There's enough diversion in Hayes Valley to make you forget about the rest of the world for a day. Hayes Street alone will keep you busy, but be sure to cover the full neighborhood grid for some colorful finds on each block.
1. The African Outlet
Shops like this are what make neighborhood exploration so fun. The shop itself is a showpiece in Hayes Valley – a vibrant façade of color and artifact. Inside you’ll find masks, bolts of fabric, beads, jewelry and other items of African folk art.
524 Octavia (at Ivy)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 864-3576
2. Alabaster
A beautiful store space full of home furnishings and accents in a mix of new and vintage. There are Murano glass sconces, Art Deco tables, alabaster lamps, specialty soaps, books and candles.
597 Hayes Street (at Laguna)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 558-0482
3. Babies
A shop for babies of the four-legged variety. Babies has funky and chic bowls, collars, and accessories for your dog or cat child. More choices are treats, fetch toys, and enzyme shampoo (not your pet’s first choice of gift.)
235 Gough Street (at Hickory)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telphone: (415) 701-7387
4. Dark Garden
You never know when you’ll need a corset -- so keep Dark Garden's number in your cell phone for quick access. Dark Garden is a Hayes Valley and San Francisco favorite for their custom fittings and designs.
321 Linden Street (between Octavia & Gough)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 431-7684
5. Flight 001
A shopping experience for travelers and browsers. Flight 001 has an array of brilliant gadgets that you'll remember the next time you get on a plane without them. There's a location in Hayes Valley and also one on Fourth Street in Berkeley.
525 Hayes Street (at Octavia)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 487-1001
6. Lavish
The shop describes its style as “retro with some modern sensibility.” You won't be able to window shop at Lavish. You’ll want to go in and check out the home accents, baby clothing, stationary, soaps and works produced by local artists.
540 Hayes Street (between Octavia & Laguna)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 565-0540
7. R.A.G. (Residents Apparel Gallery)
This Hayes Valley site features local creations. More than 70 Bay Area designers sell apparel for both men and women.
541 Octavia (between Hayes & Grove)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 621-7718
8. True Sake
If you walk past True Sake, you'll be forced to back up and take a look. The clean, backlit displays of sake bottles pique your interest. Run by a professional sake taster, the store and website are places to hone your sake expertise.
For a unique Bay Area experience, visit the Takara Sake Museum in Berkeley, the only museum of its kind in the U.S.
560 Hayes Street (at Laguna)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 355-9555
9. Urban Knitting Studio
The store is a knitting inspiration. They have a large selection of yarns. They also offer introductory workshops in knitting and crochet, along with advanced instruction.
320 Fell Street (at Gough)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 552-5333
10. Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates
Christopher Elbow is a new addition to Hayes Valley in 2008. The best way to describe the shop is boutique and lounge -- with a selection of artisanal and hand-painted chocolate (hand-painted or airbrushed with cocoa butter), as well as a lounge area where you can relax with a cup of hot cocoa.
401 Hayes Street (near Gough)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 355-1105
