Retail Heaven In Hayes Valley

Photo Credit: Ulysses Ortega

When we asked covergirl Jamie Chung where her favorite place to shop in San Francisco was, we expected her to say Fillmore Street, downtown, or Jackson Square. We were surprised when she answered Hayes Valley. It’s been years since we checked out the shopping situation on the streets nestled behind the Civic Center, City Hall, and the War Memorial Opera building, so we decided to spend an afternoon exploring the valley. What we found is a thriving neighborhood filled with designer fashions, eclectic gifts, sophisticated interiors, and niche specialty shops. Here, we take you on a tour of our favorite spots.

Photo Credit: Clay Seibert Photography

Maker & Moss is a delightful destination with unique goods for the home. There is modern furniture—chairs, tables, couches —made from natural materials, beautiful serving ware—white porcelain bowls, wooden platters, golden utensils—jewelry, candles, and more. Owner Matt Bissinger considers it the ideal place to find special home provisions and we couldn’t agree more. It’s sort of like a treasure chest, everywhere you look there is something that catches the eye, be it a pineapple-shaped cocktail glass or an abstract painting in muted colors. The boutique is adjacent to Project Juice’s test kitchen location, where you can sample the latest menu items from the juice hot spot.

Azalea has always been a beloved boutique amongst a certain San Francisco shopper. It’s in a prime spot on the corner of Hayes and Gough. It offers whimsical dresses, hoodies in muted colors, and distressed denim. Think festival wear at its finest. Its sister and brother shops are also definitely worth visiting. Rand + Statler is a large airy resource for contemporary designers, minimalist accessories, and luxury denim. The lighting is moody, the floors wood, and the dressing rooms close with oversized grey velvet curtains. Shop for Mara Hoffman swimwear, Blair Lauren Brown jewelry, Marni separates, and pieces from A.P.C’s capsule collection. Welcome Stranger is a menswear shop that excels at everyday basics. Its namesake line is designed and crafted in San Francisco, so shopping there means you’re supporting a local brand. Find soft tees to plaid shirts, denim to slacks—shoes, backpacks, and everything in between.

Photo Credit: Andi Hatch

Walk up Hayes Street toward Patricia’s Green and you’ll come across Lux Nails—hands down the best manicure/pedicure spot in the city. It’s a sliver of a space, so small that you may miss it, as it’s nestled between a hair salon and sports bar, but once you make your way inside, you’ll never forget this mani-pedi destination. With six high-back velvet chairs and plush pillows, Lux offers an unparalleled nail experience: there is complimentary bubbly, a wide selection of vegan polishes in every color imaginable—and they are open late.

For sustainable denim, you can’t beat Convert. Buyer and co-owner Randy Brewer has been in the SF fashion industry for over 30 years and he knows his stuff. He’s committed to eco-friendly brands that are environmentally aware—many of them are based in the US. Brewer is also an advocate who works to persuade non-sustainable brands to think about making their companies more green. The selection of denim, organic cotton basics, cozy knits, and tailored shorts is always rotating, so shop Convert often.

On the same side of the street is Lavish—a proper party store with everything that you need to throw the ultimate soirée, from cookbooks to wrapping paper to colorful straws. It’s an ideal shop for last-minute hostess gifts. Across the street is Dish, a clean little shop with modern womenswear. Dish feels like the lofty apartment of a wildly chic and worldly friend—and she’s just invited you to explore her closet. Shop for Ulla Johnson peasant dresses, flirty tops from Rebecca Taylor, the latest styles of Mother denim, and perfectly tailored Smythe blazers.

Down and around the corner, on Gough, you’ll find the one and only Eres boutique. The Parisian swimwear brand was one of the first to sell bikini tops and bottoms individually as separates, and specializes in swimsuits that fit perfectly. Swimsuits come in a variety of styles and colors, from sexy one-pieces to tiny triangle bikinis, in navy, teal, and coral. The fabric is incredibly soft and it gently hugs the female body in all the right ways. Eres also makes lingerie.

Photo Credit: Ulysses Ortega

If you’ve ever been to the Blue Bottle in Hayes Valley, you know of Linden Street, a quaint two-block alley in between Hayes and Fell Streets. There’s a new reason for fashionistas to visit Linden: Clare V. has just opened her first San Francisco location. The bright shop is filled with covetable accessories—weekenders, clutches, and pouches—all in buttery colorful leather. It’s Clare’s seventh store nationally, but it holds a special place in her heart because she lived in San Francisco for 12 years during the 90s. The custom wallpaper features hand-drawn graphics of her favorite places in the Bay Area. Note that during your birthday month, Clare V. offers an exceptional discount on all merchandise. The store was designed by Kate McCullough who has done other Clare V. flagships, and it has gardens that adjoin Steven Alan. At Steven Alan, men’s and womenswear is available. The clothing has a signature laid-back quality—there are plaid shirts and tees for men, silk blouses and coulotte denim for women—think elevated everyday basics.

Other shops to check out in Hayes? Warby Parker the hipster opticals company; Modern Appealing Clothing or M.A.C, where local designers like Tokyo Gamine sell their artisanal goods; and Acrimony, a casual tiny spot for urban avant-garde designer wear.