Unique Gift Guide: The Best Gifts from San Francisco

Are you visiting San Francisco and searching for the perfect gift to bring back for yourself or a loved one? Perhaps you’re looking for the best places to go shopping during the holiday season where you can support local businesses. This guide will help you find the best gifts from San Francisco, including quintessential souvenirs and unique gifts.

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Top Two Traditional Souvenirs from San Francisco

Two gifts are thought of as traditional gifts from San Francisco: sourdough bread and Ghirardelli Chocolate.

Sourdough Bread

Boudin Bakery is synonymous with San Francisco’s famous sourdough bread. The main Boudin Bakery location is in the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf. There, you can find sourdough formed into unique shapes like bears. If you are heading out of San Francisco Airport, you can also pick up a loaf of Sourdough from multiple newsstands and shops.

Alternatively, multiple artisanal bakeries specialize in sourdough bread. Tartine Bakery is likely the most popular, with locations in the Mission and the Inner Sunset. However, do not overlook Josey Baker Bread at the Mill and Jane the Bakery.

Ghirardelli Chocolate

One of the most popular things to do in Fisherman’s Wharf is to visit the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. I have many fond memories of getting hot fudge sundaes from there on my birthdays growing up! 

You can visit the original chocolate factory or check out the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, where you’ll find wall-to-wall chocolate squares, bars, and more. You can mix and match a wide variety of chocolate squares and add personalization to make this traditional San Francisco gift a bit more unique.

Where to Find Unique San Francisco Gifts

elizabethW

Also located in Ghirardelli Square is elizabethW, a boutique perfumery that creates unique perfumes, body lotions, and home goods. The items in this shop are perfect for someone who loves luxurious scents and creating an ambiance with delicious-smelling candles that you can’t find anywhere else.

San Franpsycho

San Franpsycho is a clothing shop that sells unique screen prints reflecting the artistic and active lifestyle of San Francisco. They have two locations, one in the Inner Sunset and one in the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. 

In the shop, you can find their widely recognized design with San Fransycho printed at the bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge on shirts, sweatshirts, beanies, tote bags, and more. But you can also find attire that reflects our love of Bay Area sports and music.

If you don’t go specifically to their stores, you may also see their designs in other local shops throughout the city.

Dandelion Chocolate

We’ve talked about Ghirardelli Chocolate, but if you want something a bit more unique for the chocaholic in your life, check out Dandelion Chocolate, located in the Mission district.

Dandelion produces high-quality chocolate using only the best cocoa beans and organic cane sugar. One of my favorite things to do in the Mission on a chilly night is stop in for their delicious hot chocolate with huge marshmallows and sample any new chocolate bar flavors.

You can even bring home their famous hot chocolate mix! They also offer gift boxes filled with their favorite chocolate creations.

Fog City Flea Trading Post

One of the best places for holiday shopping in San Francisco is the Ferry Building, which is filled with local businesses that offer everything from food to ceramics. However, Fog City Flea Trading Post is one place to check out that you’ll likely find a gift for everyone on your list. 

Fog City Flea is a collection of local artists and shops from the San Francisco Bay Area. You’ll find handcrafted jewelry, housewares, art, clothing, and a bit of vintage all under one roof. I’ve found wall art for friends’ apartments, hats for my Dad, and unique jewelry pieces for my Mom.

Fog City Flea could be your one-stop shop this holiday season!

Bi-Rite Market

Bi-Rite Market is a well-loved grocery store staple throughout the city. There are two markets, one in the Mission and the other near Alamo Square, and a delicious creamery. 

Bi-Rite is known for sourcing high-quality groceries from local farms and companies and sustainable businesses worldwide. They put together unique gift boxes that are perfect for your favorite foodie. 

You can choose from four gift boxes, including the “Best of the Bay” gift box, which includes some of the best-tasting products created here in the Bay Area. 

Often Wander

Often Wander is a beautiful gift shop located on the popular Valencia Street in the heart of the Mission. Inside, you’ll find beautiful jewelry, yummy-smelling candles, crystals, notebooks, home decor, and cute cards. This shop is perfect for the person in your life who wants to manifest something big for 2024!

This guide to where to find the best gifts from San Francisco is just a jumping-off point for you. These are some of my favorite places to shop for unique gifts that reflect San Francisco’s unique culture and the person to whom I’m giving the item. Every San Francisco neighborhood you visit will have cute shops where you can find great souvenirs to commemorate your trip to San Francisco. If you have any shops I should add to this gift-giving guide, please leave a comment and I’ll check it out!

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