Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [168]
Good Byes One of the best new- and used-clothes stores in San Francisco, Good Byes carries only high-quality clothing and accessories, including an exceptional selection of men’s fashions at unbelievably low prices (for example, $350 pre-owned shoes for $35). Women’s wear is in a separate boutique across the street. 3464 Sacramento St. and 3483 Sacramento St. (btw. Laurel and Walnut sts.). 415/346-6388 (men’s) and 415/674-0151 (women’s). www.goodbyessf.com.
La Rosa On a street packed with vintage-clothing shops, this is one of the more upscale options. Since 1978, it has featured a selection of high-quality, dry-cleaned secondhand goods. Formal suits and dresses are its specialty, but you’ll also find sport coats, slacks, and shoes. The more moderately priced sister store, Held Over, is located at 1543 Haight St., near Ashbury ( 415/864-0818), and their discount store, Clothes Contact, is located at 473 Valencia St., at 16th St. ( 415/621-3212). 1711 Haight St. (at Cole St.). 415/668-3744.
Wine & Sake
True Sake Amid woven sea grass flooring, colorful backlit displays, and a so-hip Hayes Valley location are more than 140 varieties of Japanese-produced sake ranging from an $8 300ml bottle of Ohyama to a $180 720ml bottle of Kotsuzumi Rojohanaari—which, incidentally, owner Beau Timken (who is on hand to describe each wine) says is available at no other retail store in the U.S. 560 Hayes St. (btw. Laguna and Octavia sts.). 415/355-9555.www.truesake.com.
Wine Club San Francisco The Wine Club is a discount warehouse that offers bargains on more than 1,200 domestic and foreign wines. Bottles cost between $4 and $1,100. 953 Harrison St. (btw. Fifth and Sixth sts.). 415/512-9086.www.thewineclub.com.
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SAN FRANCISCO AFTER DARK
Alembic owner Daniel Hyatt pours you a cocktail.
For a city with fewer than a million full-time inhabitants, San Francisco boasts an impressive after-dark scene. Dozens of piano bars and top-notch lounges augment a lively dance-club culture, and skyscraper lounges offer dazzling city views. The city’s arts scene is also extraordinary: The opera is justifiably world renowned, the ballet is on its toes, and theaters are high in both quantity and quality. In short, there’s always something going on in the city, and unlike in Los Angeles or New York you don’t have to pay outrageous cover charges or wait to be “picked” to be a part of the scene.
For up-to-date nightlife information, turn to the San Francisco Weekly (www.sfweekly.com) and the San Francisco Bay Guardian (www.sfbg.com), both of which run comprehensive listings. They are available for free at bars and restaurants and from street-corner boxes all around the city. Where (www.wheresf.com), a free tourist-oriented monthly, also lists programs and performance times; it’s available in most of the city’s finer hotels. The Sunday edition of the San Francisco Chronicle features a “Datebook” section, printed on pink paper, with information on and listings of the week’s events. If you have Internet access, it’s a good idea to check out www.citysearch.com or www.sfstation.com for the latest in bars, clubs, and events. And if you want to secure seats at a hot-ticket event, either buy well in advance or contact the concierge of your hotel and see if they can swing something for you.
Tix Bay Area (also known as TIX; 415/430-1140; www.tixbayarea.org) sells half-price tickets on the day of performances and full-price tickets in advance to select Bay Area cultural and sporting events. TIX is also a Ticketmaster outlet and sells Gray Line tours and transportation passes. Tickets are primarily sold in person with some half-price