Top Rated Shopping in San Francisco

For high-fashion eye wear without the designer price tag, check out this downtown independent outlet. The Optical Underground carries all of the top brand names found at other upscale opticians but at much lower prices. Much of the stock consists of over-stocked, discontinued and sample frames plus a smaller collection of knock-off styles. You will also find optician services and a range of prescription lenses from inexpensive plastic to high-tech, thinner-than-thin progressive lenses.

With an enviable culinary track record to his credit, Christopher Elbow combines his experience in the food business with unrivaled chocolate-crafting skills to create limited editions of artisanal chocolates. The popularity of his sweet treats led to the opening of the eponymous brand, all to match the growing demand. On offer are aesthetic creations in original and inventive flavors that sees milk chocolate ganache blend with French champagne, walnut marzipan topped with a whiskey ganache, caramel infused with clove, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, and bananas and brown sugar flambeed with rum for a unique explosion of flavors.

Bulo Shoes specializes in fine Italian leather shoes in chic, contemporary styles that complement an urban lifestyle. The wide assortment of footwear includes boots, heels, mules, slides, and loafers. The management stands behind the quality of the designers, and are extremely knowledgeable about the durability and craftsmanship of every shoe. If you are lucky, you will arrive during one of the store's famous sales, which are not uncommon toward the end of a particular season. Bulo also stocks up on accessories for women.

Owned and run by a close knit family with an aim and sole focus to retain loyal customers with ever innovative designs and funky clothing, M.A.C (Modern Appealing Clothing) is a real gem on Hayes Valley. Armed with an unmatched fashion know-how, the team's magnificent creations for men and women are purely irresistible. Stunning beauties from Belgian designers Dries van Noten and Martin Marjiela and Japanese designer Yoshi Kondo hang alongside local talents, spanning the versatile apparel collection. This high end boutique will surely lighten your pockets, but definitely worth a visit for that unique touch of glamor!

One of the few places in San Francisco to stock reel-to-reel tapes, this shop also sells books, tapes, posters and vinyl, including a huge selection of 33 rpm records. What it does not deal in, however, is the compact disc. This quirk makes Grooves the music store to hit if you like to listen to music versus technology debates between staff members as you shop. To get the full spectrum of The City's music store scene, stop here before heading to Tower or Virgin.

This Timbuk2 store located in the heart of Hayes Valley which is one of the most distinctive shopping areas of the city. Timbuk2 is known for their rough and tough messenger bags. The Timbuk2 store their classic messenger bags in a wide variety of fabrics and special designs by guest designers. If you don't like the colors you see, you can always order a custom-made bag that ticks all your boxes. You can also pick up accessories for your bag, like cell phone holders, reflective tabs and wallets.