San Francisco Shopping Tips by SFHulaGIrl

GM Electronics: DSLR Camera Accessories Electronics / Music / Toys Review

This shop on Grant Avenue in Chinatown will rip you off as much as possible. Never mind that they quote you a price, then keep going down & down, telling you that they're offering you a deal because business is slow. Even then, the final price will be at least double what the items are worth. Anything you buy is non-returnable & they will NOT match lower prices that you find elsewhere. WHATEVER PRICE THEY QUOTE YOU, PLEASE LOOK IT UP ON YOUR TELEPHONE INTERNET TO SEE WHAT THE REAL PRICE SHOULD BE.

What to buy: They showed me a Vivitar UV Lens Filter, which came out of a box marked $89.99. That filter sells for $1.50 to $5.00. A lens cap/cover was quoted to me for between $20 to $30, depending on what deal they felt like giving me. That should normally be maybe $18.00. A bettery was quoted to me at about $50.00, but should probably be $35.00. Let me repeat, WHATEVER PRICE THEY QUOTE YOU, PLEASE LOOK IT UP ON YOUR TELEPHONE INTERNET TO SEE WHAT THE REAL PRICE SHOULD BE.

What to pay: Everything is overpriced.

Address: Grant Avenue

Directions: Chinatown; within the first block of the gates of Chinatown.

Theme: Computers and Electronics

Oxenrose: In Need Of A Trim? Specialty Shops Review

This is the place to go if you're in the mood to change your look, whether it be a trim, a drastically different cut, a perm, or a new haircolor. This ultra-trendy salon in Hayes Valley gives you more bang for your buck! I highly recommend Brian; he transformed my black waist-length hair with a bad perm to a layered above-the-shoulder cut in chocolate brown!

What to buy: Fudge dyes are their specialty.

What to pay: Haircuts start at $40, color at $50, and perms at $75.

Address: 445 Grove Street; San Francisco, CA 94102

Directions: Hayes Valley

Phone: (415) 252-9723

Theme: Other

Embarcadero Center: Embarcadero Center

The Embarcadero Center consists of four buildings filled with shop, restaurants, and movie theaters, and the fifth building is the Hyatt Hotel. Shops here include The Gap, Banana Republic, Victoria's Secret, Structure, Waldenbooks, Origins, Williams-Sonoma, Ann Taylor, Nine West, and Pottery Barn. Restaurants include Chevy's Fresh Mex, Fuzio, Gaylord India, and Gambino's Subs. Landmark has movie theaters in Embarcadero One.

Directions: End of Market Street; near Ferry Building.

Theme: Other

Passanisi: Plants, Flowers & Pottery Specialty Shops Review

One of a number of places at the San Francisco Flower Mart.

What to buy: Fresh flowers at wholesale prices to woo your special someone, of course!!

What to pay: They were selling sunflowers for $3/bunch, peonies for $8/bunch, dahlias for $6/bunch, cornflowers for $3/bunch, and (slightly older) white lilies for $3/bunch.

Address: 686 Brannan Street; San Francisco, CA 94107

Directions: South of Market

Phone: (415) 495-5125

Theme: Other

Gallery of Jewels: Be Jeweled Specialty Shops Review

If you're looking for a unique piece of jewelry, you've come to the right place. Gallery of Jewels has semi-precious and costume jewelry by many Bay area (and other) designers. Prices are inexpensive to moderate for most pieces; the selection is huge.

Address: 2115 Fillmore Street; San Francisco, CA

Phone: (415) 771-5099

Theme: Jewelry

K & L Wines: No Wine Before Its Time Wines Review

K & L WInes has an extensive collection of Californian, French, Italian, German, Chilean, and Australian wines. Wine tastings are held every Saturday in their San Francisco store from noon until 3:00 p.m., and in their Redwood City store from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Tastings usually highlight 6-10 wines, and generally range in price from $10-$15. You may also join one of the "Wine of the Month" clubs, or sign up on their mailing list to receive their monthly publication.

What to buy: If you purchase a bottle of wine at K & L Wines, then have dinner at Bizou, there's NO corkage fee (provided you have the receipt)!!

Address: 638 Fourth Street; San Francisco, CA 94107

Directions: South of Market

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.klwines.com

Cowgirl Creamery: Cheese Whiz Specialty Shops Review

The most recent outpost of Cowgirl Creamery is located in the newly-renovated Ferry Building. The store is bustling with activity as customers line up, particularly during the lunch hour. They are open seven days a week, and also ship cheeses. If you wish to sample any of their cheeses, they are most accommodating.

What to buy: Not only do they sell artisan cheeses (goat, cow, and sheep), but figs in Barolo, fig cake with almonds, Laguiole cheese knives, and honey, to name a few of their other offerings. Try the Humboldt Fog -- it's divine!

What to pay: Prices vary.

Address: 1 Ferry Building, #17; San Francisco, CA 94115

Directions: Embarcadero.

Phone: (415) 362-9354

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com