From its hippie chic street beat to its international cuisine, San Francisco's a-sizzling!
Where to shop: SanFran's chicest shopaholics can be found downtown at Union Square (www.unionsquareshop.com). The Mecca, surrounded by the Holy Trinity of shopping: Saks, Macy's and Neiman Marcus, has streets lined with the most recognizable designer brands: Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Armani, oh my! Give your pocketbook a break by lunching at Scala's Bistro (www.scalasbistro.com) for their fresh market oysters and soft-shell crab risotto.
For your vintage fix, head to historic Haight Ashbury(known as the The Haight to locals). The epicenter of all things counterculture back in the '60s, the bohemian vibe of the village still resonates heavily today; you're sure to hear the tunes of The Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin wafting out of storefront windows onto the rolling city streets. Here, classic Victorian homes are sandwiched between Head Shops and thriving local Bay Area designer boutiques. Pop into super-girlie Dollhouse Bettie (www.dollhousebettie.com) for their authentic vintage, retro and pinup lingerie. Also on offer is their Boudoir Photography; a session where you can sport their lingerie and then get your snaps taken in a fully outfitted Edwardian-esque studio complete with period furnishings and props. Fun!
Down the street is the Villains Vault (www.villainssf.com) a über-cool shop which carries a plethora of well-known designers such as Ben Sherman, Cheap Monday, Diesel and Splendid. Have a quick smoke of the vanilla hookah at the Middle Eastern café Kan Zaman (1793 Haight Street; 415-751-9656) before ending your day of shopping by chilling out at the oldest park in San Francisco: Buena Vista Park; a tranquil 36-acre park with great views of the San Francisco skyline.
