China Station
If you like reasonably priced souvenirs, this is the place for you. They have a very broad selection, selling everything from Chinese exercise balls to Buddha statues.
Peking Bazaar
Huge sprawling store selling a wide range of discount imported goods from Asia including lanterns, candles, sarongs, silk kimonos, geisha outfits and Chinese dolls.
Chinatown and North Beach are unique immigrant neighborhoods, and consequently there are almost no large chain stores to be found. In Chinatown, Grant Avenue is the main shopping thoroughfare for tourists. Here you will find Oriental handicrafts of all descriptions, from jade statues to Asian rugs and kimonos. It also has many souvenir stores and small market stalls that sell typical tourist knickknacks. Stockton Street runs parallel to Grant on its west, and has many fresh produce and household ware stores that are popular with locals and overflow onto the sidewalks which overflow onto the streets during peak shopping hours.
At a number of establishments between Stockton and Grant on Clay, Washington, Waverly, and Broadway, you can get amazingly cheap $6 haircut. It's practically free if you consider the money you've saved on lunch if you've gone to Dim Sum. If you choose wisely, you can even watch Chinese-language soap operas while you wait.
North Beach has predominantly small boutique stores selling mostly clothing and jewelry, arts and handicrafts, furniture and Italian wares. Here is a selection of the stores available:
Chinese Bookmarks
Tired of the same old souvenir stores? Looking for a more authentic souvenir? Down Ross Alley you'll sometimes find an old Chinese man in a doorway, who for a few dollars, will inscribe your name in the Chinese alphabet onto a handcrafted bookmark.
Asian Image
Two floors of sartorial treasures such as velvet jackets and Thai silk shirts. It also sells Asian books and many other eclectic Asian wares.
Dragon House
Sells genuine antiques and fine art from China, Japan, Tibet and Mongolia.
A. Cavalli & Co
This shop with its friendly proprietor sells everything Italian, from ornate imported espresso and pasta makers to Italian newspapers, magazines, CDs, and DVDs.
Biordi Arts
For 50 years the owners have been selling imprinted Renaissance style Italian Majolica as well as Italian Hand painted Dinnerware.
Goorin Brothers Hat Makers
These guys are determined to bring hats back in a big way. Along the way they've had many famous customers including Tom Cruise and JayZ. How big is your head?
Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's is probably most famous for selling the Californian wine affectionately known as "2 buck Chuck" Charles Shaw wine.