Union Square (Geary and Stockton streets) is top dog for San Francisco shopping. It’s retail heaven, featuring flagship stores like Macy’s (+14153973333), Neiman Marcus (+14153623900), Saks Fifth Avenue (+14159864300), and Niketown (+14153926453).

When money’s no object, or you prefer window shopping for precious objects, stroll along Post Street between Kearny and Powell to find gleaming boutiques by everyone from Cartier and Bulgari to the legendary Gump’s (135 Post, +14159821616).

The Embarcadero Center (Sacramento Street between Battery and Drumm Streets, CA 94111, +14157720550) offers an urban shopping adventure, complete with bars and cafes for retail refueling. Less crowded and a little more hip are upper Grant Avenue in North Beach and Hayes Street between Laguna Street and the Civic Center, where you’ll find host of trend-setting alternative retailers.

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