
An Expert's Guide to Vintage Shopping and Thrifting In San Francisco
There is vintage gold in these hills. Here are the best places to find it.
Vintage clothing and accessories are having a moment, and San Francisco has incredible stores and markets where treasures for every taste and style abound.
Scoping out the local vintage scene is a great way to experience a destination. On my adventures, I make a point of asking the shop owners for recommendations on where to eat, drink, see art and, yes, do more thrift shopping.
Here is a list of my favorite vintage and thrift shops in San Francisco. Visit them all on the ultimate treasure hunt that will have you crisscrossing the City to discover all of its secrets and surprises.
If you only have one day…
Haight Street has the highest concentration of vintage clothing stores. From the Goodwill to the formidable Decades of Fashion, located in an old bank, the street has the full spectrum of eras. My personal favorite is Relic Vintage. Owner Oren Scott curates this jewel box of a store with the most beautiful selection of impeccable party dresses from a range of decades. There are also men’s suits, coats, beaded sweaters, and a fantastic selection of accessories, including undergarments to mold one’s shape into a 1940s pinup. Don’t forget Lower Haight, too, where you’ll find Fuzz n Sway and other interesting shops.
Hidden Gems
Tangerine Queen is a by-appointment-only space on Union Street run by the exuberant Katelyn Tighe whose bold and eclectic style sparks buckets of joy. The showroom is packed with a riot of colors, textures and sparkle. Kaitlyn is a talented stylist, and I cannot recommend enough putting yourself in her hands. She will push you out of your comfort zone and transform you into the most vivacious version of yourself. Tip: bring something that has been languishing in your closet because you don’t know how to wear it, and she will give it a whole new destiny.
Love Street Vintage is a gorgeous mini-boutique located in the Outer Richmond. Owner Graciela Ronconi offers a beautiful selection of southwestern jewelry and other accessories, as well as apparel from a range of eras. I always find something beguiling. I picked up a metallic floral coat from the ‘60s and a pair of large ‘80s “diamond” encrusted clip-ons. On the weekends, she’ll often link up with independent vintage sellers and host sidewalk sales. Love Street Vintage is open Wednesday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Markets
During the pandemic, San Francisco sadly lost a few beloved brick-and-mortar vintage shops; but like phoenixes rising from the ashes, many of them have reinvented themselves into traveling roadshows that now show up regularly at a growing number of markets.
One of my favorites, Ver Unica Vintage, run by an anchor of the Bay Area’s vintage community, Cindy Spade, is a regular at West Coast Craft and its spinoff, Waves. Cindy also has her own pop-up in Hayes Valley, which you can find out about by following her on Instagram. You can also find her and other local favorites Mercy Vintage and LaliSimone, along with the best sellers from across California, at the legendary Pickwick Vintage Show, popping up at the Ferry Building every other month. Get your tickets in advance and be sure to get there a little early to beat the crowds.
While you are at the Ferry Building, pay a visit to Fog City Flea Trading Post, which has a lovely little curated selection of vintage featuring selections from Ver Unica Vintage and LaliSimone.
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Pro tip: Wear a bodysuit or a tank top and stretch pants so that you can try on clothes on the spot and avoid lining up for the limited dressing rooms.
Greatest Hits by Neighborhood
North Beach
Grant Street is a great shopping destination in general, but don’t miss Vacation SF, which has two locations on the same block and is purportedly one of Gap Artistic Director Zac Posen’s favorite sources for inspiration. Also located on the same block is Via Margutta Vintage. A few blocks off Grant is the charming Missing Audrey Vintage.
Mission District
Start at No Shop, followed by Afterlife Collective and finally Valencia Street Vintage. On the weekends, Valencia Street Vintage is the hub of a lively second-hand market.
Polk Street
Stop by Cris Consignment for super high-end “future vintage” and then pop into Black-owned ReLove for a mix of vintage, designer and independent labels. For Y2K vibes, head to Moody Goose Vintage. And don’t miss STUFF, less than a block off Polk Street. While they mostly carry furniture and home goods, there is always a stash of vintage clothing that sometimes yields an unbelievable gem, like a vintage Ken Scott housedress.
Inner Richmond
Just for the food alone, Clement Street should be on everyone’s itinerary. Grab a bite at the Farmer’s Market on Sundays between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and walk off the calories by shopping at The Future Past, Body Philosophy Club and The Golden Hour.

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