If it weren’t for the earthquake of 1989, San Francisco’s Hayes Valley might still be a forsaken patch of concrete under the Central Freeway. Fortunately, rather than repair the damage to the road, the city demolished it—and with the roar of traffic gone, Hayes Valley became a cozy neighborhood, ideal for shopping. Along (and just off) leafy Hayes Street, you’ll find modern home furnishings and accessories, cutting-edge fashion and fine Italian shoes. Fuel your shopping spree with a baked Brie plate at Momi Tobys (528 Laguna St.; 415-626-1508; lunch for two, $25), or try the hearty soups at Modern Tea (602 Hayes St.; 415-626-5406; lunch for two, $30). At Frjtz (579 Hayes St.; 415-864-7654), the Belgian fries with roasted red pepper mayo make an excellent snack. (For more information, go to hayesvalleyshop.com)
1. True Sake 560 Hayes St.; 415-355-9555
You won’t find a better sake store outside Japan. True Sake has more than 190 varieties of the fermented rice beverage, and knowledgeable salespeople who can explain the nuances between them. Prices range from $5 cans to a rare $500 bottle.
2. Dish 541 Hayes St.; 415-252-5997
Original fashions from such local designers as Robin Brouillette, whose teal parachute-nylon dress with snap pockets and elastic waist is worthy of a Paris runway.
3. Tazi Designs 333 Linden St.; 415-503-0013
Beautiful traditional Moroccan crafts—brass lanterns fitted with colored glass, hand-painted ceramic bowls and tiny glass tea cups. Owner Hicham Tazi designed many of the distinctive items himself, blending clean Western lines with ornamental Moorish elements.
4. Friend 401 Hayes St.; 415-552-1717
Housewares like Tord Boontje’s lacy metal table sculptures with poetic names like “Thinking of You Forever.” Barbra Streisand is a fan of the chunky ceramic mugs, bowls and tea sets made by Heath, a Sausalito-based artisans collective.
5. Babies 235 Gough St.; 415-701-7387
Hip Shih Tzu–size sundresses, 15 flavors of dog biscuits and something called a Precious Paw Kit, which allows owners to make an impression of their pup’s paw as a keepsake. The shop owners will even organize a doggie birthday party for your pet.
6. Bibliohead Bookstore 334 Gough St.; 415-621-6772
A used bookstore that manages to be both blessedly organized and charmingly dog-eared, with soft, scuffed wooden floors and a well-curated selection of fiction.
7. Scandinavian Details 364 Hayes St.; 415-552-1100
This high-end design store sells foot-pedal Vipp trash cans in vanilla, lime green and brushed silver, and sleek Eva Solo stainless steel grills shaped like tapered barrels—more like sculptures than meat-cookers.
8. F. Dorian 370 Hayes St.; 415-861-3191
Among novel home accessories, you’ll find brightly painted wooden toys from Thailand and Yoruba dance bells from West Africa.
9. Gimme Shoes 416 Hayes St.; 415-864-0691
At last visit, the shelves held Sigerson Morrison pea-green flats, T-strap copper pumps by 22 and some very seductive light blue slides designed by up-and-comer Chie Mihara.
10. Ver Unica 437B Hayes St.; 415-431-0688
Vintage fashion with staying power: cocktail dresses from the 1950s, platform shoes from the 1960s, hand-tooled belts from the 1970s, and a rack of designer dresses by names like Diane Von Fürstenberg.