San Francisco's Best Offbeat Store

From housewares to hot pants, this Castro general store sells it all.

Reviews:

• “Cliff’s has something for EVERYONE!”
• “amazing neighborhood store”
• “Great!”

Tips: In addition to its wide selection of housewares, Cliff’s specializes in costume garb, especially around Halloween. Check out the wide selection of wigs, drag wear and accessories that live in both the main shop and adjoining bath store.

Cliff’s Variety

Part art gallery, part garden shop, this peculiar place is full of exotic merchandise great for gift giving.

Reviews:

• “glorious merchandising!”
• “definately worth the trip!”

Tips: If you really need help with your garden, landscape design services are available.

Paxton Gate

High-end boutique of contemporary street art, T-shirts, skates and toys.

Tips: Art rotates at the whim of the store’s owners — check back often.

Giant Robot

Skilled artisan handcrafts custom and ready made ditty bags for customers.

Reviews:

• “Hilside Bags are the NOW!!!”

Tips: Online ordering is also available from the Hilside Bags.

Hilside Bags

Fabulously funky finds from the Old World, combined with an artist’s eye.

Tips: If you catch the owner when he’s in San Francisco, give him a list of things to look for on his next buying trip. That’s no guarantee he’ll find them, but you might end up with something equally bizarre.

Aria

For the ultimate pop art and graffiti-esque gifts, check out this store’s eclectic toy and apparel selection.

Tips: These guys sell piles of identical boxes containing blind assortment figures: tiny collectible sets that you have to buy before you see what’s inside. If you score one of the rarest figures, you’ll likely be able to turn it over to a collector for big bucks!

Kidrobot

Outer Richmond shop offers mainstream and underground titles, new and used anthologies, Japanese toys, posters, game cards and more.

Reviews:

• “Great Balance of Domestic & Imported Toys”
• “The best in SF”

Cards & Comics Central

This temple-turned-Japanese-pop-culture shop sells obscure art books, designer toys, quirky T-shirts and more.

Super 7 Store

Darkly beautiful vintage and contemporary objects for the home.

Tips: New treasures change monthly — check back often.

Swallowtail

Fabulous upscale “five and dime” features unusual and classic goodies.

Tips: One-of-a-kind Japanese products include kitschy vintage stuffed animals, lovely laquerware and paper products. The store also creates custom rubber stamps.

Polk-A-Dot Stationers & Variety Store

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