San Francisco Shopping Tips by sunshine9689

Travelex Worldwide Money & American Express: Currency Exchange Offices

If you need to exchange a foreign currency into dollars or another foreign currency, there are two companies in town that will help you to do so: Travelex Worldwide Money & American Express.

Travelex Worldwide Money has three locations in San Francisco:

1) San Francisco International Airport
G Side Before Security & also United Int'l Terminal - Gate A6
San Francisco, California, 94128
PHONE: (650) 821-0900 (G Side) and (650) 821-0900 (Gate A6).
HOURS: 7.30am-11.30pm (G Side) and 8am-6.30pm (for Gate A6).

2) 443 Castro Street at between 17th and 18th Streets
Located in US Bank
San Francisco, California, 94114
PHONE: (415) 552-3108.
HOURS: 9am-5pm (M to Th), 9am-6pm (Fr), 9am-1pm (St), closed on Sundays.

3) 75 Geary Street at between Grant and Kearny Streets - DOWNTOWN.
San Francisco, California, 94108.
PHONE: (415) 362 3453.
HOURS: 9am-6.30pm (M to Fr), 10-6pm (St), 10-5pm (S).

NOTE: Here is a link to Travelex locator.

American Express has 2 travel offices:

1) 318 West Portal Avenue at 14th Avenue
San Francisco , CA 94127
DBA Ethan Allen Travel, Inc.
PHONE: (415) 242-0277
HOURS: 9am-5pm (M to Fr).

2) 455 Market at 1st Street - DOWNTOWN.
San Francisco , CA 94105
PHONE: (415) 536-2600
HOURS: 9am-5.30pm (M to Fr), 10am-2pm (St).

NOTE: If you need to find American Express Foreign Exchange office somewhere else in the world, here is a locator.

Theme: Other

T-Mobile or At&T stores: SIM card Electronics / Music / Toys Review

This tip is for international visitors with unlocked GSM phones (tri band or quad band) that they want to use while in USA by purchasing a USA SIM card.

In USA phone companies make it hard for people to use different SIM cards (most phones are not GSM format anyway and those that are - locked into the current SIM card..). Only 2 mobile companies - T-Mobile and At&T - accommodate the need.

To find the T-Mobile store nearest you, check this website.
To find the AT&T store nearest you, check this website.

PRICES: To get an idea how much it costs, check this website.

Theme: Computers and Electronics

Bombay Bazaar: Chyawanprash for health Specialty Shops Review

I am into natural remedies and supplements and this tip is about one of them - Indian honey/jam called Chyawanprash.
I wrote 'honey/jam' cause I do not have a word for that dark, rich, spicy spread made with 43 ingredients (like clove, cinnamon, asparagus, cherry, liquorice, sandalwood, chestnut.., etc).

It`s a few thousand years old recipe, popular in India and among my Russian friends. :-)

What does it do?
Strengthens immune system, helps with mood swings, fights depression/stress/asthma and low libido, lowers cholesterol, reduces the risk of heart attack/stroke, improves memory/brain function/attention, rejuvenates skin.
But, hey, do not take my word for it. Read more here.

How do you eat it?
15-20 minutes before food.
1/2 to 2 teaspoons twice daily for adults with milk, green tea or just water. It is advised to eat it slowly, taking your time.
Kids older than 4 can eat 1/4 to 1 teaspoon twice daily.
It is recommended to take it for 3 months a year.

If interested, I payed $8 for a 17.65 oz (500g) jar at Bombay Bazaar. This place is located right next to a well-known Bombay Ice Creamery selling very tasty ice-creams ($2.5 for a scoop, 0.50 for a cone). My favorite is definitely a Pistachio.

What to buy: Chyawanprash.

What to pay: $8 for a jar.

Address: 552 Valencia Str at between 16th and 17th Str

Directions: Mission.

Theme: Food and Drink

City Lights Books: Books, ambiance City Lights Books Review

First opened in 1953 by co-founders Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin, City Lights has been part of SF for half a century. It's not only a bookseller, but an independent publisher as well. Both the store and the publishers became known to masses because of the trial for publishing Allen Ginsberg's influential Howl and Other Poems in 1956 (it was a poem celebrating the Beat generation and attacking what he saw as the destructive forces of materialism and conformity in the United States at the time).

It was made an official historic landmark in 2001. The 1st time this had been granted to a business, rather than a building - for "playing a seminal role in the literary and cultural development of San Francisco and the nation."

Address: 261 Columbus Ave at Broadway

Phone: (415) 362-8193

Theme: Books

Website: http://www.citylights.com

Groceries / Markets: Farmers Market Groceries / Markets Review

Hungry for some fresh, organic (mostly), California grown produce?

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market has been serving SF residents since 1993.

It is opened twice a week:
- Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm;
- Saturdays from 8am to 2pm.

All farmers who sell at the market are certified as producers by the counties where they grow. The County Agricultural Inspector visits the farm during production to confirm that the farmer is growing what they claim to be.
All products that are not produced on a farm (or sold by a farmer) are sold in a non-certified, adjunct portion of each market.

NOTE: The Market does not sell decorative crafts, apparel and jewelry, books and such. Food ONLY.

TO GET THERE: By bus on MUNI ''F'' line; by bike; BART or MUNI subway.

Parking spots nearby.

Address: Market at Embarcadero

Directions: In front of the Ferry Building.

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.cuesa.org/markets/

Easy Traveler: Traveling Merchandise Specialty Shops Review

Need to buy new luggage or backpack or money belt.., etc? Here is a cheap travel store on Grant Street that sells all kind of stuff.
Bought 2 packs of ear plugs for just $3.20.

Address: 739 Grant Street between Sacramento and Clay

Directions: Chinatown.

Theme: Other