Shopping A-Z

Antiques

Jackson Square, a historic district just north of the Financial District's Embarcadero Center, is the place to go for the top names in fine furniture and fine art. More than a dozen dealers on the 2 blocks between Columbus and Sansome streets specialize in European furnishings from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Most shops here are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 11am to 4pm.

Art

The San Francisco Bay Area Gallery Guide, a comprehensive, bimonthly publication listing the city's current shows, is available free by mail. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to San Francisco Bay Area Gallery Guide, 1369 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94117 (tel. 415/921-1600); or pick one up at the San Francisco Visitor Information Center at 900 Market St. Most of the city's major art galleries are clustered downtown in the Union Square area.

Books

In addition to the listings here, there's a Barnes & Noble superstore at 2550 Taylor St., between Bay and North Point streets, near Fisherman's Wharf (tel. 415/292-6762); and a four-storied Borders at 400 Post St., at Union Square (tel. 415/399-1633).

Amazing Grazing

There's no better way to spend a sunny Saturday morning in San Francisco than to stroll the Ferry Building Marketplace and Farmers' Market, snacking your way through some of America's finest organic produce -- it's one of the most highly acclaimed farmers' markets in the United States. While foraging among the dozens of stalls crammed with Northern California fruit, vegetables, bread, shellfish, and dairy items, you're bound to bump elbows with the dozens of Bay Area chefs (such as Alice Waters) who do their shopping here. The enthusiastic vendors are always willing to educate visitors about the pleasures of organic produce, and often provide free samples. It's a unique opportunity for city dwellers to buy freshly picked organic produce directly from small family-operated farms.

On Saturday mornings the market is in its full glory. Nearly the entire building is enrobed with local meat ranchers, artisan cheese makers, bread bakers, specialty food purveyors, and farmers. On Saturdays make sure you arrive by 10:30am to watch Meet The Farmer, a half-hour interview with one of the farmers, food artisans, or other purveyors who give the audience in-depth information about how and where their food is produced. Then, at 11am, Bay Area chefs give cooking demonstrations using ingredients purchased that morning from the market (you get to taste their creations then leave with the recipe in hand). Several local restaurants also have food stalls selling their cuisine -- including breakfast items -- so don't eat before you arrive. You can also pick up locally made vinegars, preserves, herbs, and oils, which make wonderful gifts.

If you decide you want a local foodie to lead you on a culinary excursion of the Marketplace and Farmers' Market, my friend Lisa Rogovin, an "Epicurean Concierge" and founder of In The Kitchen With Lisa, offers guided culinary excursions. Some of Lisa's top noshing tips include:

Warm liquid Valrhona chocolate at Boulette's Larder (nirvana, she says).

For more information about Lisa's guided culinary tours, log on to her website at www.inthekitchenwithlisa.com, or call her at tel. 415/806-5970.

The Ferry Building Marketplace is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. The Farmers' Market takes place year-round, rain or shine, every Tuesday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. From spring through fall it also runs on Thursdays from 4 to 8pm and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. The Ferry Building is located on The Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street (about a 15-min. walk from Fisherman's Wharf). Call tel. 415/693-0996 for more information or log onto www.ferryplazafarmersmarket.com or www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's San Francisco 2008 Author: Erika Lenkert Pub Date: October 01, 2007 Price: $16.99				Related Titles: A Moveable Thirst: Tales and Tastes from a Season in Napa Wine Country California For Dummies, 4th Edition Frommer's California 2008