Financial District and SoMa

Is there anyplace in San Francisco [1] where you can’t shop? Even the Financial District [2] has plenty of retail opportunities. Antique, art, and design lovers come down to Jackson Square (Jackson and Montgomery Sts., 415/398-8115) for the plethora of high-end shops and galleries.

Don’t expect to find much in the way of cheap tchotchkes here—the objets d’art and interior accessories here find places in the exquisite homes of the wealthy buyers who can afford such luxuries. But as always, it’s free to look, to imagine, and to dream.

Art and Design

Kathleen Taylor - The Lotus Collection (445 Jackson St., 415/398-8115, www.ktaylor-lotus.com [3], Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.) specializes in antique textiles from around the world. Whether you fancy a medieval tapestry for your wall or an ancient Asian table runner, this is the place to find it. A more classic but intensely high-end and well-known gallery sells works of fine art to the cream of West Coast society.

The Montgomery Gallery (406 Jackson St., 415/788-8300, www.montgomerygallery.com [4], Tues.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.) seems like a museum, displaying works of the Old Masters as well as the top tier of more modern artists.

The modern design shops, while still catering to the high end, offer more items within the reach of normal folks. Area (540 Jackson St., 415/989-2732, www.areasanfrancisco.com [5], Tues.–Fri. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) is one of these, offering both indoor and outdoor decorative items of the very latest styles. While much of their stock is pricey, some of the smaller items such as planters and knickknacks, cost under $100.