality. It also has a vibrator museum.A laypersons' sex-toy, book, and video emporium, Good Vibrations is

Green Apple Books
San Francisco
The local favorite for used books, Green Apple is crammed with titles -- more than 60,000 new and 100,000 used books and DVDs. Its extended sections in psychology, cooking, art, and history; collection of modern first editions; and rare graphic comics are superseded only by the staff's superlative service.The local favorite for used books, Green Apple is crammed

Gucci America
San Francisco
Donning Gucci's golden Gs is not a cheap endeavor. But if you've got the cash, you'll find all the latest lines of shoes, leather goods, scarves, and pricey accessories here, such as a $9,000 handmade crocodile bag.Donning Gucci's golden Gs is not a cheap endeavor. But

Gump's
San Francisco
Founded over a century ago, Gump's offers gifts and treasures ranging from Asian antiquities to contemporary art glass and exquisite jade and pearl jewelry. Many items are made specifically for the store. Gump's also has one of the city's most revered holiday window displays and is a huge wedding registry destination, though the staff can act very affected.Founded over a century ago, Gump's offers gifts and treasures

H & M
San Francisco
This ever-trendy and cheap Swedish clothing chain opened in Union Square at the end of 2004 and had lines out the door all through the holiday season -- and not just for their collection by Stella McCartney. Drop in anytime for trendy cuts and styles sure to satisfy the hip him and her along on the trip.This ever-trendy and cheap Swedish clothing chain opened in Union

Hang
San Francisco
Check out this amazingly affordable gallery for attractive pieces by yet-to-be-discovered Bay Area artists. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the gallery is designed to cater to new and seasoned collectors who appreciate original art at down-to-earth prices.Check out this amazingly affordable gallery for attractive pieces by

Images of the North
San Francisco
The highlight here is one of the most extensive collections of Canadian and Alaskan Inuit art in the United States. There's also a small collection of Native American masks and jewelry. Open Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 5:30pm and by appointment.The highlight here is one of the most extensive collections

Jeanine Payer
San Francisco
If you want to buy a trinket that is truly San Franciscan, stop by this boutique hidden on the street level of the beautifully ornate Phelan Building where designer Jeanine Payer showcases gorgeous, handmade contemporary jewelry that she crafts in sterling silver and 18-karat gold five stories above in her studio. All of her pieces, including fabulous baby gifts, sport engraved poetry and can even be custom done. Sound familiar? Not surprising. Celebrities such as Sheryl Crow, Debra Messing, and Ellen DeGeneres are fans.If you want to buy a trinket that is truly

Jeremys
San Francisco
This boutique is a serious mecca for fashion hounds thanks to the wide array of top designer fashions, from shoes to suits, at rock-bottom prices. There are no cheap knockoffs here, just good men's and women's clothes and accessories that the owner scoops up from major retailers that are either updating merchandise or discarding returns.This boutique is a serious mecca for fashion hounds thanks

Joseph Schmidt Confections
San Francisco
Here, chocolate takes the shape of exquisite sculptural masterpieces -- such as long-stemmed tulips and heart-shaped boxes -- that are so beautiful, you'll be hesitant to bite the head off your adorable panda bear. Once you do, however, you'll know why this is the most popular -- and reasonably priced -- chocolatier in town.Here, chocolate takes the shape of exquisite sculptural masterpieces --

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Frommer's San Francisco 2009