I’ve always believed that a good souvenir is more than just a trinket—it’s a memory you can hold in your hands. In San Francisco, the range of places to find keepsakes is as varied as the neighborhoods themselves. From sleek, modern shopping centers to bustling, character-filled markets, I’ve hunted for mementos all over the city. And let me tell you—some spots are absolutely worth the trip.
Below is my personal guide to the four modern shopping hubs I’ve explored and two traditional markets I think every visitor should experience. These are the places where I’ve actually shopped, chatted with store owners, discovered hidden deals, and even walked away with more than I planned (hello, extra luggage fee).
Modern Shopping Centers I’ve Explored
1. Westfield San Francisco Centre
📍 Location: 865 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
🛒 Best For: Branded goods, artisan stalls, food court treats
The first time I walked into Westfield San Francisco Centre, I was drawn upward by the breathtaking glass dome in the center atrium—it’s a piece of architecture worth photographing. This upscale mall combines big-name brands with smaller specialty shops. I’ve picked up everything from Levi’s jackets (made more special because Levi’s was founded here in SF) to quirky stationery at Paper Source.
Favorite Souvenir Shop Inside:
- San Franpsycho – A local clothing brand with surf-inspired designs. Their hoodies and caps make great wearable souvenirs.
Pros:
- Wide variety of shops from luxury (Bloomingdale’s) to quirky local brands.
- Great location near Powell Street BART station.
- Indoor comfort—perfect for a foggy or rainy SF day.
Cons:
- Can get very crowded on weekends.
- Parking nearby is pricey; public transport is easier.
Deals & Tips:
I’ve scored good discounts by shopping during their seasonal sales—especially right after the holidays. Sign up for store newsletters to get extra 10–15% coupons.
2. Ghirardelli Square
📍 Location: 900 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109
🛒 Best For: Chocolate, gourmet gifts, locally made crafts
Ghirardelli Square is one of those places where the smell alone will make you reach for your wallet. I came here for chocolate—and left with chocolates, coffee beans, and even a ceramic SF skyline mug. The square is lined with boutique shops and food vendors, making it easy to find edible gifts and unique crafts.
Favorite Souvenir Shop Inside:
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop & Café – They hand out free samples (dark chocolate with sea salt is my weakness). Their gift boxes are perfect for family back home.
Pros:
- Historic location with waterfront views.
- Plenty of photo opportunities—especially with the iconic Ghirardelli sign at sunset.
Cons:
- Tourist-heavy; prices can be higher than elsewhere.
Deals & Tips:
Buy chocolate gift packs in bulk—they often offer “buy 3, get 1 free” deals. If you’re lucky, you’ll find limited-edition flavors not sold in grocery stores.
3. Pier 39
📍 Location: The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133
🛒 Best For: Sea-themed souvenirs, novelty gifts, street performances
Pier 39 is touristy—no denying it—but it’s also fun. I’ve bought quirky T-shirts, hand-painted magnets, and even a bottle of “San Francisco Fog” (yes, it’s just water in a fancy bottle, but it still makes me laugh). Between the shops, you’ll see street performers, sea lions lounging nearby, and all the colorful chaos that makes SF’s waterfront so lively.
Favorite Souvenir Shop Inside:
- Lefty’s San Francisco – Specializes in products for left-handed people. I got my left-handed chef friend a set of knives here—he still thanks me.
Pros:
- Huge variety of souvenirs in one spot.
- Family-friendly entertainment.
Cons:
- Prices can be inflated for tourist items.
- Gets very busy in summer.
Deals & Tips:
Bargain a little for bulk purchases in smaller stalls—it worked for me when I bought multiple sweatshirts for friends.
4. Union Square Boutiques
📍 Location: Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94108
🛒 Best For: Fashion, high-end souvenirs, exclusive local art
Union Square isn’t one single mall—it’s a cluster of high-end stores, galleries, and boutiques around a central plaza. I wandered into a small art gallery called Martin Lawrence Galleries and ended up buying a limited-edition print of the Golden Gate Bridge that now hangs in my living room.
Favorite Souvenir Spot:
- Britex Fabrics – Four floors of textiles, many sourced from local designers. I once bought a silk scarf with a subtle SF map pattern—still my favorite souvenir to wear.
Pros:
- Great for unique, luxury souvenirs.
- Close to hotels, restaurants, and public transport.
Cons:
- Not budget-friendly.
Deals & Tips:
Check sample sales at local boutiques—you can find designer items at 50% off if you time it right.
5. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
📍 Location: Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111
🛒 Best For: Gourmet food products, artisanal crafts, farm-fresh produce
If there’s one market in San Francisco that could make me happily spend an entire morning without noticing the time, it’s the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Nestled right along the Embarcadero waterfront, with sweeping views of the Bay Bridge, this market is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. Operated by CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture), it’s the heart of the city’s farm-to-table movement.
When I first came here on a Saturday, the air was rich with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, just-baked sourdough bread, and sun-ripened strawberries. I made my way from stall to stall, tasting everything from wildflower honey sourced from Marin County hillsides to small-batch cheeses from Petaluma dairies. I couldn’t resist buying olive wood kitchen spoons from a friendly artisan who carved each one by hand—his booth also sold cutting boards with intricate grain patterns that seemed almost too pretty to use.
