WINTER SALE: Save up to $862 on our trips! Book now and secure your adventure!

Noe Valley, the gentrified, idyllic neighborhood just south of the Castro, is home to an abundance of boutiques and specialty shops. Check out our list of the top ten boutiques in the area.

The Painted Bird

The Painted Bird

Shop

The Painted Bird, a consignment store (technically in the Mission, but right next to Noe Valley), offers the buy-sell-trade benefits of independent consignment shops. Shoppers can sell clothes for $30, trade clothing for a $50 voucher, or simply purchase some of the unique vintage items that the Painted Bird has to offer. In 2011, the small store also opened a Los Angeles branch on Santa Monica Blvd. And here’s a plus — the quirky boutique is cheap. Rated with only one dollar sign on Yelp, this shop is one of the most cost-effective consignment stores in the city. Throw in the eclectic atmosphere and The Painted Bird is the perfect place to purchase secondhand. The Painted Bird, 1360 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA(415) 401-7027 Cheryl Brind/Flickr

Curator

On the opposite end of the financial spectrum, Curator is another popular (but pricey) boutique. This shop is the quintessential Noe Valley hotspot, selling items that vary from women’s clothing and accessories to high-end home décor pieces to children’s clothing. Though it is a touch more expensive, the store has fantastic reviews online. Curator also frequently uses organic materials, and encourages waste reduction. The store, opened by two San Francisco females in 2009, is a great spot for shoppers who are willing to spend a little bit extra cash on high-quality, carefully-chosen products. Curator, 1767 Church St, San Francisco, CA+(415) 970-9828 Clothing on display in Two Birds | Katie Ward

Two Birds

Two Birds is another high-end Noe Valley boutique. The shop carries a variety of boho brands, including Elizabeth & James, Joie, Citizens of Humanity, and Haute Hippie. They also sell locally made jewelry, making the store even more unique to SF. All yellow walls and warm lighting bring a comfortable aura to Two Birds, and the shop is sure to brighten up a foggy day in Noe Valley. Lorraine Sanders from the San Francisco Chronicle also gave the store a positive review: “This Noe Valley boutique treats shoppers to a well-edited mix of sophisticated yet everyday-appropriate apparel and more unusual pieces from small, independent labels.” Two Birds, 1309 Castro St, San Francisco, CA+(415) 285-1840 Ambiance’s Noe Valley location | Katie Ward

Ambiance

This popular SF boutique has four locations around the city, but it’s newest shop is in Noe Valley. Ambiance prides itself on having items from $5 to $500, and such a diverse line of products truly does offer something for everyone. The store sells women’s fashion, as well as beauty products and an extensive accessory collection. They have sales regularly, and offer discounts and memberships to their regular shoppers. Ambiance, 3979 24th St, San Francisco, CA+(415) 647-5800 Michelle O’Riordan/Flickr

ISSO SF

With a perfect 5-star rating on Yelp, and a cheaper price range, ISSO SF has plenty to offer for all kinds of shoppers. The women’s clothing boutique sells a variety of unique apparel, including consignment items and pieces from the owner’s SF-friendly line. With superb customer service and personalized touches, the employees at the store do everything they can to make shoppers feel at home. Be wary of their hours, however. The Noe Valley location closes it’s doors at 7 p.m., and the Mission Dolores location shuts down even earlier at 5 p.m. ISSO SF, 3610 19th St, San Francisco, CA+(415) 865-0969 IN-HOUSE Boutique | Katie Ward

IN-HOUSE Boutique

This Noe Valley boutique is another example of a store with San Francisco taste. It has a moderate price range and a wide selection of styles and fits. And the best part? All of their products come from local designers. The owner of the shop also sells her own sustainable clothing line, RAG-DOLL. They also offer a small selection of children’s items and knick-knacks. IN-HOUSE has a prime location for the product they have to offer, and their loyal customers are grateful for it. IN-HOUSE Boutique, 3927 24th Street, San Francisco, CA+(415) 550-1513 Heroine | Katie Ward

Heroine

Heroine has also jumped on the trend of blending maternity wear and children’s clothing with women’s fashion and accessories. In a family-friendly neighborhood like Noe Valley, that appears to be the prevailing trend. Although it is on the pricier end, they’re very considerate of pregnant women’s bodies, and they also have a broad selection of items for people who aren’t quite ready to start a family, as well. Heroine, 4100 24th St, San Francisco, CA+(415) 642-4843 The Podolls | Katie Ward

The Podolls

The Podolls is one of the most established boutiques on this list. With a wide selection of men’s and women’s everyday wear, outerwear, and children’s clothing, The Podolls is right at home alongside the other boutiques on 24th St. What sets them apart is their events — they also host workshops, book readings, aura photographers, and trunk shows with their favorite designers and artists. They also offer apothecary and home items, as well as a large variety of accessories and books. Be sure to check out their website and take advantage of their online shopping — their Fall 2015 collection is available for sale now. The Podolls, 3985 24th St, San Francisco, CA +(415) 529-1196 See Jane Run | Katie Ward

See Jane Run

See Jane Run is an acclaimed women’s active gear boutique located in Noe Valley. They sell athletic wear and running shoes, priding themselves on their commitment to fitness and health. See Jane Run sponsors half-marathons and triathlons across the country, from the Bay Area to San Antonio to Boise. Plus, a portion of their proceeds goes toward organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Breast Cancer Fund. They hope to help all of their shoppers achieve their fitness goals, whether that’s jogging up the nearest hill or completing a triathlon. See Jane Run, 3910 24th Street, San Francisco, CA + (415) 401-8338 Mary’s Exchange | Katie Ward

Mary's Exchange

Mary’s Exchange is another popular consignment store in Noe Valley. What makes them unique is their consignment process — Mary’s Exchange offers a higher percentage of the selling price to the seller, so if you’re interested in selling your clothes, it will be more profitable than if you were to sell them elsewhere. They also return items if they are not sold after 60 days, so sellers are able to donate them or take them to another consignment store and profit off of them there. They have a unique blend of high-end vintage clothing that attracts shoppers, and have a moderate price range, especially in comparison to other shops in the neighborhood. Mary’s Exchange, 1302 Castro St, San Francisco, CA+(415) 282-6955 By Katie Ward Instagram: https://instagram.com/katie_ux2/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/katiewardnews?lang=en Other Work: http://sffoghorn.org/?s=katie+ward

About the author

Katie is a sophomore at the University of San Francisco, majoring in Media Studies with a focus in Journalism and Peace and Justice Studies. In addition to The Culture Trip, she is the news editor for the official newspaper of USF, The Foghorn. Although she has never traveled abroad, she aspires to experience new countries while writing about foreign affairs for various news publications. Katie loves to try exotic foods, explore the outdoors, and experience new cultures. After moving from her hometown of Los Angeles to San Francisco for school, she is excited to write for The Culture Trip and discover her new favorite town!

If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
close-ad