An excellent resource for those in search of new, used, popular and/or rare Asian and Asian-American literature, Eastwind is a cozy little shop that stocks an amazing breadth of books and subjects. From cookbooks to Buddhist history, Chinese herbal medicine to university texts, Eastwind has it all and then some. You will also find shelves full of all you need for doing second language study, as well as flashcards, origami and calligraphy supplies, and other art and language learning aids.
Nowadays, you can take a photo, edit it, and print it out without ever leaving your home. But what happens when something breaks, you want to see the latest gizmo in person, or you just need some advice? Visiting a brick and mortar photography store may be inevitable in some cases, but at least the people at Looking Glass are super friendly and knowledgeable. Whether you shoot digital or film, vintage toy camera or SLR, you can find plenty of gear and advice to get yourself on your way to creating your next photo masterpiece. Also offered are rentals, classes, and photo printing.
Whether you are a comic book collector, or a casual comic book reader, you will find a visit to Isotope worth your while. Anyone living in Hayes Valley who likes comics and graphic fiction, knows this place, and that is not just for its impressive collection of books, though it is very commendable. This lounge-cum-comic-book-store brings the best of both together to create a unique gallery-cum-reading-room kind of place, where customers can lounge around on the leather sofas while reading a book or two, or attend a live event featuring known names in the comic books business. What's more, you can tag along your furry four-legged friend to partake in this experience, since Isotope welcomes dogs.
Situated in San Francisco’s old and anecdotal neighborhood, Chinatown, Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory has a deep-rooted family history dating back to 1962. Akin to its name, the factory specializes in the production of delectable fortune and other cookies. Some of the cookie flavors available here include tea, chocolate and strawberry. Owned by the Chang family, the factory allows visitors to peek into the manufacturing process whereby cookies are peeled, folded, bent and shaped into a wonderful form. While you will gain an insight into the preparation of flavored cookies, the recipe of the fortune cookie remains a secret. This recipe was prepared by the owner’s mother and also remains a secret from the co-owner, Kevin Chang. Approximately 10,000 fortune cookies are prepared daily, depending on the season. By paying a small amount, you can also capture a picture of the factory and its workers. This place is great for cookie enthusiasts, those having a sweet tooth or for those who wish to peek into the manufacturing of irresistible moist treats. Make sure to grab a bag or two during your visit!
No music lover's trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to this warehouse-sized music store. The Upper Haight store bustles with hundreds of shoppers flipping through vast selections of CDs, records, tapes, videos and posters. The deals on used and yellow tag (cosmetically damaged, functionally guaranteed) items are the best in the city, as is the selection of obscure and independent-label titles.