Pros:
- Fresh, seasonal produce that beats anything you’d find in a grocery store.
- High-quality artisanal products—everything from truffle salt to lavender sachets.
- Stunning location with waterfront seating to enjoy your finds.
Cons:
- Prices can be high; it’s easy to overspend if you’re tempted by everything (and believe me, you will be).
- Saturdays get extremely busy, especially around brunch time, so moving between stalls can feel like navigating a slow-moving parade.
Deals & Tips:
- Arrive early (before 9:00 a.m.) for the best selection of produce, especially seasonal fruit and baked goods.
- Arrive late (around 1:30 p.m.) for possible markdowns, especially on perishable items vendors don’t want to pack up.
- Bring reusable shopping bags—vendors will appreciate it, and you’ll avoid flimsy plastic bags tearing on the way home.
- Don’t miss the Acme Bread Company inside the Ferry Building—grab a loaf of their famed sourdough for the trip home.
6. Chinatown’s Stockton Street Markets
📍 Location: Stockton St, between Broadway & Sacramento, San Francisco, CA 94133
🛒 Best For: Tea sets, herbal remedies, cultural keepsakes, authentic snacks
If you’ve only experienced Chinatown’s tourist-heavy Grant Avenue, you’ve only seen half the picture. The real magic, the daily heartbeat of this neighborhood, is found along Stockton Street. Here, locals shop for everything from live seafood to fresh bok choy, dried shiitake mushrooms, and fragrant herbs used in traditional medicine.
The first time I came here, I was immediately hit with a kaleidoscope of sensations—the chatter of Cantonese over the hum of traffic, the glint of red paper lanterns strung above the street, the smell of roast duck hanging in the window of a deli. I wandered into a small shop where the owner showed me hand-painted porcelain tea sets, some decorated with cranes and cherry blossoms, others with golden dragons. I picked one for just $18—much cheaper than the $40 price tag I’d seen in more tourist-oriented stores.
I also found silk fans, embroidered with delicate flowers, for under $10, and stacks of traditional paper lanterns in every color of the rainbow. The herbal medicine shops were a treasure trove—dried chrysanthemum for tea, ginseng roots, and herbal balms that locals swear by.
Pros:
- Authentic, bustling atmosphere that feels like stepping into a street in Hong Kong or Guangzhou.
- Prices are far lower than the souvenir shops on Grant Avenue.
- Excellent variety—souvenirs, groceries, snacks, and even fresh flowers.
Cons:
- The sidewalks can be crowded, especially before major Chinese holidays like Lunar New Year.
- English is not always spoken fluently, so be patient and polite; a smile goes a long way.
Deals & Tips:
- Cash is king—many shops don’t take credit cards, and paying cash can sometimes earn you a small discount.
- Try visiting in the morning for the freshest produce and seafood.
- If buying fragile items like tea sets, ask for extra wrapping or bubble wrap.
- Don’t be afraid to politely bargain—it’s not always common in the U.S., but here it can work for certain items like souvenirs.
Walking Stockton Street isn’t just about shopping—it’s an immersion into a living culture. You leave with more than just a bag of items; you leave with the rhythm, colors, and flavors of one of the oldest and most vibrant Chinatowns in the country.
Taking a Piece of San Francisco Home With You
San Francisco is one of those rare cities where even the souvenirs feel like they’re part of the story. A bar of Ghirardelli chocolate isn’t just chocolate—it’s the smell of cocoa drifting through the air at Fisherman’s Wharf. A silk scarf from Union Square isn’t just an accessory—it’s the memory of wandering through elegant boutiques under a crisp blue sky. A ceramic tea set from Chinatown isn’t just tableware—it’s a piece of the culture, a bridge between your home and this vibrant city by the bay.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the best souvenirs aren’t always the most expensive—they’re the ones that hold a personal connection. The mug you use every morning that reminds you of your first sunrise over the Golden Gate. The quirky magnet that sparks a laugh when friends notice it on your fridge. The handmade olive spoon that somehow carries the warmth of the farmer who sold it to you.
When you shop in San Francisco, don’t just browse—ask questions. Ask the chocolatier about their favorite flavor. Ask the market vendor how they learned their craft. You’ll walk away with more than an item; you’ll take home a story, and that story will keep San Francisco alive for you long after you’ve flown home.
A few final tips I live by:
- Pack smart – Always bring an extra foldable bag in your suitcase. Souvenir shopping here is dangerously addictive.
- Support local – Seek out independent artisans and family-owned shops. Your purchase means more here than at a chain store.
- Mix your approach – Spend one day exploring modern malls for convenience and variety, and another diving into traditional markets for authenticity.
- Plan for the trip home – If you’re flying, remember TSA rules for liquids (yes, that includes olive oil and wine). Ship heavy or fragile items when possible.
San Francisco will charm you with its views, its food, and its people—but it’s often the small things you bring back that hold the most magic. And when you’re sipping tea from your Chinatown set, nibbling chocolate you swore you’d save for friends, or putting on that hoodie you grabbed at Westfield, you’ll realize you didn’t just buy souvenirs.
You brought home pieces of the city’s soul.
